"Itchy" nerves & muscles- limb flicking/contorting

Hello,
At times I get a sensation in my limbs (mostly right side arm & leg) that feels like the nerves are itchy and if I don't stretch the muscles to their absolute potential, then the sensation doesn't stop. I have to to several reps of flexing, stretching, hand clenching in these episodes. It looks like I am having a seizure because I have to jerk my muscles so violently! Some times I have to flex against the normal position- like twist my arm behind me or bend my fingers backwards.

This is actually the first of a list of symptoms that are new from last summer, all my other issues are several years old. I think something changed last summer in my health issues, but that's another story.

If I resist the flexing/stretching then my limbs painfully freeze up and I get a tingling in my brain- maybe that part is irritation. I have found that .25mg of valium and extra baclofen helps shorten the attacks. These attacks occur mostly after heat exposure, from sleep deprivation, or randomly in the evenings.

I haven't read much on this type of nerve-muscle issue, unless it's another form of spacticity? I have had testing for other CNS diseases- all negative. X-ray of spine shows healthy discs. No metal poisonings that I know of. My concern is that my brain stem issues are on the left side, my symptoms are on the right side. But anatomically this might not make sense for motor function.

I am going in for  a myo release massage next week to see if that helps in some way.

Thanks for any input. And if I have already posted this type of question here I apologize, My memory is a bit patchy these days.

[kelly97]

That sounds interesting and frustrating.  I'm not sure. I guess it could all be muscle/nerver related.  With MS type of symptoms, they can run across the board sometimes.

[supermum_ms]

Hey there, your description actually reminded me of what my brother told me happens with 'restless leg syndrome' (feeling a weird to describe sensation and then need to move the limb in order to relieve the sensation) though i honestly dont know anything but I found this that you might like to read.

"People with restless legs syndrome have uncomfortable sensations in their legs (and sometimes arms or other parts of the body) and an irresistible urge to move their legs to relieve the sensations. The sensations are difficult to describe: they are an uncomfortable, "itchy," "pins and needles," or "creepy crawly" feeling in the legs."

http://www.webmd.com/brain/restless-legs-syndrome/restless-legs-syndrome-rls

cheers.........JJ

[eham05]

Thanks for the answers!
I have been looking into RLS but I can;t find info on it for upper limbs...

I do have several motor twitch type issues from my head down so this may be another issue. It is quite horrific- could be used at torture I'd think!

For some odd reason- my neck muscles now do this as well... Should I be concerned more than usual? Neck twitches and head flicking seems a tad serious.

[Sierra28]

Yes! I get something very similar in my arms. For me it's like an intense current that just builds and builds until I flex -- or in most cases, shake my arms like a crazy person.

[supermum_ms]

Hmmm if your saying that parts of your body are doing the violent jerking motor twitches and you have zero control over what is happening, then that is totally different than you actually creating the violent muscle jerking to relieve the horrid sensation, the first being outside your control (to you) and the second is within your control (by you).

Other ideas you might want to look into, if it is the first are things like adult onset Torretts Syndome, myoclonus etc.

Cheers..........JJ

[eham05]

How often do you get it and do you notice if it is in certain pattern (lasts specific amts of time, body location)? I have only talked to a few others who have this issue- it seems so rare and I am having the worst time describing it to my docs, since they seem to have never head of it either. I can't tell if it is lactic acid issues in the muscle or over active nerves. What so you think- what does your feel like? I'd love your input.

Supermum_ms:

Thanks for input! I was tired when I wrote my added comment- I meant to say my neck twitches are also at my command- they're not involuntary. I also get issues with my spine needing to have a cold chill then it relaxes. What concerns me is that my suspected issues are at a brain stem level... I need to do some research. Hopefully my massage today will at least relax some tightness. Hopefully.

Have a good day guys!

[Sierra28]

Up until a year ago I would have episodes every couple months or so. It nearly always happened in the evening around bedtime and would last anywhere from 5-15 minutes. I thought it might be diet or something too, but it seemed to happen regardless of what I ate or how much exercise I got the day.

