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Avatar universal

Muscle Twitching and Spasms in Legs and Feet

Can lumbar spine problems (or spine problems in general) cause chronic twiching and/or spasming of muscles in the calves and feet?

My background: Posterior interbody lumbar fusion (L4-S1) 7 months ago, anterior cervical fusion (C5-C7) about 4 years ago, and undifferentiated spondylitis. Leg muscles twitch constantly, regardless of activities, worsen when I first lie down, but then settle down to mild twitching all night long after being in bed awhile. If I do any physical activities (walking on treadmill, stretching, eliptical machine, etc.) the twitching goes into severe spasms in my calves and sometimes in my feet during the night. Sometimes the calves will spasm when I climb stairs during the day, but I immediately walk out the spasm. On bad nights, however, I have to get up every 10 minutes all night long to walk out the spasms. If I don't exercise, the spasms are infrequent, but the twitching is constant. With exercise, the spasms are chronic on a nightly basis. At night my lower back frequently tightens or spasms, and in my sleep I'll arch my back and tightly lock my legs in a stretch to counter the lower back spasm, and it will wake up in the process; this may, at times, contribute to the leg spasms, but it doesn't happen everytime. I'm still having moderate groin and hip pain since the lumber surgery, but benefits have far outweigh the discomfort, and the pain is slowly but surely diminishing. The twitching and spasms preceded the lumbar surgeries and have not abated since the surgeries.

I don't have MS and don't seem to fit the pattern for RLS. I've taken RLS meds, potassium, magnesium, quinine, heomeopatic remedies, etc. but nothing help. Flexeril 3x daily will help when spasms get bad, but the side effects are pretty intense, so I stopped exercising for the sake of trying to sleep at night.

I would appreciate any insight you may be able to provide regarding back problems and leg and foot muscle issues. Thank you.



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874521 tn?1424116797
HI again skeetel, I would also suggest that you go on the ASK A DOCTOR forum and see what they think may have happened.
Have you seen any doctors since that are willing to tell you the truth?
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1 Comments
No one wants to touch it and of course, I understand why because they don't want to get involved. I have seen several docs, but there will be one..one day that will give me answers about what happened to me. I thank you so much for you caring wishes and thoughtfulness.. :)
I've been doing some Yoga and do get up and move around. I'm blessed to be able to do that. :D  

