My Journey with BFS: The Story

[jordan444]

Look back into my posts for a history...In a nutshell things finally improved after about a year or so from when I first noticed my calves going insane. At first, went through deep deep depression and suicidal thoughts because I want I knew was coming. Finally got the courage and decided to see a guantlet of doctors, specialist in NJ/PA. All who told me it was BFS and to move on... so I did! And they really went away completly but they werent so noticiable I suppose. I started running about 2years ago... seriously running. I did two half marathons, 3K's and topped the year off on my road bike doing a century (2010). Since the holidays I am trying to get back into it... running 3-5miles every other day on the treadmill (untill snow melts), lifting weights and doing some trainer workouts on the bike. This last week though... my calfs are going INSANE just like I remember early on. Absolutely insane, more on the right calf but the left is going nicely and some noticable bumps all over. Got bummed out by it yesterday and started the whole looking in the mirror shyt, feeling my calfs for differeneces and purposely finding them. I stopped and then weight lifted hard yesterday morning. Today I'm soar as hell and the twitching is nicely going... legs feel tired like anything. But... F it! I dont care, I will run tomorrow again and then the next.... 4-5yrs actually with this crap and I'm still around...

 

[BarbiePetals]

Thanks for checking in. Posts like this always help the new people out.

 

[JoggingCub]

Excellent inspiring post. Thank you. Your experience sounds a bit like mine, but I have only been at it for a year now. I am an endurance psycho, perhaps like you. Running got me through some dark days. I suppose there comes time when you just have to say F it, and push the worrying aside. Do you have body wide twitching or just your calves? Thanks again for posting.

 

[BuzzLightyear]

I'm new to this site. I've had BFS for roughly 1 year. I've been a heavy exerciser for 40 years including running, swimming, weightlifting, etc. When I initially initially started twitching/jerking/buzzing, I backed off the exercise/healthy eating due to the hopelessness of what I thought I was facing. I had been on a very intense kettlebell interval program of increasing sets of 36 second on/off intervals at maximum heat rate. I wonder if the stress of intense exercise over a long time period might be a trigger. Anyway, after 8 months without signs of weakness and a clean EMG, I started back in and am currently running 3 x week, long weekend hike, and light weightlifting. I feel much better. I've always loved the "Zen" of of exercise. I also fasciculate and intermittently jerk after a hard work out even in muscles not directly targeted i.e. face (although I do grimace when I work out). Hell, I can't quit excising because of twitching/shaking. and buzzing. It may be annoying, but it's not ALS . It's our life. Gotta enjoy it in spite of aggravations. Don't quit.