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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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Twitching
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MedHelp Member's Question

Twitching

by lisaalyssa, Jan 20, 2004 12:00AM
I started experiencing twitching in my legs, feet and arms about 7 months ago. I have had twitching in other muscles too, butt, abdomen, hands,face,  but mainly legs. I saw a neuro who did a full evaluation, and said everything was normal, and therfore would not order an EMG.  The twitching only occurs when my muscles are relaxed, as in I never notice it when I am walking or anything, only when I sit still.  I have not noticed any weakness, and the neuro said no atrophy or reflex change.  I had my reflexes checked again today by a PA, I work with, she said they were normal.  I have noticed that my right bicept is significantly larger than my left, although I have not noticed weakness in my left. The twitching seems to wax and wane, as in it is much worse on some days, and other days I barely notice it at all.  How long does it usually take for someone to start noticing weakness if a neurodegenerative disease is present. My fear is ALS, do you think I should push for an EMG, or should I rest assured that the neruo exam is enough.  Oh I am a 25 year old cacausian female.  Thanks
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jan 24, 2004 12:00AM
There is a condition called benign fasciculation syndrome which results in intermittent muscle twitching. It is labelled benign because it does not progress to any other disorder. Regarding the possibility of ALS. If your neurologic examination is entirely normal, it is unlikely. Other things which can cause muscle twitches include stress and occasionally electrolyte disturbances. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Member Comments (20)

by kwag, Jan 20, 2004 12:00AM
As far as I know, ALS is rare in females.  Also, weakness and muscle atrophy are prominent signs of ALS.  For what it matters, from what you have said, I do not in any way think you have ALS.  Do you drink pop?  Any caffiene consumption?  Look at your diet, stress level, water consumption, activity, nutrient intake, flexibility and the overall picture.  How many carbs do you consume daily?  Concentrate on what you can do to better your health and above all, please don't stress out over ALS.  Please go to a health food store near you and search their books on healthy living and focus on that.  Not that I don't think that you shouldn't check it out but TRY VERY HARD not to stress out.  I wish you all the best   God Bless

by lisaalyssa, Jan 20, 2004 12:00AM
Thanks kwag for your response.  I drink only about 1 soda per day, but I do have a very high stress level. Anxiety runs in my family, and I have inherited a pretty serious case of it.  I have also tried taking magnesium and potassium supplements, which don't seem to have helped much.  The all over resting twitch is pretty much my only symptom, I think I know that it is probably not ALS, but the twitching won't go away, which makes the ALS hard to forget about.

by kwag, Jan 20, 2004 12:00AM
To: lisaalyssa
Anxiety can tear you up.  It will too if it goes unchecked.  How well do you sleep?  Do you have any muscle pains or tender spots?  Do you exercise?  I have had very similar symptoms to yours and more and I lost a lot of precious time to worry and fear.  I don't want to see anyone else do that.  May you take a deep breath and release all worry right now and enjoy the life you've been given.  Have faith

by shamrock, Jan 21, 2004 12:00AM
I think you have BFD benign facilation disorder.  I have had this for years, mainly in my calves.  Once in a while it happens in other parts of my body.  It's nothing to worry about.  And yes, when you're standing or moving you can't feel it because your muscles are taught.  You usually only feel it when relaxed.  Sometimes I think I feel it more when I'm stressed or over tired.  Millions of people have this.



Shamrock

by alph., Jan 21, 2004 12:00AM
To: lisaalyssa
Hallo Lisaalyssa,



Here is someone who is living far away from your home

(Netherlands) and i can tell you that i have the same

problem as you,a lot of muscule twitches over my

whole body when i am sitting,when i am standing

sometimes a little twitch.this also depends on

the day. (sometimes nothing)

But i must tell you that i was suspected for ms because

i had a negative lp,but know i have something that has

the name to be postviral in my spine (back) and when i am

sitting i god strange feelings in my legs too.But to make

a long story short,i had a long conversation whit my ms

specialist and one of the things he told me.stress,stress

stress,what it can do ! (It can give you L’hermitte)

Don’t worry to much i do not think this is necessary.

If you  don’t have  muscle twitches and you think all day i would

like to have them,”you will get them!”

And to answer your question: I have them for 20 months

and i do not have weakness.



Good luck,alphie.

by paulak, Jan 23, 2004 12:00AM
I HAVE HAD MUSCLE TWITCHES SINCE SEPT. IT FIRST STARTED IN MY ARM IT WAS TWITCHING SO HARD IT WOKE ME UP. THEN FOR A WHILE I HAD NOTHING THEN MY FINGER STARTED TO TWITCH EVERYDAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. THEN IT JUST SPREAD EVERY WHERE UNDER MY RIBS,LEGS FEET,ARMS,AND EVEN IN MY HEAD. ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE DEC. IT HAS WOKE ME UP WITH A FEELING OF TAPPING IN MY HEAD AND IT REALLY SCARES ME. MY DOCTOR SAYS HE THINKS IT ANXIETY. I DO HAVE ANXIETY PRETTY BAD I'VE BEEN ON XANAX FOR TEN YEARS. SOMETIMES I WONDER IF THAT COULD BE THE CAUSE. BUT MY QUESTION IS HAS ANYONE FELT THE TWITCHING IN THE HEAD.

by lotsacats, Jan 26, 2004 12:00AM
Paulak, the comment just before mine asks if anyone has ever felt twitching in the head.  I had this experience when I was on the drug Paxil.  I could feel the nerves twitching in my head at times.  Now I have brain damage (they are not sure from what exactly, it is suspected that it is from a herpes virus transmission infection).  When I take any kind of medication, I feel a pulling in my head.  Hope this helps.

by twitchynurse, Feb 03, 2004 12:00AM
Hi,

This is new to me. I have been experiencing twitiching all over my body for about 10 months now. I am a nurse and have of course been totally freaked out about possible MS and/or ALS.

I have been to a neurologist had an MRI of which was negative for MS. I don't think I have had "weakness" as such. Although I now have read on some websites in reference to ALS weakness more described as "fatigue" in the arms or legs. Of which I have noticed such way back in the past once in a blue moon where if I went up a flight of stairs it felt like the blood would kinda go out of my legs and they would feel extremely tired like they were going to give out but never did. I have that same sensation still and it seems more often then I used too but wonder if I just don't notice it more since I've had the twitching. It happens more so when I am carrying something heavy up stairs etc.

Has anyone experienced this?? My neurologist says if any of my symptoms get worse we can do a LP. I also find that I trip more. Of course all my friends say they do the same thing. I have also had an emg of which was negative also.

SCARy.

by davidlisaalyssa, Feb 03, 2004 12:00AM
To: twitchynurse
Hi twitchynurse.  As the original poster of this twitchy sequence, I know what you are going through.  I too have been twitching for about 8 months, and at one point was totally freaked out.  I think that worrying only makes it worse.  I too think that I experience weakness, but I think it is only because I am looking for it, as in I think it is in my head