I'm wear a back brace right now that seems to be helping, but taking strong medication as well---Fentanyl Patch for continuous pain and Norco for breakthrough pain. I want off of these meds because it has been 12 yrs of it. :/ I live in Arkansas, where Medical Marijuana has been legalized and thinking of going for it. I don't know much about it or if it will take my pain away. I've heard great things about it and with me having the nerve damage, it should help. :) I hope so!
Avatar universal
Hi, To all, I just joined the forums due to the fact that I am to my wits end. Let me start out with explaining a little of my back ground. Please bear with me if its a little long but i would appreciate some patience and maybe some kind of feed back please. So here goes:
1. Back in 1999, I had my daughter, immediately after I came home from the hospital i discovered while doing dishes, changing diapers, anything that ment bending over just the slightest was incredibly painful. i mean within 5 minutes, Well, i just ignored it and dealt with the pain. continued doing the everyday duties i had to and was in pain.
2. Mentioned to family doctor on and off of this odd back pain but the doctor doesnt really do much but puts me on darvocets and thats about all.
3. Since 1997 i have been a waitress and well, 2008 still a waitress. In 2003 I move down about an hour closer to my family but still with the same doctor who ends up retireing and a new doctor takes over. Well, by this time i have tried a chiropractor 3 times. 1st time it helped unbelievably, 2nd 2x's in complete pain not to mention by this time my back is completely locking up to the point of having to be picked up out of bed and off the couch and put in an upright standing position just to try and loosen up. Also, many episodes of siatic(spelled wrong, I know) pain, actually lost feeling one day and got out of the car and fell when i stepped.
4. Doc made an appt for an x-ray for my back and then was refered to the spine clinic. Well, That is when the disaster started has continue since. Met with the spine doc. He tells me as we look at the xray it is a simple vertebra out of place(his exact words) and with p.t. with go back into place. Well, i agree since i figure my faith is in his hand he knows what he is talking about and it will help and it will get better. Well, I drive for p.t. only to meet with them 2x a wk for nothing more than a waste of time for them to tell me how to pick up things, vaccume and so on and so forth, and never once touched me.
5. Well, here we are to the future and its a little over 2 years later and im and in a daily pain level of 8-9. cant find a new doc, mine is a jerk and wont perscribe me anything more then a few vicodin a month cause he says everyone gets additicted to them. now he sent me to see another spine doctor only because i called up to him and spoke with the nurse and she alerted me to something in med. files that i finally found out was alarming and was not told of. so here goes and was urgently sent for an mri. I was born with lumbar spondyleothesis now grade 2 almost 3, I have basicly no reflexes after the test was done on my left leg, no reflexes at my ankle and behind my knee, and a bit more reflexes on my right side. I have shooting pain down my leg on my left side that feels like someone is stabbing a knife out my shin bone just below my knee and my either feels numb, tingly or a dull pain, and i cant lean over the sink to look in the mirror or do dishes, or even lay out clothes on a bed for more than 5 minutes with my muscles in my legs twitching uncontrollably and unbelievable pain.
Now, mind you we looked at the same xrays from the original spine doc visit and you can clearly see the white lines down the sides of my spine where the pars....(cant remember the rest of the name) are broken and i even ask the new rejected spine doc(sorry my opinion of these docs are not high) told me. Now, I have developed a severe case( im assuming its rls/plmd), sometimes durning being awake but when im sleeping or start to rest I get major unconfortable feeling in my legs and occasionally in my arms, but when i do fall asleep terrible, terrible jerking, and twitching in my legs so bad ive kicked my boyfried and left bruses. i have experience the jerking awake and it was so bad with charleyhorses that i just cryed. Everyday my legs hurt and are so tight. at night i get the feeling and i either pound my legs on the floor, twist my ankles almost breaking them, or just pace the floor to no end. I barely sleep and if i do i wake to extreme anxiety attacks to trying to get more sleep but then i get the odd feeling in my arms.
    Please I need help, I nothing in my record to abusing pain meds nor and all honesty am i additicted to them but my doctors are jerks and not compationate at all and i need something stronger. I even told then since i do have to work and take care of my daughter and function without being a zombie, i would be happy with a level 3/4 pain, this way i dont over do it. But i just cant handle the level im at. any advice before i have a nervous breakdown or something....sorry soooooo long...

Thanks, Froggie
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2 Comments
Hello there Froggie.
I have the same issue and have been on strong pain meds for years and it still hasn't touched the spondylosis problem I have and every layer of my back is affected. I've been dx'd with DDD, Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, compressed fractures(C3-C4), herniations--in a row(T8-T11) and a ruptured protrusion(T8-T9) and something called an anal tear(L4-L5). I do have other issues I deal with that might have brought this on. Dx'd with Adrenal insufficiency in 'May '12 and Lyme disease in Nov '13. I did pull a tick off of me in '08 and that is when my world fell apart. It was a regular dog tick too. :/

I have been diagnosed as being disabled and do draw a check for disability. Grateful for that because I haven't driven, since '08. Disability started back in 2010 and I purchased me a good messaging bed that has truly helped me with my crazy leg and arm issue.

My legs never stop pulsating or throbbing. It feels like an electrical current running through them. I have done extensive research on this issue and it basically gives us the same response as nerve damage would. I have burned two motors out on my electrical bed, where I've used the message feature to run and trick my brain into thinking the vibrations were purposely done. I've been grateful for my bed because it has gotten me through some very hard times, but going on my third motor now. I've also taken Gabapentin for over 10 yrs and it only gives me partial relief from pain and not all. I still suffer with the horrific spasms and electrical current feeling. I know that you do as well. Gabapentin(Neurontin) and Lyrica have been found to affect the synopsis in our brain. We don't need another problem added, especially if there is an answer for relief of this issue.

