25 Year Old Male with Twitching

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Samantha-phoenix5281

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Hi Everyone,I am a 25 year old male and have been visiting the site for a few weeks now reading the posts while trying to come to grips with my own twitching. I'm going to give you guys an overview of my situation, and I apologize if it gets long.It all started near the beginning/middle of January with an eye twitch. I noticed a small eye twitch in my lower left eyelid when I was in Orlando for a half marathon. I just dismissed it as nothing and pretty much forgot about it for the next few days. I ran the race fine, new personal best by the way 1:41. A few days later at work, I noticed the eye twitch was back. Me being the genius I am decided to google what causes eye twitching thinking it would point to my contact lenses or something trivial. That is when my world came tumbling down. Most of you know where it led me so I don't think it needs to be repeated. Well within 2 days both my eyes were twitching pretty constantly (although it would only happen after a blink/sneeze/rubbing them) and I noticed that my calves were twitching at rest. Because I like to torment myself, I decided some more online research would help rid my fears. As you can probably guess, this only made things worse. I decided to go see my GP about my eyes and he said that there is nothing to be concerned about, it is probably just stress/anxiety/caffeine. He did a limited blood test and everything came back normal. I left the office feeling pretty good but by nightfall my fears had returned. I ended up going home to my parents for a few days to try and calm my anxiety while being around family. Although being around them was very nice and helped to relax me, my fears still persisted. During this time I noticed my eye twitches got a lot better but my calves were still twitching and now i was getting random twitches all over including my back, shoulders, hips, thumb, and glutes. All the while my parents aren't concerned in the least bit about my physical health, more my mental health and anxiety. They believe the anxiety is causing all of this. I returned to my home and after a few days returned to see my GP in hopes of being referred to a neurologist. My GP did a few more tests on my reflexes and made me lift my knees/arms to test my strength and he said everything looks perfect but that he would refer me to help ease my mind.I will continue this thread as the screen seems to be flickering alot and not letting me add more to the text box.
 
welcome keep us posted on the neuro visit but I am 99% sure you are fine and you are just like alll of us with BFS. your story is similar to so many of us. nothing hints at the disease you fear so put your mind at ease. I would recommend writing down all your fears and questions and ask them of your neurologist on your visit and trust his advice. Stop googling symtpoms that is the first step in beating BFS.spend some time reading BFS in a nutshell or the writeup MarioMasher wrote. both will help calm down your uncertainty and show you how your symptoms line up with so many of us.
 
I met with the neurologist who did a clinical exam in the consultation. He tested my reflexes, made me walk on my heels/toes, sit down and stand up from a chair without using my hands, made me grab his hands, spread my fingers while he tested their strength, held his hands out and made sure I could see them from my peripherals, made me lie down and touch my nose then his finger which was held in front of me, push/pull against him with my arms and legs, held this vibrating rod to my hands and feet to make sure I could feel it vibrating (which I could), and looked me all over. He then told me I absolutely do not have **S and that I have benign fasciculations. He said that he doesn't think I need an EMG, then he changed his wording and said "You do not need an EMG." He mentioned the last guy that went to him for the same thing got his same response but went to Cleveland Clinic anyways to get one and it came back normal. He also ordered some additional bloodwork to be done on me checking for deficiencies, muscle enzymes, and some other things. I was definitely relieved from the visit and was a happy camper on my way out.That lasted about an hour. I then began to question everything. I thought that I would be the tragic case where I didn't get an EMG and actually did come down with the disease. I then thought I'm an active athletic person and the strength test wasn't enough to tell if I was weak. I also then realized he didn't perform a babinsky or hoffman test on me, which leads to more doubt in my mind. I had the bloodwork done and everything came back in normal ranges. My CPK was 138 which is right in the normal range and my Aldolase was 3.7 which is less than half into the normal range so that provides some relief. I am still able to run miles and did an 8-9 mile run last saturday that I got through fine but it did send my calves into a frenzy for the rest of the day. On Sunday I helped a buddy move and I didn't struggle to lift anything or lose my grip on anything but I am so hyper aware of myself now that I question the things I notice. I banged out 30 pushups and 5 clap pushups last night in a row as well. The logical side of me says that I wouldn't be able to do these things if there were something wrong.My twitches are still pretty constant in my legs whenever I'm at rest. They go from my hips to my feet with most action taking place in my calves. I don't think they happen when I sleep though because I don't feel them in the morning for the first 5 minutes or so until my mind starts going and then I start getting anxious and I feel them all over, shoulders, back, legs, etc. I have a follow up with the Neurologist next Tuesday the 26th. I'm trying to decide if I should push for an EMG. Is it absolutely necessary to get an EMG if the clinical exam didn't show any weakness? Also, my right hand feels funny sometimes although it hasn't lost any strength or dexterity or visually atrophied. I might have just irritated it doing my strength testing that I perform hourly :whistle: I rarely have any twitches in my right hand/arm anyway. Would having twitches in your leg and then developing weakness in a hand follow typical progression of something sinister? Thank you guys for listening and let me know if you have any suggestions.
 
