I'm a neurologist, and in ~2011, one of my co-residents had fasciculations and perceived muscle weakness and was convinced he had ALS. I myself have had fasciculations with exercise. Both of us are okay so far. Few people are immune to this type of catastrophic thinking.
With myself I have fybromyalgia but with my mum having severe ms and telling her it was carpel tunnel then a brain tumour it started at my grandmother's funeral so stress started it.thiugh ime sure she and myself have Asperger's add this something to do with it do you see this the link in practise
I would love to talk with you I’ve been terrified I have a neurological disorder I can go to the gym and lift weights like yesterday but I haven’t been in the past 2 months and haven’t been eating maybe 1/2 the calories of what I was 4 months ago can that cause weird feeling in legs and limbs weakness shakey feeling ?
What that if in some cases are an early sign? Me too I had fasciculations all over since 2011; they told me it was the benign version and told me it was some anxiety. One month ago, my left foot and pinky finger of my left hand lost a bit of sensitivity, and it has been like that 24/7 since then. I did an EMG on both legs a week ago, and all muscles of both legs showed anomalies in duration, phase, and size, and recruitment is reduced. MR of the spine said no issue in the back. Waiting for the next appointment with the neurologist.
I know this all too well. My dad got ALS 15 years ago. And when he was close to the end (which was not pretty…) it got to my head. Now I know that it was all a stress reaction, which eventually turned into a depression and sky-rocketing levels of anxiety. But I had fasciculations all over my body (just like dad had) and all sorts of actual physical symptoms. And the waiting time to see a neurologist was about 18 months. I was literally going insane… Aside from the fact that I did not have ALS, two things saved my sanity. First and most importantly, I managed to arrange a meeting with a neurologist, and she told me (right or wrong) that ”bad things don’t change on and off, they typically keep getting worse and worse monotonically”) and secondly, they gave me medicines to help me get through it. I will post some additional coments in a separate post.
Your words of not changing symptoms and making a choice to change our behavior, as well as the statistical Low likelihood of a 39 yo (or anybody) having the condition provide a lot of solace to me. Thanks again
Thanks for the kind words. I have vague symptoms that come and go and I’m terrified. Even though I’m a physician I find myself constantly googling and reading forums. Clumsy left hand especially when texting, occasional unsteadiness on my left leg, fatigue, a feeling of decreased coordination of my hands. I’m still going to get checked up by neurology (which I have kept putting off) but this gives me a lot of perspective.
I am also a physician and my knowledge of the body makes my symptoms follow dermatomes, follow the correct part of the brain, it can't be reasoned away - I had a bona fide nervous breakdown (had to go to the psych ER) last autumn because I was 100% convinced I had a brain tumor. An occipital tumor causing visual phenomena consistent with ongoing occipital seizures. I even found a case study confirming all of it. But it was not a brain tumor, which I found out after 4 weeks of waiting for the brain scan (in my own department, I am a radiologist). But now I have developed a twitch in my thumb and I have convinced myself I have ALS and it is making me actively suicidal, like I have a plan and everything (I am in contact with psych, don't worry). At this point I want to kill myself even if it is not ALS because I cannot cope with this ongoing anxiety. It will just switch to some other disease. And at some point I will develop cancer because almost everyone does. Sorry about this rant but I am at the end of my rope and I hate that I am a physician, I hate having my brain cause symptoms that are anatomically and physiologically correct. I wish I could erase the knowledge from my brain and live in ignorant bliss. Hope you are okay.
I needed this I’ve had a horrible last few months in this ALS rabbit hole. Starting with jaw pain, that turned into not being able to chew, my muscles in my face are better (they think TMJ) but that really set me off down this bad spiral. Currently having excess saliva and feeling like I’m having a hard time swallowing it which really set me off again. Health anxiety is horrible
Fantastic video and exactly what I’ve dealt with. One thing I realized is that the feelings of fear and dread and uncertainty were so terrible that I started to see THEM as the illness I should be afraid of having because they were making my life miserable NOW, as opposed to some illness I was afraid would make me miserable at some future point.
Everything you're saying is soooooo spot on. I love your videos. I did all of that during my ALS spiral. The forums and the doctors and the wanting to problem solve and find answers. Health anxiety is a beast. This whole time we are worried about diseases that we don't have and blatantly ignore the condition that is truly debilitating us, health anxiety. It takes away from our lives just as much as the diseases we fear.
Hey Cherelle! Lost almost a year of my life absolutely terrified I had ALS. I even had medically confirmed atrophy! The thought I had ALS was the god damn scariest thing I have EVER gone through. I lost myself, I was a shell. It was awful. But guess what!? The atrophy was from a tennis elbow injury, exacerbated by weight loss. Now I would consider myself recovered from the fear. I twitch all the time, but I don’t worry at all anymore :) been twitching for 1 year and 5 months. Twitching is actually SO common, people need to know that. I’ve had at least two people in my ‘real’ life who have told me at different times they have had weeks of their fingers twitching, or legs constantly twitching. While my twitching is more than most, it’s still not ALS 🤷♀️ I did discover through all the tests that I actually have a super rare genetic disease (like extremely rare, far rarer than ALS) so that was ironic! But I’m doing good, happy and just living life - not letting my worries dominate my life anymore.
@@bai4215 I can totally relate. But we don't have to worry because of that. It's just our anxiety. If we don't have clinical weakness and other serious stuff, we don't have ALS!! Let's live our lives the best way we can!!
@@4505rockgirl agreed! Tired of living in fear. I do feel bad a lot of the times. I do have these symptoms but we have to keep fighting to over come! Let’s live💕
You are wise beyond your years. I'm 51 and my legs are twitching like firecrackers, but you've helped me with my dumb anxiety. Seeing the Neuro soon to be safe, but feeling much better now. Thank you.
Don't worry until you actually get muscle wasting. You'll know it when it happens...loss of power, muscles move 1/3 of normal speed, you see them fade away and they feel soft. Twitching in a strong muscle means little, but wasting is the thing that means you have something neurological.
Thanks alot for this. These few week, I've been terrified I could have ALS as I've got quite violent twitching in my hands... But even still, my worrying is only exacerbating my symptoms. Realistically, I don't have ALS, and it helps people like you are reassuring us about the severity of health anxiety. Thank you :)
I started worrying about ALS when I was 20… I’m now 36. Still twitching, but no ALS. As I sit here my right thigh is going off like lightning because I’ve had an anxious day. Twitches are very benign, hun. Please try not to waste your life worrying like I did. Hugs 🤗x.
Yeah my thumb on my right hand literally started jerking and twitching, I have no idea if I slept on my arm funny but there was no weakness etc, your brain just plays tricks on you
It sounds similar to Mind Body Disorder. It truly is exhausting. I take SO many supplements it's nuts. I am working hard to just sit with the pains. My issues began in 2018. I had no idea but they found a very rare benign grapefruit size cyst on my spleen. I had it surgically removed in 2020. But I still have pain. So it makes me very anxious because I fear something else is going on that doctors just aren't finding. Ugh! It is maddening!
Hello i am in the same situation right now.I got twitches in my calves for over maybe more than 6-7 years.I wasnt paying attention to it untill couple of days ago when i red about ALS.But your videos helped me a lot , not gonna lie , to feel way better.I went to a neurologist yesterday and he told me that my problems are probably coming from back.He made me an EMG which showed nothing concerning.I am still kinda frustrated even thought i have these twitches for a very long time with no other symptoms like weakness or atrophy.
Hey Cherelle, i've been suffering from muscle twitching for a little over 2 years. Went through all the nitty gritty of fearing this dreadful disease, got tested with emg 1 year in, came back clean. Thanks to you I was able to go through this awful journey. Could you make a video on morning tremors if you've experienced those ? As in tremors right when you wake up?
Hey Charlie this sounds a bit concerning. If it poses a real issue to your everyday life I would honestly consider seeing a counselor. Could be very helpful to deal with your anxiety
This made me laugh because younhave said everything I have thought..nearly 9 years twitching..up and down with how I deal with it. Better when I'm doing something..or rather, don't notice the twitches.