The only thing that I believe will help us is to use medical marijuana. I know the stigmatism attached to it, but it has been proven to be effective for those dealing seizures and extensive nerve damage. I have severe nerve damage, due to being struck by a nerve block back in Dec '06. My hands/feet were immediately made numb and stayed that way for years, after being hit by what is called a 'wet tap'. I just now started to feel my sheets in the bed and the first night I did, I felt like they were coming alive again. They were, but uncovered the spondylosis problem that was numbed by the injury. That is when my legs began to pulsate and throb uncontrollably. Horrible torture!!

Medical Marijuana may be very controversial, but it has been proven effective in relieving any issue that deals with nerve injuries. One night, after contorting all over my bed and finding no relief, I took one puff and it was gone!!! :o I couldn't believe it!
We deserve relief from what we go through and shouldn't worry about the stigmatism placed on it because it was wrong.

I've been blessed living in a legalized state and pray that you have too. I suppose to get my Medical Marijuana card in a couple of weeks and so looking forward to not suffering from it anymore. I hope that you can find the same relief. God Bless and hope this finds you finally getting relief. :)
Just thought that I would mention one more thing that is a problem--- inflammation. IT is our enemy and we need to eat a healthy diet...one that is FREE of junk food!! Eat whole food, fruits and veggies. And...make sure to take Turmeric with Pepper. You can find it in a supplement together. I take it 3x's a day and it really has helped with my issue too. :)

Drink plenty of water! Important.
I've also found essential oils to be a true blessing and have even become a distributor for a big name company. I truly believe they have helped me on this nightmarish journey...to health. :o
454186 tn?1388974968
hi,deep and intensive acupuncture can help,as it good at relieving inflammation of soft tissue around lower back area, so inflammation stimulation was reason..
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Avatar universal
I have these identical symptoms. Constant pain in my lower back. Central canal stenosis L4 L5 formidable stenosis on the left and right. I have constant twitching in my calves and up my spine I do have some neck issues but nothing that surgery would address. I'm exhausted from the twitching and pain it does get worse when I walk. All they laying down is the worst any answers to your issues yet
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Avatar universal
I've been reading yours and the others postings and unfortunately I can relate to you all so well =(  I had a triple fusion in 2010, (L4-S1), and over the past few months have developed muscle spasms on the bottoms of my feet and the back of my thighs.  Happens when I walk, sit, lay down etc., no special time.  When they spasm the bottoms of my feet and toes then go numb or have that pins and needle feeling which lasts for hours.  Over the past couple weeks I've started getting severe muscle spasms down the back of my thighs that radiate onto the sides of my lower legs then into both feet.  Last nights was a winner.....damn thing lasted over 35 minutes.  I couldn't find a position to stand, sit etc., to relieve it and my family was ready to call 911 as I was trying to walk it away while screaming and holding onto furniture so I wouldn't fall.  I've never had pain from a spasm that severe and all I was trying to do was get into bed when it happened.  Today I have moderate pain down the back of my thigh and it does feel like another spasm is getting ready to strike again at a moments notice.

