Chronic Fasciculations: BFS Experience

Dear AllI am a 44 year old male, 8 months fasciculations, mostly confined to calves (R>L) but occasional 'thumpers' anywhere and everywhere. Normal clinical exam and EMG 6 months ago. Have been doing well in terms of minimising anxiety until this last few days when I developed a new and unaccustomed symptom. I would be really grateful to hear back from others with confirmed BFS whether these symptoms sound typical of BFS or not?I developed sudden onset in my left (non dominant) hand of intermittent and very fine fasciculations particularly in my hypothenar eminence (the muscle in my palm near my little finger) which seem totally different from any other kind of fasciculation that I have experienced. By and large I can't see the fasciculations but rather just feel them. The muscle itself certainly doesn't seem to be beahving normally - it seems to contract and relax involuntarily. My right hand does not do this and I checked my wife's hands too and hers don't either.There is no apparent weakness or atrophy and my hand function reains normal as far as I can tell, although it is still early days since the symptoms started so I am fearful that weakness will develop (i.e. I am having another ALS scare).Does anyone else get symptoms of a similar nature?CheersSimon

I am very curious about your symptom as it seems related to what I've been experiencing for over 6 months now. I noticed my symptom on the same day I found a link posted by a member named Swift_TaySwift20. The link by member Swift_TaySwift20 (which contains a picture of the phenomenon) can be found by searching his posts using the term "palmaris brevis." I tried to copy and paste it here but I was only able to copy the address. If you paste it into google, you should get to the site. The site shows a picture of EXACTLY what I have. The muscle right below my left pinkie (I'm right handed) contracts in and out all day 24/7. I can't really feel it and wonder if it was happening even long before I noticed it. I have no impairment of function and when it is not contracted, the muscle is as large as that on my right hand, so no real atrophy. If you google "palmaris brevis syndrome," you will find some other articles on it as well. Swift_TaySwift20 and I are not the only ones to have described this symptom on the board. Please check it out and let me know if you think your symptom is related. My neuros don't seem to make a big deal about it. I think they just think it is part of what is going on elsewhere but is more visible there because of the muscle's small size.

Simon,What you are describing is classic for this condition. I have had that in my hand as well as in my feet. What you need to understand about this condition is that fasics...can be big, small, fizzy, thumping, fluttering...and they do not have to be confined to a dominant part of your body or even the same limb. You are fine, no worries!Smooches,kit

Simon, I have very similar issues and was getting ready to post my own question. I have been twitching for 5 months and this was new to me. I had a clean EMG two months ago. Very fine vibration in the palm that feels like it pulsates every 1.5 seconds began two days ago. It last for a period and then stops. I too have been worried because I don't know what Fibs are that people write about. My question to those that know on this forum is what type of hand issues do we need to keep an eye out for that are not visible like my other twitches? Also, is there any data on the percentage of people that progress to more serious conditions after a clean EMG? Thanks

i also feel this sensation in my hand and foot, and i am also afraid of it being fibs. had two clean emg.

weakness then fasciculations. EMG would be very dirty by the time weakness came around.

I get those tooo since February, but mine are worse. My fingers move on their own (index, thumb especially on both sides) andsometimes it looks like im being electrocuted. I am scheduled to see neurologist next month and will keep everyone posted on what he finds. Sometimes I get thumb weakness that comes and goes and tingly sensations and cramps. I have two babies so I can never rest my hands and arms.

Simon wI have exactly what you describe in my hand and exactly what is shown in the pictures. It seem that many of us have this so, I suppose that this is part of bfs.

simon, it is probably season for the hand-twitches...this weekend and todat i had it for the first time in both hands below the pinkie on the outside of my hands....i cannot say it has to do with spring/summer as in NZL you are in the cold season now;-)

This must be a relatively common phenomenon if it has it's own name (palmaris brevis spasm), photos, and articles devoted to it alone. I don't think this can be said of many other spasms except those involving the eye.

Everything I have read says that most people with ALS never even feel their fasics. It is usually pointed out to them. The fact that I feel mine but do not always see them gives me hope so I would pay no attention to this and just accept that it is another BFS oddity!!!Stay Well...

Also, to those above who are wondering if these fine twitches are fibrillations, YOU CANNOT SEE OR FEEL FIBS. I'm not a doctor, but from everything I've heard, fibs are something that are seen on an EMG, not seen or felt by the patient. The fact that fibrillation sounds like fasciculation I think makes us connect them in our brain. When they see fasics on an EMG, they also look for fibs. Clean EMG=BFS. Also, if I may speculate for a moment, I've read that the palmaris brevis spasm is essentially just a hyperactive nerve in the hand. The fact that everyone on these boards have hyperactive nerves that cause twitching, it would seem that BFSers are more prone to getting a palmaris brevis spasm. The good news is that they are all totally benign.