Hi, and welcome.Your story sounds really similar to mine and to that of about 1,000 others that I've read. Sounds like you have BFS just like the rest of us. Annoying... yes. Crippling and/or deadly.... no! I would encourage you to take comfort in what your doctor has told you and the fact that your symptoms fit the BFS mold to a T. As you've most likely read in your on-line research, ALS is a pretty rare disease. I've read in a number of reputable sources that there are only about 5,600 to 6,000 documented new cases per year in The United States. ALS is also, generally speaking, a disease of older folks. A rare disease to begin with, it's much rarer in people under the age of forty. You're twenty-five years old, you say? I'd be willing to bet that your chances of being struck by lightning while holding-up the winning "Power Ball" ticket are better than those of you having ALS.Every doctor with whom I've spoken (including an excellent neurologist who's an expert in motor neuron disease) has told me that anxiety is most definitely like fuel for the fire when it comes to muscle twitches and other worrisome symptoms. Internet researching of symptoms rarely provides peace of mind. Most often, it just turns-up the insanity a notch or two, which will amplify your twitching, which in-turn will amplify your anxiety, etc., etc. "Dr. Google" is worth exactly what you paid him....... nothing!!!! I'd recommend that you stay on this board and do some reading and posting as you see fit.Good luck, my friend. I think you're going to be fine.Johnp.s.- I just caught your last post. Your neurologist examined you top to bottom and says you don't need an EMG because you definitely don't have ALS? GREAT! If he had any doubts, or felt any need for an EMG, he'd order it in a heartbeat. This guy's an expert and he stakes his reputation and livelihood on every diagnosis he makes. He said your twitches are benign. Congratulations, my friend! Take that bit of good news right to the bank!!!! Stop the doubting and second thoughts! You're twenty-five years old and you got a clean bill from a neurologist. Throw yourself a party!!!!!
 
TwitchyAz,Thanks for the welcoming remarks. It's good to know my story is similar to many others on the site. That's what I've noticed reading through the posts. The "BFS In a Nutshell" post was one of the most helpful and reassuring posts I've read. I was so anxious before stumbling upon this site and finding that thread. I still do have my anxiety but information like that is definitely helping out. If you don't mind me asking, what is the title of the writeup from MarioMasher?yanyytypeyofyuserna,Thanks for responding to my post. It is a very annoying syndrome. I have moments when I notice that I haven't twitched for a while, only to start thinking about it and have the twitches return shortly thereafter, which is super aggravating. I agree that most of what I have read on the Internet has been more damaging than helpful. Whenever I find something reassuring it doesn't satisfy me and I keep searching until I find something damaging. It's not a healthy cycle to be stuck in that's for sure. Thank you for your input on the EMG as well. The logical side of me has been saying all along that if my neuro had any shadow of a doubt, he would have ordered the test. I am going to write down a list of questions/concerns I have and bring them to him on Tuesday to try and get reliable information straight from the source, instead of through Google.
 
