Can anyone explain Fasciculations and significance in MS

[sharoncoen]

Hi There all. I was diagnosed almot 5 months ago with RRMS. Since inital onset I have had visable twitching under the skin at the lower aspect of my left ankle. I saw my GP about this previously and he treated me with MIRAPEXIN assuming I had restless leg syndrome. I re visited him again today and physically showed him the visable twitching and he callled them fasciculations and seemed very concerned - particularily as this has been an ongoing symtpom. He has prescribed me rivotril and its knocking me out and not helping..... Does anyone one else suffer from this and how do you treat them? Should I be concerned?

Thanks for all comments and suggestions

Sharon

[ShadowsSister]

Hi there, Yes, I have had this for many years, the only thing I have been given is many different Medications for spasms, I have tied just about every thing on the drug list for spasms, Right now I am on 12 mg's of Zanaflex, it doesn't help too much, but it is better than nothing.
I am sorry that this is such a bothersome for you, when it gets really bad, it drives me nuts..
Hugs filled with love coming to you on the wind... {{{{{{{~!~}}}}}

[Wobbly]

Hi Sharon.. yes they are common from what I hear... do they hurt? Rivotril would make you tired... I take clonazapam in the evenings...not for twitches... but to help me sleep and it's pretty well the same med..

maybe it's supposed to calm you twitching?  if it doesn't hurt, and the meds dont help..let your Dr know and see if you need some other type of med for these?

take care
wobbly
dx

[GeeWhillikers]

Hi, and Welcome to the forum.  Yes, localized fasciculations are common in muscles affected by MS.  However, they are not particularly worrisome, meaning they don't indicate anything bad.  They just mean that the nerves going to that muscle are damaged and the muscle is irritable.  Fasciculations are NOT dangerous, merely an annoyance.

The Rivotril, also known as clonazepam, is a potent sedative.  It is related to Valium, but has a longer action.  Is it helping with the fasciculations?

To some extent you will develop a tolerance for the Rivotril.  This means that it won't make you so zonked after a while.  However, if the twitches are not interfering with your life, I see no reason to try to treat them.  It is very difficult to stop them, and the sedation may not be worth it.    Now, you should not take medical advice online, so you should discuss this with your neurologist.  I am a physician and also frequently have fasciculations here or there, but I am able to ignore them.

Gee aka Quix, MD