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Hello, My Name Is Raine And I Am A 25

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Posted on Sun, 16 Jun 2019
Question: Hello, my name is Raine and I am a 25 year old female. About a month ago I started experiencing muscle twitches in my face. This has now progressed to feeling twitches in different parts of my body including back, neck, shoulders, arms, feet, toes, legs, and sometimes mouth. I also get a feeling of pre-cramping or minor cramping in the right leg that goes down to my foot. I am extremely afraid I have a motor neuron disease or some form of ALS. I went to my primary care who said my blood tests all came back good with the exception of a vitamin D deficiency. I was then referred to neurology, and that neurologist said my reflexes looked fine. He said I could schedule an EMG but it won't be until XXXXXXX Awaiting very nervously and just want to know if this is normal or if it's a sign of something more serious!
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Follow up: Dr. Dariush Saghafi (0 minute later)
Hello, my name is Raine and I am a 25 year old female. About a month ago I started experiencing muscle twitches in my face. This has now progressed to feeling twitches in different parts of my body including back, neck, shoulders, arms, feet, toes, legs, and sometimes mouth. I also get a feeling of pre-cramping or minor cramping in the right leg that goes down to my foot. I am extremely afraid I have a motor neuron disease or some form of ALS. I went to my primary care who said my blood tests all came back good with the exception of a vitamin D deficiency. I was then referred to neurology, and that neurologist said my reflexes looked fine. He said I could schedule an EMG but it won't be until XXXXXXX Awaiting very nervously and just want to know if this is normal or if it's a sign of something more serious!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This is as far away from ALS as you can get- B-R-E-A-T-H-E

Detailed Answer:
All your Dr. Peeps are absolutely correct about everything they've told you thusfar.....

I see a number of patients who TRULY have and suffer from early symptoms of ALS...and there are number of things that tell us from your story that this not motor neuron disease.

1. First of all you're a young and energetic 25 year old. ALS is not seen in your age group...it typically BEGINS to emerge very slowly and unsuspectingly in people who are typically over the age of 50 and even more commonly in those who are 60+.

2. Second, muscle twitching is not seen as a FIRST sign of the disease since twitching or fasciculations in the absence of actual muscle weakness is exactly HOW WE DISTINGUISH cases of NON-motor neuron disease from MOTOR NEURON disease.

3. Muscle twitching that progresses from the head and progresses downward rapidly to involve multiple parts of the body and both sides as you've related CANNOT be motor neuron disease because of anatomical considerations of how the brain and spinal cord are organized. Therefore, your twitching is due to anything else but it's definitely not ALS.

4. The most common reason for twitchings and fasciculations (visible twitching) is psychological stress. BUT, that's what the most common reason is for these types of twitchings....not the only reason. Therefore, if I were your neurologist I would definitely do a bit of footwork to find a cause if possible but as I said, ALS is not on the list anymore....Whew!

5. Vitamin is D? Yeah, 21 is definitely low for my tastes even though there are probably lots of people walking around with that number who are totally ASYMPTOMATIC....but since you've come to medical attention and we know you've got the 21, might as well fix it...it's simple. Many neurologists would like to see levels that are more in the 40's, 50's, or my preference which is 60-80 ng/dl. Yep...I like the level at pretty robust levels. So long as stay below 100....we're in good shape.

6. I'd also check a number of other markers for your thyroid gland, perhaps you adrenal glands, electrolytes including Calcium levels, and I would definitely throw in liver and kidney function tests to clearly demonstrate healthy functioning of those organs (which I'm nearly positive you've got...unless you XXXXXXX with something! LOL).

And so young lady....your twitchings are not due to anything having to do with the pathology of motor neuron degeneration and I'd even like to tell you that the performance of an EMG or NCV test in a person who is not demonstrating abnormal reflexes, weakness, atrophy, or other LOWER MOTOR SIGNS will be a normal study...I'd hate to see you become a pin cushion unnecessarily. The neurologist has done a neurological examination and that is sufficient with the history you've provided to avoid doing any type of testing which itself is INCAPABLE OF DIAGNOSING motor neuron disease.

