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ccole415

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Sep 20, 2010
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Learn about ALS
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new york
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rochester
Hello friends,

This is my first post in a while I was trying to avoid the internet and clear my head of everything to see if symptoms would get better but I was wrong. I am 22 and I am a cook at a local pizzeria and a mechanic by hobby. my symptoms started in august of 2010. The first thing I noticed was my calves twitching. It was most noticeable in my left and this worried me and I then googled it and came across sites like this for info. By the time I was done reading up I was terrified. The twitching in my calves went on for about a month or so with no weakness and the occasional hear and there random muscle twitch. The next noticeable twitching was my hands and feet multiple times a day. Next I noticed my face and tongue twitching along with my forearms. I have read about BFS and other disorders that cause twitching. But what concerns me is what seems to be the systematic fashion in which it is spreading. I have had no trouble walking, talking, eating, or drinking but think I am experiencing some weakness. My forearms seem smaller then what I remember and I think I can see veins that I didn't think I could see before. Then again I'm not sure cause I never really examined myself that critically when I was feeling healthy. But most recently it seems to have progressed. About a month ago I started getting a sharp pain in my calves occasionally when I walk. Not long after that I noticed a weird tingly feeling in my left big toe when I stand on my tip toes or wiggle my toes around. Again I only notice this occasionally. Within the last month I have also noticed my throat and tongue twitching more and I even got sharp pains in my tongue. But what is concerning me most right now is within the past week I have noticed that when a muscle twitches in my wrist/ forearm area it also makes my pointer or middle finger twitch inward. Sometimes it jumps inward a lot or its small and barely noticeable. I don't know if this is what is referred to as finger jumping but its happening. My hands seem to feel weaker but I can still do my daily duties but it seems like I have to use more energy. I also have daily twitching in my shoulders sometimes face and neck pretty much all over now. I also feel a lump in my throat when swallowing sometimes but have had that for years because I am a heavy smoker trying to quit. I am very concerned and have not seen any specialist due to no health insurance know you cannot diagnose me but any advice, experiences, or questions you may have are greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading and god bless :)
 
Doesn't sound anything like the presentation of ALS. Sounds like a similar story to many other young people that have benign twitches and get onto the Internet. The anxiety causes you to become very introspective, noticing normal variations in your body, pains and things that you would have been too busy to notice before.
If you get any true weakness, then it's important that you get checked by a doctor, otherwise just try and stop focusing so much on your symptoms. It's hard but it does work.
 
Hi,
My twitching started at the same age - 22. It has been 4 years now. The thing with fingers...I know that, happneded to me as well. I do not have ALS and I believe neither have you..the age and quick onset is pretty reassuring. I would say its typical BFS but sure you should visit a general neurologists for the basic exam. I am pretty sure he will find you perfectly healthy.
 
hi my friend . . Just had a good look at your post and to be honest from the (limited ) knowledge i have a lot of your symptoms simply point away from als . . For example your twitchin is widespread . . With mnd or als it tends to be focal and usually after weakness not before . . Secondly your tongue and throat twitchin well i can talk with experience here and i agree that it makes you very anxious but it is not diagnostic of als . .you mentioned that you feel a bit weaker . ? Well apparently with als you dont feel anything , the weakness just happens and there is no mistaking it or muscle loss (atrophy ) . . Also you have mentioned a lot of sensory issues . . This is also pointing away from als , it tends (not always )to do it work painlessly . . Things just stop working . I also noticed your age . . Very rare to get it that young . And lastly you been twitchin for seven months and you still function like a normal guy . ? Mate after 7 months people that have als certainly know about it . . There could well be something going on and by what you describe it sounds like bfs . . Which can cause pain twitchin cramp (bfcs) and other things . . I hope this helps you my friend . . I wish good luck and god bless:) . . . Alex
 
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Nothing points to ALS, have a great day and stay away from the net.
 
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