Odd Symptoms

[NLaw88]

Hello all, I've been having weird symptoms that I hope I could get some answers to.

A few months ago, I started twitching in my legs and arms. Eventually, I developed trouble swallowing. Right now, I'm swallowing fine, but chewing seems harder sometimes for me. However, I have no inability to chew. I've also had the occasional jerking sensation.

I went to my GP, and she said she doesn't think anything serious is going on. I can still exercise like I used to. All of my bloodwork came back normal, and my doctor said it may be all caused by anxiety. I'm 24, and she said for it to ALS would be extremely unlikely, as I have no family history of it.

Does this sound like it could be ALS? I've had these symptoms for nearly 7 months now. Thank you for your time!

 

[KarenNWendyn]

It does not sound anything like ALS.

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

Twitching is common, nonspecific, and meaningless in the absence of muscle function failure which you have not described.

 

[NLaw88]

It does not sound anything like ALS.

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

Twitching is common, nonspecific, and meaningless in the absence of muscle function failure which you have not described.

Thank you for the quick reply! Just as a follow up question, I have noticed that my right ankle seems tight and is sometimes painful to walk on. I also have pain in my right collar bone area, which is worse when I'm moving it. Does this sound like anything concerning, or just exercise or movement related?

Thank you!

 

[KarenNWendyn]

It’s not an ALS symptom. See your doctor if you’re concerned.

 

[NLaw88]

It’s not an ALS symptom. See your doctor if you’re concerned.

Hi Karyn,

I was able to see a neurologist my GP works with today, That neurologist happens to me an MND specialist by pure luck. She said it's BFS, and does not want any further testing.

I just have a question: what is that? She didn't explain it well, and I can't find much about it on the Internet.

Basically, I notice that while sitting my limbs will somtimes just sort of jerk. Like a quick jolt in a direction. Most often it is my right leg that does it, but I have noticed it in my hip, arms, and once I had my jaw hanging open (sinus troubles made it hard to breath) and it jerked. Sometimes they are more frequent than others. I remember having them at least a few months ago.

Are these a concern? I mean somtimes I will have them fairly frequently in a day. It always seems to be while I am sitting down and focused on something. It almost feels like a muscle group instead of a single muscle is twitching. The only real way to describe it is a jerk of the limb. Thanks.

 

[affected]

BFS = BENIGN fasciculation syndrome. It means simply, you twitch and jerk for no reason that is a problem or disease.
No concern, just ignore and get on with life - congratulations!

 

[NLaw88]

BFS = BENIGN fasciculation syndrome. It means simply, you twitch and jerk for no reason that is a problem or disease.
No concern, just ignore and get on with life - congratulations!

Thank you! I always assumed things like this were a sign of something bad. Crazy to know they're not. I also take sertraline, and I found out that muscle twitches and jerks could be a side effect of that drug. I'll definitely be asking my doctor about that in the morning.

Thanks again!