HomeAnswersNeurologybenign fasciculation syndromeWhat do recurrent muscular fasiculation indicate, ALS or MND?

Is recurrent muscle twitche an active sign of ALS?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At January 4, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 4, 2020

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old male. I have had muscle twitches all around my body but primarily in my legs for three months. I had the same twitches last year which lasted about a month. The twitches seemed to subside shortly after I had an EMG done as I was petrified and convinced that it could be ALS or MND. This time round with the twitches (which started again almost exactly a year later), I did not have another EMG as my doctor did not seem it necessary but instead referred me to a neurologist which deals with ALS patients. He did only a physical examination and test and did not have any concerns at all. He also looked at my EMG results and agreed they all read fine and showed benign muscle fasciculations. The twitches seem to have started again more frequently the past couple of days and I have scared myself by reading ALS blogs on the internet where people say that they first started with muscle twitches that progressed into ALS.

Do you think I should be worried about ALS? Do you think I have had my EMG conducted too soon to rule out ALS?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your history and events. I wish to know more about muscle twisting. Which parts of the body are affected? Are those twisting and painful? Is there any stiffness in limbs? Is your illness affecting your activities of daily living or occupation?

Patient's Query

Thank you dcotor,

The twitching occurs all over the body but primarily in my legs (calves and thighs). The twitches are not painful. They are just visible and I can feel them. I have had some stiffness in my calves but nothing serious. The twitches are not affecting my wellbeing, just causing me severe mental health anxiety.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It seems benign fasciculations syndrome. If it would be ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or MND (motor neuron disease), then by now there should be other symptoms as I asked you. The characteristics of MND is it will progress relentlessly, but yours one is episodic, not progressive. And your EMG (electromyography) does not show any signs of denervation or muscle atrophy so I am reassuring you that MND is less likely.

There are some more causes of generalized fasciculations that we should rule out like Morvan's syndrome (peripheral nerve hyperexcitability) or Isac syndrome. You can take anti VGKC (voltage gated potassium channel complex) antibodies and anti-thyroid antibodies. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) cervico dorsal spine has to be done to rule out spinal cord lesion.

If above all are normal then nothing to worry.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Prakashkumar P Bhatt
Dr. Prakashkumar P Bhatt

Neurology

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