I Have a awful health anxiety and OCD (male 28) and I'm im the bulbar Als rabbit hole .. I read about it and after a week I have started to slurre many words, No one have heard it when they speak to me, but! I have it recorded when I do slurre, so I really are slurring my words. I also started stuttering. After the first slurre I got so hyperaware of my speech. I have never had any problems with my speech, my speech is my biggest gift in my life so when something is off with it, I know for sure something is really wrong. During this time, I also remember my tongue feeling fatigue. I do not slurre all the time it's coming and going. I’ve also developed in the last 2-3 days a scalloped tounge and burning sensation on my tounge (never had this before), fasiculations all over my body, mostly on my left buttcheek, it also feels like I have lost the coordination of my tounge and my tounge is always touching my teeth while I’m speaking, I never had braces and I have straight teeth. And today I have bit my tounge like 15 times meanwhile I'm speaking ..
So to my question, is this the bulbar onset of ALS? Because how can it be possible for me to slurre my words for 17 days with just hyperawareness and health anxiety, it should not be possible right?
About three months ago I began experiencing odd feelings, so odd and vague that they are hard to describe: headaches, numbness and tightness in the muscles (I think these are just perceived, as I can use my muscles just fine), twitching in my calves and arms. I convinced myself I had a brain tumor, I went for an MRI that came back negative, went through a week of relative peace, then, just cos my anxiety HAD to find something else to cling to, I convinced myself I have ALS, which wouldn't show up on an MRI. It would be almost funny if it wasn't so draining.
i’m experiencing a nearly identical situation! about a month ago, i was worried about a brain tumor (due to other symptoms) and then also developed right forearm weakness/numbness. first, i convinced myself i was having a stroke but wasn’t obviously. i had an mri that can back clean. this weakness/numbness has been happening for a month but hasn’t deterred any used of my arm/hand. i started twitching everywhere about two days ago. i have a neuro appointment tomorrow but still so scared!
@@myaweeks640 Hey there! Based on my experience, if your MRI is clean and you can use your arms fine even whilst you're having these 'feelings', then this is 100% just anxiety. Please don't lose hope, after a year of struggling I'm finally learning to manage my health anxiety, so you can too!
Thank you very much for your advice . I have had twitching on both legs in my calf muscles and for 8 month I didn't do anything until I went to see my Doctor and he sent me for blood test for Deep Vein Thrombosis and results came negative. In the few weeks somethings my index finger twitches for couple of seconds. I am so worried but after listening to you I feel a bit better. I suffer from Herniated Disc on my neck and last year I had MRI done and Doctor said if I don't have operation I might have problem walking. I wonder if it is the neck causing these symptoms similar to ALS. I wish you good health and all the people affected by this disease. I didn't know people recovered. Hope to hear from you. 😊😊
I am not afraid of ALS, but of MS with my symptoms. All over the body tingling that comes and goes. Bilaterally, in lower arms/legs, hands/feet, face, scalp. I do have stress but this is a new onset symptom that started 2 months ago. I'm going to my PCP and a neurologist soon! Thank you for making these videos, they are helpful!
Not ALS, no MS seen on my MRI either(unless it’s in cervical region). Neurologist is stumped as to why I have some peripheral neuropathy. It comes and goes but I do think it may be related to occipital neuralgia/migraines. That’s the working diagnosis for now. Thanks for asking!
Glad to hear. I’ve had paresthesia in my hands which the doctor says is from carpal tunnel and weakness in my left feet. After visits, I was told I have polyneuropathy, but symptoms haven’t gotten any better either.
I'm in this rabbit hole just now. I do have severe health anxiety. But I'm convinced this isn't what's going on. I really think this is the real deal. I noticed it around 5 weeks ago. My right arm felt a bit odd. A bit heavier than normal. Then around a week later I noticed when I went to grab things it felt odd. Like keys etc. Or my phone or anything. I'd shake my hand and try again. I could always perform the task. It just felt awkward like it wasn't my hand or something. My right leg was also feeling heavy. (I think I have sciatica so I'm trying my best to think it's just that for my leg) Then that same week I noticed when I stick my tongue out it shakes like crazy! No one else's does. I've asked 10 people now. Fast forward to now.. a few days ago I got random twitching in my right eyelid. It comes and goes. But also twitching in my right upper arm and in my right leg. Calf and thigh. I also notice some cramping in that upper arm and my leg also. These do come and go. But that happens in ALS. The twitching and cramps aren't constant. So I'm a proper mess. I'm only 29. I started going through fertility treatment not long ago. I really thought I was changing my life around. But then this gets me. My doctor seems sure I don't have it. Just anxiety. But he's known be for my whole life. So everything is anxiety. I have an appointment coming up soon with neurology. So hopefully I get answers and they are positive answers and I get to live. I'm beyond terrified. I try to tell myself maybe the muscle twitches in my leg are from sciatica. Maybe the muscle twitches and cramp in my upper arm are from my tight muscles and sore back. But I've searched and searched and can't fine that to be the case. It all points to ALS.
Thanks for sharing this rabbit hole situation and I feel those same sensations as well where it feels awkward to hold things and having a heavy/numb sensations on my left arm and started to feel them on my legs too, but no clinical muscle weakness. If you’re able to, may you provide an update?
I’m trying really hard not to break down in tears. I have finally accepted I have health anxiety. I have really bad GERD and after covid had some heart membrane inflammation. But almost any symptom now just makes me worry so much. I’m so on edge and just haven’t told friends or family it feels so embarrassing.
I'm in this rabbit hole right now. It's been 3 months and it's horrible and still not out of it . 😪 I don't have twitching that much though but it all started off with tingling in ny 4 limbs for abt 2 months - on the 3rd month I started feeling weakness in all my limbs and my hands or legs would get numb especially my right arm would so weak that holding a phone was hard and my right forearm would twicth. I also have weird feeling in my tongue, cracking joints and locked up thumbs and back pain... I have done tons of blood work, brain and spine MRIs, check my cpk, aldolasi and muscle level, seen rheumatologist and done many neurological tests and eventually an EMG.. Everything came back clear so far but I have never ever feel so bad in my life as of now. *my hand is numb as I type * really hope this is all due to a health anxiety thing cos it's a bit too extreme. I'm terrified cos i constantrly think im that weird case that got something odd and really bad like Cherelle said . Im terrified just praying for the best.
@@language8352 Hey- i do much better than the summer now.. but im not muself either I still have a very bad back and neck pain and my thumbs usually get really stiff and pop which I dont know why. Im still afraid of smth neurological eveday and its not easy mentaully but im trying to do ny life the best i can..
Hi there - sorry for late reply. I am coping but i still do not feel fine. I always wake up with my right arm feeling heavy and weak. I still have this tingling sensation in my right and left arm and this pain in my left arm just do not go away, how is it going for you?
I really needed to hear this. I was going crazy… I was going into a deep dark hole - thinking about my death and how devastated my parents and my bf would be and I kept thinking about it… I kept going back to the neurologist to keep asking questions, I did a bunch of tests and they found nothing wrong but I was convinced I’m in the early stages… I had really bad twitching and I felt dizzy and felt I lost muscle mass, I was going crazy. It’s been a rollercoaster. I had facial palsy before this so I was super scared of getting some other neurological disease
an update: I finally found out why I was twitching from head to toe. I was using this corticosteroid before for about a month for Bell's Palsy which I had (inflammation to the cranial nerves that control facial movements, possibly from a viral infection) and I started off with numbness all over my body one day, it was so strange, I couldn't sleep on this night. Then I got constant numbness and tingling on my legs for about like 2 weeks. I didn't wean off the corticosteroids properly, I just stopped taking it bc it made my face really fat (do not stop taking this suddenly bc then you'll get bad side effects) and then got this numbness. The my arm started to get numbness and my fingers where shaky, had a tremor, then a few days later, I started twitching from head to toe. After all my tests from the hospital was normal, I could not sit with the fact all this weird stuff was happening to me and I was still concerned about maybe having a neurological disorder. But after researching about prednisolone, the corticosteroid I took for about a month, all these resources said it can lead to numbness, tingling, and muscle twitching and spasms. So if you're taking this and twitching this is probably a side effect of it...