Both doctors and patients in general somehow have the notion that an EMG can DIAGNOSE ALS...but in fact, it cannot. The diagnosis remains a CLINICAL ONE arrived you by a human being (thank goodness for small favors...I get to keep my job :0 ) and the only value an EMG will have in any suspected case of ALS is to confirm or deny the presence of LOWER MOTOR NEURON signs. UPPER MOTOR NEURON signs (which are absolutely necessary for ALS to be diagnosed) must be verified by the doctor. If they don't exist (which is essentially what your neurologist is telling you by saying you've got normal reflexes) then, no matter the EMG shows...the diagnosis of ALS cannot be made.

I don't know if I was clear on that explanation but I'd really like to see you not undergo "the Needles and shocks."

And so young lady....B-R-E-A-T-H-E.....and tell me now how much better you can spend your upcoming summer and this MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND if you weren't worrying about motor neuron disease.....Be well, I do hope you can discover the underlying cause of what triggered these bothersome symptoms but I do hope you can enjoy this holiday weekend!

Soooo, young lady XXXXXXX (one of my best friends in primary school was XXXXXXX Cassidy) If I've provided useful or helpful information to your question could you do me the utmost of favors by CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving?

I am definitely interested in getting updated information on your condition if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and let me know how things turned out.

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope our discussion has aided in your understanding of a few concepts related to your concerns.

CHEERS!

This query required 55 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
This is as far away from ALS as you can get- B-R-E-A-T-H-E

Detailed Answer:
All your Dr. Peeps are absolutely correct about everything they've told you thusfar.....

I see a number of patients who TRULY have and suffer from early symptoms of ALS...and there are number of things that tell us from your story that this not motor neuron disease.

1. First of all you're a young and energetic 25 year old. ALS is not seen in your age group...it typically BEGINS to emerge very slowly and unsuspectingly in people who are typically over the age of 50 and even more commonly in those who are 60+.

2. Second, muscle twitching is not seen as a FIRST sign of the disease since twitching or fasciculations in the absence of actual muscle weakness is exactly HOW WE DISTINGUISH cases of NON-motor neuron disease from MOTOR NEURON disease.

3. Muscle twitching that progresses from the head and progresses downward rapidly to involve multiple parts of the body and both sides as you've related CANNOT be motor neuron disease because of anatomical considerations of how the brain and spinal cord are organized. Therefore, your twitching is due to anything else but it's definitely not ALS.

4. The most common reason for twitchings and fasciculations (visible twitching) is psychological stress. BUT, that's what the most common reason is for these types of twitchings....not the only reason. Therefore, if I were your neurologist I would definitely do a bit of footwork to find a cause if possible but as I said, ALS is not on the list anymore....Whew!

5. Vitamin is D? Yeah, 21 is definitely low for my tastes even though there are probably lots of people walking around with that number who are totally ASYMPTOMATIC....but since you've come to medical attention and we know you've got the 21, might as well fix it...it's simple. Many neurologists would like to see levels that are more in the 40's, 50's, or my preference which is 60-80 ng/dl. Yep...I like the level at pretty robust levels. So long as stay below 100....we're in good shape.

6. I'd also check a number of other markers for your thyroid gland, perhaps you adrenal glands, electrolytes including Calcium levels, and I would definitely throw in liver and kidney function tests to clearly demonstrate healthy functioning of those organs (which I'm nearly positive you've got...unless you XXXXXXX with something! LOL).

And so young lady....your twitchings are not due to anything having to do with the pathology of motor neuron degeneration and I'd even like to tell you that the performance of an EMG or NCV test in a person who is not demonstrating abnormal reflexes, weakness, atrophy, or other LOWER MOTOR SIGNS will be a normal study...I'd hate to see you become a pin cushion unnecessarily. The neurologist has done a neurological examination and that is sufficient with the history you've provided to avoid doing any type of testing which itself is INCAPABLE OF DIAGNOSING motor neuron disease.

