Afraid to Talk - Need Support

[en.th3lo3v3]

I am really hurt. I would never ever ever try to spread fear on a message board on purpose, ever. I was coming to you all to help relieve my fears. I know he is wrong, my textbooks say that ALS is diagnosed in fifth decade, is preceded by weakness, not fasciculations and is pretty darn rare. That is from Robbins pathology. I was writing about my professor to explain why I am afraid to talk to him, not to agree with him. I thought this message board was supposed to be supportive. I was sharing my fears and I feel like I have been unduly attacked. I just wanted someone who has weathered this storm to tell me he was on crack, or at least not up to date on BFS, not tell me I am trying to hurt people. I am new and scared, that is it, just looking for some help to get through the day.

 

[twitchamy]

To be clear, I was not attacking you....just questioning because your post left out the information (from your textbooks) that you provided above. I could understand if your professor is intimidating--but this shouldn't make you scared to get an EMG.

Indeed, your professor is a crackhead. There are some good posts on this site about a study done by the highly reputable Mayo Clinic. They studied (and followed) people with BFS--and absolutely not one of them went on to develop ALS.

Maybe print out this study and show it to your professor. If he still sticks to his theory that 'fasics equal ALS-end of story'....then I would report him to whomever is his supervisor.

Logically, you know better than to believe your professor--so just allow yourself to see a DIFFERENT doctor and get the tests to rule everything out. Clearly you are in a huge state of fear--and the tests will put your mind at ease. If you have no weakness, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Everyone here will tell you that as many times as you need to hear it.

Now go off and teach your professor a thing or two about BFS! If he doesn't believe you, get him fired from his job! And thank you for clarifying yourself. Your original post was a little iffy--only because you left out some key information (hope that makes sense).

Keep us posted.

Amy

 

[alyLeoNCali]

Em, I am NOT a medical student, but here's my opinion. The communication gap may be due to differences in what we consider to BE fasciculations. Not that I'm trying to make excuses for an ill-informed professor.

Based on what I've read on this board, I have classic BFS symptoms. Yet my GP said she doesn't think I have BFS because she hadn't "seen" any fasciculations. I think fasciculations to a GP are the horrendous, visible ones I've heard described as being like "a bag of worms," vs. the ones most of us seem to have (visible without being felt, or felt without being visible).

The symptoms you describe sound very familiar, not like ALS!

--alyLeoNCali

 

[BT2NE1]

Em--I'm not a medical student either (nor did I ever have any desire to be). However, I hold an undergraduate in Biology, a Masters in Molecular Biology, and an MBA. So, for better or worse, I have had my fair share of the sciences, whether I like it or not.

Here is the thing--you are obviously a smart person. To be in your position, you have to be. Now, think logically for a second. Look at all the evidence that DIRECTLY contradicts what your "professor" said. Everyone on this planet, with a pulse, has fasciculations--that is not even debatable. Additionally, fasciculations are not an initial symptom of ALS--never have been, never will. Given that information, you must see that what you are thinking you may have is an erroneous presumption.

Look, I know how you feel. I have been where you are---my advice, don't go there. The reason folks are a little "sensitive" to your post is because it ramps up already anxious thoughts that are present here. You must understand that. People here are VERY supportive, however, there is also a healthy dose of skepticism present, which is a GOOD thing. When you come on, and drop a bomb like that one, your going to raise some eyebrows--human nature my friend.

Please, read the information here---and most importantly, use your reason rather than your emotions--however hard that may be. You don't have ALS, you DO have anxiety.

Take good care, and try to relax a bit.

-Brian

 

[StephG22]

Don't be afraid to tell your professor how wrong he is. Enlighten him. It's a known fact that fasics do not =als. Get the emg done to relieve your fears then show him so he doesn't freak out anyone else in your class! Good luck and keep us posted. I know you will be fine!!!

 

[garymills]

Em,

You teacher is on crack If he is not, then I've had als(which I don't!) for 17 mths, and I'm still walking and talking and doing everything else a healthy person does. You see, I have had true fasciculations as observed on emg since June 03, so that would = als (according to your prof), but I don't have it. I've seen three neurologist, five if you count the neuros doing the emg, and everyone of them said BFS is real, and pretty common. The last drs i saw were at the Baylor College of Med/MDA ALS Clinic in Houston. These guys are some of the most respected als drs.in the country and they said benign fasciculation. Do a google on Dr. Harati and see who has better credentials, your prof. or him.

Finally, don't get to upset about the response to your initial post. The members here are highly protective of the group, and we have had some idiots in the past post things just to create fear. We are all fighting (to various degrees) the same anxiety you are. You will find that there is no better place for support on the web once your motivations are clear. Unfortunately, your initial post was misinterpreted.

Welcome,

Gary

 

[starginger]

This is the line I heard in law school....those who can, do.......those who cant, teach.........maybe this applies to medical school as well. Maybe your solution is to go to to a practicing physician instead of a professor?

 

[Dfaris02]

Whatnext,

I should have clarified this quote or not even posted it as written. It was absolutely not a shot at traditional teachers. The cavalier attitude of the medical school professor making a blanket diagnosis that fasciculations means ALS no question just struck the wrong nerve with me. Hopefully, she disregards his idiotic diagnosis and goes to see a doctor. That's all I meant by it.

Jerry

 

[usysparawl]

My neuro didn't even send me for an EMG (unless I wanted one) he was so sure my twitching was not ALS, and he has seen alot of cases! He also mentioned the medical student syndrome. Also, he said I was too young even at 43, although I understand it is usually age 55 and older, but I don't think the fifth decade is some magical number either! (There are people in theor 50's with BFS as well.) The guy sounds like a total idiot.

. . .the ones most of us seem to have (visible without being felt, or felt without being visible).

alyLeoNCali,
I have twitches I both see and feel! ???