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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Not sure what may be going on...
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Not sure what may be going on...
by Still_AndiJ, Sep 22, 2003 12:00AM
I am 25, mother to a 21 month old boy, pregnant again in my first trimester and bi-polar. I am currently on Wellbutrin, only 150mg daily. Most of my life,I have been very clumsy. Lack of balance is the greatest cause of this. Anyway, in the last few weeks/month I have had sporatic twitching on my right forearm lasting from 30 seconds to 4 or 5 minutes. It comes on regardless of the position my arm is in and continues off and on throughout the day. This has been going on daily and occurs several times throughout the day, occuring at no specific time. i find this odd as it isn't happening on my dominant arm. I am left handed, yet it occurs on my right arm. I used my arms equally, only using the left to write with.
I am already on 400mg of magnesium daily for migraine prevention (which has worked wonderfully) and have been for months. I live in the Pacific northwest and i realize this area has had an abnormally high rate of MS cases (i have taken care of several MS and ALS patients in my life, but never from the beginning so I don't know how their symptoms started). Not that I assume this it what it may be, but it has been a concern.
In addition to the arm twitches, my eyelids twitch quite often as well. Could this be related? The problem with my eyes has gone on for years and I assumed it was part of aura for my migraines, but it has been happening even without a migraine coming on.
I realize it is impossible to be diagnosed via the internet, but any suggestions would be great.
Thank you for your time : )
Andrea
I am already on 400mg of magnesium daily for migraine prevention (which has worked wonderfully) and have been for months. I live in the Pacific northwest and i realize this area has had an abnormally high rate of MS cases (i have taken care of several MS and ALS patients in my life, but never from the beginning so I don't know how their symptoms started). Not that I assume this it what it may be, but it has been a concern.
In addition to the arm twitches, my eyelids twitch quite often as well. Could this be related? The problem with my eyes has gone on for years and I assumed it was part of aura for my migraines, but it has been happening even without a migraine coming on.
I realize it is impossible to be diagnosed via the internet, but any suggestions would be great.
Thank you for your time : )
Andrea
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Sep 22, 2003 12:00AM
There is a disorder called benign fasciculation syndrome which involves intermittent muscles twitches and has no long term sequela that we are aware of. It tends to relapse and remit over time. Other thoughts would include an irritated nerve either in your spine or the arm itself. Electrolyte abnormalities can also cause muscle irritability and twitches. Lastly, fatigue can also cause muscles to become irritable. Without other symptoms or findings on your neurologic exam, this would be an atypical presentation for MS.
You should discuss this with your primary doctor or OB/GYN. They can draw some basic lab work and evaluate your neurologic function. If you were not pregnant, I would recommend an MRI. MRI's can be done during pregnancy, but usually are reserved for severe problems. Lastly an EMG test may be helpful to measure the muscle and nerve function. I hope this helps. Good luck.
You should discuss this with your primary doctor or OB/GYN. They can draw some basic lab work and evaluate your neurologic function. If you were not pregnant, I would recommend an MRI. MRI's can be done during pregnancy, but usually are reserved for severe problems. Lastly an EMG test may be helpful to measure the muscle and nerve function. I hope this helps. Good luck.
what other symptoms do you have? have you ever considered finding a endocrinologist that could test for hormone deficiencies that cause these types of symptoms?
fatigue, weakness, depression, can all be due to a growth hormone deficiency. please see my other post with more info under the post called "PART TWO...."
there are 2 very EXCELLENT endocrinologists in the Pacific NW (i would not consider going to anyone else here-- it will be a waste of time, and a waste of life)
they are Dr Cook at OHSU
and Dr George Merriam at University of Washington/or Tacoma VA hospital
i "wasnt sure what was going on" for 27 years-- then i found a competent doctor that helped me reach a diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency-- one diagnosis that not many doctors beleive in-- but can cause a wide range of symptoms.
i was finally able to get off of the antidepressants and once GH was replaced by injections, the depression was gone, i became stronger and my weakness improved, and much much more.
if you live in NW-- these doctors i listed are priceless.