Question 1

what is the average age of als onset?

Accepted Answer

10-20 years old.: Average age at onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als), or lou gehrig's disease, is 10-20 years old; it's younger in patients with familial ALS than in patients with sporadic disease. About 5-10% of patients with ALS have the familial form.

Question 2

is muscle fasciculation size/intensity a clue in considering bfs vs als onset? i've had intense, large fasciculations in feet and calfs for a week.

Accepted Answer

Not helpful: You may possess fasciculations in your legs, but that alone does not confirm ALS, as these muscular reactions may be seen with fatigue, muscular irritability, thyroid or medication reactions, and even with a variety of peripheral nerve issues.  Can best be sorted out by a neurologist, and if questions remain, an EMG study may be very useful.

Question 3

statistically speaking, what would be the odds of a 25 year old male with no family history having bulbar onset als?

Accepted Answer

Very Low: 2.16 per 100,000 person-years

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2850819/

Question 4

could i have als with bulbar onset and the only symptom be difficulty swallowing for 6months?

Accepted Answer

ALS: is a progressive disabling disease a but when it starts with a "bulbar" onset it is not easy to make a "definite" diagnosis (until it reaches nerves which can be tested!
Speak with your treating neurologist about your concerns! 
Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 5

does respiratory onset als cause weakness in the arms or legs?

Accepted Answer

: Sooner or later, ALS will cause weakness all over. 
Visit this site for information on this topic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354022

Question 6

what could cause tongue muscle fatigue when chewing? my tongue feels tired and cramps some when chewing. i dont have pain any other times other than eating. no sores or lumps. can swallow normal. potential for bulbar onset als?

Accepted Answer

: The tongue isn't actively involved in chewing but does play a role in moving food so it can be swallowed. The massiter muscles.and temporomandibular joint are more apt to fatigue in chewing. I did have one case of severe lingual fatigue which turned out to be an early manifestation of Parkinson's disease. A specialist in oral pathology at a university hospital can evaluate and advise you further.

Question 7

can als have sudden onset within 3 weeks? 35 yr old female. started hand aches, now right forearm tightness. muscle twitching random. scared

Accepted Answer

Hand symptoms : There  are many potential reasons for hand and forearm symptoms such as those you're describing, so there is no reason to jump to the conclusion that you have ALS. If your symptoms are persistent, you should see your doctor for a physical exam, to determine the cause of your problem. Good luck.

Question 8

i've tongue twitches every days since 1.5 month. normal neuro exam and clean emg 1 month after the onset. i'm a 28 y-o man. could it be bulbar als ?

Accepted Answer

Can't tell: your history is too short. If your neurological exam is normal and twitching of the tongue is the only symptom then nothing more needs to be done at this time. Twitching of voluntary muscles is very common though it is rather uncommon in the tongue. I would recommend a follow up history and exam in 3 months.

Question 9

i am experiencing  slurred speech. clean emgs of al limbs, would emg of picked up if als was present regardless if it were bulbar onset?

Accepted Answer

TIA/Stroke: The speech center is often affected by stroke (CVA) or TIA. I suggest immediate ER evaluation.

Question 10

after a year of symptom onset of altered sensation and or perceived weakness in left leg and left arm with no change, how likely is it als? 20 male.

Accepted Answer

Not likely at all: The average age of onset of ALS is 55; an onset at age 20 is extremely rare (though possible). But there are other potential serious causes including multiple sclerosis and lyme disease. Please see a neurologist for an evaluation. 
As an aside, your root canal could lead to health problems- see http://bit.Ly/1bepu7k.

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Doctor answers about:

Als onset

A member asked:

What is the average age of als onset?

A member asked:

Is muscle fasciculation size/intensity a clue in considering bfs vs als onset? i've had intense, large fasciculations in feet and calfs for a week.

A member asked:

Statistically speaking, what would be the odds of a 25 year old male with no family history having bulbar onset als?

A member asked:

Could i have als with bulbar onset and the only symptom be difficulty swallowing for 6months?

A member asked:

Does respiratory onset als cause weakness in the arms or legs?

A member asked:

What could cause tongue muscle fatigue when chewing? my tongue feels tired and cramps some when chewing. i dont have pain any other times other than eating. no sores or lumps. can swallow normal. potential for bulbar onset als?

A member asked:

Can als have sudden onset within 3 weeks? 35 yr old female. started hand aches, now right forearm tightness. muscle twitching random. scared

A member asked:

I've tongue twitches every days since 1.5 month. normal neuro exam and clean emg 1 month after the onset. i'm a 28 y-o man. could it be bulbar als ?

A member asked:

I am experiencing slurred speech. clean emgs of al limbs, would emg of picked up if als was present regardless if it were bulbar onset?

A member asked:

After a year of symptom onset of altered sensation and or perceived weakness in left leg and left arm with no change, how likely is it als? 20 male.

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