ronnieg48
New member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2022
- Messages
- 3
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- OH
- City
- Cincinnati
Hi, I’m a 53 year old male in good overall health with no previous neurologic concerns that is seeking feedback on the symptoms I’ve been experiencing over the last 5-6 weeks.
First symptoms late November 2021
Muscle twitching that started in abdomen that spread over the next week to just about every location equally on both sides of my body (arms, legs, hands, feet, stomach, back, face). I’ve had some muscle twitching in the past even as far back as a teenager, but never this widespread, persistent or diffuse moving around randomly to various locations which has been particularly concerning with such an abrupt onset.
Early December
Had pretty intense muscle spasms in both thighs after normal cardio routine at gym that were painful enough that I went to the ED to be evaluated. Vitals, blood work and urine analysis and CT of my head were all normal. PCP thought I might have had a drug reaction to just starting an SSRI that may have caused the muscle spasms, so it was discontinued right away. Intermittent muscle cramping continued for a couple of weeks and seemed to be worse if I had to be on my feet a lot. I started to notice that my reflexes seemed overly sensitive, i.e., if I bumped into something with arms or legs there seemed to be an exaggerated reaction to it. Also, when falling asleep started to have entire limb jerks (arm or leg) intermittently.
Late December
I’ve gradually been able to resume exercise without any significant issues other than feeling a little more fatigued than usual for 1-2 days after working out. Arm and leg jerks have almost completely resolved at this point.
PCP referred me to a Neurologist and saw them on 12/28. Was told that overall, the exam was pretty normal without any clinical weakness detected, but that reflexes were “brisk/jumpy but not too bad”. However, due to reflexes an EMG was recommended to rule out ALS or anything serious and has been scheduled for 1/13. Extensive bloodwork was ordered to check for other abnormalities and still waiting for these results although I assume they were normal since I haven’t heard otherwise yet.
The muscle twitching has continued and been very bothersome, so I started taking magnesium supplements and this has seemed to reduce their frequency quite a bit over the last couple of weeks.
Questions
First symptoms late November 2021
Muscle twitching that started in abdomen that spread over the next week to just about every location equally on both sides of my body (arms, legs, hands, feet, stomach, back, face). I’ve had some muscle twitching in the past even as far back as a teenager, but never this widespread, persistent or diffuse moving around randomly to various locations which has been particularly concerning with such an abrupt onset.
Early December
Had pretty intense muscle spasms in both thighs after normal cardio routine at gym that were painful enough that I went to the ED to be evaluated. Vitals, blood work and urine analysis and CT of my head were all normal. PCP thought I might have had a drug reaction to just starting an SSRI that may have caused the muscle spasms, so it was discontinued right away. Intermittent muscle cramping continued for a couple of weeks and seemed to be worse if I had to be on my feet a lot. I started to notice that my reflexes seemed overly sensitive, i.e., if I bumped into something with arms or legs there seemed to be an exaggerated reaction to it. Also, when falling asleep started to have entire limb jerks (arm or leg) intermittently.
Late December
I’ve gradually been able to resume exercise without any significant issues other than feeling a little more fatigued than usual for 1-2 days after working out. Arm and leg jerks have almost completely resolved at this point.
PCP referred me to a Neurologist and saw them on 12/28. Was told that overall, the exam was pretty normal without any clinical weakness detected, but that reflexes were “brisk/jumpy but not too bad”. However, due to reflexes an EMG was recommended to rule out ALS or anything serious and has been scheduled for 1/13. Extensive bloodwork was ordered to check for other abnormalities and still waiting for these results although I assume they were normal since I haven’t heard otherwise yet.
The muscle twitching has continued and been very bothersome, so I started taking magnesium supplements and this has seemed to reduce their frequency quite a bit over the last couple of weeks.
Questions
- Would brisk reflexes together with my other symptoms be suggestive of ALS even without clinical weakness or any loss of function? Note: I had an annual physical at the end of September 2021 that was normal and nothing was mentioned about my reflexes at that time. Also, got annual Flu Vaccine in mid-November so unsure if this could cause any of my issues or not
- Neurologist ordered a four limb EMG. Is a four-limb study the standard to rule out ALS?
- Neurologist said she may have to refer me to a Neuromuscular Specialist to review the results because she doesn’t have that level of expertise. I’m told that it could take 3-6 months to get an appointment with a specialist so I’m wondering whether a referral occurs if the EMG results aren’t normal? Any advisement here would be greatly appreciated because 3-6 months is a long time to wait to have the test results provided and left to wonder what they are