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worriedwell

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PALS
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UK
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London
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London
I hope this is the right place to post - apologies if I've got it wrong...

I know saying that I'm really worried may raise red flags with people, but my symptoms are certainly real.

A couple of weeks ago I started getting 'vibrations' in my arm, when the muscle was seemingly at rest. Now I am getting these muscle vibrations pretty much everywhere (especially upper arms, calfs and sometimes shoulders). I generally get a couple of vibrations an hour.

If I move tense/relax my muscle, then it tends to stop for a bit. I've had stress before certainly, and anxiety, but I've never had these things happen before like this. Looking up online, obviously the first thing I found was that these muscle tremors are 'fasciculations' and that they are a primary symptom of nerve damage and ALS/MND, especially when diffuse.

I also feel I have bad circulation (i've always had cold hands) and I have been getting more 'pins and needles' and numbness also.

I am only 26 and I'm very scared. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, but I fear that she'll just say it is stress and I'll have to wait until my symptoms show obvious weakness before I can be referred to a specialist.

If I try and educate myself online, I keep finding more and more conflicting information. Can anyone help?
 
I'm in the same boat as you, I feel my nervousness masked the truth behind my symptoms. If there is one thing I am learning is that worrying makes things worse and I know its hard not to when the minute you wake up you feel weird things going on like tremors/vibrations/twitching (all of which I have). You just have to try and not be afraid and don't try and be a doctor. Its good to be on forums like this as the support from other members is TREMENDOUS in a positive way.

I'm 29 married and just about to buy my first house and all of these weird things are not going to stop me! Go to your doctor and come back to this forum... I'm sure you'll be ok!

We are in this together!
 
Hi worrywell,
What a name! This not knowing game is so hard. But, try not to think about it. Think positive thoughts. I was a worrier before ALS, so I know that it is hard to hear someone say that, I have learned to take one day at a time. You very well may not have ALS. I know it is hard when doctors tend to blame everything on nerves. Come back to this forum as much as you like, but don't go searching on the internet for symptoms!
I am sorry you need to be here, but glad that you found us.
Hugs and prayers.
Leah

To zny444;
How good it was to read your post, and know that now you are able to comfort other people when you yourself were so scared just a couple of days ago, and probalbly stilll are. I am so proud of you!
Leah
 
Worriedwell - try not to be so worried.

It's unlikely you have ALS. Fasciculations are one symptom - but there can be a myriad of explanations for them other than ALS.

Furthermore, numbness and circulation problems are not symptoms of ALS (well I suppose at advanced stages of ALS circulation may be an issue due to lack of movement - but that doesn't apply to you).

Besides - what's worrying going to do for you? Except maybe give you some stress related ailment.

Don't dwell on it - assume it's not ALS - follow your doctor's recommendations - stop the research for now - sounds like your self diagnosing yourself into a nervous breakdown - get out and live and have fun.

If things progress - and you think your doctor is out to lunch - go see someone else.

I waited months after my first symptoms appeared before seeing a doctor - and I was in blissful ignorance the whole time.
 
Hello Worriedwell,
Sorry you have a need to be here, but glad you found us. You will find alot of good support here. At this point and time in your search for answers the best advice we can give you is to stay calm. We have all been were you are so we know it's not easy. But stress can cause other problems and even cause our minds to play tricks on us. Just like ZNY444,, i think it's possible that there is something else causing all your problems. Don't get me wrong,, this disease can and does affect young people too. ,, but not nearly as often as people in middle life. So i will pray that you both find the answers to your problems,, and that it isn't ALS. Prayer is the best thing we all have going for us. God is bigger than any of our problems. That doesn't mean he always chooses to make it better ,, but he is always right. Hang in there, as with all of us,, it will be alright.
Love and Prayers
Marlo
 
It is unlikely that you have ALS if there is no progressive weakness. There are many benign causes for fasciculations, they are only pathological if an EMG shows they are related to muscle denervation. So go see a qualified doctor and don't worry until and unless you actually have something to worry about.
 
Hi worriedwell. I hope your doctor's appointment went well. Did they suggest anxiety as the root of your problem? If so I hope they offered some form of relaxation therapy whether it is medication or yoga or whatever. You don't say whether you are in Canada or the US. It is my understanding about the US health care system that if you want to go see any Dr. if you can afford it you can go. Stay away from trying to analyse any little symptoms that show up. You'll end up thinking you have a whole pile of things wrong with you. The internet can be a wonderful tool but it can also cause a lot of dismay if you are not careful.
 
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