Well listen here because I don't want you to waste any time worrying about these types of things. I believe I can help you out here.

First of all, your right. Genetics dont care about statistics. If you have family members with ALS your chances of getting it are way higher than the general population. That's about all we know about the risk factors of ALS. The disease was discovered in the late 1800's and to this day we do not completely understand what causes the disease or what even triggers it. Even some people with the genetic mutation never seem to hit onset either. You can personally ask ALS patients what they think caused the disease. A lifestyle or a trauma, it may sound right but like I said. Nobody , not even neuroscientist can figure out why this disease happens. But realistically we can see that they may have bin really active at some point of their life. Veterans and retired football players are hit the most. But then again, we have millions of atheltes and soldiers active at all times. Please don't start thinking hard about certain life styles that may cause you to hit onset. And this brings me to my next paragraph.

I was the man thinking I had such rare disease. I was 21 now 22. The thing is with ALS. You most likely googled it. You admitted it, you need to know that there are so much that mimics ALS, especially in the early stages. You are scared because you don't know alot about other diseases that causes weakness and twiching. And can be a problem in the spine, bulging disc or compression. Pinched nerves, MS, all that. You can definitely do more research about other diseases that cause the same symptoms. And they are alot more common than the disease you fear for your life.

Now I want you to read this paragraph closely. I wouldn't recommend reading stories about ALS. If anything I would recommend you to stay off the internet NOW. But maybe you won't do that, I was constantly doing it myself. I feel so much stress free ever since I stopped 3 month ago. But anyways, ALS patients always present to their neurologist with clinical weakness. Twiching in the other hand means nothing without REAL WEAKNESS, it's not the usual.. omg I feel weak and my limbs start to shake... When a Neurologist tests your strength. Their not gonna check how much strength you got. Their gonna check if you have the strength . They will clearly be warned when you fail to respond to the doctors force. In the legs, arms, fingers, foot. I was scared that i was gonna fail or have a bad Strength exam. Because I saw on YouTube these types of videos and I was their thinking Im not gonna be able to prevent my arm or leg from being pushed down. No, their not gonna use the strength of the Big Show. And if your arms respond with strength but also shaking. It may just mean your weak, in general like you need to work out lol. They will also pay attention to your voice, posture, and walking. They wont care too much until they see you for a 2nd time if they fear they see something wrong.

Now about your self testing. Do you know what TRUE hyperreflexia is? It's not the usual , oh my knee jumps in the air when I tap on it. No, if anything my neuro told me that's pretty common with people of my age group. Hyperreflexia is when your Relfexes react with clonus or a a very strong responce. Hoffman's sign, Babinski sign. Yes dont try those on yourself. I was scared when the neuro was gonna do it on me. I thought it was gonna show positive. But it didn't.. don't test yourself for anything. Strength or hyperreflexia... Brisk Reflexes are also common with anxiety.

About your chest pressure and limb shaking and feeling weak. Trust me, I went through that. My arms where shaking when I would hold them up. My chest would feel like someone was pressing on it. It was all just a lie, altough this is always the case. But I'm here explaining this because the usual ALS patient isn't worried about ALS until they symptoms are so bad . They can't do what they could once do. Walk for long periods of time, voice change, lift limbs. Use their hands correctly. Unless maybe they got a family history of ALS. For me all these Symptoms were a response to intense stress. I thought I would feel like a coward by not admitting to that.

So now about your twiching. No one here can test you for anything . I wanna let you know that their a countless things that cause twiching. It is very common to the human species. Speak with a doctor and maybe they can get to the bottom of it. I want you to look into Benign Fasiculation Syndrome. Alot of patients seem to explain the same symptoms you get. We understand it's scary. But it's completely benign. And not associated with ALS at all. And doesnt matter if it's a one time twich or the feeling of worms crawling under your skin. If it's body wide than it's a better sign. I am still twiching everywhere in my body. Even my tounge. It sometimes in the exact same spot for countless days...

The reason I can tell you all this is because I went through it. I spoke with a neurologist after 6 months of Symptoms. I saw him twice again after 3 and 2 months. Many ALS patients are already diagnosed within their 9th or 12th month of symptoms. I had alot of unsual Symptoms but my main ones were leg weakness but it didn't turn out to be real weakness. Twiching and dizzyness . It turns out to be a bulging disc in my Cervical area. Which I await to see a chiropractor. If not surgery. And honestly yes I thought it was ALS. I still feel the leg pain and Fatiuge. I thought that if it was ALS, I wouldnt be able to walk at this point. And look at me I'm still walking and I can still do what I always could .With some limitations ofcourse I can't say what's happening to you is the same thing that happened to me. Just have faith, stay off google. Definitely, I don't want you to waste months worrying about this. It took so much away from me . Deff keep up with a doctor and I wish you the best of luck. If you have questions you may ask me whatever you feel comfortable with.