Both doctors and patients in general somehow have the notion that an EMG can DIAGNOSE ALS...but in fact, it cannot. The diagnosis remains a CLINICAL ONE arrived you by a human being (thank goodness for small favors...I get to keep my job :0 ) and the only value an EMG will have in any suspected case of ALS is to confirm or deny the presence of LOWER MOTOR NEURON signs. UPPER MOTOR NEURON signs (which are absolutely necessary for ALS to be diagnosed) must be verified by the doctor. If they don't exist (which is essentially what your neurologist is telling you by saying you've got normal reflexes) then, no matter the EMG shows...the diagnosis of ALS cannot be made.

I don't know if I was clear on that explanation but I'd really like to see you not undergo "the Needles and shocks."

And so young lady....B-R-E-A-T-H-E.....and tell me now how much better you can spend your upcoming summer and this MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND if you weren't worrying about motor neuron disease.....Be well, I do hope you can discover the underlying cause of what triggered these bothersome symptoms but I do hope you can enjoy this holiday weekend!

Soooo, young lady XXXXXXX (one of my best friends in primary school was XXXXXXX Cassidy) If I've provided useful or helpful information to your question could you do me the utmost of favors by CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving?

I am definitely interested in getting updated information on your condition if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and let me know how things turned out.

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope our discussion has aided in your understanding of a few concepts related to your concerns.

CHEERS!

This query required 55 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dariush Saghafi (20 hours later)
Thank you so much for this answer !!!

I believe my anxiety and googling my symptoms has made this a lot worse. I was also so afraid because my grandfather on my dad's side was diagnosed with ALS in his 30's but he never became disabled and actually died of cancer in his 60s. So I had completely convinced myself that this was what was happening.

I also was completely thrown off by the muscle strain like pain and pre cramping pain in my right calf predominately. So I have been convinced something was wrong. I am doing my best to relax and remember that everything is ok !.

My doctor did also mention my creatinine levels were good and that my liver and kidney were just fine and there were no inflammatory markers...

All he mentioned was benign cramps and fasiculations.

Thank you and I believe I should rest easy now for the weekend. !
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Follow up: Dr. Dariush Saghafi (0 minute later)
Thank you so much for this answer !!!

I believe my anxiety and googling my symptoms has made this a lot worse. I was also so afraid because my grandfather on my dad's side was diagnosed with ALS in his 30's but he never became disabled and actually died of cancer in his 60s. So I had completely convinced myself that this was what was happening.

I also was completely thrown off by the muscle strain like pain and pre cramping pain in my right calf predominately. So I have been convinced something was wrong. I am doing my best to relax and remember that everything is ok !.

My doctor did also mention my creatinine levels were good and that my liver and kidney were just fine and there were no inflammatory markers...

All he mentioned was benign cramps and fasiculations.

Thank you and I believe I should rest easy now for the weekend. !
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service and am HAPPY to hear you will enjoy the WEEKEND!

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your message back kiddo!

Copy all that.....HA! (We're watching THE MARTIAN with XXXXXXX Daemon....you ever see that movie? Pretty Cool...)

So your grandpa was diagnosed with ALS at age 30 and survived until he succumbed to Cancer in his 60's? There definitely are cases of motor neuron disease that are very slowly progressive.. XXXXXXX Hawking is probably the most famous example of that type of picture...but what is more remarkable about your papa is that you say it didn't disable him. My question is, did he really have ALS in the first place? I'm guessing that your grandpa was probably born somewhere in the 1930's...maybe early 1940's? So by the time he got the diagnosis it would've been the 1970's....the diagnostic criteria for motor neuron disease were not nearly as strict nor organized or well known in medicine. So unless, he was pathologically biopsied and got the diagnosis in that way...I'd question whether he really had ALS to begin with....He may have had BENIGN FASCICULATION SYNDROME (BFS) which is also known to run in families....how's that for an alternative explanation? The diagnosis of BFS actually came to light around 1963 which suggests to me that it is not unlikely that at that time and until BFS was understood and established to be entirely BENIGN that anybody who presented with fasciculations over their body probably was looked at as having ALS...or the start of.....and so it wouldn't be that unreasonable to make the assumption about your grandfather that this may have actually happened. ALS is progressive, it causes neurodegeneration, and it definitely causes disability over time.