My last MRI, (Oct 2011), showed "moderate to severe fibrosis" in my L5 nerve root, "moderate fibrosis" in my S1 nerve root and I'm sure this contributing to these spasms.  I take 250mg Soma on a regular basis but recently it's like taking a water pill.  I'm calling my doc tomorrow to see if moving up to 350 mg can help.  Last night was night #4 with only 2-3 hrs of sleep and I'm exhausted.  I'm used to a certain amount of pain 24/7 and do take heavy pain meds to control it but these spasms have to go.  I'm willing to try anything now, there has got to be some sort of P/T or the like I can do to help relieve this...
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Avatar universal
sounds like severe nerve damage, I know as I have the same thing due to spinal surgery, the doctor put one of the screws into my spine, then I had to have a  second surgery to take it out and put it back right, but he did a lot of damage to my spine,  I ended up with Arachnoiditis AND cauda equina syndrome, if only I could relive that day, I would have never had the surgery to begin with, I am now 1000 x's worse than before, and it has been 6 years.  
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Avatar universal
My fiance was in a car accident back in march...if it wasnt for a light post he probably longer would not be alive..lucky he had minor bruses abd a couple scrapes on him..but after awhile his legs started twitching..to the point where it looked as if he was just shaking his leg himself..and at first thats what I thought he was doing until I felt it myself..could he have some nerve damange and not know it?
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Avatar universal
Here's my story I am 46yrs old female,I had a baby 4yrs ago at 42yrs old. I had a scheduled c-section. The anesthesiologist gave me the epidural-everything went fine,they take baby roll me to recovery and then it happens.I am numb from the waist down,couldn't feel any legs or feet. Then all of a sudden my right foot started going side to side it totally freak me out cause I wasn't doing it. It even startled the nurse she said she never saw that happen before(comforting hu?) my husband was trying to calm me down so they paged the anesthesilogist-here comes someone else cause mine was busy at the moment and this jerk was so uncaring and said: "oh,it's doing that cause you're thinking about it"....HELL NO, I was not thinking about this damn foot or leg. He was really making my nerves worst,at this point - my legs are covered w/the blanket cause it was making me crazy and you can see the sheet going back and forth... Well, thank godness the orginal anethesilogist came in and put the other guy out....then my left foot started the same motion- they end up giving me a muscle relaxant and it help stop going side to side- until it wore off and in the middle of the night started up again.  I had NO feeling in either leg for over  24hrs after I had the baby. Eventually, I got feeling(slowly) But I noticed after that week -I started and still have tingling in my arm at night...I haven't been to a doctor I just live with the pain and shake it off but I KNOW it wasn't til I had that epidural this all began. This week the tingling in my arms in aggrevating which is why I started looking up this topic. What kind of doctor do I go to for this problem?
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1 Comments
Hello hurtin123.  
Sounds like when they did the Epidural, they hit your spinal cord. I had one done and it went down my leg too, but didn't get the numbness.
Now, I had a nerve block and they hit my spine. It is called a "wet tap" and to this day, my hands and feet are numb. :/
It never has gone completely away, but nerves do grow back ...at 1mm a year. It will take a while, but believe eventually you will get the feeling back. :)
Prayers for you... ^_^
Avatar universal
Hi, I was just reading your posts, especially the original one. I had guillain barre syndrome about six years ago, and my legs started twitching about 2 years later. I did some extensive research about this- mainly to make sure it wasn't something else really serious. I stumbled upon something called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome- which is what sounds like most of you have- it is related to nerve damage. There is also a variant of it that causes chronic cramping. So they treat it with blood pressure medication, and they aren't sure why it works, but it does for me. I usually have to be careful with it because I can easily end up with too low blood pressure, so I only take it when the twitching gets bad. I thought I'd put it out there for you all.
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Avatar universal
*UPDATE*

I will be having a Decompression Lumbar Laminectomy on the 25th.  I am scared, but this is my only hope at having some relief.  I will let y'all know how it goes.  I am scared.
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1 Comments
Hello! I've read and took screenshots of all of your posts for my mom, she has nearly identical symptoms. She is getting spinal shots and is on neurotin as well. Did you find relief? I see it's been years but had to reach out to ask. For you and for my mom! Thanks so much.
T
Avatar universal
I am sorry/glad to see others have the same problem with feet twitching/cramping at night.  It keeps me up for hours (like to night).  Pain meds help, muscle relaxers sometimes but not always help.  Clonazepam aka Klonopin oral disintigrating tabs work the best.  With 10 minutes they stop.
I broke my neck, C6specifically , and had to have c4 to c5 to c6 fusion with discetomy between c4/c5 and c5/c6 replaced with donar bone since mine was pretty much gone.  C6 was nice enough to have pinched/poked my spinal cord enough to cause these foot twitching and cramps, plus tingling in my fingers and toes for, from what doctors gather the rest of my life.

I would love to find a home remedy to stop this.  

Bananas before bedtime do help, but to many backup the plumbing.

