Can slurred speech and occasional muscle twitching be ALS indicators?

[indiblr]

Hi,
I'm 56 year male.
Experiencing slurred speech since an year. CT/MRI scans are normal.
Slurred speech has increased a bit. Since 3-4 months, I've slight twitching in different parts of the body. It started under the eye first. Twitching lasts for 1 or 2 seconds only.
Sometimes, I experience tingling, again in random parts for 1 or 2 seconds.
My neurologist has tested muscle strength and it's all normal. I don't have any other symptoms and no weakness in any muscle.

Can slurred speech and occasional muscle twitching be ALS indicators?

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello and sorry you are finding yourself here wondering about ALS. Please make sure to read here: Read Before Posting. I answers many questions people have about what is, and what is not considered concerning for ALS. Sensory issues like tingling point towards something else. With a clean clinical exam, no clinical weakness, sensory issues and twitching over the whole body, you are looking at something else. You will have to keep working with your doctor to track down what the trouble might be.

Please take care.

 

[indiblr]

I've NCS and EMG tests scheduled for next week.
My doctor has said that he will start medicines based on these reports.
Does a negative EMG report indicate no ALS?
Can medicine be started with negative ALS report, based on clinical examination and symptoms?

 

[Nikki J]

The criteria for ALS are evidence of upper motor neuron dysfunction on clinical exam and evidence of lower motor neuron disease which is an emg in a certain widespread pattern mimics also need to be ruled out.

I am unclear about your clinical exam Did the doctor find any abnormalities at all?

Medicines is very non specific. It sounds from context that they meant if they found an als emg they would give you als medications. If they do not they won’t as there does not appear to be evidence of als on exam?

 

[lgelb]

If the EMG does not suggest a cause for your slurred speech, and you have already had normal brain/spine imaging, I would imagine they would refer you to an ENT to see if there is another type of reason.