I used to be terrified of MS and no one believed me at first i was having a bad anxiety i was reading about MS all day all the time i had all the symptoms of it they thought i’m crazy until i had a worst attack then i got the diagnosed ( i have MS ) after suffering 2 years. Now I’m terrifying of having ALS i don’t know why i’m scared to be right for the second time 💔
unfortunately, I am in a similar situation now - I have a diagnosis of MS, then there were tests, MRI, neurologists, one professor of neurology said that we need to rule out ALS - I have pyramidal syndrome, all pathological reflexes like Babinski, Hofman, clonus, exaggerated reflexes, spasticity. Of course I have fasciculations that I haven't even noticed. Weakness, weight loss too. I don't know if I have atrophy, the neurologist didn't say, I'm not looking back. Anyway, I thought my symptoms were typical of MS, which I have been diagnosed with. My grandfather died of ALS 17 years ago - could it happen again?
@@Itsme1. I know because after the last MRI, where there are no leasions, I have a significant deterioration of linerlne symptoms and new symptoms came that were not there and he said that with such "thick" symptoms there should be changes in the MRI, so he thinks that we have to rule out other diseases, e.g. ALS
Twitching all over my body doesn't bother me because I have them every other year. What worries me is the stiffness in my right hand and the weird sensation on my right foot, and every now and then, feel stiffness in my tongue. I hope it's just anxiety. Thanks for your videos, there are reassuring :)
I have started to feel muscles all over my body twitch, and its making me crazy. I am also feeling a really strange feeling of heaviness or tiredness in my arms. Ive started to have some checking behaviors and just decided to go see a neurologist because today I had a mild panic attack and its just not getting any better with my anxiety
Hey! She ordered an EMG. Everything went well. At first I didnt want to do the exam, I was really scared. But I believe everything was mostly anxiety related. I have an OCD background and I think my thoughts were becoming obssessive in nature. Thank you for asking!
Well I'm certainly terrified. I'm a 60 year old male who developed foot drop a month ago plus weakness in hands,fingers, and arms. My mother died from ALS in 2020. Had a lumbar MRI last week that showed nothing. I'm still working on getting an appt. with neurologist. I do have lots of numbness and tingling over the years, so I'm almost hoping it's MS. Not good, but better than ALS.
hey, i came across your channel because neurologists are starting to question my MS diagnosis and are just moving towards MND I have never looked for information about MND on the Internet, only now that I got a referral to EMG for exclusion. Unfortunately, I have large deviations in the neurological examination - I have Babinski's sign, exaggerated reflexes, Hofman's, confirmed damage to the upper motor neuron, clonus, I also have fasciculations, clinical weakness. I have the impression that many young people are afraid of MND because they have fasciculations - I don't even pay attention to it, spasticity and mobility problems and weakness are worse. Do I have MND? I don't know, I'll find out after the EMG... I I'm 36 years young
Did you have the EMG yet? Also, why are you on a health anxiety video? You're in a different boat than the rest of us because your doctors are actually suspicious for ALS. I'm sorry but this is just triggering. Also, how did you get a MS diagnosis with a clear MRI? If you had lesions at one point, then the you do have MS and not misdiagnosed ALS. Your odds of having both conditions would seem pretty slim. Finally, how long have you had the MS diagnosis for and how old are you?
Friends, diagnosed Sept.2020, first symptom Dec. 19th. At first very slow progression of one point every three months but stress unrelated to ALS accelerated my progression to1.5points a month since Thanksgiving. So stay positive,keep the noise out, open your eyes and become one withGod’s nature. You are still you and mortal life is fatal to us all ❤️
@@imho2278 Then you don't understand HA well. Posting as an unwell person in an HA space helps no one and is super triggering unless you have something reassuring to say, which OP doesn't. We don't need to be told when to worry or hear about worst case scenarios because we will convince ourselves that we need to worry. We need to be told when not to worry as Cherelle does
Hello everyone. I’ve been experiencing some muscle twitches. It started off on my shoulder muscle, it lasted for about 2 days. Then I would feel these small pulses through out my body, it would feel like my left arm started getting weaker but it wasn’t any weaker from the weights I would work out with. I feel a little bit of stomach soreness as well. Today I started to get a twitch in my left knee which lasted a few hours but went away. I’m not sure if my excessive anxiety is causing this or it’s actual symptoms of ALS, it’s freaking me out and starting to feel a lot of depression
Hey John, John here. I have a very similar situation to you actually. Started getting a twitch in my shoulder about a year ago which quickly spread to my whole body. I was concerned for months until I got an emg and it came back fine. I can say that now because it’s been about a year and they haven’t gone away but I haven’t had any other symptoms so it’s probably nothing. At the time, I was freaking out so I was also concerned that my hands were feeling clumsy and I had pains in my forearms. Needless to say, we do sometimes creates symptoms through anxiety. Feel free to see a doctor as they know more than any of us regular people, but I can assure you that I was in pretty much the same situation as you (still am) and am doing totally fine. Hopefully this finds you well.
Im doing well or atleast better, thank you so much for caring and asking. My twitches are still here but not as frequent. I don’t get them everyday. Also went to a neurologist and everything checked out fine. I did get diagnosed with early onset osteoarthritis. But nothing to severe as of yet.
Going through a similar thing. Earlier it was just random twitches in my arms, thigh and back muscles. Got my blood test done and came out that Vitamin D was very low with CPK & TSH level elevated. Doctor asked me to take some rest and started Vitamin D supplements and Thyroxine to handle Vitamin D deficiency and Hypothyroidism. After 2 weeks, I got my retest done and CPK level was normal. It was a relief as it decommissioned muscle disease caused by Hypothyroidism. Vitamin D was also close (90) to the median range of 120-270 but still deficient. Thyroid level was also normal. Things felt better. But I still have random twitches - it’s 3-4 times a day and for 4-5 seconds but still very much visible. I got my other tests done as well. There were few elevated values in Liver and Cholesterol. I am working on that. But that fear of twitches is still there. Idk what is the cause for that. I’m trying to convince myself that it’s all my anxiety. Planning to go for a neuro test if I don’t feel better. I had been quite active all my life. Used to go to gym on and off but because of my desk job I got lazier and made my physical health bad. Just hoping it’s not something major.
Hi i have been having twiching now for about 2 months i dont have pain but 2 of my feet been kinda numb i went to my regular dr who took a normal test and said i dont have it but in my mind im so convinced ive been googling symptoms and convinced my self i have it its making me sick and making me have bad anxiety when im walking i get anxiety thinking im going to fall but dont in my mind i am convinced i have als
For the last 7 years, I've been experiencing health anxiety about different diseases. Recently, I feel like I'm having trouble speaking, but no one around me, including my wife, notices anything different. I'm convinced I have ALS and have started showing symptoms. Seven months ago, I thought I had a brain tumor and got an MRI, which was normal. I keep searching online about ALS and now genuinely feel I have it. I've had similar anxieties about other diseases over the years and have seen many doctors with normal reports. I'm 40 years old and from India. What should I do? Please help me.
Did a doctor actually confirm your atrophy? Every ALSHA sufferer has thought they had atrophy at some point. The fact that you even know the word "pathognomonic" indicates you've been googling too much.
@@jixer1956 i dont have carpal tunnel My neurologist say als or long covid but isnt aware that covid can induce als So got now its "wait and see". It's criminal
@@tomdelage7099 Covid induced "ALS" is a conspiracy theory. There's no empirical proof. Just because B came after A doesn't mean A caused B. Did your neuro do an EMG? With clear atrophy, if you had ALS, it should be obvious on EMG. You don't mention having had one (or any other tests), which is very strange because it would so many tests to narrow down the differentials for your symptoms to either ALS or long Covid. That or you have more symptoms than described here. Infections like Covid CAN trigger various neurological issues but they are NOT ALS.
Im 16 and ive gotten multiple blood tests, a urine test, and an MRI. All of them show no abnormalities and yet i still feel like my left arm is jello and i still worry about getting ALS. Anxiety is a bitch...
I'm going through this right now, I'm having fasciculations all over my body, even on my face and I have an atrophy in my lower back which is very painful. Is there any report of ALS starting in the pelvis or lumbar ?? Because all my symptoms started in this region, I can't bear to research anymore.
