Ongoing twitches + Trouble Swallowing

[quakerboats]

Hello. Same story as most people here who are concerned. I'm 20F and have been experiencing muscle twitching for almost 2 years now, throughout whole body, most commonly in my legs (calves, thighs, and feet).

About 6 months ago or so, I noticed some trouble swallowing. My swallowing feels weaker, slower at times, and sometimes I can't swallow, and it takes me more effort. This was a pretty concerning moment for me, as it felt random.

Word of note, I have also been feeling random pains throughout my arms and legs. This has also persisted for almost 2 years. I know pain points away from ALS, but I thought it would be important to put here.

I have been through the motions of health anxiety and know that it is very unlikely for someone in my demographic to get ALS. However, my nerves are still tense. I did an EEG back in 2023, a few months after the symptoms started, which came back clean.

I'm wondering if I should perhaps get an EMG? I visited a doctor recently who is going to refer me to a neurologist. If anyone has any information on ALS/Juvenile ALS and its patterns, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[lgelb]

I would let the neurologist recommend an EMG, if appropriate, and any other appropriate tests. That way, you don't take up a test slot that might be needed more urgently by someone else.

There are miles of territory between "health anxiety" and "ALS." If you fall anywhere in between, the neurologist will be able to ferret that out, but I don't think you need to worry about ALS.

 

[quakerboats]

In terms of the swallowing difficulties, is there a particular test for that? I hope that's not a silly question. Also, what do you take from the swallowing difficulty combined with muscle twitches?

 

[lgelb]

The neurologist can assess your swallowing from their perspective, and refer you to an ENT or a swallowing test if appropriate. Yes, there is a test, but exams say something as well.

I don't take anything in particular from it, but I don't take ALS, either. In addition to the anxiety that you acknowledge, swallowing can relate to dry mouth, allergies, sinus infection, GERD, a salivary gland stone, and other things. ALS is very low on the list from the way you've put it, and your age makes it even more so.

 

[quakerboats]

Hello. Sorry for posting here again but I just am a little distressed about my state.

Let’s get this out of the way. I ( F21) have had muscle twitches for 2 years and a bit of a swallowing issue for 7 months. Neither of these things have progressed too much. I’ve also had strange pains throughout my body, which feel like random muscle pains but not aches. Just random pains in my arms and legs, which have also persisted for about 2 years.

I have a neurology appointment on July 11th. Hoping for good results. I keep hearing about Juvenile ALS being rare but I can’t help but worry that I have some kind of motor neuron disease. I got bloodwork done about 2 weeks ago and it came back totally normal.

My questions currently are:
Does what I have sound like ALS? Would ALS have progressed more by this point?

 

[ShiftKicker]

Hello-

I've moved your post to your already open thread. If you could keep posting here so people can see what questions have been asked and answered before so they don't provide info you've already heard before.

I will say that there's not much more people can provide you here, as you do not report anything new since the last time you visited. The neuro would be able to give you more in the way of reassurance and feedback once they've seen and assessed you in their clinic.

 

[quakerboats]

Hello! I appreciate your response, however I am still rather worried. I haven’t exactly been able to counter the anxiety I get whenever I feel my legs or arms or face twitch. I’m just fairly scared and all I really want is an answer but I know it’s impossible to give an answer when of course you guys don’t know what’s truly wrong with me, so I understand what it must feel like to get a hundred people like us everyday asking the same question. I’m sorry this kind of turned into a vent. Every time I mention my concerns to people in my life, I know I’m definitely not taken seriously, but in my head, it feels pretty serious. Only time will tell now, but thank you for your time.

 

[lgelb]

If it's any consolation, your head likes to play tricks. The odds are very long against what you have described being serious. Meanwhile, try drinking room temp non-citrus juice or flavored water before, during, and after eating.