Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Increasingly Progressive Muscle Twitching and Spasms
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
Increasingly Progressive Muscle Twitching and Spasms
by Brandon41, May 28, 2007 12:00AM
A month ago I tore a hamstring during a rather easy routine workout. I did not think much of it until muscle spasms started to spread from my thighs to my hamstrings. From there it went to my calves and buttocks. During that time period my sleep problems, which I have had for many years, got increasingly worse. Recently after I had sex, there were scrotal spasms. My neck has had an increased tingling sensation during the past two weeks which causes me to wake up every hour when trying to sleep to switch sides. The spasms and twitching are starting to spread out to new places daily in the following order back, shoulders, arms, and fingers (thumb and index).
I have an appointment with a neurologist on the 4th of June, but I was wondering if I should call him and try to get in sooner due to the rapid progression over the past week. Should I be concerned that it will eventually hit a muscle that is used by a vital organ?
I have an appointment with a neurologist on the 4th of June, but I was wondering if I should call him and try to get in sooner due to the rapid progression over the past week. Should I be concerned that it will eventually hit a muscle that is used by a vital organ?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jun 24, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The muscles twitches that you describe are consistent with fasiculations. These are twitches that contract a muscle, but not enough to cause movement across a joint. Fasiculations can occurs in many different circumstances including in normal people, with increased exercise, electrolyte imbalances, after a viral infection, and with some neuro-muscular diseases (including ALS-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The important thing to remember is that fasicualtions that occur with neuro-muscular disease (including ALS) occur in the presence of weakness and atrophy. The majority of fasicualtions have no impact on your overall health, and often cause patients undue alarm. However, weakness and atrophy may signal something is going on. I agree with seeing the neurologist, and often an EMG is performed (which can detect signs of ALS or other neuro-muscular disease) for diagnostic purposes and your peace of mind.
I hope this has been helpful.
The muscles twitches that you describe are consistent with fasiculations. These are twitches that contract a muscle, but not enough to cause movement across a joint. Fasiculations can occurs in many different circumstances including in normal people, with increased exercise, electrolyte imbalances, after a viral infection, and with some neuro-muscular diseases (including ALS-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The important thing to remember is that fasicualtions that occur with neuro-muscular disease (including ALS) occur in the presence of weakness and atrophy. The majority of fasicualtions have no impact on your overall health, and often cause patients undue alarm. However, weakness and atrophy may signal something is going on. I agree with seeing the neurologist, and often an EMG is performed (which can detect signs of ALS or other neuro-muscular disease) for diagnostic purposes and your peace of mind.
I hope this has been helpful.
I've been getting similiar symptoms and can't get answers myself. I had mono in November and was back to work within two weeks (REAL bad idea). Come march I got a canker sore and some other type of illness seemed to present itself, flu like symtpoms etc, yet sed rate, red and white counts, urine, c reactice protein etc were normal, no signs of infection.
About two months ago I jabbed myself with an x-acto knife by accident and it'd been 11 years since my last tetanus booster. I didn't think to get one right away. I experienced muscle twitching in my right arm the next day and immediately (like an idiot) looked up all the horrible symptoms of tetanus and scared the hell out of myself. I went the next day (so within 48 hours) for a tetanus shot.
Since that time (this was 10 weeks ago) symptoms seem to be getting progressively worse. Started with general feeling of weakness and stiffness and jaw tightness so Dr. suspsected lyme and prescribed doxycycline (i'd already been on Augmentint for two months) I've had feelings of faintness and shortness of breath, burning sensations in muscles, spasticity to a degree, tighteness and pain in jaw, stiff neck, etc which doesn't seem to be improving.
I went to the ER weeks ago, because I had the sensation like fire going up my spine into the back of my head and everything in the room seemed to get really loud all the sudden and my mouth became very dry and began to feel shakey. ER visit found no abnormalities, resting heart rate was 110 bpm for over an hour and I was very dehydrated they said.
I'd had an EMG done which was normal but my MRI showed and unspecific finding (from what my primary care says it's some kind of minor nerve change) but apparently not a lesion. Still waiting to follow up with my neuro. The report on the MRI said the finding could be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Lyme, but I've had several lyme tests which were negative.
It's so hard to post on here and actually get a dr. to reply so if anyone can give any advice, it'd be greatly appreciated. I'm scared s**tless and am not getting answers but feel like i'm getting sicker. Thank God for forums like this were people can share their experiences and help each other out.