Early Symptoms ALS or what is this ... ?

Posted by dashboardben @dashboardben, 6 days ago

Hi all,

So, a bit worried, what does it mean when there's been an almost constant interval (about once-an-hour) fasciculation or a "tremor" like twitch between biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. Lasts for a few seconds. About two since days now.

And only there in the biceps. A very slight bit of numb-ish feeling, the kind that we normally get when we say "my hand/ leg has gone to sleep".

Writing from one of the European social healthcare countries where all appointments are a month later, and remedies always begin with a Tylenol. So, any hints on what to expect would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, these tests like Electromyography, how early can these kinds of diseases be detected?

Can somebody give me an indication whether to think this could be ALS? Or something else?

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foundryrat743 | @foundryrat743 | 3 days ago

I can see that you are justifiably concerned, and anxious, and worried! My reaction was very similar to yours, so I truly understand, and can surely empathize with you! If a patient is concerned about symptoms, that they perceive to be possibly serious, suspecting an extremely debilitating condition like ALS, it can cause overwhelming anxiety. So, when I had fasciculations with my forearms, in particular, on and off, for around 6 months, I was concerned too! In the small town I lived in, there were no neurological specialists, and so my General Practitioner gave me an EEG test, and brain scan tests, at the local hospital! Nothing was found to be out of order, according to the results. So, over the next several years, the fasciculations eased up a bit, but I had several other neurological symptoms, like freezing and falling episodes. After one bad fall, where I lost consciousness, and had a concussion, 2 black eyes, and blunt force head trauma, with further testing, the GP couldn't determine what was wrong, Frustrated, my daughter decided that we should move from our small town, to the bigger city, where there is a major regional hospital, with specialists, where she and her family lived. We moved there, and she made an appointment for me, with an Internist! After examining me closely, he said that he found some troubling neurological signs, that went along with symptoms I was experiencing, so, before I could leave the office, he called a neurologist and made an emergency appointment for the next day! The neurologist, a very experienced clinician, suspected that I was suffering Parkinsonism symptoms. After testing, including a trial run, of my being prescribed Levadopa, the neurologist diagnosed me with Parkinson’s Disease! I was glad that ALS was ruled out; however, Parkinson’s has it’s own set of neurological signs and symptoms, that can be very challenging, especially as the disease progresses! I was diagnosed 7 years ago, and progression set in the last several years, where now I have great difficulty walking, and my autonomic system is sometimes, compromised! I’ve had physical therapy, which helped, and my levodopa dosages have been increased, but, especially this last year, mobility has become a big issue for me! Wishing you good luck, as you are seeking a diagnosis, for your fasciculations!