Hi,
I'm a new guy to this site. Hopefully someone can help me out here. Especially Alonzo since he has pretty good knowledge about ALS.
Anyway, i'm a 26 year old male who has been twitching since early May. So, its been about 4 months and counting. I don't know exactly what brought it on, but i assume stress and anxiety. Oh, and i did read some stuff on the internet before it happened. Coincidence?
The twitching started in my thumbs and basically i freaked. I got a full fledge panic attack and the twitching quickly spread and intensified. Since then i have had twitching & jerking all over. I get all types of twitching (like most of you). The twitching also waxes & wanes, varying high or low in intensity. In addition, I had all kinds of symptoms such as tingling, aches, light cramps (feet, hands, biceps, shoulder blades) and various others. But mainly it has been the twitching. This all leading me to my main fear, ALS.
Back in the middle of June I had two physical neuro exams, an MRI, blood test and CAT scan which came out clear and normal. I have also had two EMGs from two different Neuros. Both said i had no abnormalities. It has been 3 months now since i have had an EMG. I was doing alright and finally coping with my twitching until now. Something new has come up that has persisted for about a month (since late August). My twitching has spread to my face. It effects all the bulbar areas.
The twitching intensifies when i am using a specific part. I can feel it in my cheeks & tongue when i talk, in my throat when i swallow, and jaw when i chew. Not all the time, but sometimes. And at times it does seem like i get fatigue or weak in these areas. I'm not really sure though.
Lately my tongue has been quivering/twitching like crazy. Not all the time, but more often than not. And I can truly say yes, it seems like it does effect my talking. At times, during prolonged conversations, i have to slow down my speech because my tongue gets fatigued. At least I believe it does. When its cold, its even worse. Sometimes i have to depend on different facial muscles to talk. I also examine my tongue and i think its getting smaller. But then again, that could just be my imagination since i haven't really checked in like 2 months. Another thing i have gotten lately is increased saliva and lots of tongue soreness. It feels like my tongue has been through the ringer.
Just to note
Positive things: 95% of the time i have no problems with chewing, swallowing (although a sense of fullness), or breathing. I have no dry coughs or hoarseness or slurring. I can flap and flutter my tongue with ease. I can swipe my tongue in all directions without no problems. Therefore i wonder if its all percieved.
Negative: Increased saliva, lots of tongue soreness, and what seems to be tongue fatigue that leads to the slowing of speech so i can articulate words easier. Has been pretty persistant for a month now, although it varies each day. Somedays are easier than others to talk.
My question to anyone (especially Alonzo): I have had two normal EMGs of the lower and upper limbs 3 months ago, but i can't help but thinking i have Bulbar onset. Would two normal EMGs in the limb areas be significant enough to justify i do not have ALS even with these new symptoms in the bulbar areas? Should i get checked out again or put my faith into the doctors? I heard something about EMGs of the bulbar areas?
Another question: I do get reflux and heartburn, so i wonder if increased Saliva can come from that? Or can come from anxiety, especially after reading bulbar symptoms?
Please help--Dan
I'm a new guy to this site. Hopefully someone can help me out here. Especially Alonzo since he has pretty good knowledge about ALS.
Anyway, i'm a 26 year old male who has been twitching since early May. So, its been about 4 months and counting. I don't know exactly what brought it on, but i assume stress and anxiety. Oh, and i did read some stuff on the internet before it happened. Coincidence?
The twitching started in my thumbs and basically i freaked. I got a full fledge panic attack and the twitching quickly spread and intensified. Since then i have had twitching & jerking all over. I get all types of twitching (like most of you). The twitching also waxes & wanes, varying high or low in intensity. In addition, I had all kinds of symptoms such as tingling, aches, light cramps (feet, hands, biceps, shoulder blades) and various others. But mainly it has been the twitching. This all leading me to my main fear, ALS.
Back in the middle of June I had two physical neuro exams, an MRI, blood test and CAT scan which came out clear and normal. I have also had two EMGs from two different Neuros. Both said i had no abnormalities. It has been 3 months now since i have had an EMG. I was doing alright and finally coping with my twitching until now. Something new has come up that has persisted for about a month (since late August). My twitching has spread to my face. It effects all the bulbar areas.
The twitching intensifies when i am using a specific part. I can feel it in my cheeks & tongue when i talk, in my throat when i swallow, and jaw when i chew. Not all the time, but sometimes. And at times it does seem like i get fatigue or weak in these areas. I'm not really sure though.
Lately my tongue has been quivering/twitching like crazy. Not all the time, but more often than not. And I can truly say yes, it seems like it does effect my talking. At times, during prolonged conversations, i have to slow down my speech because my tongue gets fatigued. At least I believe it does. When its cold, its even worse. Sometimes i have to depend on different facial muscles to talk. I also examine my tongue and i think its getting smaller. But then again, that could just be my imagination since i haven't really checked in like 2 months. Another thing i have gotten lately is increased saliva and lots of tongue soreness. It feels like my tongue has been through the ringer.
Just to note
Positive things: 95% of the time i have no problems with chewing, swallowing (although a sense of fullness), or breathing. I have no dry coughs or hoarseness or slurring. I can flap and flutter my tongue with ease. I can swipe my tongue in all directions without no problems. Therefore i wonder if its all percieved.
Negative: Increased saliva, lots of tongue soreness, and what seems to be tongue fatigue that leads to the slowing of speech so i can articulate words easier. Has been pretty persistant for a month now, although it varies each day. Somedays are easier than others to talk.
My question to anyone (especially Alonzo): I have had two normal EMGs of the lower and upper limbs 3 months ago, but i can't help but thinking i have Bulbar onset. Would two normal EMGs in the limb areas be significant enough to justify i do not have ALS even with these new symptoms in the bulbar areas? Should i get checked out again or put my faith into the doctors? I heard something about EMGs of the bulbar areas?
Another question: I do get reflux and heartburn, so i wonder if increased Saliva can come from that? Or can come from anxiety, especially after reading bulbar symptoms?
Please help--Dan