@@noorelsayed7630 I'm the same way I was 1 year ago. I still have fasciculations and my lower back still hurts. Apparently nothing has changed after all these years. I really advise if you are going through this and not focus on the problem and move on with your life.
Me too. Both Calve muscles twitching 24/7. Doc took bloods and said if i prefer to see a neurologist that can be arranged. She didn’t seem overly concerned as i have other symptoms that could be health anxiety but none the less she was very patient with me. I keep balancing on each leg telling myself i have weekness. Doctor even recommended Anti depressant’s but i have resisted for now but i can’t go on felling like this. Mind races 24/7
@@johnrutherford49 my calf muscles started twitching a little over a month ago 24/7 just like yours.... Did yours ever stop? Did it progress? I'm so scared rn :(
@@christopheralex1761 Still twitching. Been happening since Nov. Have learned to live with it. My Doctor referred me to a Neurologist but it never went that far. They emailed my Doc to say with those twitches they don’t need to see me and said it’s most likely Benign Osilation Syndrome. My mental health since november hasn’t been great due to this but i am trying to not think about anything negative. Take magnesium and vitamin d, exercise regularly. As i say there still there but gotta live life. Good luck. I took comfort from this video as she said twitching use is a progressive symptom of this and not the first.
I started having twitches in my legs about a month ago. I went to my PCP who set up an EMG on my legs. It came back normal but now I have twitching all over and I've lost some of the coordination in my left hand. It cramps up everytime I try to close it and it feels like my index fingers is constantly pushing against my middle finger. I have another EMG scheduled for my arms but it's 2 months away. I'm very worried.
@@oliviaswann4686 I’m sorry about your father This is disease is the worse thing on this planet. Don’t judge others for being scared of it when they get twitching.
The earlier it’s caught, the better you can be treated to preserve quality of life. On top of that if you catch it early you can potentially get signed up for compassionate use of cutting edge treatments that aren’t FDA approved yet.
Hi, I just came from hospital, I had an MRI and an EMG and everything is clean. I am 33, I have had twitching for a year and a half. it feels worse now but I am sure it is anxiety. I am scared now because the neurologist asked me to come back in 4 months (she said 4 not 6 because of my anxiety) for another EMG. Twitching and high reflexes are my only symptom. This video helped so much but I cant help to feel that I wont survive this 4 month wait
I know the struggle. I have to wait awhile to get my testing done as well. I'm 33 also but I've been having some hand cramping and persistent tension in my fingers.
I'm literally sitting here wondering why she's obsessed with this disease. Some of us actually have a reason to worry about it, a genetic connection. Then it's a more rational worry, but this is curious and self indulgent.
@@oliviaswann4686 It's even worse. The title of the video is guaranteed to attract views from people who are suffering from ALS and almost certainly those who have just been diagnosed. Given the fact that the title of the video is, "Are you afraid of ALS? Watch this...", they will arrive on this page expecting some kind of reassuring message, or perhaps even hope of a new treatment. Instead of getting that reassuring message, what they'll get is Twinkle Toes here saying "me me me, oh and you'll probably not catch it". Self indulgent, click baity, intellectually bankrupt and insensitive are the words I would use to describe this video. I lost a friend to ALS quite recently and I have some idea of what their world is like. It's a world of rumour, false hope and even scam "cures". Those of us who are fortunate enough not to have ALS have an obligation to be responsible, conservative and empathetic, when we discuss ALS. This video fails on all counts.
@@davidconnellyIch glaube das sie anderen damit helfen will die einfach nur Angst haben so wie sie selbst. Wenn man jemanden die Angst nehmen kann der nicht weiß was gerade mit seinem Körper passiert. In dieser Hinsicht ist es doch besser die Angst zu teilen und zu schmälern anstatt den Menschen mit dieser Angst allein zu lassen. Jede Gruppe für sich um zu verstehen das andere diese Probleme haben ohne eine Diagnose weil ALS so komplex und selten ist. Warum soll man ohne Erfahrungen von anderen jahrelang und das Dank Google in Angst leben und warten was auf einem zukommen könnte oder der Idealfall ebend " Nichts". Meine Gedanken sind bei allen die diese böse Krankheit durchleben müssen🙏und nichts würde ich mir mehr wünschen das all das Leid auf dieser Welt und nicht nur ALS, verschwindet, aber leider weiß ich nicht wie!
I am pretty sure I have Bulbar ALS. Consistent facial twitching, speech is off… Finally got my neurologist to send me to the ALS clinic but my appointment isn’t until December 8th
No-one EVER replies after a gas lighting comment like this. It would be nice if people considered the comfort rendered by others by coming back and posting 'all good it was all negative '
I was diagnosed with ALS last week. for all of you twitching and carrying on- get a grip!! your hypochondriacal sass is now my reality. SNAP OUT OF IT!! go do something fun!🫵🏼
I'm a neurologist, and in ~2011, one of my co-residents had fasciculations and perceived muscle weakness and was convinced he had ALS. I myself have had fasciculations with exercise. Both of us are okay so far. Few people are immune to this type of catastrophic thinking.
With myself I have fybromyalgia but with my mum having severe ms and telling her it was carpel tunnel then a brain tumour it started at my grandmother's funeral so stress started it.thiugh ime sure she and myself have Asperger's add this something to do with it do you see this the link in practise
I would love to talk with you I’ve been terrified I have a neurological disorder I can go to the gym and lift weights like yesterday but I haven’t been in the past 2 months and haven’t been eating maybe 1/2 the calories of what I was 4 months ago can that cause weird feeling in legs and limbs weakness shakey feeling ?
What that if in some cases are an early sign? Me too I had fasciculations all over since 2011; they told me it was the benign version and told me it was some anxiety. One month ago, my left foot and pinky finger of my left hand lost a bit of sensitivity, and it has been like that 24/7 since then. I did an EMG on both legs a week ago, and all muscles of both legs showed anomalies in duration, phase, and size, and recruitment is reduced. MR of the spine said no issue in the back. Waiting for the next appointment with the neurologist.
@@schoolpullhow you doing now?
@@dillonmangrum1083are you got better ?
I know this all too well. My dad got ALS 15 years ago. And when he was close to the end (which was not pretty…) it got to my head. Now I know that it was all a stress reaction, which eventually turned into a depression and sky-rocketing levels of anxiety. But I had fasciculations all over my body (just like dad had) and all sorts of actual physical symptoms. And the waiting time to see a neurologist was about 18 months. I was literally going insane… Aside from the fact that I did not have ALS, two things saved my sanity. First and most importantly, I managed to arrange a meeting with a neurologist, and she told me (right or wrong) that ”bad things don’t change on and off, they typically keep getting worse and worse monotonically”) and secondly, they gave me medicines to help me get through it.
I will post some additional coments in a separate post.
After Covid ive had a lot of health issues, ALS has consumed my life honestly. These kinda videos really help me come to my senses.
All started after Covid for me too, seems very common.
same!
Same!!!!
SAME!!!
freaking vaccines 😡
Your words of not changing symptoms and making a choice to change our behavior, as well as the statistical
Low likelihood of a 39 yo (or anybody) having the condition provide a lot of solace to me. Thanks again
I love what you said about patterns. It’s so important to realize! It is a very distinct pattern with this disease and many others!
Incredible video. ALS - the Achilles heel of every HA sufferer
It’s brutal…nothing worse
Thanks for the kind words. I have vague symptoms that come and go and I’m terrified. Even though I’m a physician I find myself constantly googling and reading forums. Clumsy left hand especially when texting, occasional unsteadiness on my left leg, fatigue, a feeling of decreased coordination of my hands. I’m still going to get checked up by neurology (which I have kept putting off) but this gives me a lot of perspective.
I am also a physician and my knowledge of the body makes my symptoms follow dermatomes, follow the correct part of the brain, it can't be reasoned away - I had a bona fide nervous breakdown (had to go to the psych ER) last autumn because I was 100% convinced I had a brain tumor. An occipital tumor causing visual phenomena consistent with ongoing occipital seizures. I even found a case study confirming all of it. But it was not a brain tumor, which I found out after 4 weeks of waiting for the brain scan (in my own department, I am a radiologist). But now I have developed a twitch in my thumb and I have convinced myself I have ALS and it is making me actively suicidal, like I have a plan and everything (I am in contact with psych, don't worry). At this point I want to kill myself even if it is not ALS because I cannot cope with this ongoing anxiety. It will just switch to some other disease. And at some point I will develop cancer because almost everyone does.
