Seeking Reassurance for Twitching/Weakness

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shakeitupager85

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Hi guys,I’m hoping someone might be able to reassure me a little…My twitching began a few months ago, all over my body but especially in my upper arms and calves. Some were visible but most were not. Along with this came a shaky, weak feeling in my arms and legs (especially my wrists), and weakness as well, but whether it is real weakness or just fatigue I am yet to work out. I twitch and jerk when I’m trying to fall asleep, I keep dropping things, and thankfully I’m not tripping over but I do feel a little off balance.I’ve had some other symptoms as well. I’ve been terribly tired (although I must admit that’s not so unusual) and sometimes I feel like I can’t get my mouth to form words properly. Those close to me haven’t noticed anything, so it can’t be as bad as it feels, but that doesn’t really reassure me much! I’ve had some trouble swallowing as well, but I am aware that this could quite possibly be stress related. But all of these symptoms put together really scare me and after (stupidly) Googling my symptoms, they all seemed to point in the direction of either ALS, Parkinson’s or MS.I went to a couple of GPs who put my symptoms down to stress and the fact I’m on the border of the underweight/healthy weight range and exercise a lot. I kept telling them that couldn’t be it, as I’ve been stressed, skinny and active for years now, but they didn’t seem to be interested. Finally, I saw a fantastic and caring GP who actually examined me properly and saw some of my twitches for himself. He told me he didn’t think it was anything serious however, as it was still not “normal”, he sent me to a neurologist.My neurologist was very nice and very “to the point”, which perhaps is a good sign. He did all the usual strength and reflex tests and told me he could do further (more invasive) tests but didn’t see any reason to do so because I appeared to have nothing more than BFS. He said it seemed strange as BFS usually only occurs in weightlifters and body builders, but from reading posts on this site I don’t think this is quite correct! Anyway, the fact he wasn’t too concerned reassured me – until I saw a news article on MS and now I’m really worried about that. I sort of wish I’d got the other tests done now, but at the same time, I wonder what it will take to really reassure me – will I just be terrified forever?I guess I’d just like to know if any of you have experienced issues with dropping things and weak wrists, or speech/swallowing difficulties? I just hope that perhaps it’s a coincidence…I know a lot of these things can be stress related (and I’m a pretty big worrier!) but I can’t help being a bit (lot!) terrified.
 
Be reassured. My wrists and forearms have felt weak and sore for over a decade. Sometimes I drop things, or can't quite manage to do what I think I should be able to do (such as open a jar). My neuro exams have all been normal, and testing (EMG, EEG, MRI, etc.) negative for MS et al. MS is a clinical diagnosis, supported by findings such as MRI, CSF, and such. If your neuro isn't worried, then don't be. As for Dr. Google, don't go there. Google isn't a useful diagnostic tool. Maybe IBM's Dr. Watson will be someday, but for now, rely on your neurologist over the Web. Finally, I'm not a weight-lifter or bodybuilder. Maintaining my scrawny frame, weighing now at age 46 what I did at age 12, is the best I can do. My research on BFS has yet to turn up an causal relationship between heavy weight training and developing BFS.
 
Yes, been there, ruined half of my dinner porcellain. My hand strength is good, but my hand dexterity has suffered sooooooooo much from BFS...I am a lot better. I guess I came from the hand dexterity of my 2-year old to the one of my granny......I am glad I did not become a brain surgeon as planned .....better for my patients...
 
It's BFS. If you had ALS you wouldn't be experiencing hand symptoms and speaking and swallowing difficulty all at the same time. You got cleared by a neuro so you don't have clinical weakness or show signs of anything pathlogical. BFS can come with muscle fatigue and many of us have experienced some dexterity issues as well. The mouth stuff is anxiety. Try to do something else while you're eating like reading the newspaper. If you manage to distract yourself I bet you'll be surprised at how you don't notice swallowing issues.
 

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