So the fact, that there seems to be a question mark that someone in your family actually had this disease is AWESOME news for you..because a NEGATIVE family history of ALS decreases your chances of motor neuron disease even more so. But anyways, notwithstanding that little analytical detail....you still are in very good shape from what you've told me so I hope you have a great memorial day weekend where you're at....

If your general metabolic parameters are in order then, the most likely cause to your twitching (statistically speaking) is PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS/ANXIETY. That is the #1 cause to muscle twitchings that are not due to motor neuron disease nor metabolic derangement.

Once again, young lady if you feel this information has provided you useful knowledge could you CLOSE THE QUERY along with a few nice words of feedback and the GOLD 5-star XXXXXXX WONKA TICKET if you feel it is deserving? Would love to hear more about how things turn out if you're still going to do the EMG and what not so here's a handy reminder of my address at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi to let me know how things turned out.

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and Happy Memorial Day!

This query required 115 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service and am HAPPY to hear you will enjoy the WEEKEND!

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your message back kiddo!

Copy all that.....HA! (We're watching THE MARTIAN with XXXXXXX Daemon....you ever see that movie? Pretty Cool...)

So your grandpa was diagnosed with ALS at age 30 and survived until he succumbed to Cancer in his 60's? There definitely are cases of motor neuron disease that are very slowly progressive.. XXXXXXX Hawking is probably the most famous example of that type of picture...but what is more remarkable about your papa is that you say it didn't disable him. My question is, did he really have ALS in the first place? I'm guessing that your grandpa was probably born somewhere in the 1930's...maybe early 1940's? So by the time he got the diagnosis it would've been the 1970's....the diagnostic criteria for motor neuron disease were not nearly as strict nor organized or well known in medicine. So unless, he was pathologically biopsied and got the diagnosis in that way...I'd question whether he really had ALS to begin with....He may have had BENIGN FASCICULATION SYNDROME (BFS) which is also known to run in families....how's that for an alternative explanation? The diagnosis of BFS actually came to light around 1963 which suggests to me that it is not unlikely that at that time and until BFS was understood and established to be entirely BENIGN that anybody who presented with fasciculations over their body probably was looked at as having ALS...or the start of.....and so it wouldn't be that unreasonable to make the assumption about your grandfather that this may have actually happened. ALS is progressive, it causes neurodegeneration, and it definitely causes disability over time.

So the fact, that there seems to be a question mark that someone in your family actually had this disease is AWESOME news for you..because a NEGATIVE family history of ALS decreases your chances of motor neuron disease even more so. But anyways, notwithstanding that little analytical detail....you still are in very good shape from what you've told me so I hope you have a great memorial day weekend where you're at....

If your general metabolic parameters are in order then, the most likely cause to your twitching (statistically speaking) is PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS/ANXIETY. That is the #1 cause to muscle twitchings that are not due to motor neuron disease nor metabolic derangement.

Once again, young lady if you feel this information has provided you useful knowledge could you CLOSE THE QUERY along with a few nice words of feedback and the GOLD 5-star XXXXXXX WONKA TICKET if you feel it is deserving? Would love to hear more about how things turn out if you're still going to do the EMG and what not so here's a handy reminder of my address at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi to let me know how things turned out.

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and Happy Memorial Day!

This query required 115 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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Hello, My Name Is Raine And I Am A 25

Hello, my name is Raine and I am a 25 year old female. About a month ago I started experiencing muscle twitches in my face. This has now progressed to feeling twitches in different parts of my body including back, neck, shoulders, arms, feet, toes, legs, and sometimes mouth. I also get a feeling of pre-cramping or minor cramping in the right leg that goes down to my foot. I am extremely afraid I have a motor neuron disease or some form of ALS. I went to my primary care who said my blood tests all came back good with the exception of a vitamin D deficiency. I was then referred to neurology, and that neurologist said my reflexes looked fine. He said I could schedule an EMG but it won't be until XXXXXXX Awaiting very nervously and just want to know if this is normal or if it's a sign of something more serious!