EyeoftheWild
Well-known member
Today was an auspicious one. I finally got to experience what so many of you have already had, namely a visit to the neurologist. Yesterday I received a call from the Dr.'s receptionist that she had a cancellation and would I like to come in. This threw me a little, because I had all but decided not to go to a neuro because I believed that I was fine. However, I agreed to a visit. Then a curious thing happened, I began to feel anxious and worried. I worried that he might notice something and then send me for further tests, and that once I was on the medical hamster wheel there would be no turning back. Yes, for a moment, no more than a moment, my confidence was shaken. It didn't last long, but long enough to give me an appreciation of what many of you have endured when waiting expectantly for a neuro visit or a test.
On to my visit. I am not covering any new ground here but I think positive results bear repeating. After a detailed family history and listening atentively to my sx he gave me the neurological exam. Walking on toes/heels, strength tests, feeling tests, eyes closed tests, reflex tests, etc. Afterward, in his office, he said you are suffering from nothing more serious then benign fasciculations. (I did not tell him I was a member of this site) He went on to say that 100% of the population fasciculates, however many don't feel or notice them. It is a common phenomemon that is completely harmless. "A twitch," he said, "is some muscle fibres contracting and that's it." He explained that when you flex your bicep, for instance, that is the entire group of muscle fibres contracting, with a twitch it is a small group excercing some independence. There is no known cause and it is ubiquitous in the general population. He stated, " it is not the twitch that is of concern but the company they keep, namely profound weakness and muscle wasting." Sounds good doesn't it?
He also said that numbness is never a sign of ALS, but usually an indication of hyper-ventilation, i.e.: stress. He even wrote down benign fasciculation on a paper and said, "if you look that up on the internet and you will, now you will have the right spelling."
If I had been able to see this very fine Dr. at the outset it would have definitely saved me some grief. However, coming to terms with my own body, my own self was of inestimable value. I have alot to still discover about my life, I know that is a surprise because you all thought I was perfect
), but I know of the possibilities now, since BFS. There can seem at times a daunting nature to our lives. Around each new bend there comes new challenges. If we can maintain a sense of wonder about our lives, I believe, we can meet these challenges without dread, without fear.
We need, at times, others to help us along the road but ultimately,...........ultimately we need ourselves. We need to be our own best friends, we need to love who we are and what we represent.
Cheers,
Basso
On to my visit. I am not covering any new ground here but I think positive results bear repeating. After a detailed family history and listening atentively to my sx he gave me the neurological exam. Walking on toes/heels, strength tests, feeling tests, eyes closed tests, reflex tests, etc. Afterward, in his office, he said you are suffering from nothing more serious then benign fasciculations. (I did not tell him I was a member of this site) He went on to say that 100% of the population fasciculates, however many don't feel or notice them. It is a common phenomemon that is completely harmless. "A twitch," he said, "is some muscle fibres contracting and that's it." He explained that when you flex your bicep, for instance, that is the entire group of muscle fibres contracting, with a twitch it is a small group excercing some independence. There is no known cause and it is ubiquitous in the general population. He stated, " it is not the twitch that is of concern but the company they keep, namely profound weakness and muscle wasting." Sounds good doesn't it?
He also said that numbness is never a sign of ALS, but usually an indication of hyper-ventilation, i.e.: stress. He even wrote down benign fasciculation on a paper and said, "if you look that up on the internet and you will, now you will have the right spelling."If I had been able to see this very fine Dr. at the outset it would have definitely saved me some grief. However, coming to terms with my own body, my own self was of inestimable value. I have alot to still discover about my life, I know that is a surprise because you all thought I was perfect
), but I know of the possibilities now, since BFS. There can seem at times a daunting nature to our lives. Around each new bend there comes new challenges. If we can maintain a sense of wonder about our lives, I believe, we can meet these challenges without dread, without fear.We need, at times, others to help us along the road but ultimately,...........ultimately we need ourselves. We need to be our own best friends, we need to love who we are and what we represent.
Cheers,
Basso
