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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Full Body Muscle Fasciculation and Twitching
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Full Body Muscle Fasciculation and Twitching
by regroup, Nov 18, 2005 12:00AM
Hello Everyone. About four years ago I developed an annoying twitch in my right arm. About the same time I developed an unusual rash on the sole of my right foot. To make a long story short, doctors testing me for Syphillis and ultimately diagnosed the rash as some form of "Derma" that was nothing to be concerned about. The rash cleared up in about 9 months but the twitching continued. I saw a neurologist who did the "tap the left the knee, tap the right knee...your fine...next" routine.
During the past three years the twitching/fasciculations has moved to my whole body. It started in the right arm, moved to the left arm, then the right leg, then the left leg and now occurs in most major muscle groups pretty much non-stop. I found this forum several years ago and used some of the suggestions like vitamin b's and magnesium which helped for awhile. I also quit smoking several times which temporarily helped after the initial stages but later the twitching was returned. In other words, none of the self-help tools have provided lasting relief.
I am convinced that most neurologists will say benign-fasciculation syndrome (BFS), however, I am sure this is not what this is. Note that my symptoms started about six months after a contract job at an old rehabilitation hospital. At the time I didn't consider my surroundings, but on reflection, I am convinced that I picked up a virus of some sort from the patients as patients of this hospital are post-polio, fibromyalgia, and other neuro-muscular "syndromes"
My question: Where to go, who to see? Thanks in advance
During the past three years the twitching/fasciculations has moved to my whole body. It started in the right arm, moved to the left arm, then the right leg, then the left leg and now occurs in most major muscle groups pretty much non-stop. I found this forum several years ago and used some of the suggestions like vitamin b's and magnesium which helped for awhile. I also quit smoking several times which temporarily helped after the initial stages but later the twitching was returned. In other words, none of the self-help tools have provided lasting relief.
I am convinced that most neurologists will say benign-fasciculation syndrome (BFS), however, I am sure this is not what this is. Note that my symptoms started about six months after a contract job at an old rehabilitation hospital. At the time I didn't consider my surroundings, but on reflection, I am convinced that I picked up a virus of some sort from the patients as patients of this hospital are post-polio, fibromyalgia, and other neuro-muscular "syndromes"
My question: Where to go, who to see? Thanks in advance
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Nov 25, 2005 12:00AM
Its unclear if the rash and the twitching are related. Lyme disease can cause a rash (called erythema migrans) in the first few weeks of infection after the tick bite, but fasciculations from involvement of the nerves should not appear until weeks to months later, rather than the same time as the rash. If you are not in an endemic area for LYme (such as New England) then this is even less likely. Viruses can cause nerve damage and widespread muscle twitching rarely, but do not tend to cause localized rashes as you describe.
Fasciculations involving the whole body are more likely to be benign, especially if no other neurological signs appear over time such as muscle weakness or wasting. Fasciculations can also occur from an overacitive thyroid gland (this should be checked for with blood tests), certain medications, excercise, cold exposure, pinched nerves or spinal cord problems. It is unlikely that this is from a contagious agent. Postopolio patients do not have any active polio virus infection, and fibromyalgia is not a viral/contagious disorder.
A neuromuscular specialist might be able to provide you with more feedback, and an EMG needle exam of the muscles may help to further exclude any nerve pathology.
Good luck
Fasciculations involving the whole body are more likely to be benign, especially if no other neurological signs appear over time such as muscle weakness or wasting. Fasciculations can also occur from an overacitive thyroid gland (this should be checked for with blood tests), certain medications, excercise, cold exposure, pinched nerves or spinal cord problems. It is unlikely that this is from a contagious agent. Postopolio patients do not have any active polio virus infection, and fibromyalgia is not a viral/contagious disorder.
A neuromuscular specialist might be able to provide you with more feedback, and an EMG needle exam of the muscles may help to further exclude any nerve pathology.
Good luck
You said you saw a neurologist already maybe you should go see another one to get a 2nd opinion.
The reason I brought this up is up until the time I spent doing contract work at a rehab hospital known for treating patients with these ailments, I was fine. Moreover, it wasn't until about six months after my contract that my problems cropped up. It just seems odd to me that after spending a year in those surroundings, all the sudden a perfectly healthly person would start having muscle fasciculations for no reason. Is it just coincidence that I was working in an environment where people go to have their unknown cause "symptoms" treated?
At any rate, I am also positive that the vitamins did not have a placebo effect. I just wish the medical community would acknowledge these problems early enough so that a person could make a wise decision. Ultimately I am sure the twitching and fasciculations cause will be known, whether it is while I am alive or post-mortem, whether it is ms, als, parkinsons, toxins, or whatever. However, it seems it would be much easier to know in order to make good life choices. Why invest in trying to live a healthy lifestyle and give up life pleasures like caffeine and smoking if you know your health will deteriorate regardless (due to a virus). Why not go out with a bang! I am not trying to blame anyone for the virus, just want to know what I am dealing with so I can enjoy the time I have left before the underlying cause of these fasciculations makes that impossible.
BFS doesn't cause progressive, full-body fasciculations anymore than it causes MS, ALS, etc. BFS is a symptom of an underlying physical cause, that I am sure of! I don't care how much it cost, I just want to know what my underlying physical cause it. By having the information, one can make better life choices. What is the point in investing in the future, furthering your education, or developing life-long relationships, etc., if you know your health will continue deteriorating. I would rather die. Of course, to each his own, but regardless of your outlook, the one thing that is certain is a lot of people suffer from these symptoms and no one seems to care. It is only after they develop full-blown cases of the underlying disease a diagnosis is made. How can you determine if one has a disease based on two taps on the knee?
But for people previously healthy and with unexplained neurological problems the first thing they should try to rule out is chemical exposition.
The typical chemical toxicities come from medications