Hello

[Panthers1]

About a month and a half ago I went to bed on a Saturday night and had constant twitches and under the skin movements in both legs. Now about 3 weeks ago the twitches have spread to my arms, shoulders, eyelid, chest and lip. I can feel most of my twitches, which does not seem normal. I also have episodes of pins and needles throughout my body from time to time. Went to the doctor about 3 weeks ago and he had me walk on my toes and heels and did a leg reflex test which was normal. He said he has no need to send me to a neurologist because he does not want to put me through the test. He also took bloodwork and tested muscle density within that test and it came back normal. Just nervous I guess because I have never had twitching before.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello-

Please read here: Read Before Posting. It addresses twitching absent clinical weakness (not ALS) and sensory issues (points to something else). Hopefully that will reassure you.

Take care

 

[Panthers1]

Thank you, could you provide a list of sensory issues that you know of. Thanks

 

[Nikki J]

Sensory means things you feel. Pins and needles are an example of feelings ALS is a motor disease. We feel normal but our muscles don’t work

 

[Panthers1]

Just a quick follow up question to my thread. How long after twitching starts do you notice weakness in a limb, or would you notice it beforehanand? thanks

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hi there-

Please make sure to read the link you've already been provided.

Read Before Posting

It covers twitching and answers your question. It covers much more than that, so make sure to check there first to see if it answers your questions.

From the link- Twitching absent weakness points elsewhere.

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."

 

[Panthers1]

Hello, I have had twitching in my legs for 2 and a half months off and on. Would I have noticeable weakness in my legs by now? Also have widespread sensory symptoms such as aching, stinging, some burning feeling down my left leg which I know is not typical of als. Still scary, have never had twitching in my life.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Please keep going back and reading the link provided. It sounds like you know the answer but need people here to keep reassuring you. This is not particularly healthy, nor is a good way to deal with health anxiety. Repeated reassurance seeking means you have something you need to address with both your pcp and someone who is qualified to help you with some tools to alleviate the stress that arises when you are worried about your health.