Hello again, snackslayer.......If there's one universal theme I've picked-up on here, it is that anxiety and obsessive worrying seem to be our common downfall. It seems as though each and everyone of us has, at some point, literally worried ourselves sick over this. It's incredibly hard to dismiss that last kernel of doubt in one's mind; even after a neurologist tells us that we have nothing to worry about. I've been dealing with this for over eight months now. It's a wild and whacky ride at times. I've often found myself at one extreme or another, and every place in between. I've had the tremendous feelings of relief that come with my neurologist assuring me that I have BFS and nothing more, only to find myself in the throws of despair a day or two later due to a new and different twitch or some other silly symptom. It's silly. I keep telling myself this. I mean, I'm a fairly smart guy who has the blessings of a great education and a wonderful neurologist. So, why do I keep doing this? That's why we're on this board. Right now, reading the experiences of others who are in the same boat really helps. Having the ability to ask questions and to vent to others is wonderful! Again, welcome aboard. You're going to be fine.John
 
Snack-Without question, your symptoms are not caused by ALS. You've heard this from your neuro, GP and the people who have responded so far. The only thing you should be concerned about is not the symptoms, but rather what will it take for you to believe the truth that this is all benign.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone.A few more questions for you guys. I have read, in several places including posts on this forum, that you are in a safe zone if you have been twitching for 3+ months without weakness/atrophy. I had only been twitching about 3 weeks when I went to the Neuro for the first visit and it has been about 6 weeks total so far so is it possible that I went too early? Also, I have been experiencing some "cold sensations" randomly where it feels like there is something cold on my skin. I guess that's the best way to describe it. Anyone have any experience with that? It comes pretty randomly and really doesn't stay long. I wouldn't really say that I am an anxious person in general though I do have a bit of history with "health anxiety" as I was diagnosed with "white coat" syndrome when I was relatively young and haven't really been able to break free of that. I have a tendency to expect the worst whenever I come down with something health related :whistle:
 
Hi,it is extremely rare to get ALS in the 20s. Also, you have sensory symptoms (feeling cold). ALS rarely presents with sensory symptoms. You do a lot of running - perhaps you are just over-exercising? Fasciculations after a run are quite normal.There is little reliable information about the time span to be safe. That is one reason why lots of people here (like me) are still afraid after more than a year of twitching. There is one study where in 6.7% of ALS cases twitching was the reason for consulting a doctor and progression from twitching to more severe symptoms occured after 2.4 to 13.6 month (see Eisen A. and Stewart H.: Not-so-benign fasciculation. Ann. Neurol. 35, 1994, pp. 375-376). But they conclude that one should be concerned if twitching starts after the age of 45 (NOT in the 20s, there was no sufferer under 40).Kind RegardsSteffen
 
I do recognize that age is definitely on my side here. Especially the fact that I do not have any weakness (that I know of) but besides the twitching, none of my daily activities have been impacted. The chances of me having a rare disease in a rare onset at a rare age are probably as close to zero as you can get. Also, this all started with my eye twitch, and I think I read somewhere that someone posted that their neurologist said he has never heard of an **S case starting with an eye twitch. I know it's typically not a good idea to post the "i think i read about someone" information, but that one seemed to be reassuring.
 
