hoffmans sign

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Learn about ALS
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Battle creek
I now have Hoffman's sign. Is this als related? Scared now
 
What did the doctor say about it? My understanding is that it is extremely non specific and can be normal and also transient. I had it once 16 months ago No one has been able to replicate it I have no symptoms in that hand to this day and an EMG on that extremity as recently as this summer was normal. I was told not to worry
 
Brittany, I believe two neurologists have examined you, one with an EMG, and they told you that you don't have ALS.

Hoffman's sign could be present in a half-dozen conditions. Ask your doctor for guidance.
 
Steve's appeared after he experienced spasms, cramping and the like. His emg was indicative of als in that hand.
 
I'm being re-evaluated because of it. Its crazy because my twitching subsided to just a few here and there and I stopped having the weird feelings I was getting in my leg and arm. I don't have spasms in my hands or cramps. I'm on a bfs support page and one lady says she can provoke it on herself. So I guess I'm just wondering if it can be non specific or if it is usually directly related to als. I just got over this fear of als and now this.
 
Nevermind I just read nikkis post about it being non specific. I'll update when my Dr gets back to me thanks guys
 
How did you find out you had it? Did you not ask the doctor at the time? And please if you are testing yourself or having a non medical friend test you stop! Those would be completely invalid
 
Yes, I did stupidly self test. I had in the past but never got a response. And I only get the reflex response so.etimes not every time. Dr noweseck is going to double check. (als neurologist) I have read it's associated with anxiety too. But I just wondered of hoffmans was directly related to a specific disease process and you answered my question as to it's non specific and that's what I was hoping for. Thanks Nikki. Better to get a professional option which i will be I was only checking because I don't know much about reflexes and stuff like that and there are knowledgable people here. Its just my left hand that's why I got freaked out. But as I said I can't make the thumb and first finger respond every time.
 
Promise no more self testing. It only makes you crazy
 
Hi Brittany,

Per Dr. Nowacek: The Hoffman's test can easily be over interpreted. Of note, even if positive, in isolation this would be of unclear clinical significance.

Who is the person that did this test on you? Is this an MD or a board certified Neurologist?

You have had numerous exams in our office by multiple providers and had testing completed that was normal. This finding does not change our current course of care.

Thanks,

Allyce, RN


At my Dr's office you can directly send messages to providers and the nurse will respond to what the Dr told them to write. In this case this is the response I got from the nurse per my als specialist neurologist just now. Thank you :) maybe this statement will help other ppl on here worried about the Hoffman's since it's from an als Dr. Thanks again everyone
 
Glad you posted the response Brittany.
I hope you are getting help for your anxiety. The way the message to you was worded says volumes. Please stop any and all self testing. It serves no good purpose and as seen here leads to unnecessary anxiety.
For future readers as you see the neurologist was not concerned and the statement that the doctor was going to doublecheck was erroneous. Rather Brittany was checking with him. As I read the message there is no need for any follow up exam based on the finding even if it had been by a doctor.

Good luck Brittany. Closing now
 
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