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What Causes Weakness And A Lot Of Little Muscle Twitches And Fasciculation?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Jun 2015
Question: I am really scared that i have ALS. For about 2 months now i have had weakness in my right arm and hand, sometimes difficult doing things with small things in my right hand, i have also had some weakness in my legs too. I have also had a bunch of little muscle fasiculations that show up all over my body and little twitches. I was at my headache doctor about a week ago and asked him about this and he did a little exam on me. It wasnt like an official test or anything though. He told me that he doesnt think that i have ALS. But i am still having weakness and a lot of little muscle twitches and fasiculations so i am still really scared that i do have ALS. I have a history of health anxiety so that obviously isnt helping with the situation either.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Neurological examination/Electromyography/Nerve conduction studies

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

Considering your fear of ALS,my sincere suggestion is to get yourself physically examined by a neurologist.Neurological examination will help document your actual limb weakness.ALS has certain hallmark features like mixed lower motor neuron(LMN) and upper motor neuron(UMN) signs,which can only be observed on physical examination.Examination findings will make it clear,whether it can be ALS at all and if there emerges out a possibility of the same,diagnosis will have to be confirmed with Electromyography(EMG) and Nerve conduction studies(NCS).

So,there is no point,just sitting and getting anxious.It's like 'beating about the bush'.Go to a neurologist and that is the first step to reduce all your fear and anxiety.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 hours later)
What is your opinion on the matter? Do you think that it is possible that i have ALS? Im only 21 years old
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No opinion can be formed without a physical examination.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

I wish I could have opined on this.But,I am afraid to say that without a neurological examination,no doctor can decide whether it can be ALS or not.You have weakness and fasciculations.With these two symptoms,I can't negate nor support the diagnosis of ALS.These symptoms are a part of ALS complex.But then,only objective assessment can demonstrate their magnitude along with other important things like Deep tendon reflexes and wasting;which are important for diagnosis.EMG plays its role as well.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ajay Panwar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 1827 Questions

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What Causes Weakness And A Lot Of Little Muscle Twitches And Fasciculation?

Brief Answer: Neurological examination/Electromyography/Nerve conduction studies Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com. I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query. Considering your fear of ALS,my sincere suggestion is to get yourself physically examined by a neurologist.Neurological examination will help document your actual limb weakness.ALS has certain hallmark features like mixed lower motor neuron(LMN) and upper motor neuron(UMN) signs,which can only be observed on physical examination.Examination findings will make it clear,whether it can be ALS at all and if there emerges out a possibility of the same,diagnosis will have to be confirmed with Electromyography(EMG) and Nerve conduction studies(NCS). So,there is no point,just sitting and getting anxious.It's like 'beating about the bush'.Go to a neurologist and that is the first step to reduce all your fear and anxiety. Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me. Regards Dr.Ajay Panwar, MD,DM(Neurology)