Sorry about this rant but I am at the end of my rope and I hate that I am a physician, I hate having my brain cause symptoms that are anatomically and physiologically correct. I wish I could erase the knowledge from my brain and live in ignorant bliss.
Hope you are okay.
I needed this I’ve had a horrible last few months in this ALS rabbit hole. Starting with jaw pain, that turned into not being able to chew, my muscles in my face are better (they think TMJ) but that really set me off down this bad spiral. Currently having excess saliva and feeling like I’m having a hard time swallowing it which really set me off again. Health anxiety is horrible
IT is, i fully understand, i think i have everything.
I have not had anxiety like this ever. I’m in fight or flight daily. I’ve been managing better each day but my god.
literally it feels so sudden and so miserable :(
Your videos are absolutely amazing. You don't understand how much they've helped me stay calm. Literally life savers. Thank you for everything you do.
Thank you, Cherelle...
Fantastic video and exactly what I’ve dealt with. One thing I realized is that the feelings of fear and dread and uncertainty were so terrible that I started to see THEM as the illness I should be afraid of having because they were making my life miserable NOW, as opposed to some illness I was afraid would make me miserable at some future point.
Everything you're saying is soooooo spot on. I love your videos. I did all of that during my ALS spiral. The forums and the doctors and the wanting to problem solve and find answers. Health anxiety is a beast. This whole time we are worried about diseases that we don't have and blatantly ignore the condition that is truly debilitating us, health anxiety. It takes away from our lives just as much as the diseases we fear.
Getting muscle twitch today and feel like my leg are a bit heavy.
I'm really anxious now and can't stop thinking about it.
Hey Cherelle! Lost almost a year of my life absolutely terrified I had ALS. I even had medically confirmed atrophy! The thought I had ALS was the god damn scariest thing I have EVER gone through. I lost myself, I was a shell. It was awful. But guess what!? The atrophy was from a tennis elbow injury, exacerbated by weight loss. Now I would consider myself recovered from the fear. I twitch all the time, but I don’t worry at all anymore :) been twitching for 1 year and 5 months. Twitching is actually SO common, people need to know that. I’ve had at least two people in my ‘real’ life who have told me at different times they have had weeks of their fingers twitching, or legs constantly twitching. While my twitching is more than most, it’s still not ALS 🤷♀️
I did discover through all the tests that I actually have a super rare genetic disease (like extremely rare, far rarer than ALS) so that was ironic! But I’m doing good, happy and just living life - not letting my worries dominate my life anymore.
Hello did your tongue twitch or spasm? I’m in dark place bc of this
@@bai4215 Mine yes!! Tongue fasciculations are not worse than twitching in other muscles if you don't have other symptoms. How are you now?
@@4505rockgirl oh yes! I know! I have spasms in my face, hands , sometimes arms and legs. I’m pretty much the same. Something new pops up often 😔
@@bai4215 I can totally relate. But we don't have to worry because of that. It's just our anxiety. If we don't have clinical weakness and other serious stuff, we don't have ALS!! Let's live our lives the best way we can!!
@@4505rockgirl agreed! Tired of living in fear. I do feel bad a lot of the times. I do have these symptoms but we have to keep fighting to over come! Let’s live💕
You are wise beyond your years. I'm 51 and my legs are twitching like firecrackers, but you've helped me with my dumb anxiety. Seeing the Neuro soon to be safe, but feeling much better now. Thank you.
Did you check ?
What was the update?
Thank you for posting this I can relate to everything you are saying and can’t get this out my mind to an extent that I can think of nothing else.
You are so incredible. I needed this so much
I can’t tell you just how much your video is helping me…
I needed this thank you so much
Don't worry until you actually get muscle wasting. You'll know it when it happens...loss of power, muscles move 1/3 of normal speed, you see them fade away and they feel soft. Twitching in a strong muscle means little, but wasting is the thing that means you have something neurological.
Thanks alot for this. These few week, I've been terrified I could have ALS as I've got quite violent twitching in my hands... But even still, my worrying is only exacerbating my symptoms. Realistically, I don't have ALS, and it helps people like you are reassuring us about the severity of health anxiety. Thank you :)
I started worrying about ALS when I was 20… I’m now 36. Still twitching, but no ALS. As I sit here my right thigh is going off like lightning because I’ve had an anxious day. Twitches are very benign, hun. Please try not to waste your life worrying like I did. Hugs 🤗x.
Hey Becca, how are you getting along? Love your attitude ❤️✨
Yeah my thumb on my right hand literally started jerking and twitching, I have no idea if I slept on my arm funny but there was no weakness etc, your brain just plays tricks on you
You have only twitching in your body or also have fine movement@@Vanessa-jy4ky
Thank you for making this. Going through this like wild fire right now.
It sounds similar to Mind Body Disorder. It truly is exhausting. I take SO many supplements it's nuts. I am working hard to just sit with the pains. My issues began in 2018. I had no idea but they found a very rare benign grapefruit size cyst on my spleen. I had it surgically removed in 2020. But I still have pain. So it makes me very anxious because I fear something else is going on that doctors just aren't finding. Ugh! It is maddening!
Man, you basically told my story!! I posted a video of my own journey with thinking I had ALS...
Hello i am in the same situation right now.I got twitches in my calves for over maybe more than 6-7 years.I wasnt paying attention to it untill couple of days ago when i red about ALS.But your videos helped me a lot , not gonna lie , to feel way better.I went to a neurologist yesterday and he told me that my problems are probably coming from back.He made me an EMG which showed nothing concerning.I am still kinda frustrated even thought i have these twitches for a very long time with no other symptoms like weakness or atrophy.
What does an emg test consist of?
Really appreciate this video.
Thank you.
Hey Cherelle, i've been suffering from muscle twitching for a little over 2 years. Went through all the nitty gritty of fearing this dreadful disease, got tested with emg 1 year in, came back clean. Thanks to you I was able to go through this awful journey.
Could you make a video on morning tremors if you've experienced those ? As in tremors right when you wake up?
I m in that stage now and this video is such a relief ❤️🙏
ALS is literally my worst fear. Any twitch, and difficulty with any movement or swallowing and I go back to google trying to reassure myself.
Hey Charlie this sounds a bit concerning. If it poses a real issue to your everyday life I would honestly consider seeing a counselor. Could be very helpful to deal with your anxiety
Just found your page and I’m very happy i did… thank you for these videos
This made me laugh because younhave said everything I have thought..nearly 9 years twitching..up and down with how I deal with it. Better when I'm doing something..or rather, don't notice the twitches.
Are your twitches daily? I feel twitches every day mostly when I’m at rest.
@@thelmagonzales6634 me too
I Have a awful health anxiety and OCD (male 28) and I'm im the bulbar Als rabbit hole .. I read about it and after a week I have started to slurre many words, No one have heard it when they speak to me, but! I have it recorded when I do slurre, so I really are slurring my words. I also started stuttering.
After the first slurre I got so hyperaware of my speech. I have never had any problems with my speech, my speech is my biggest gift in my life so when something is off with it, I know for sure something is really wrong. During this time, I also remember my tongue feeling fatigue. I do not slurre all the time it's coming and going.
I’ve also developed in the last 2-3 days a scalloped tounge and burning sensation on my tounge (never had this before), fasiculations all over my body, mostly on my left buttcheek, it also feels like I have lost the coordination of my tounge and my tounge is always touching my teeth while I’m speaking, I never had braces and I have straight teeth. And today I have bit my tounge like 15 times meanwhile I'm speaking ..
So to my question, is this the bulbar onset of ALS? Because how can it be possible for me to slurre my words for 17 days with just hyperawareness and health anxiety, it should not be possible right?
You could be creating your symptoms the more you suspect you have them. How are you feeling now ??
I'm experiencing the same thing.
