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Neurology (Expert Forum)
random muscle contractions
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random muscle contractions
by zornick, Apr 17, 2006 12:00AM
Hi Doctor,
I am an otherwise healthy 22yo male. For several days now I have had random muscle "twitches" all over my body - although I'm not sure if twitches is the proper term; what happens is one muscle just jerks and relaxes once, it's not like a repeateded twitching. This happens most frequently in my hands and legs, but also lower face, stomach, feet, arms - just about everywhere. It happens more or less constantly if I'm resting - every 30 secs or so. It's not debilitating or anything, just quite aggravating. I have not noticed any kind of loss of coordination or weakness; I have not been exercising an unusual amount nor have I changed my diet; I am on Atenolol for a minor heart issue (pSVT). Is this anything to be concerned about/will it pass? Or should I see someone?
I am an otherwise healthy 22yo male. For several days now I have had random muscle "twitches" all over my body - although I'm not sure if twitches is the proper term; what happens is one muscle just jerks and relaxes once, it's not like a repeateded twitching. This happens most frequently in my hands and legs, but also lower face, stomach, feet, arms - just about everywhere. It happens more or less constantly if I'm resting - every 30 secs or so. It's not debilitating or anything, just quite aggravating. I have not noticed any kind of loss of coordination or weakness; I have not been exercising an unusual amount nor have I changed my diet; I am on Atenolol for a minor heart issue (pSVT). Is this anything to be concerned about/will it pass? Or should I see someone?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Apr 23, 2006 12:00AM
Muscle twitches as you describe seem to be more like 'myoclonic' twtiches rather than 'fasciculations'. Myoclonic twitches are fast contractions of a muscle that are usually irregular.
I cannot give you a formal medical opinion, as this site is purely educational, so you should followup with your doctor.
In general, myoclonic jerks are most commonly benign, and often occur on going to sleep, or waking from sleep, or when tired.
Sometimes it can be a sign of generalized forms of epilepsy - in this case the jerks usually start in the mid-teens, and there are assocaited convulsive or staring siezures by the late teen or early twenties. An EEG may be a helpful test.
Myoclonic jerks have a whole range of other causes, limiting me to be specific to your case. Examples include drug side effects (such as opiaites), and metabolic derangements
Good luck
I cannot give you a formal medical opinion, as this site is purely educational, so you should followup with your doctor.
In general, myoclonic jerks are most commonly benign, and often occur on going to sleep, or waking from sleep, or when tired.
Sometimes it can be a sign of generalized forms of epilepsy - in this case the jerks usually start in the mid-teens, and there are assocaited convulsive or staring siezures by the late teen or early twenties. An EEG may be a helpful test.
Myoclonic jerks have a whole range of other causes, limiting me to be specific to your case. Examples include drug side effects (such as opiaites), and metabolic derangements
Good luck
and to clarify my early post, while the twitches or jerks or whatever are noticable and annoying, they aren't particularly violent or strong.
If you are suffering these weird symptoms, I suggest you check out the following sites:
www.medicationsense.com
www.fqvictims.org
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/quinolones