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Is Fasciculation In Anterior Deltoid A Symptom Of ALS?
Question: Hello, I'm a 33 year old male w no real medical history except for generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I recently began having a small twitch in my anterior deltoid, it's almost like one single strand of muscle playing morse code. It sometimes lasts for a few days. I also get a stabbing pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades and occasionally into my arm and hands. There is no weakness, no atrophy, no loss of coordination, but I still have a fear this could be early ALS signs.
Brief Answer:
ALS very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Just twitches or fasciculations of one muscle, doesn't necessarily relate to ALS.
Symptoms of ALS include difficulty walking, doing normal daily activities, weakness of limbs, troubles of speech and swallowing, muscles cramps and twitches in arms, tongue etc.
Benign causes of muscle twitches include anxiety disorder, side effects of certain drugs, benign fasciculations syndrome.
In my opinion, it is obvious that in your case muscle twitches and shoulders pain is one of the anxiety disorder symptoms, or could be side effects of drugs you use.
In addition, ALS is a very rare condition in people under 40 years.
Other things to consider about causes of muscle twitches are high amounts of caffeine, dehydration, high levels of blood calcium.
Following a balanced diet, good hydration, exercise and fighting properly anxiety should improve your symptoms.
There is need also to discuss with your Doctor about possible side effects of drugs you use.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
ALS very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Just twitches or fasciculations of one muscle, doesn't necessarily relate to ALS.
Symptoms of ALS include difficulty walking, doing normal daily activities, weakness of limbs, troubles of speech and swallowing, muscles cramps and twitches in arms, tongue etc.
Benign causes of muscle twitches include anxiety disorder, side effects of certain drugs, benign fasciculations syndrome.
In my opinion, it is obvious that in your case muscle twitches and shoulders pain is one of the anxiety disorder symptoms, or could be side effects of drugs you use.
In addition, ALS is a very rare condition in people under 40 years.
Other things to consider about causes of muscle twitches are high amounts of caffeine, dehydration, high levels of blood calcium.
Following a balanced diet, good hydration, exercise and fighting properly anxiety should improve your symptoms.
There is need also to discuss with your Doctor about possible side effects of drugs you use.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thanks for your quick reply sir. I do understand it's very rare for someone under 40, it's just the twitch there then having pain has really caused the anxiety to sky rocket. Sometimes I focus on my strength and coordination and worry if there is atrophy so I spend time checking muscles, balance, etc. then I can pack my hockey bag and go play ice hockey with absolutely no problems. I do occasionally get some tingling in that same arm, would that also be related to BFS or anxiety? The muscles in my upper back get lots of knots and can be very tender to touch. So you would not be worried about ALS at all in my case? The worry has become so much more profound since the birth of my first child last week.
Brief Answer:
You can have nerve conduction studies done, to exclude ALS.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and congratulations about having your first child.
Seems that there has been a busy and stressful period which resulted in stress disorder increase too, so, in my opinion, you should work more with yourself and your treating Doctor too, about controlling anxiety.
In order to be more calm and secure, you can discuss with your primary care octor about the possibility of having done nerve conduction studies (EMG, ENMG) of your arms.
It is a fast, simple and cheap test, in detecting nerves dysfunction, and is used in assessing/excluding ALS too.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
You can have nerve conduction studies done, to exclude ALS.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and congratulations about having your first child.
Seems that there has been a busy and stressful period which resulted in stress disorder increase too, so, in my opinion, you should work more with yourself and your treating Doctor too, about controlling anxiety.
In order to be more calm and secure, you can discuss with your primary care octor about the possibility of having done nerve conduction studies (EMG, ENMG) of your arms.
It is a fast, simple and cheap test, in detecting nerves dysfunction, and is used in assessing/excluding ALS too.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thanks again Sir. Stress is an understatement and I feel like it's only getting worse. I know my strength is normal and my anxiety can contribute to the twitches, but I can't get my mind to ease off the worry. My wife and son are still in XXXXXXX and I'm in the process of moving across country right now ahead of them to start work and there is a lot going on. I'd like to see my doctor but I don't know when I can get in. I worry now that I'll end up with so much anxiety and worry that I'm going to really struggle with the separation from my main support system of the next month. In your opinion, do i have reason to fear ALS?
Brief Answer:
Again, ALS very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
I guess just thinking about ALS increases enormously stress levels.
As I said before, I don't see a reason for you to be concerned about ALS.
If still continue in doubt, get nerve conduction studies done.
Hope I helped you.
Wishing you good health.
Again, ALS very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
I guess just thinking about ALS increases enormously stress levels.
As I said before, I don't see a reason for you to be concerned about ALS.
If still continue in doubt, get nerve conduction studies done.
Hope I helped you.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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