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Shaky, ratcheting, or vibrating muscle sensations during certain movements

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MedHelp Member's Question

Shaky, ratcheting, or vibrating muscle sensations during certain movements

by mve05, Dec 24, 2005 12:00AM

Tags: neuromuscular, Neurology

The last three months I have been experiencing a shaky, ratcheting, cogwheeling, vibrating, etc. sensation in my muscles when I drop my arms and legs down from a raised position, when I rotate my wrists and ankles and when I nod my head up and down. It's almost like the opposing muscle groups (i.e. triceps vs. biceps) are trying to contract at the same time during certain movements. My neurologist isn't sure and wants to do further testing (EMG, bloodwork). Obviously I'm quite concerned these are symptoms of something much more serious. Has anyone out there experienced these similar symptoms and found a root cause? I've done searches on the internet with minimal luck. Any help, anything at all would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Dec 29, 2005 12:00AM

Its seems perhaps more likely that the symptoms are non-neurological, and are perhaps muscular or musuloskeletal

Cogwheeling can occur in neurological settings - but is not as you desribe and is associated with tremor. In these cases the most common causes are side effects of medications, and parkinsons.

A good neurological exam will probably exclude a neuro cause, and if normal, an EMG is unlikely to help.

Weakness of holding the arms and legs up can be from proximal muscle weakness, which can be indentified from the exam and some blood test - common causes include drug side effects, muscle inflammatory disorders or hormone issues (like abnormalities in the thyroid gland)

Good luck

Member Comments (8)

by Joro, Dec 28, 2005 12:00AM

I have had simular problems us are having. It started after a bad fall. The symptoms have were constant for about two years, and now happen when I am tired or feel run down. I take neurontin 4000 mgs. a day and amitryptilin 100 mgs 2 hrs before bedtime. The meds worked well however I have been taking them so long the effectivness is not as good.

by radrhatr, Jan 03, 2006 12:00AM

This has been happening to me for the last (almost) 2 years. It started with a virus in February 2004 and I started the feeling of "internal tremors" in March. It's more something I feel than what I can see. I have battled numerous other symptoms as well, but the lingering effects now are the shaky feeling I always feel, I have a pain/ache/crampy feeling on my left side (neck, under shoulder blade, bicep, and ring and pinkie fingers)which is the side where the virus went into my ear, and the excessive twitching in my head, upper torso, and arms. I have been through a gamut of tests (see my other posts), all with normal readings. I have come to believe that what I have is Benign Fasciculation Syndrome. At first, I didn't relate to it because I really didn't have the twitching all that bad. It was more this "tremor" that was giving me such grief. It feels exactly as you describe, and I can see the tremor if I am holding a piece of paper. I can also see it if I move my arms or legs in a way that is resistant to the muscle. You can see the "ratchety" way that the muscle is moving. However, after reading many posts on the www.aboutbfs.com website, there are many stories there just like many. The internal tremor and shaky/buzzing feeling is very common. My arm muscles feel weak, but I absolutely have no loss of strength. This is also a common symptom. Look at my posts (I am carolmerrill on that site), look at buzzygirl posts, and suziQ posts specifically. Very similar stories.

by john lake, Jan 04, 2006 12:00AM

Back in November I started having rapid left upper eyelid twitches. They subsided after a month. I was under a lot of stress at school. The doctors ran a CAT scan, which came back negative.

HOwever, I have been having twitches all over my body since that time. Could it be Fasciculation? I have slight tremors in my hands. Also, vibrating type symptoms in my calf muscles. Occasional eyelid twitches.

The Dr. thought it might be from supplements I was taking and energy drinks + stress. Who knows.

Any thoughts out there what it might be?

by childrenrtreasures, Jan 07, 2006 12:00AM

I had proximal weakness in my shoulders and hips that caused shaking during movement due to thyroid disease. I had to use a cane for 6 months because of weakness in my hips (I was 28). I still get periodic episodes of weakness but it doesn't last as long as my first bout with it did (I am usually hypothyroid but I get flare-ups of hyperthyroid and that's what causes the weakness).

Kelly

by ollie1, Jan 10, 2006 12:00AM

To: mve05

Hi,

Have you found anymore answers to the symptoms you describe??

I have suffered the same problem for nearly a year and have seen a neuro surgeon and had various muscular tests. the specialist said that this sort of condition is common is some athletes.

I do a fair bit of exercise ie weights, cycling and martial arts

but cannot pinpoint why this is happening. Mine has recently got worse and my shoulders judder on both upward and downward movements. I have arranged another visit to the doctors to see if they can refer me to someone else.Would love to hear from anyone with similar symptons and from anyone who knows what is causing it!!!!!!!

by mve05, Jan 24, 2006 12:00AM

To: ollie

I was informed of a site that has many postings from people with the EXACT same ratcheting sensations you and I describe. Do a search on "ratcheting" and read some of the posts. Many people with similar symptoms but no answers. I'm mve05 there. Check out comments from "alienhost" as well. Good luck. Let me know if you find anything out with your future doctor appointments.

http://nextination.com/aboutbfs/forums/

by Ankul, Feb 25, 2006 12:00AM

Since a panick attack on 13th Sep 2005 morning, passing life for me is not more than a burden. My body is like making a fun of me. Sometimes i feel my hands and legs are burning - off. A little later, i feel like something is constantly vibrating or running in my hands, legs, my back(rarely) and other parts of my body. I feel like my eyelids blink too much. When i tend to Stand upright, my head seems to vibrate, the neck tends to rotate catching my attention. I feel like my head was out of my control for a few milli-seconds. I close my eyes while praying in an assembly just to feel as if i'm shaking, falling, the world is rotating and i can't control myself, as if something crawling in my spine, and then open my eyes to face the other symptoms. when i sit on a computer chair with my legs fallen, i feel like some strong vibrations are travelling through them and now they r not mine. I have had an EEG done twice both normal, i have had all possible tests done except an EMG and all are normal. Anybody else facing such life-making a depression prob. please advice me.

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