Unsure whats happening.

[khofacer87]

38F, looking for some clarifications.

I've been full body twitching since January (I understand means nothing), I've been to my PCP numerous times and had all the bloodwork done. Everything is normal. Had a brain MRI and that was normal. Was referred to neuro. Had a mostly normal exam, only thing noted was bilateral hyperreflexes in knees and ankles (again i understand could be normal). I'm having an EEG and EMG done next month.

However I've had a lot of perceived weakness in my legs and my dominant hand has been locking up, I understand this isn't clinical but I'm concerned with the way my legs are behaving. I've read a lot of differing things and am wondering about UMN signs which wouldn't show on the EMG from what I've read.

My legs are extremely excitable is the only way I can describe it. For instance if my legs are resting on a foot stool and my dog bumps it it sends my whole body to jump. Given the hyperflexia and this additional excitability and the weakness in my hands could this be a sign of UMN or am I just crazy?

The only reason I've thought about any form of ALS is my sister's father passed from it several years back. He didn't know he had it until late as he was already paralyzed from the waist down from a previous auto accident.

Thank you in advance for reading this.

 

[Nikki J]

Your sister’s father is not yours I gather? So no biological relation? Anyway one relative does not FALS make.

Easily startled is not an umn finding. Have your tests, see what the doctor says after and in the meantime stop searching als and hanging out on als sites. The stress is doubtless contributing to your hyperexcitability

 

[khofacer87]

Correct. Not my biological father. Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[lgelb]

Exaggerated startle reflex, as a fight-or-flight thing, often calms down with more sleep, less stress, getting a big decision or project done and dusted. It also feeds on itself, as does the twitching, and can cause feelings of weakness and even general fatigue, as you are overtaxing muscles in rest that are not used to it. So breaking one part of the cycle may help another.