Cheating and a shot of vodka helps, or make me just not care about them, but when they start I am willing to try anything to make it stop.  I can't sleep once it starts.
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Avatar universal
*UPDATE*

The Amitryptaline stopped working in the Spring and it made me gain a ton of weight.  My doctor switched me to 60 mg of Neurontin, which controls the localized lower back pain, but does not really help with the sciatica.  I had my second round of bilateral epidurals 2 weeks ago.  I have yet to see improvement.  The first round lasted for 2 months.  That was it.  I am beyond frustrated.  I am ready to tell my orthopedic spine specialist that I am going to a neurosurgeon.  I want to fix the problem, and not mask it with drugs and epidurals.  The procedure in which you get an epidural was extremely painful and very very uncomfortable.  I love how people on other sites make it out to not be a big deal.  I cannot stand the thought of going through this procedure every few months for the rest of my life.  I feel like I was robbed of my 20s (I'm 26).  I will be damned if I am robbed of my 30s too.  Do y'all recommend going to a neurosurgeon?  I have tried everything.  I did the whole "conservative treatment" for a while now.  I cannot stand this pain.  Most of my life is spent lying in bed because it hurts to stand/sit/walk.  It still hurts lying down, but the pain is lessened when I do lie down.  My next dr. appt. is in December.  I will keep y'all updated.
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Avatar universal
I had L/3 L4 L5/s1 fusion a year and a half ago and I'm pain-free in the back now but have the leg twitching and body jolting problem.  The last time I asked about it I was told it wasn't going to go away (it started before the surgery).  When I touch my left leg on the outside (by the hip), I feel ripples up my spine (which is downright creepy but bearable), and I'm starting to think I might have a touch of caudal equine syndrome (where you don't feel sensations "down there") - for me it's hard to determine when I need to have a BM....I feel a funny sort of tingling in my groin in general and it's taken me a long time to figure out that's a sign to go to the bathroom.  It's hard to know because my BM's were so messed up being on all the previous pain meds. I also think I'm not sexually aroused as well as before (but this might be due to being on an SSRI)....but anyways....it's a year and a half out, I was turned down for disability too but am doing pretty well now.  I'm not on any pain meds. I lost all the weight I gained when I was couch-bound and reading your story about not being able to lay clothes out on the bed brought back some memories (not good ones).....I also had a 1 year old when the severe pain started and it really hampered my ability to care for him.  
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1242937 tn?1268388285
Hi there,
I to have been suffering with similair complaints ,.I have a badly missaligned spine ..
Have had shooting pains regular ..I,m now having power assisted micro -manipulation..Its somethin new and is very good ..I have had 3 treatments up to know and I can walk properly again the pains are going .. please google it and try it ..Love to you all ..Brenda..
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Avatar universal
***UPDATE***

Well, Its Rather funny...Back on Nov. 2008, There was a post, Rather long post made by Queenfroggee1, looking for some advice. Well, I found this message board looking for some advice on my problem and I hope someone helps me out. Well, as I read that other post it occurs to me...That was me way back then. How funny is that. Well, so here is my update. Well, I found a new primary Dr. down here in Lake Geneva closer to where im living now, actually only since Nov. of 09. Its been a year as of Feb that I have been unable to work due to my back.
      
   Well, I found a nurse that saw my MRI results from Sept. 08, yes no new scans or xrays....My regular dr. who i have recently fired for lack for care and other things associated with lack of time spent on his each of his patient. He kept telling me he couldnt get me into see the surgeon any earlier because of my insurance(being that it is state insurance) yet this nurse called the same surgeon and got me an appt. 2 wks after i went in for pain and saw her. Nearly a full 2 months before his set appt for me.
      So I went in and seen the surgeon in Nov of 09, He came into the room after looking at the only MRI film i had ever gotten done, he looked at the results from my nerve test, and the report from the 2nd spine doctor and the first thing and pretty the only thing he said was, Since what I have read and looked at, the only conclusion i can come up with is that since you were born with these conditions, and have tried several things...its gonna be surgery. I said wow. Finally, Im thinking someone is actually doing something for me.

So on January 19th, 2010. I had L4-5 fusion with a PLIF procedure. Except and this is the scary part. The surgeon told my fiancee that he was taken back for a minute when he opened up my back, my spine was so compressed, he said it looked like someone took a vice grip to it. He couldnt believe how i managed to function and get around like i was all this time. He ended up adding 4 spacers and I had not just 1 pinched nerve I had ****6**** severly pinched nerves...