Usually I would be sitting or lying still, then I would get a feeling like a building electrical current in my arms. It would get more and more intense until I would  get up and walk around and shake my arms really hard. Then it would start all over again. I would occasionally get it in my legs, where I'd have to get up and walk and do stretches with my legs or shake them. The shaking actually never really relieved the problem so much as it served as a distraction until the whole episode would pass and I'd fall asleep exhausted.

My dad, who also has neuro issues (FM and chronic pain) would also get something similar, which is the only the thing that kept me from thinking I was completely crazy! His docs never could help him either.

When all the rest of my neuro sx started a year ago, other more complex issues took over and I "stopped" having the episodes. I don't know if they actually went away or if they were just masked by the other stuff going on! When I mentioned them to my neuro he just nodded and jotted something in his notes.

I don't know. Does this sound similar to what you experience? I get myoclonus-like jerks now too, but that's totally involuntary and much different.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[eham05]

Yes, that is exactly like my issue. The sensation for me lasts a little bit longer, but I know what you mean- maybe not so much that it helps to relieve the sensation to stretch, but more of a distraction. Well, at least I am not nuts!

Thanks for the input- if I find out any info about I'll let you know!
Take Care :)

[supermum_ms]

I've got to say your a bid of a conundrum to me, I think your saying that the problem is an 'abnormal sensory issue' and all the rest (violent jerks, muscle ticks, seizure like etc) is because you are doing that to your self (voluntary) to try to relieve the sensation.  

Sorry i think i've probably misdirected you because ive interjected my own experience of 'involuntary' movements, um oops! I'd definitely stop doing what your doing because its not really going to do anything, well apart from distracting you and anyone else in the room ;o) and you could potentially cause your self other problems because of your (violent) action.

If its skin deep or muscle twitching most of us are aware but basically try to ignore it, distraction techniques help, massage etc for the most part there isn't much that can be done with parasthesia. If its nerve deep, like what happens with neuropathy, restless leg etc from what i understand, treatments seems to be a combination of meds that include SSRI's, anti-psychotics etc behavioral modification techniques (distraction) because of the nature of it being a neurological issue. My brother has peripheral neuropathy and thats basically the only avenue he's been able to get, for the abnormal nerve issues it causes him.  

I can only understand on some level, i at times get a feeling in my left arm that i have banged my funny bone but i haven't and this feeling can last for days on end, which isn't what happens with funny bone banging lol the last thing i'd want to do is flap it about or even touch it (i'd rather cut it off :o) kidding!) i'm from the camp that ignores and distracts all the secondary issues as much as possible, simply because my primary issues need the attention lol though i still do my best at ignoring those too.

Cheers...........JJ      

[Francyna]

Hi I have symptoms like all the above ,  jerking, twitching , the need to constantly stretch. It's really annoying. I also have RLS. Not to mention my joints ache regularly. Monday I'm going for testing for my heart. A tee-esophocis cardio gram.( I hope I spelled that right )

I'm a bit nervous okay a lot nervous. My mother thinks it's MS related. Probably not. I don't know what to think.

Since I've been  taking Avonex I haven't  had a relapse. It's been about 6 months. I was taking Copaxone for two years prior. I don't miss daily injections.
Well I wish all my fellow MS folks  plenty of healthy energy and peaceful rest.....
               Franyna

[eham05]

Thanks for your input,

This isn't something you can just ignore, trust me- I am forced to ignore a lot of my issues as I am undiagnosed and untreated at this time for neuro issues plus severe TN and rheumatic issues. It is wickedly painful to resist stretching, and just to clarify I'm not running around flailing my arms- more like quick jerking them. I appreciate your input, but I feel like you talked down to me in regards to "being from the camp that ignores secondary issues." I stated that I HAVE to stretch and move to prevent pain build up. And thank you for calling me a conundrum- as if I don't get enough of that from my doctors...

[eham05]

How long do your episodes last? Do you find your joints ache more right before it happens?

Praying all goes well with your heart testing!

[supermum_ms]

Hi and good morning :o)

I assure you, I did not in anyway intend or think or imply that I was "putting you down" I honestly don't know how you interpreted that, I though I was being supportive and friendly, with zero intention of putting you down or offending you in ANY way! :(

Cheers

PS if you would like to PM me to explain what I did wrong, i'd appreciate it :o)