Fear ALS

[Bearcat999]

But mine is always in the same place and I've read that if you can hardly feel them it's als. I cant really feel mine just see it unless my finger twitches. I do get the odd twit he's all over my body but these I can feel.

I dont know where you read that you can hardly feel them, but for ALS that's incorrect. Twitching is secondary to muscle wasting in ALS, and the twitching looks like something is crawling under your skin. But please remember this comes AFTER clear visual muscle atrophy. In the past 2 months I have a twitch under my left pec for 2 weeks and one in my abdomen for about a week.
If you finger is twitching and you can use it, it is NOT ALS, because the muscles would have had to atrophy first.

 

[liveinthenow]

But mine is always in the same place and I've read that if you can hardly feel them it's als. I cant really feel mine just see it unless my finger twitches. I do get the odd twit he's all over my body but these I can feel.

This disease also affects fine motor coordination, so if it were truly affecting your hand you would be unable to do things like play piano, guitar (if you are able to already) or even type these messages on a computer keyboard or phone.

 

[matisworried]

...and I've read that...

STOP READING! a news article, ALS overview on some questionable website or a personal account posted by someone on a message board is not a substitute for a medical degree. you don't have the knowledge or experience needed to interpret symptoms. doctors know WHEN symptoms present, HOW they present, they know WHY they present. what you know are lists of symptoms found in an article on page 19 of a google search.

twitching is not the first symptom of als, muscle loss is. if the twitching was related to als, you'd have other problems... like not being able to make a fist... or no longer being able to push down the gas pedal in your car. once symptoms begin, they rapidly get worse and it would be very apparent to your doctors that something very serious was wrong (and they'd probably have a pretty good idea what it was.) if you had ALS (WHICH YOU DON'T!) you wouldn't be passing even the most basic of strength tests.

this truly sounds like a combination of anxiety, injury/overuse and normal bodily function.

 

[Ow1984]

So quick update. My anxiety has been quite good in last 2 weeks. But just done a load of cooking and now my muscle between my thumb and finger on back of hand is twitching and index finger is shaking. Im not sure I can't talke much more of this.

 

[matisworried]

So quick update. My anxiety has been quite good in last 2 weeks. But just done a load of cooking and now my muscle between my thumb and finger on back of hand is twitching and index finger is shaking. Im not sure I can't talke much more of this.

your mind is taking something minor and running with it. it's likely why you're first instinct is to come here. i've been there... convinced myself I'm over something and then my "symptoms" come back, i freak out and convince myself that it must mean i really AM sick. what you're experiencing could be due to anxiety, overuse, dehydration, too much caffeine... it could be totally random. i was sitting at my desk today and a muscle in my shoulder started going crazy. you could even see it. i am totally fine.

 

[Ow1984]

Have had a really bad day today. Can anxiety really cause your muscle to twit h when you put your fingers in a certain position. If I put my index finger to my thumb in a pinching movement my index finger twitches if I cross my thumb across my other fingers it twitches. If I spread my fingers my interossei between ding er and thumb twitches.
It can't be anxiety. This has been going on for 5 - 6 months. I'm totally convinced. Cbt doesn't seem to be working.

 

[Ms.Honey]

So just my first gym session since my anxiety started 3 months ago. Lifted weights. Twitching going mad after in my fingers but also some strange wrist feelings and forearm pain starting to think this maybe a nerve problem.

I’m experiencing this too. I have perceived weakness in my left hand, but at the gym I’ve been able to realize it’s not actually the case. Sounds like you could have a pinched nerve in your shoulder? That’s what I think I might have going on. I’m going to see someone next week for it.

 

[Bearcat999]

Have had a really bad day today. Can anxiety really cause your muscle to twit h when you put your fingers in a certain position. If I put my index finger to my thumb in a pinching movement my index finger twitches if I cross my thumb across my other fingers it twitches. If I spread my fingers my interossei between ding er and thumb twitches.
It can't be anxiety. This has been going on for 5 - 6 months. I'm totally convinced. Cbt doesn't seem to be working.

That’s not really anxiety. It’s a pretty common thing. There are times that if I straighten my index finger that it will go crazy. Like a tapping almost. I don’t know the reason. It doesn’t always happen. But it happens enough that I notice it. It’s been that way for years.

 

[bin_tenn]

Have had a really bad day today. Can anxiety really cause your muscle to twit h when you put your fingers in a certain position. If I put my index finger to my thumb in a pinching movement my index finger twitches if I cross my thumb across my other fingers it twitches. If I spread my fingers my interossei between ding er and thumb twitches.
It can't be anxiety. This has been going on for 5 - 6 months. I'm totally convinced. Cbt doesn't seem to be working.

Sure it can be anxiety, why can't it be? That doesn't mean it is, but it's possible. I'd say it's more likely, however, that anxiety is simply causing you think overthink it and turn it into something when it's nothing at all. Sure, the symptom is real, but that doesn't mean it's anything to be concerned about. Anxiety has a way of doing that, the bastard.

Twitching has two very common causes, in my experience: 1) anxiety, and 2) overuse of the muscles. When you overuse muscles, they spasm / twitch. This same effect can be seen if you squat for too long, exercise more than you're used to, etc. We all tend to use our hands quite a bit, thus twitching is to be expected.

 

[Ow1984]

Thank you for the responses. Had a bad yesterday after seeing about the rugby player. If I didn't have this same intermittent flickering muscle I'd be fine. When I think it's calmed down it comes back.

 

[BenO]

Hopefully this turned out well , can any of you guys give me some help or support on my recent post? My life has been impacted greatly by my anxiety the last 10 days thanks in advance!

Muscles tight cramps, twitching, fatigue

Hi all Im 37/m I work out a lot and know my body pretty well.9 days ago I suddenly developed spasticity in both of my arms where they will cramp whenever I exert too much force with them. it was literally suddenly like what the heck, noticed it opening and closing windows in my house. 2 days...

www.anxietycommunity.com

 

[JADIII]

Their main mantra in ALS is failing not feeling. I.e. any feelings you have are not ALS, its about not being physically able to do something that you could do before and when I say that I mean this. It's not about lifting less weight or running less distance. It's more like buttoning a shirt or picking up a spoon, etc. and even then you 99% don't have ALS. They told me to worry more about literally getting hit by a bus as the odds are much greater. Hope this helps.

 

[URfine]

ALS is a common theme on this site . Do a search for twitching and you will see that most of us HA sufferers deal with it from time to time or continuously. Relax . If you are able to perform daily tasks like going up stairs , you are fine . The anxious mind can cause much of this stuff.