Fasciculations and ALS: Worried?

[Ezecon75]

isn't symptomatic of ALS? So if I was laying on my back, completely relaxed, and fasciculations occurred, I probably shouldn't worry about ALS?

 

[BriBriBB]

I would say no, but only your doctor can diagnose you. Theres more to ALS than just fascics and by the time fascics are seen in ALS other neurological symptoms will present.

A physical exam by a neurologist and and EMG is the typical diagnostic protocol, but in the physical exam, your doctor may find nothing to indicate that you need an EMG/NCS.

I would say the closer you are to age 50 the more prudent it would be to make an appointment. As you puruse this forum you'll find a lot of members with good information that should help to reassure you that there is nothing to needlessly worry about.

 

[usysparawl]

a quote from Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology, which is pretty much the best neurology journal

"A simple clinical rule is that fasciculations in relaxed muscle are never indicative of motor system disease unless there is an associated weakness, atrophy or reflex change."

 

[starGalaxyGazer]

"I would say the closer you are to age 50 the more prudent it would be to make an appointment. "

I am 42, and although I am a bit concerned, I personally don't see a real urgent need to rush out and see a neuro quite yet. I think this statement is a bit alarmist. I think you need to look at the person's situation, in partciular, how much stress/anxiety they are currently under, etc. I started having leg fasics the day after I read an article about ALS in People magazine. I lost a child back in October, and have had extreme health anxiety ever since. Unless stress triggers ALS, my bet is that mine was stress induced or triggered by an SSRI my shrink put me on . . . she also said no need to rush out and see a neuro.

My brother also had fasics, and was woried about ALS and his doctors diagnosed anxiety and told him this was more common that one would think . . . he never had an EMG, etc. and that was 5 years ago.

Peg