Spasms and Cramping/tightness

[Nick2828]

Hi everyone I have been having spasms and cramps in my left bicep for about two months now. I recently went to my general care doctor. The spasms and twitching only happens about ten times a day for about 5 seconds at a time. But my arm is cramped up almost everyday and feels weaker then normal. I have had my blood work done and the only thing that kind of came back low was b12, but it was still 230. Which is a normal level. I go for an emg on my arm in two weeks. Should I be worried about als? I'm only 24. Did anyone start out like this or any ideas of what could cause this for such a long period of time?

 

[Dusty7]

I hear nothing that sounds like ALS.

Twitching in one bicep is a long way from widespread, acute and chronic denervation (the hallmark of ALS).

And "feels weaker than normal" is a long way from clinical weakness.

Nota doctor, but sounds more like a local nerve problem--pinched nerve, etc.

 

[Atsugi]

NICK: Dusty is right. There's no ALS there. Maybe the EMG will pick up some pinched nerve.

 

[Nick2828]

That's what I was thinking too. I just don't get why I'm doing an emg before an ex- Ray or MRI.

 

[Dusty7]

Hopefully, the EMG will locate the pinched nerve if that is what it is. And if it is, hopefully it can be treated before it gets worse.

If it's not a pinched nerve, the EMG may give the neuro more info about what it is; e.g., peripheral neuropathy, etc.

If it looks like it might be a radiculopathy (pinched nerve root in the spine), then MRI will be the next step.