Very concerned about these new symptoms...

[Arkotract]

Hi there, I'm a new member, and I have something to ask... I know time is precious... but I'd like to run through my symptoms...

About a month ago, just a bit longer, I experienced a painful hand spasm and shooting forearm pain. Since then the pain has subsided and no more spasms or cramps have occurred on the affected hand, but since that day, I've had muscular twitching in my shoulder, upper chest on the left side, and the left hand, which spasmed, has flitted between very light tremor, to an episode of uncontrollable tremor after carrying a heavy shopping bag...

Admittedly I carried that bag around 2km, but I've also experienced weakness in my right arm and hand... no atrophy of the affected hand, but it feels weaker... I've heard that persistent shoulder twitching while at rest, as well as muscle twitching that appears gradually throughout the body can be the first sign of MND...

I'm also dropping things more frequently, so, I was wondering if this matches up with MND starting stories...

[Arkotract]

At the current moment, I caught the muscle twitching on my bicep, visible, last night, and have developed shooting pain in both forearms and wrists that seem aggravated by physical activity... the muscle twitching is less prevalent than it was a few weeks ago, but still present, and has spread to my calves, thighs, neck, right temple, eyelid and occasionally my feet... It hasn't really affected my ability to walk yet... I just want to know if I'm freaking out, or if it's something to be genuinely concerned of...

As a side note, the twitching episodes usually only last for a single fasciculation, one pulse, and very, very rarely (as in one every few days or so) happen for longer than 3 seconds, and they always happen when the muscle is at rest... The twitching in my thigh happens while sitting or with legs extended, I haven't observed any muscular loss and can still resist the force of my stronger arm... I might have just found it really, really early...?

[Johnny5]

Pain in normally not associated with early symptoms. What you describe to me, have you seen a medical professional about this yet? These symptom may be caused by dozens of conditions, so the faster you get to see a Dr the better.

[Ellie]

Arkotract What does your GP think is wrong?

[Arkotract]

I haven't seen a medical professional regarding the twitching, I did get my hands assessed, thenar muscles specifically, which I've heard is a very, very early indicator for ALS. They noticed no atrophy and the little difference in my hands they put down to natural difference... I haven't seen them about the loss of strength and twitching yet, but I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow... I've heard stories of how this all begins from a single twitch in the shoulder or chest... especially when it seems to spread or appear on multiple limbs as mine has...

[Ellie]

I did get my hands assessed ...

By whom?

Nobody here is a medical professional, so really cannot give you a specific opinion but, what I will say is, twitching is incredibly common, caused by everything and nothing.

Let us know what your GP says.

[Arkotract]

Do you think it might be the start of this, however?

[MNDConnect]

Hello Arkotract

We would suggest that you contact your GP if you are concerned with any medical symptoms you are experiencing.

You can contact the MND Connect Team by calling 0808 802 6262 or by emailing [email protected] if you have any further questions.

[Arkotract]

I understand I should see a GP... Just, does what I'm experiencing link up with MND? Just this morning I was having leg and foot twitches while laying in bed, and since then my leg has felt a bit weaker...

[Arkotract]

A new symptom has just begun... A tight, unnatural feeling in my lower leg, the shin and calf area, it feels like a tight sock is over that area... and only that side, and since then I've noticed I'll drop or fumble small items all the time... I-I've heard that this is the start of nerve degeneration and decline, and it twitches sometimes when I'm at rest... It's been happening for a week now, my GP says its nothing but I don't believe him, this all links up with nerve damage, especially since I've noticed my gait on that foot isn't heel-first anymore... what do you all think...?

[PeterPan]

Arkotract I am two years in now, confirmed diagnosis October 2020. I have never experienced pain and have never felt as if I was wearing a tight sock. Please don’t feel you have to write a new post every time you have a new twinge- none of us are qualified medics and we really can’t comment. I don’t believe it’s a good idea to disbelieve your GP because your imagination and anxiety really will take over.

[Arkotract]

PeterPan I'm sorry for taking your time, I... likely do have some sort of health anxiety, I haven't spoken to anyone yet though, and, I guess since this has been happening for just short of 2 months now, I would have noticed something else also. Thank you for your clarification

[PeterPan]

PeterPan I'm sorry for taking your time, I... likely do have some sort of health anxiety, I haven't spoken to anyone yet though

I think you will feel better if you are able to talk to someone. Another perspective always helps

[Arkotract]

I wish I could talk to someone... no-one is willing to take me seriously because of my age, I'm only 19, so the doctors here don't take me seriously... It's a strange leg weakness, and an incoordination of my hands beyond my autism diagnosis... I've developed a tremor and twitch that seems persistent...

[JamesW]

Arkotract just because you are only 19 does not mean that you would not be taken seriously about concerns with either your physical or your mental health. There is also some good news to being young in that you are far less likely to be diagnosed with something like MND which is already very rare.

I urge you to go to your GP 👍