So now, Ive applyed and been denied ssi/ssdi bennifits, but i have since then reapplied and am waiting to hear back. my recovery is a year. But the reason i came on here is I too get those ghost pains...No fun...
***But, I need help....Ive been getting these severe and painful massive jolts/spasms. They start like on one side of my body and then they work there way up and around and down the other side. Its like they when you think your gonna fall out of bed and you try to catch yourself. But this is hard and it hurts something fierce. and then sometimes is my hole body like someone shook my whole body all at once. Im hoping someone understands cause its really hard to explain. Also, my legs, lower back(by the insicion) and butt check almost feels like a numb not my own body feeling. like i know im touching it but all i feel is pressure sometimes not nessicarily the actual touch. and then sometimes its just pain and pins and needles. And ofcourse i still have the severe rls.
***Now my question is...I know i still under 30 days post-op and I know that Im gonna have new feelings for awhile or lack of feeling for awhile. And I know that i had an extreme amount of damage due to the shape of my spine and how long it was damage for, but are these normal for the time frame...Whatcha think?? Please anyone

Tis Me Froggee....(Kelly)
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Avatar universal
*UPDATE*

I wanted to tell you all that I am currently on 20 mg of Amitriptyline.  I am no longer having convulsions and my lower back pain is greatly relieved.  I do still have the numbness and shooting pains in my legs, but overall, I have had a lot of success.  I have been on this amazing drug for about 3 months and I love it.  It took a couple of weeks to work, but it was worth the wait.  Apparently the drug blocks the pain pathway.  The only noticeable side effect that I have experienced is some hair loss.  I am not balding by any means.  I am just "shedding" a little more than usual.  My hair does not look thinner, so I can live with this.  I highly recommend this drug to anyone with chronic pain.

I hope all of y'all are doing well.  Y'all are in my prayers.  Take care.
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Avatar universal
I just read all the posts and must say that my symptoms are nothing compared to what you are all going thru.  I really feel sorry for you and hope you find some relief.  However I thought in the interest of all readers I would share my stuff too in case it's useful to someone.

I have had very mild muscle twitching in my right calf for I think 10 or 15 years, barely there, but if you watched it for a while, it would look like I had some small rodents hiding in there moving around.  No biggie. I've been fairly active, mostly hardcore mountain biking.  Then last year after the last day of snowboarding, I woke up in the middle of the night with my left calf (which is the back leg on my board) fully cramped up which i walked out, rubbed, stretched etc and it was painful for a couple of days and started twitching.  Then it happened again.  I started stretching my calf regularly and the cramps stopped but I get them every now and then at night and sometimes it wants to cramp as I run upstairs.  But the twitching has been constant ever since and lately the twitches are strong enough that they make my foot move.  My calves feel crampy all the time and a bit tender when I rub them and feel like they can cramp without notice.  But I was able to mtn bike all last summer to the smae level althought there were a couple of days when my calves would cramp, usually in the middle of a jump where I would spring off both legs (and they would both cramp in mid air!)  Along with all this I have had back pain for a few years which I assumed got worse from laying hardwood, tiling , moving large boulders by hand, all the stupid stuff I do at home. So went to the doc as my wife says I'm starting to walk around like an old man (I'm 50 by the way), stooped over because standing up straight would cause a sharp pain in my lower back.  So bent over activities like biking seem to be ok. Had an MRI and they concluded I had moderate to severe spinal stenosis and that I had a syrinx from about the mid back to the lumbar, but very thin.  They supposed that the stenosis may be the problem but also said that it could be that I'm just twitchy for no reason.  This is because I sometimes have twitches elswhere like my shoulder, bicep, eyelid, just random it seems.  A couple of years ago my left bicep had a regular twitch which was constant day and night for about 3 months.  But the left calf seems certainly due to snowboarding, or perhaps some underlying predisposition to twitching was inititaed by it, who knows.  But my sister also has had twitching, but not at all to my extent.  She also is not as physical as I am.  Also should note that when I am doing work (renos) on my knees for a long time, I am more likely to get the cramps that night.  Thats not my job, tho seems like it sometimes.  I'm a desk jockey during the day staring at a computer.