About three months ago I began experiencing odd feelings, so odd and vague that they are hard to describe: headaches, numbness and tightness in the muscles (I think these are just perceived, as I can use my muscles just fine), twitching in my calves and arms. I convinced myself I had a brain tumor, I went for an MRI that came back negative, went through a week of relative peace, then, just cos my anxiety HAD to find something else to cling to, I convinced myself I have ALS, which wouldn't show up on an MRI. It would be almost funny if it wasn't so draining.
i’m experiencing a nearly identical situation! about a month ago, i was worried about a brain tumor (due to other symptoms) and then also developed right forearm weakness/numbness. first, i convinced myself i was having a stroke but wasn’t obviously. i had an mri that can back clean. this weakness/numbness has been happening for a month but hasn’t deterred any used of my arm/hand. i started twitching everywhere about two days ago. i have a neuro appointment tomorrow but still so scared!
@@myaweeks640 Hey there! Based on my experience, if your MRI is clean and you can use your arms fine even whilst you're having these 'feelings', then this is 100% just anxiety. Please don't lose hope, after a year of struggling I'm finally learning to manage my health anxiety, so you can too!
@@myaweeks640how the appointment went
Thank you very much for your advice . I have had twitching on both legs in my calf muscles and for 8 month I didn't do anything until I went to see my Doctor and he sent me for blood test for Deep Vein Thrombosis and results came negative. In the few weeks somethings my index finger twitches for couple of seconds. I am so worried but after listening to you I feel a bit better. I suffer from Herniated Disc on my neck and last year I had MRI done and Doctor said if I don't have operation I might have problem walking. I wonder if it is the neck causing these symptoms similar to ALS. I wish you good health and all the people affected by this disease. I didn't know people recovered. Hope to hear from you. 😊😊
I can’t tell you how much this helped! ❤
I am not afraid of ALS, but of MS with my symptoms. All over the body tingling that comes and goes. Bilaterally, in lower arms/legs, hands/feet, face, scalp. I do have stress but this is a new onset symptom that started 2 months ago. I'm going to my PCP and a neurologist soon! Thank you for making these videos, they are helpful!
How are you feeling now?
What's the update?
Not ALS, no MS seen on my MRI either(unless it’s in cervical region). Neurologist is stumped as to why I have some peripheral neuropathy. It comes and goes but I do think it may be related to occipital neuralgia/migraines. That’s the working diagnosis for now. Thanks for asking!
Glad to hear. I’ve had paresthesia in my hands which the doctor says is from carpal tunnel and weakness in my left feet. After visits, I was told I have polyneuropathy, but symptoms haven’t gotten any better either.
I currently have bilateral weakness that comes a goes in my legs and arms, is this similar to what yiu had? Hope to hear from u@melissasind
OMG thank you so much. Hugs from Brazil ❤️🇧🇷
Thank you 🙏 Thought i was the only one.
You're so wonderfully reassuring
I'm in this rabbit hole just now. I do have severe health anxiety. But I'm convinced this isn't what's going on. I really think this is the real deal.
I noticed it around 5 weeks ago. My right arm felt a bit odd. A bit heavier than normal. Then around a week later I noticed when I went to grab things it felt odd. Like keys etc. Or my phone or anything. I'd shake my hand and try again. I could always perform the task. It just felt awkward like it wasn't my hand or something.
My right leg was also feeling heavy. (I think I have sciatica so I'm trying my best to think it's just that for my leg)
Then that same week I noticed when I stick my tongue out it shakes like crazy! No one else's does. I've asked 10 people now.
Fast forward to now.. a few days ago I got random twitching in my right eyelid. It comes and goes.
But also twitching in my right upper arm and in my right leg. Calf and thigh.
I also notice some cramping in that upper arm and my leg also.
These do come and go. But that happens in ALS. The twitching and cramps aren't constant.
So I'm a proper mess.
I'm only 29. I started going through fertility treatment not long ago. I really thought I was changing my life around. But then this gets me.
My doctor seems sure I don't have it. Just anxiety.
But he's known be for my whole life. So everything is anxiety.
I have an appointment coming up soon with neurology. So hopefully I get answers and they are positive answers and I get to live.
I'm beyond terrified.
I try to tell myself maybe the muscle twitches in my leg are from sciatica.
Maybe the muscle twitches and cramp in my upper arm are from my tight muscles and sore back.
But I've searched and searched and can't fine that to be the case.
It all points to ALS.
Thanks for sharing this rabbit hole situation and I feel those same sensations as well where it feels awkward to hold things and having a heavy/numb sensations on my left arm and started to feel them on my legs too, but no clinical muscle weakness. If you’re able to, may you provide an update?
I’m trying really hard not to break down in tears. I have finally accepted I have health anxiety. I have really bad GERD and after covid had some heart membrane inflammation.
But almost any symptom now just makes me worry so much. I’m so on edge and just haven’t told friends or family it feels so embarrassing.
Are u okay now
Is GERD a Acid releax?
Are you better?
Thank you Cherelle
I'm in this rabbit hole right now.
It's been 3 months and it's horrible and still not out of it . 😪 I don't have twitching that much though but it all started off with tingling in ny 4 limbs for abt 2 months - on the 3rd month I started feeling weakness in all my limbs and my hands or legs would get numb especially my right arm would so weak that holding a phone was hard and my right forearm would twicth. I also have weird feeling in my tongue, cracking joints and locked up thumbs and back pain...
I have done tons of blood work, brain and spine MRIs, check my cpk, aldolasi and muscle level, seen rheumatologist and done many neurological tests and eventually an EMG.. Everything came back clear so far but I have never ever feel so bad in my life as of now. *my hand is numb as I type * really hope this is all due to a health anxiety thing cos it's a bit too extreme. I'm terrified cos i constantrly think im that weird case that got something odd and really bad like Cherelle said .
Im terrified just praying for the best.
How are u now? I'm going through almost the same
@@language8352
Hey- i do much better than the summer now.. but im not muself either
I still have a very bad back and neck pain and my thumbs usually get really stiff and pop which I dont know why. Im still afraid of smth neurological eveday and its not easy mentaully but im trying to do ny life the best i can..
Hey Arianna how are you now?
I've been suffering from the same as you for about 3 months now.
Hi there - sorry for late reply. I am coping but i still do not feel fine. I always wake up with my right arm feeling heavy and weak. I still have this tingling sensation in my right and left arm and this pain in my left arm just do not go away, how is it going for you?
@@ariannasignoretti5383have you got your vitamins checked?
I really needed to hear this. I was going crazy… I was going into a deep dark hole - thinking about my death and how devastated my parents and my bf would be and I kept thinking about it… I kept going back to the neurologist to keep asking questions, I did a bunch of tests and they found nothing wrong but I was convinced I’m in the early stages… I had really bad twitching and I felt dizzy and felt I lost muscle mass, I was going crazy. It’s been a rollercoaster. I had facial palsy before this so I was super scared of getting some other neurological disease
an update: I finally found out why I was twitching from head to toe. I was using this corticosteroid before for about a month for Bell's Palsy which I had (inflammation to the cranial nerves that control facial movements, possibly from a viral infection) and I started off with numbness all over my body one day, it was so strange, I couldn't sleep on this night. Then I got constant numbness and tingling on my legs for about like 2 weeks. I didn't wean off the corticosteroids properly, I just stopped taking it bc it made my face really fat (do not stop taking this suddenly bc then you'll get bad side effects) and then got this numbness. The my arm started to get numbness and my fingers where shaky, had a tremor, then a few days later, I started twitching from head to toe. After all my tests from the hospital was normal, I could not sit with the fact all this weird stuff was happening to me and I was still concerned about maybe having a neurological disorder. But after researching about prednisolone, the corticosteroid I took for about a month, all these resources said it can lead to numbness, tingling, and muscle twitching and spasms. So if you're taking this and twitching this is probably a side effect of it...
@@Nomadonthego i wonder if this applies to topical prescription as well?
