Complete Physical: Unremarkable Results

[pastelwhip]

I had my complete physical today. My internist still refuses to consider my ALS concerns. He says I need to come up with a different exotic disease becuase I do not have this one. All blood results were unremarkable as were strength tests but the Reflex test on my knees showed more brisk than I can remember. Dr. said he is not concerned, if the Thyroid wasn't the normal reading it was he would have checked that. I have never given reflexes any thoughts until recently when I saw it while researching ALS. Should these brisk reflexes be a concern going along with the widespread twitching and leg/foot aches cramps? The doctor was insistent he is not concerned. Oy, it's always something...

 

[totaltwirls]

There are alot of people on this Board with "brisk" reflexes. I think anxiety is a contributing factor and do not believe, with all the other good news in your exam, that this is anything to worry about. There are some on here who say they have always had brisk reflexes. I think it is all in the interpretation of what is considered brisk by the examiner. Your exam sounds like it went very well. Rest assured, you are fine.

 

[jsageurge]

I agree with Sharon. I actually like hearing about doctors who treat it like this (not in the sense that they are trying to dismiss or make light your fears, though). It makes me think about the “sage neurologist who was fully aware of the syndrome” comment in Dr Hill’s article (aboutBFS articles page). I wonder about the neurlogists who seem to order EMGs for twitches that are obviously benign. I know they may be doing it to ease the patients mind—but I’m not convinced that really works in all cases, although I guess it does for some (at least for a while).

Cheers,
-Bill

EDIT: Apparently, EMGs DO NOT ease everyone's minds. After posting this, I just saw this one from dave_y:

 

[LisaQ.]

I think bfs must cause brisk reflexes, because so many of us have had them. You know-those neurologists don't know everything and this is a reasonably mysterious malady that we have. If it weren't so benign, MORE would be known about it, but because of its benign nature I think we are on our own to a degree. It's a blessing, really.

I'd much rather be diagnosed with some harmless syndrome that doctors know very little about than something horrible that requires specialists and experts and research by hosts of universities and pharmeceutical companies I can sleep peacefully knowing that no tax payer money is going toward investigating my goofy bfs.

It only makes sense, since we are dealing with nervous hyper-irritability that the reflexes would be involved somehow.

Brisk reflexes are considered normal in younger people (20's-30's.)

They are also very heightened with stress. When I had a bad flare-up of bfs symptoms, I was shocked at how high my leg flew up, but the neuro was unimpressed. (At the time, I'd wished it had kicked him...)

I was SO anxious, I was constantly checking my brisk knee reflexes, and my legs actually FELT hyperreflexic all the time. They just felt jerky and weird for a while there. When I started to calm down, I actually noticed the change occuring, I was less hyper, and so were my silly legs. I doubt my reflexes are even brisk anymore.

 

[CandyM314]

Hi Wayne

My doctor also described my reflexes as brisk but added that he would only be concerned if three were 'normal' and one were brisk.
He said as all were brisk - no problem.

I think it's to do with symettry, if your limbs all react in the same way then it's normal for you

All the best, Julia

 

[CandyM314]

would also like to add a response to this comment from miguel4life:

I wanted so badly to be one of the posters who was providing encouragement instead of posting about all my fears. I vowed that if I somehow survived this, I would try to return the favor and help others.

I want to thank you soo much as your comments have really helped me breathe normally. I also want to give back a little just like you are doing

Julia