Dr. Ambekar Sudheer
Neurosurgery
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been experiencing muscle twitches, in several areas of my body, for a period of three weeks. It stared in a small area in my back, then stopped. Returning in my right hip and since then the twitching has appeared at my right shoulder, both thighs, both hamstrings, both calves, forearms, and both arms. It lasts not more than five seconds and stops when I exercise or contract the muscle.
The twitching tends to increase when I am anxious, which is often at present. My left forearm and fingers experienced slight pins and needles. I have no obvious signs of muscle wastage and no clinical weakness. I have full use of all limbs, workout daily with no obvious decrease in intensity. Should I be worried about ALS, as it is causing me to have anxiety attacks and to question everything?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Twitches are seen in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). However, they usually start in the hands and are accompanied by the thinking of muscles or atrophy of muscles. A much more common cause of twitches is anxiety leading to hyperventilation leading to decreased calcium level in the blood.
In your case, the most likely cause of twitches is anxiety. However, since I cannot conclusively rule out the possibility of ALS. I suggest you do nerve conduction studies, which can diagnose ALS.
Please feel free to followup with the nerve conduction study report and we can discuss in detail.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Would I typically have other symptoms therefore?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, typically people with ALS have thinking or atrophy of small muscles of hand and leg as the first symptom in addition to twitches.
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Neurosurgery
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