Constant hand twitch

[Blsalman]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum, and I'm really struggling as of late and could use some insight. For reference I am a 25yo female with no family history.

Almost 4 weeks ago I started experiencing body-wide twitching. This followed the passing of my father, in a very traumatic and violent way, in my apartment, where I still have to live because I don't have the means to move yet. I chalked up the twitching to stress and PTSD. My GP said the same.

What's been scaring me as of late is a "hotspot" on my hand, below my ring and middle knuckles. It won't stop- it's every second of every day. It's a very fine twitch, and sometimes I can even see it without feeling it. It'll move my middle finger back and forth. Sometimes I'll get a tingle and buzzing feeling up the back of my middle finger as well. Sometimes I'll even feel that in the web between my forefinger and thumb.

From what I've heard, the fine and nonstop twitches in one place are the bad ones. I still have pops everywhere else as well, but this one on my hand is relentless. I understand ALS is pretty rare in my age category, but definitely not impossible. I have a neuro appt at the Cleveland Clinic on September 18th that feels so far away. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hi there,

There are no specific rules about twitches in one spot, speed or quality of twitches, etc, no matter what you read on the internet.

Please make sure to read here: Read Before Posting, as it explains twitching absent clinical weakness (based on a doctor's exam, not how you feel). Your appointment in 3 weeks will hopefully be reassuring for you. While it seems like a long ways away, it is coming up quickly.

I am really hoping you are getting proper support for what must have been a very stressful and horrible event.

Please take care

 

[Blsalman]

I've read and heard many times about twitching without weakness. I think my main concern is this being the onset, and weakness will surely follow soon. Especially with this new hotspot in my hand. It never stops

 

[ShiftKicker]

From the "Read Before".

Other “Symptoms”—Twitching
If you have muscle twitching and the internet says that is a symptom of ALS, pay attention. Twitching (fasciculations) is sometimes a symptom of ongoing ALS. It is seldom, if ever, a first symptom of ALS (especially if it is all over your body). Twitching is very common and is frequently caused by too much caffeine, Rx meds, fatigue, over-exertion, anxiety, stress, and many other common causes. If you have twitching without clinical weakness, atrophy or an abnormal neurological exam, your twitching is probably not from ALS, which is a very, very rare disease..

This is taken from the post of a member who saw Dr Orla Hardiman a leading ALS specialist. "I asked her about contradictory information about fasics being a precursor of MND. Here is her answer 1. As you know, fasics are common in patients with MND. But we don't look for fascics to suspect MND, we look for weakness, atrophy or change in reflexes.2. Fasics themselves are no real indicator of MND or any other disease.3. In most cases, fasics are of benign origin.4. I have NEVER had a patient with BFS who progressed in MND. And I had a lots of MND (and BFS) patients in my clinical practice.5. In most cases PALS don't even notice fasics by themselves. Usually their spouse, or someone else is the first one who notices them."

 

[lgelb]

I'm very sorry about your dad. Since you're there for now, maybe you can use part of the space to celebrate who he was and what you shared.

It is not true that fine and nonstop twitches are the "bad ones." There are really no bad ones when that's all there is -- twitching. It's pretty common for "all over" to include a hotspot. I'm not seeing ALS in your description, but you're obviously in distress.

I would consider therapeutic massage while you await your appointment. In the right hands, it can't hurt and giving a lot of twitchy spots a little love can help you feel more like yourself.

Slow stretching/flexibility workouts as in ballet, tai chi, Pilates, etc. may also help. Plenty of routines on YouTube.

PTSD and stress are real, but sometimes your body has to take the lead -- this may be one of those times.