23 Years old and scared.

[financeguy314]

I have read the rules and the common FAQ's

Stats: Male, 23 years old, White, Duration of complaint: 6 months.

Description: In February 2019, about 6 months ago, I began twitching throughout my body. I still twitch to this day, but over time it is less frequent. Around the same time I had hand aches. I visited my PCP and tested for nutrient issues, nothing was abnormal. He ordered an EMG. I visited a neuro muscular specialist who evaluated me, did not recommend an EMG and diagnosed Benign Fasculation Syndrome - this was at the end of April 2019. My left hand however seems off, less coordinated and just kinda funny. Its hard to describe it, but it just doesn't feel normal to me, much less dexterous. Strength from a grip standpoint is still there - I can pick up heavy dumbbells in each hand and haven't had a problem working out. My left wrist is a lot smaller, and almost hollow in a way. Pictures are attached. The twitching has calmed down to an extent, but I do still twitch daily.
Is this ALS? Is this something I need to follow up with the Neuro on?

Images:

 

[nona]

no

 

[KarenNWendyn]

Please read this if you have not already done so: Important - READ BEFORE POSTING! Answers to common concerns about possible symptoms!

Your main symptom is twitching which means nothing. Twitching is common, nonspecific, and meaningless in the absence of muscle function failure which you have not described. As far as something “feeling off”, that could be anything or nothing. At your age, a musculoskeletal issue such as overuse or strain would be most likely. If you’re concerned, I would recommend returning to your PCP.

The picture doesn’t really help. Most people have some degree of asymmetry as a normal feature.

But nothing in your post suggests ALS.

 

[Bestfriends14]

The picture is meaningless and if you had truly read the rules and FAQs, then you would know that without function failure, i.e. cannot do up zippers, cannot use chop sticks, cannot cut your nails, then you do not have ALS. This is great news for you.

Take good care.

 

[financeguy314]

The picture is meaningless and if you had truly read the rules and FAQs, then you would know that without function failure, i.e. cannot do up zippers, cannot use chop sticks, cannot cut your nails, then you do not have ALS. This is great news for you.

Take good care.

Will do, you're right. These tasks (fine motor tasks - shaving, holding toothbrush seem a bit off), but the hand in question is left, and I am right hand dominant. But I guess, my question lies here - would I be able to do tasks like hold heavy objects if I had ALS?

Your main symptom is twitching which means nothing. Twitching is common, nonspecific, and meaningless in the absence of muscle function failure which you have not described. As far as something “feeling off”, that could be anything or nothing. At your age, a musculoskeletal issue such as overuse or strain would be most likely. If you’re concerned, I would recommend returning to your PCP.

The picture doesn’t really help. Most people have some degree of asymmetry as a normal feature.

But nothing in your post suggests ALS.

Thanks Karen - one last thought before I leave, typing seems off as well, but thats beside the point. What about this - would 6 months of twitching likely present me with more symptoms if I had ALS? Something would've been abnormal in April (almost 4 months ago) when I saw the neuro?

I think I am gonna be fine. Is it positive the twitching has calmed down? What if I said these symptoms (hand seeming off, ache, etc) have come and gone 3-4 times since February? Hanging around a couple weeks at a time. I believe the ALS stance is, there is no coming and going, it comes and stays?

 

[lgelb]

When neurons are dead, they're dead. You report nothing to worry about in re ALS. As Karen says, an overuse injury is most likely and can be followed by your PCP, who can refer to a hand specialist if needed. You can also try mild stretching if/as advised. And looking at your pillow setup can do no harm; some people end up lying on an arm or hand.

As for heavy objects, one of my husband's early symptoms was being unable to place items he had obtained from drug store shelves, on the checkout counter, which is slightly higher. You get the idea.

 

[financeguy314]

When neurons are dead, they're dead. You report nothing to worry about in re ALS. As Karen says, an overuse injury is most likely and can be followed by your PCP, who can refer to a hand specialist if needed. You can also try mild stretching if/as advised. And looking at your pillow setup can do no harm; some people end up lying on an arm or hand.

As for heavy objects, one of my husband's early symptoms was being unable to place items he had obtained from drug store shelves, on the checkout counter, which is slightly higher. You get the idea.

Thanks lgelb, see: left vs right.... This isn't too worry? It looks like (significant?) atrophy?

 

[KarenNWendyn]

Honestly I can’t see much difference in the photo. But even if it were atrophy, there are many more common causes besides ALS. Best to work with your doctors.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

Also, with ALS, weakness and atrophy typically starts first in the hand and then works up the forearm. The muscles in your hands look normal.