So theres my story, no surgeries or accidents like most of you, but still got twitching and cramps and still have back pain, still doing my ab workout which does seem to help, but now the twitches seem stronger than ever.  Electrolyes are fine, eat well, drink lots.  But after reading Skeetals note have decided not to do back surgery, try the core strengthening first.  Like really try for a year or more.  Things seemed better for the first 3 months of the ab workout, doing twice a day religeously, then life got in the way and now I think its a bit worse.  Doing bent over hard work is definetly not helping and the renos are almost over.  I'll let you know in time if my renewed ab thing works out.  btw, had a friend who did do surgery and it did not make that big of a difference to him and he did not stick to any core strengthening routine, thinking the sugery would fix it.  Not!

Good luck to all of you.
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874521 tn?1424116797
Hi Nola...I wish we could help one another out alot more, our info is pretty darn limited..
I wanted to mention abt the neurontin..most of those side effects will wear down in a few weeks so be patient...
As far as the narcotics..I am on a fairly low dose of oxycontin, and it does help with the back pain,,,as far as inhibiting mentally, there is some fuzziness/forgetfulness/lightheadedness....but quite minor really, and no I don't think mentally I'm any different, just maybe you'd call it slower reactions???
It would be worth a try if you're pain is limiting you're life!!
Just make sure and see a Pain Management Physician (PMP) who can prescribe and monitor the use of these meds for you correctly.

SKEETEL
My God girl...You need to see a good lawyer/doctor combo(apparently there are some)..what that doctor has done to you is inexcusable ....how can they talk and play music when they are dealing with our bodies and in an area that could effect our whole lives???....I am so sorry for your problems and how unnecessary too.
All I can say is its my opinion that this doctor...has seriously injured a nerve in your spine...read up on ESI's and what complictions are possible.

I suggest both of you join the PAIN MANAGEMENT forum....there are many posters there in similar pain and they have sure helped me with many questions...

God bless you both
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1 Comments
Thank you Opus88. It has been a long battle for years to rebuild those nerves that were affected, but I didn't have any recourse against that doc. Even though he did deserve it. >:o
My attorney said that I only had two months left to do something and didn't have enough time. I was so ill at that time, dealing with all of the rest of the stuff I had going on..at bottom of comment. :/

They say a nerve regenerates 1mm a year and that isn't much. I was hit in 2006 and for years couldn't feel in my hands or feet. Now in 2015, I finally felt the sheet in my bed. They felt so good...cold and crisp. I LOVED IT!!

I'm getting better because of using essential oils. I only use Young Living because I trust them and they've changed my life. They've been around over 20 yrs and fantastic!! :)

I've been dx'd with Lyme disease since, Adrenal insufficiency, Hyperthyroidism and every layer of my back is affected, but I'm up and living my life now. We only have one life and have to make the best of what we've got. I do feel blessed because I can get up and walk and I'm happy because I want to be. I try to keep a positive attitude and keep going. God Bless you and all who are suffering!! ^_^
667923 tn?1421462724
Hello, I just read all the posts and have some things in commen..the excruciating burning back pain. I was told that I had DDD and arthitis in my L4-L5..It can be so miserable. You can't do anything..but lean against something to get some ease. Temporarily..unfortunately. I had ACD & F Spinal Fusion '06 and 3 ESI's in which were a mistake..bc the first two helped and I was so happy I hugged the doc and told him that I loved him, but the third one tore all of that down..I was lying there w/my face in little hole and they had music blairing in the background and the doc was talking to someone that apparently was helping him that he was taking a trip to LA and he hit something that made my whole body jump. I raised my head and asked what..what what was that? He told me to put my head back down and he studdered and answered with FRICTION. He told me to immmediately sit up and got in my face and asked if I had heavy breathing or was my ears ringing. I just told him that my hands and my feet were numb. They kept me for an hour under deep surveilance..I mean that they paced in front of my door and I had a heart monitor and blood pressure every 5 min. I truly believe they messed me up bad and I would like to know just what happened ...I am still numb in both hands and feet. It is only getting worse since now I have pain everywhere in my body. Actually that is when all the back pain started..HMMM? Of course, they cover their hides with the statute of limitations..conveinient..It is just not fair that they can destroy a persons life so quickly and I worked professional as a Vocalist in Nashville...not anymore. I can't play my guitar. My whole world has been turned upside down. What am I gonna do? Does anyone know. I have the leg pains, especially under my knees...oh...it is terrible. I can't stand for over 5-10 min.my back feels like it is on fire. I run...or should I say limp to the bed to lay down. I stay in the bed a lot..since my pain is still in my neck too. I feel like I am falling apart or should I say have fell apart. Well, I sure hope u get ur symptoms under control. If anyone knows what is going on w/me..I would appreciate it..oh..I do have those leg and arm rls symptoms ...so creepy and you have to stretch all the time..I sure hope u feel better and I will say a prayer 4 u guys...Take care and always GOD BLESS    visit my website that I am just now working on,but it has a lot to say @ docs that leave u hanginng and ur life tooooo    http://skeetelmore65.blogspot.com/
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Avatar universal
Dear opus88,

