Well...

I would have asked this in the neurology forum, but I'm new, so I probably missed the place to start a new question.
So... background info: 24-year-old female, very healthy (except for nerves).
Last friday I was reading and I noticed that my eyeballs twiched upwards. Twice. In the space of 5-10 minutes. I think I've had this a few other times in the past few weeks, but it's very sporadic and it only happens once or twice. I have pretty good vision and no other symptoms, so I used to think it was tiredness.
But this last friday I took notice of it, and it scared me. I decided to google it and described it like an "involuntary movement of the eye". I think everyone can guess what results I got. I got hysterical and freaked out, thinking I had a serious brain disease or MS.
I finally contacted a 24-hour-medical advice service and spoke to a nurse. Upon describing my symptoms he said it was probably nothing but that I should make an appointment to my doctor to check it out anyway.
I spent a terrible weekend, sleeping poorly, at least one panic attack and started feeling a bit lightheaded and tired (possibly all nerves) and imagining my eyeballs twiching at random intervalls.
Monday saw my family doctor; I was a wreck and even cried. When I explained the symptoms and told him I'd spent the last 6 or 7 weeks basically at home, watching TV, on the computer or reading, he said it was simply my opic nerve that was tired. I asked if it could be nystagmus and he said no.
Today I entered one of those places that sell glasses and where eye technicians give free consultations (sorry I don't know the proper terms; not english) and asked the eye technician about my symptoms too. She also thought it was just tired eyes/nerves.
Still, I feel twiches (real or imaginary). It used to be just once in a blue moon and now, it seems, it's most of the time. Am I simply too tuned to my eye movements and that is why I feel this? Or should I seek another opinion? Am I a hyphocondriac?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to be checked out.  You could have some sort of nystagmus due to multiple factors including fatigue, medication side effects, herbal supplement side effects, extreme nervousness, or several medical conditions.  Hopefully everything will be just fine.  You just need to see the ophthalmologist to have things checked out.  In the meantime try to avoid stimulants, caffeine etc, or any medications or drugs that  might make you nervous or tired.  Good Luck - get it checked out right away.

Michael Kutryb, MD