I used to be terrified of MS and no one believed me at first i was having a bad anxiety i was reading about MS all day all the time i had all the symptoms of it they thought i’m crazy until i had a worst attack then i got the diagnosed ( i have MS ) after suffering 2 years. Now I’m terrifying of having ALS i don’t know why i’m scared to be right for the second time 💔
unfortunately, I am in a similar situation now - I have a diagnosis of MS, then there were tests, MRI, neurologists, one professor of neurology said that we need to rule out ALS - I have pyramidal syndrome, all pathological reflexes like Babinski, Hofman, clonus, exaggerated reflexes, spasticity. Of course I have fasciculations that I haven't even noticed. Weakness, weight loss too. I don't know if I have atrophy, the neurologist didn't say, I'm not looking back. Anyway, I thought my symptoms were typical of MS, which I have been diagnosed with. My grandfather died of ALS 17 years ago - could it happen again?
@@aniajagoda3482 how old are u?
@@aniajagoda3482 and why he asked to rule out ALS ? ms and als are completely different disease
@@Itsme1. 36 young
@@Itsme1. I know because after the last MRI, where there are no leasions, I have a significant deterioration of linerlne symptoms and new symptoms came that were not there and he said that with such "thick" symptoms there should be changes in the MRI, so he thinks that we have to rule out other diseases, e.g. ALS
Twitching all over my body doesn't bother me because I have them every other year. What worries me is the stiffness in my right hand and the weird sensation on my right foot, and every now and then, feel stiffness in my tongue. I hope it's just anxiety. Thanks for your videos, there are reassuring :)
Any update? I have twitching all over my body and stiff shoulders and neck and lately back 😢I’m terrified
@@haninshuaib7289 could be Fibromyalgia? Do u have any pain?
@@Tiredtothecore no😢
@@haninshuaib7289 no pain is a good sign. Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrom.
I had an autoimmune disorder, also suffered from stiffness. See a rheumatologist
I have started to feel muscles all over my body twitch, and its making me crazy. I am also feeling a really strange feeling of heaviness or tiredness in my arms. Ive started to have some checking behaviors and just decided to go see a neurologist because today I had a mild panic attack and its just not getting any better with my anxiety
How did it go?
Hey! She ordered an EMG. Everything went well. At first I didnt want to do the exam, I was really scared. But I believe everything was mostly anxiety related. I have an OCD background and I think my thoughts were becoming obssessive in nature. Thank you for asking!
Hey I have the same problem OCD I and health anxiety is a true monster
I hope you doing well and enjoying your life again . Stay strong
@@YanisLakroumIs it Als or just anxiety i m really scared 😢
Right now I’m afraid of my kidneys and liver. Is this ever going to end? This is mental torture
Well I'm certainly terrified. I'm a 60 year old male who developed foot drop a month ago plus weakness in hands,fingers, and arms. My mother died from ALS in 2020. Had a lumbar MRI last week that showed nothing. I'm still working on getting an appt. with neurologist. I do have lots of numbness and tingling over the years, so I'm almost hoping it's MS. Not good, but better than ALS.
Did you find out?
Did you find out! I was tested negative for MS after a lumbar puncture but 2 weeks ago was diagnosed with ALS which I don't believe it's accurate.
@@argentinarodriguez4170are you okay??
@@maguifreitas , thanks for asking! But the ALS is progressing very fast.
@@argentinarodriguez4170 If it is not uncomfortable for you, can you tell me what were the symptoms that led you to be suspicious of this disease?
I got checked 3 weeks ago with an EMG he said inconclusive. 18 months since the onset of symptoms and I got inconclusive.
Me too. But looking back I think it crept up on me in 2020, but it only got noticeable late 23. You have to start wasting away to be sure.
This is amazing!
Sounds familiar, thank you!
hey, i came across your channel because neurologists are starting to question my MS diagnosis and are just moving towards MND
I have never looked for information about MND on the Internet, only now that I got a referral to EMG for exclusion. Unfortunately, I have large deviations in the neurological examination - I have Babinski's sign, exaggerated reflexes, Hofman's, confirmed damage to the upper motor neuron, clonus, I also have fasciculations, clinical weakness. I have the impression that many young people are afraid of MND because they have fasciculations - I don't even pay attention to it, spasticity and mobility problems and weakness are worse. Do I have MND? I don't know, I'll find out after the EMG...
I I'm 36 years young
Did you have the EMG yet? Also, why are you on a health anxiety video? You're in a different boat than the rest of us because your doctors are actually suspicious for ALS. I'm sorry but this is just triggering. Also, how did you get a MS diagnosis with a clear MRI? If you had lesions at one point, then the you do have MS and not misdiagnosed ALS. Your odds of having both conditions would seem pretty slim. Finally, how long have you had the MS diagnosis for and how old are you?
Friends, diagnosed Sept.2020, first symptom Dec. 19th. At first very slow progression of one point every three months but stress unrelated to ALS accelerated my progression to1.5points a month since Thanksgiving. So stay positive,keep the noise out, open your eyes and become one withGod’s nature. You are still you and mortal life is fatal to us all ❤️
Please, we don't need to hear that. Why would you post this on a health anxiety video?
@@jixer1956because sometimes you really do have something to worry about, and we are trying to tell you when to worry. Yes, most times you don't.
@@imho2278 Then you don't understand HA well. Posting as an unwell person in an HA space helps no one and is super triggering unless you have something reassuring to say, which OP doesn't. We don't need to be told when to worry or hear about worst case scenarios because we will convince ourselves that we need to worry. We need to be told when not to worry as Cherelle does
I’m very sorry to hear that and hope you’re doing okay, but please don’t go around saying these sorts of things in videos about health anxiety
There's a significant reduction in the chances of developing ALS in obese people. Me being fluffy is finally paying off.....
Hello everyone. I’ve been experiencing some muscle twitches. It started off on my shoulder muscle, it lasted for about 2 days. Then I would feel these small pulses through out my body, it would feel like my left arm started getting weaker but it wasn’t any weaker from the weights I would work out with. I feel a little bit of stomach soreness as well. Today I started to get a twitch in my left knee which lasted a few hours but went away. I’m not sure if my excessive anxiety is causing this or it’s actual symptoms of ALS, it’s freaking me out and starting to feel a lot of depression
Hey John, John here. I have a very similar situation to you actually. Started getting a twitch in my shoulder about a year ago which quickly spread to my whole body. I was concerned for months until I got an emg and it came back fine. I can say that now because it’s been about a year and they haven’t gone away but I haven’t had any other symptoms so it’s probably nothing. At the time, I was freaking out so I was also concerned that my hands were feeling clumsy and I had pains in my forearms. Needless to say, we do sometimes creates symptoms through anxiety. Feel free to see a doctor as they know more than any of us regular people, but I can assure you that I was in pretty much the same situation as you (still am) and am doing totally fine. Hopefully this finds you well.
@@johnny14980 appreciate your reply, that does make me feel better knowing others are going through what I’m going through and they are ok
Hey John!
How are you coping?
Im doing well or atleast better, thank you so much for caring and asking. My twitches are still here but not as frequent. I don’t get them everyday. Also went to a neurologist and everything checked out fine. I did get diagnosed with early onset osteoarthritis. But nothing to severe as of yet.
Going through a similar thing. Earlier it was just random twitches in my arms, thigh and back muscles.
Got my blood test done and came out that Vitamin D was very low with CPK & TSH level elevated. Doctor asked me to take some rest and started Vitamin D supplements and Thyroxine to handle Vitamin D deficiency and Hypothyroidism.
After 2 weeks, I got my retest done and CPK level was normal. It was a relief as it decommissioned muscle disease caused by Hypothyroidism. Vitamin D was also close (90) to the median range of 120-270 but still deficient. Thyroid level was also normal.
Things felt better. But I still have random twitches - it’s 3-4 times a day and for 4-5 seconds but still very much visible.
I got my other tests done as well. There were few elevated values in Liver and Cholesterol. I am working on that. But that fear of twitches is still there. Idk what is the cause for that. I’m trying to convince myself that it’s all my anxiety.
Planning to go for a neuro test if I don’t feel better. I had been quite active all my life. Used to go to gym on and off but because of my desk job I got lazier and made my physical health bad. Just hoping it’s not something major.
Thank you...
Hi i have been having twiching now for about 2 months i dont have pain but 2 of my feet been kinda numb i went to my regular dr who took a normal test and said i dont have it but in my mind im so convinced ive been googling symptoms and convinced my self i have it its making me sick and making me have bad anxiety when im walking i get anxiety thinking im going to fall but dont in my mind i am convinced i have als
How to heal slurred speech?