I'm reluctant to take narcotics only because I'm a teacher and I need to be on my A game.  Do you find that these drugs inhibit you mentally at all?  Opus88, thank you so much for your suggestions.  You are really very helpful!  Take care!  
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Avatar universal
some times when you are on a muscle relaxer for a long period of time it can cause twitting.  I had the same thing i was on flexarill for years and out of the blue i had twittes my pain managment doctor changed my muscle relavxer to soma and two days later the twittes are gone  i hope this helps you
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874521 tn?1424116797
HI again, I am so sorry for all your pain, I can hear the agony ur in.
Have you tried narcotics? My pain was never as severe as yours sounds but never the less were very limiting in what I was able to do. I've been on oxycontin for 6 months now and it does help the back pain and mobility, however I find it doesn't help at all with the leg/thigh pain.
I've also read on the pain forum where TENS machines can do wonders for some people and back pain, have you looked into that?
I'm glad epidural is no longer an option for your sake, and I sure hope surgery is a last resort also.
keep fighting
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Avatar universal
Thank you, both, for your advice.  Since my insurance won't cover the epidural, it is no longer an option.  I guess some things work out for the best.  I am still, however, in a world of pain.  My insurance also wouldn't cover Cymbalta, so after weening myself off of that, I am on Neurontin.  The side effects are intense, but I know I can get through this in a few weeks.  I am so frustrated.  My doctor wants so badly for my pain to go away, but the insurance company could care less.  Surgery seems to be the only remaining option.  Physical therapy did not work and meds don't seem to help with the pain.  The jerking and pain down the back of my legs have improved with the Neurontin, but the severe pain in my lower back won't cease.  I don't mean to use this site to complain.  I just want a solution to this problem.  Is surgery my only hope?  Ironically my father is a retired surgeon and advises against me having surgery, but I feel like I am running out of options.

Jrussbag,
I used to be a ballet dancer (before the back pain) and I am not a stranger to muscular twitching and pain in my legs.  What seemed to help me was using a heating pad before activity and stretching the muscle.  After activity, ice helped.  The heating pad loosens up your muscles and gets you ready for action.  The ice relieved the pain after activity.  I don't know how helpful this advice is to you, but I would try using a heating pad first.

Take care, everyone.
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Avatar universal
Katie- from my experience (and great spinal specialist) i have chosen not to take any meds and espec not epidurals, as they are temporary and perpetual. I saw 3 spinal specialists, REAL Dr's dont advise you towards an epidural unless it is your last option...think about it- its a needle to your spine, that has temporary effect!
I have DDD and minor herniation on several lower discs. I ruptured a disk about 3yrs ago. It was explained to me that it was actually good since it acted as a pimple would. (when it pops, it relieves pressure internally) With the rupture however, it put pressure on a nerve, caused my calf to weaken (to a limp), thus, a discectomy 4days later to relieve the disc fragment pushing on the nerve..
I suffered mild nerve damage in my calf that causes perpetual fasciculations, especially at night.... which brought me to this thread!
I apprec any advice but i would offer this to all..... it seems the more i utilize the calf and STRETCH regularly the better it is. I know our schedules dont coordinate properly but it helps and it makes sense. Its almost as if my calf is telling me it needs attention. As with any muscular issues in the body, stretching can only help. Try to lean towards exercise bikes and elipticals over running, as running is not good for joints/back. I realized this after my wife convinced me to run NYC marathon! Best of luck, i hope this helps.
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