BFS or ALS?

Posted by monkeytime777 @monkeytime777, Oct 29, 2023

Hi. I saw a similar question from a couple weeks ago but didn’t want to ask a question in their thread. I am a 53 year old otherwise healthy male and two weeks ago I started getting twitching in both quads and hip flexors. A few days later I experienced them also in my shoulders and arms along with my legs. I don’t have any apparent muscle weakness although my hamstrings have a sensation of being weak some of the time.

I’m really nervous this is ALS even though it might not fit the more usual presentation of muscle weakness first. The twitching keeps me up at night but sometimes after I’ve gotten a little rest the twitching subsides or is cut down significantly. I also get what I think are myoclonic jerks as I’m falling asleep. Sometimes three or four of them. At times when I’m distracted or exercising most or all of the twitching seems to go away but then later it comes back with a vengence. In addition I do have what seems like nerve hypersensitivity where my muscles fire faster than normal at times.

I do have anxiety although I’ve never formally been diagnosed and I definitely have health anxiety. I have an appt with my GP this week but I just wanted to ask if anyone has had a similar presentation of symptoms that turned out to be BFS and not ALS. I’m pretty scared right now and am hoping that the fact that the twitches are all over rather than just in one location can still be BFS. Has anyone else had BFS present this way? Thank you!

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@j77

Hi Alecia!Were the Doctors able to give you treatment for your issue?I have alot of twitching and spasms along with muscle weakness.The neurologist told me it is not ALS,but I am still not sure.I wonder if part of my symptoms might be similar to what you have.I just had Genetic testing done.I am waiting to heat back from the doctor.

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Hi the only treatment I received is baclofen for the muscle spasms. I only take it if I absolutely have to because its not safe for me to take really. The last time I took it I woke up on the couch and had absolutely no clue what day it was, why I ended up there, or anything I had done after the baclofen kicked in. I had a friend there with me so I was able to take one because I needed it. Apparently they fed me and I was talking and everything but I have no recollection of it and I slept for 14 hrs. At least the amount of time that I'm sleeping is decreasing. The first time I was not able to function for 3 days. I did not sleep the whole time but I was not able to do anything constructive and slept the majority but I also got out of bed and put a gallon of milk in the cupboard but did not open it and get a drink. I hope you find some answers.

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I noticed that you post is almost a year old so I hope you are doing well. I have suffered with body wide muscle twitching for close to 20 years. It was diagnosed as BFS by my Neurologist and I did develop Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet 3 years ago. My advice is to find a good Neurologist and they will perform a neuroglial exam and EMG/NCS. Twitching body wide is not a symptom of ***. It starts in one hand and always has WEAKNESS associated with it.

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