Hello,
Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have noted your symptoms.
ALS is unlikely to start with fasciculations in tongue alone. Bulbar onset ALS is uncommon at a young age such as yours.
Benign fasciculations may involve tongue. If ALS begins with tongue fasciculations, it is usually accompanied with other symptoms such as slurred speech and difficulty in swallowing.
EMG was done at the right time, however, it should be repeated after six months to completely exclude ALS.
I hope it helps.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist |
Patient replied :
I was wondering if you could answer to the frequence of fasciculations in als. Are they more frequent or could they be this infrequent in the beginning?
Thank you for getting back.
In ALS, fasciculations are more frequent and not infrequent.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir kumar MD DM (Neurology) |
Patient replied :
Could als start with this type of infrequent fasciculations that slowly becomes more frequent?
It is unlikely that ALS would start with infrequent fasciculations located in one part of body, in this case, tongue. Even if patient notes fasciculations in one part of body, a neurologist would be able to elicit fasciculations elsewhere too, by manoeuvres such as hyperventilation.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) |
Patient replied :
My neuro said that once fasciculations start in one muscle they are constant or nearly constant in that muscle. Is this typical? Can I stop my worries about als?
Yes, in ALS, fasciculations should be frequent and constant.
So, kindly stop worrying about ALS.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
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