I fear i have it. My left leg feels sore and weird now for one week. Some mild cramps also. No twitching. I take statin and i am 42.
For the last 7 years, I've been experiencing health anxiety about different diseases. Recently, I feel like I'm having trouble speaking, but no one around me, including my wife, notices anything different. I'm convinced I have ALS and have started showing symptoms. Seven months ago, I thought I had a brain tumor and got an MRI, which was normal. I keep searching online about ALS and now genuinely feel I have it. I've had similar anxieties about other diseases over the years and have seen many doctors with normal reports. I'm 40 years old and from India. What should I do? Please help me.
Do u have muscle atrophy?
No
What do you think of statins and ALS?
I have twitching and maybe most importantly atrophy of the thenar muscle (inside thumb) on both hands. Is this pathognomonic of als ?
Did a doctor actually confirm your atrophy? Every ALSHA sufferer has thought they had atrophy at some point. The fact that you even know the word "pathognomonic" indicates you've been googling too much.
@@jixer1956 i am phd in psychology, we use same type of langage
My neuro confirmed atrophy
@@tomdelage7099 I see. Hand atrophy could also be something like carpal tunnel. What does your neuro think it is?
@@jixer1956 i dont have carpal tunnel
My neurologist say als or long covid but isnt aware that covid can induce als
So got now its "wait and see". It's criminal
@@tomdelage7099 Covid induced "ALS" is a conspiracy theory. There's no empirical proof. Just because B came after A doesn't mean A caused B. Did your neuro do an EMG? With clear atrophy, if you had ALS, it should be obvious on EMG. You don't mention having had one (or any other tests), which is very strange because it would so many tests to narrow down the differentials for your symptoms to either ALS or long Covid. That or you have more symptoms than described here. Infections like Covid CAN trigger various neurological issues but they are NOT ALS.
Im 16 and ive gotten multiple blood tests, a urine test, and an MRI. All of them show no abnormalities and yet i still feel like my left arm is jello and i still worry about getting ALS.
Anxiety is a bitch...
I'm going through this right now, I'm having fasciculations all over my body, even on my face and I have an atrophy in my lower back which is very painful. Is there any report of ALS starting in the pelvis or lumbar ?? Because all my symptoms started in this region, I can't bear to research anymore.
How are you doing now?
@@noorelsayed7630 I'm the same way I was 1 year ago. I still have fasciculations and my lower back still hurts. Apparently nothing has changed after all these years. I really advise if you are going through this and not focus on the problem and move on with your life.
how's your anxiety these days?
you look very healthy. your hands arms look very healthy, I dont know why you think you have als.
🧡
Hi my twitching begin in November 2017 its 24/7 never stop in my calfs
Mine hasn't stopped in about 4 weeks. The more I read, I see it does happen to a lot of people and it's perfectly ok. We will be ok!
Me too. Both Calve muscles twitching 24/7. Doc took bloods and said if i prefer to see a neurologist that can be arranged. She didn’t seem overly concerned as i have other symptoms that could be health anxiety but none the less she was very patient with me. I keep balancing on each leg telling myself i have weekness. Doctor even recommended Anti depressant’s but i have resisted for now but i can’t go on felling like this. Mind races 24/7
@@johnrutherford49 my calf muscles started twitching a little over a month ago 24/7 just like yours.... Did yours ever stop? Did it progress? I'm so scared rn :(
@@christopheralex1761 Still twitching. Been happening since Nov. Have learned to live with it. My Doctor referred me to a Neurologist but it never went that far. They emailed my Doc to say with those twitches they don’t need to see me and said it’s most likely Benign Osilation Syndrome. My mental health since november hasn’t been great due to this but i am trying to not think about anything negative. Take magnesium and vitamin d, exercise regularly. As i say there still there but gotta live life. Good luck. I took comfort from this video as she said twitching use is a progressive symptom of this and not the first.
I started having twitches in my legs about a month ago. I went to my PCP who set up an EMG on my legs. It came back normal but now I have twitching all over and I've lost some of the coordination in my left hand. It cramps up everytime I try to close it and it feels like my index fingers is constantly pushing against my middle finger. I have another EMG scheduled for my arms but it's 2 months away. I'm very worried.
How are you now?
Hey how are you
Hi can we talk for same thing
Well I'm 47 ✔️ weakness 1st no twitching ✔️ cousin passed from it check ✔️ feels like speech is garbled ✔️ so this video didn't help.
Yeah my Dad has it and it's genetic. This video is so self indulgent.
@@oliviaswann4686 I’m sorry about your father
This is disease is the worse thing on this planet. Don’t judge others for being scared of it when they get twitching.
what difference does it make if you have ALS, there's no treatment
The earlier it’s caught, the better you can be treated to preserve quality of life. On top of that if you catch it early you can potentially get signed up for compassionate use of cutting edge treatments that aren’t FDA approved yet.
Hi, I just came from hospital, I had an MRI and an EMG and everything is clean. I am 33, I have had twitching for a year and a half. it feels worse now but I am sure it is anxiety. I am scared now because the neurologist asked me to come back in 4 months (she said 4 not 6 because of my anxiety) for another EMG. Twitching and high reflexes are my only symptom. This video helped so much but I cant help to feel that I wont survive this 4 month wait
I know the struggle. I have to wait awhile to get my testing done as well. I'm 33 also but I've been having some hand cramping and persistent tension in my fingers.
You don’t have ALS. It would have showed on the EMG the moment you began to twitch. Think about it..most patients are in a wheelchair at 6 months
Please never talk about ALS again.
I'm literally sitting here wondering why she's obsessed with this disease. Some of us actually have a reason to worry about it, a genetic connection. Then it's a more rational worry, but this is curious and self indulgent.
@@oliviaswann4686 It's even worse. The title of the video is guaranteed to attract views from people who are suffering from ALS and almost certainly those who have just been diagnosed. Given the fact that the title of the video is, "Are you afraid of ALS? Watch this...", they will arrive on this page expecting some kind of reassuring message, or perhaps even hope of a new treatment. Instead of getting that reassuring message, what they'll get is Twinkle Toes here saying "me me me, oh and you'll probably not catch it". Self indulgent, click baity, intellectually bankrupt and insensitive are the words I would use to describe this video. I lost a friend to ALS quite recently and I have some idea of what their world is like. It's a world of rumour, false hope and even scam "cures". Those of us who are fortunate enough not to have ALS have an obligation to be responsible, conservative and empathetic, when we discuss ALS. This video fails on all counts.
@@davidconnellyIch glaube das sie anderen damit helfen will die einfach nur Angst haben so wie sie selbst. Wenn man jemanden die Angst nehmen kann der nicht weiß was gerade mit seinem Körper passiert. In dieser Hinsicht ist es doch besser die Angst zu teilen und zu schmälern anstatt den Menschen mit dieser Angst allein zu lassen. Jede Gruppe für sich um zu verstehen das andere diese Probleme haben ohne eine Diagnose weil ALS so komplex und selten ist. Warum soll man ohne Erfahrungen von anderen jahrelang und das Dank Google in Angst leben und warten was auf einem zukommen könnte oder der Idealfall ebend " Nichts". Meine Gedanken sind bei allen die diese böse Krankheit durchleben müssen🙏und nichts würde ich mir mehr wünschen das all das Leid auf dieser Welt und nicht nur ALS, verschwindet, aber leider weiß ich nicht wie!
I am pretty sure I have Bulbar ALS. Consistent facial twitching, speech is off… Finally got my neurologist to send me to the ALS clinic but my appointment isn’t until December 8th
How are you doing now?
Every HA sufferer says that. Your appointment was today. What was the result?
Heyy let us know
No-one EVER replies after a gas lighting comment like this. It would be nice if people considered the comfort rendered by others by coming back and posting 'all good it was all negative '
thankyou
I was diagnosed with ALS last week. for all of you twitching and carrying on- get a grip!! your hypochondriacal sass is now my reality. SNAP OUT OF IT!! go do something fun!🫵🏼
Why would u tell people to relax if they have muscle twitching? Thats a valid concern.
Really appreciate this video.
Thank you.