I'm in the same boat, although a little older(37). My uncle was recently diagnosed with bulbar ALS and this has sent my already high anxiety to a whole new level (his first symptom was sounding drunk all the time, he badly slurs his words). Anyways, my symptoms started two months ago with twitches in my theighs and calves. I then noticed them everywhere. My right calf also feels tight sometimes and my thumbs intermittently have very light cramps. I've seen the doctor three times and a psychiatrist twice. I've passed all the tests and my doctor said if he were in my shoes he would NOT get an EMG. My psychiatrist has pIaced me on Lexapro with a helping of Xanax on the side until the Lexapro kicks in (he told me that anxiety will most certainly cause twitching). I have noticed that when I take a Xanax, my twitching and my cramps subside dramatically. In the mornings my hands and leg always feel normal. I'm starting to believe the whole anxiety thing. Anxiety may lie on a subconcious level. Most of the time I don't feel anxious, but my muscles are tensed up until I voluntarily relax them. One point to keep in mind: we are only here because of the internet and the resources (good and bad) it provides. Twenty years ago, we would have gone to the doctor and mentioned our twitching problem. He would have performed the same tests and sent us home, and we would have been fine with that! We wouldn't even know what ALS is! I doubt any of us would march to a library and spend hours second guessing his diagnoses. Because of the internet we are unfortunately able to diagnose ourselves with every disease under the sun. I have done this to myself for the past year. I started with colon cancer....then to pancreatic cancer.....then to kidney disease.....and now ALS! I've actually had most of the symptoms of all the aforementioned issues. All of them have been ruled out with multiple blood tests, urine tests, x-ray, colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, multiple ultrasounds and a CT scan. I've turned into a walking freak show and I'm starting to realize that the internet may be the culprit!!! I'm sure once my ALS scare goes away, a new disease will take it's place. I'm hoping the meds will block the next scare. Our minds our more powerful then we think. In the mean time, I would stay busy and do anything to keep your mind off this. As time passes, you will realize that you've spent countless days worrying about a non-issue. You probably have a better chance of being kidnapped by Pee-Wee Herman and locked in his playhouse than gettin ALS! Sorry for the long rant. My therapist wanted me to write down some of my thoughts so I figured I could kill two birds with one stone.
 
mprowland,I'm truly sorry to hear about your Uncle. I wish that disease never even existed. You definitely make a good point about the Internet and the services/disservices it provides to us. Unfortunately we cannot unread what we've already read. Who knew that looking for the cause of my small eye twitch could be so detrimental to my mental health. I've definitely learned my lesson though everytime I feel something new I'm tempted to look it up. I actually went through a stage last year as well getting CT scans and blood tests done for some digestive issues I was having that turned out to be nothing. I realized if I cut down on the amount of garbage that I ate, I started to feel better.I do have a follow up with my Neuro on Tuesday and am going to bring up the EMG thing and see what he says. He knows I've been a basket case recently but he was very adamant about me not needing one during my first visit. My fear is that my anxiety is so high that I won't be able to accept anything less than a clean EMG to set my mind straight. Hopefully that isn't the case but we will see. I definitely want to ask him all of my questions to try and get some quality information. Well hopefully I don't get kidnapped by Pee-Wee Herman because that guy always gave me the creeps.
 
I'm an advocate of the emg, in terms of it being another tool in the toolbox to help fight anxiety. That being said, I had a clean EMG, and was back at my Neurologist 9 weeks later, very limited satisfaction initially, however, 4 months later, I am able to rely on the fact that i had a clean emg. Going against the grain here, but if I were you, i would insist on one, if thats what you want. It will save you going back 3 months later when your anxiety is sky high, you will have that doubt 'i should have had an emg. i.e. what ever it takes you to get over this fear, do itJ
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will still ask my neuro about the EMG on Tuesday and see what he says about it.I ran another half marathon this morning and everything went fine. My calves started to cramp at mile 10 but that is probably expected, especially since I have been slacking off on my running lately due to all this BFS stuff and anxiety. I did not have any weakness though and besides the cramps, my legs felt strong and I still finished under 2 hours. I'm trying to tell myself that it wouldn't be possible to run like that if I were sick.
 
Also wanted to mention the twitches were going crazy pretty much all over after the run. There definitely seems to be a correlation between the intensity of my exercise and the intensity of my twitches.
 

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