Does Klonopin Help ALS Fasciculations?

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Here's my question, does anybody know that if one had ALS, the drug klonopin/clonazepam would control the fasciculations associated with ALS?
I take the drug to control twitches associated with BFS, and now have upped it somewhat since I have been stressed out about this tongue twitching episode. I am going back to the neuro, soon, and want to have an emg on my tongue to rule this ALS scare out of my life for good. Please just someone diagnose me with BFS, for once and for all!! Could the Klonopin screw up the emg or nerve velocity tests? I am affraid that the drugs might be masking the symptoms of AlS and I still may have that deadly disease and not BFS. Does anyone understand? I want a clear cut answer that I am alright, so I don't keep obsessing on this...Please answer...your previous posts were so encouraging! Sincerely Jodi (Canada)
 
I just wanted to know if the effects of the drugs could alter an emg reading.
I need to have the extra emg, for my piece of mind. My doctors have left me in limbo.
No follow up appointments, no information about the drugs they put me on or why. The neuro won't even nail it down and call it BFS or not. She just figures it's "something along that line", or some sort of fatigue syndrome....not sure...not really trying to find out...mean while I have a g.p. who says that they don't like to diagnose *** in the early stages, because they can't do anything for you anyway....except when you start to choke on your food or saliva. And that he'd like to say that I don't have early onset ALS, but he really can't say for sure, to cover his own @#$$. So it's up to me to stay on top of them, and be proactive about my own health and well being.
I need to know answers to some questions before I see the specialists, because it isn't like they volunteer the information themselves, and I don't want to waste a visit. And I am tired of all this wishy washiness!! That's why I want to know about the clonazepam. I already know that it helps with twitching...I don't need someone telling me to take more> what I don't know is, if it screws up emgs and makes the finding less acurate.
If some bloody doctor finally said that it was BFS, then bring on the clonazepam. Better yet put it into a candy necklace, and I'll suck on the darn thing...all day long.
Jodi
 
I don't think the effects of the drugs will alter any of your tests. While I am not a doctor, I think these meds are simply to help calm you down emotionally and if there is something to be found, it will be found and if not, then it won't. I take diazepam to help with my anxiety. Try not to take it every day. The root of anything sinister lies within the mechanics of your inner body and taking something for the emotional stability will not hinder any of the results. While I am not a doctor, I was told this by my neuro because I was taking something different at the height of my fears during all of my testing and was told "absolutely not". I don't think any of the long-timers are here to be insulting. I think it was more like a joke (way to ease and lighten up the anxiety level if you will) as many of us are on meds and just try to ease people's minds. The posts out there by these individuals are truly very helpful, informative and insightful. I joined a couple of months ago and have found everyone to be absolutely wonderful and very helpful. Hang in there, get your tests for your own reassurance.
 
The hallmark sign of A L S is weakness... my neurologist says A L S patients never come in complaining of twitches.. they come in because they cant move there wrist or foot.. or finger ect.. he said A L S patients never really feel their twitching. they are shown by the doctor using a special light.. and the fasciculations are confined to one muscle.. the one that is weakening.. they dont have full body twitching from head to toe jumping from one part of the body to another like us. and the patient usually goes downhill fast.. within a year... if you been twithing for a month all over with no sign of weakness .. i wouldnt worry:) im sure your emg will go fine.. its a little scary at first.. but youll find relief when it all over:)

now what is London ont? to answer your second question
 
12Drifter12....I haven't been twitching for only a month, I have been twitching for 14 months.
The tongue twitching has only been happening for about 1 week although pretty constantly (although I have had a funny pop-rocket candy feeling to it for a couple of weeks).
Why would the tongue thing start now? I also have the *beep* scallop marks on the sides of my tongue. That could be caused from clenching at night from stress. I know.
Everybody already gave me a "tongue lashing" (HAHA) in a couple other forums, berating me not to worry...so I won' t for now.
London, Ontario is where I live silly...and there's a small club here called "Call the Office". Of course we have the bigger venues too. We used to have quite an original punk scene, but now I guess we are all getting old. I twitch more than my grandmother for Gawd's sake.
Jodi
 

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