Another Question

[Christina123]

I am the 33 year old woman with the constant muscle "twitch" under my right foot (posted last month a question regarding missing abdominal reflex).  I also have a constant muscle "twitch" in my right elbow.  Two normal MRI's so far.  1 was 4 years ago and the other was 3 years ago.  My 2nd neuro wants one more (1st Neuro moved away) but am waiting until I am done breastfeeding for this test since he wants to use contrast for brain MRI.  My question is what is the difference between a benign twitch and  myoclonus (which is a symptom of MS?)?  My twitches are constant and sometimes one strong pull and sometimes multiple fast pulls.  I'm scared this is myoclonus and not BFS which is what 1st neuro said I have.  Is myoclonus a common 1st symptom or even a symptom of MS?  I found this info on the website http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/myoclonus.html.  Thanks for your help as I am really scared and stressed out.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Myoclonus is a very fast muscle twitch (less then 400 milliseconds) which can be repetitive. A muslce twitch is usually slower. Myoclonus would not be a typical presentation for MS. Certainly repeating the MRI scan would be the best way to evaluate you for MS. I hope these brief definitions help. Good luck.

[suzanne L.]

I am glad you are getting your questions answered. I have had similar symptoms and am going for a brain MRI today.

Sounds like you may have benign fasciculations. i would suggest also going to route of having an EMG to define that the twitching is not pathological. It is an easy test (my opinion) uses small needles to test muscle health.

I have to hand it to you - I have been trying for 5 YEARS to post a question here....5 years - I try every day at different times of the day thinking I might get in...and you have posted 2 in 2 months??? wow!

[suzanne L.]

OK...so now ygd i consider you my good luck charm...literally right after I complained in your post that I can never ask questions, here ...i tried on the off chance that for the first time in 5 years I could...and I DID!!!!!!! Unbelievable...my lucky day!

[Spring-02]

Just having your question posted and replied to is like winning the lottery for some people soI guess persistence or just good luck pays off.

I received the result of the MRI to my lower spine today.  It was normal, except for a small dent near the bottom.  However,  since it doesn't affect the fluid in my spinal column, I was told not to worry about it and that it would not be causing my symptoms:  burning pain, numbness, balance and coordination problems, jolts, speech problems, stiffness, etc.  Prior to my illness, nearly three years ago, I never had any back trouble, nor did I think I had any now. There is mild disk degeneration since my first MRI and the last one, so I am wondering if this is just age or what as I am 57.  I somehow think that my spastic gait and the tightness in my legs and muscles has caused the spinal deterioration, but that is only my guess.


Some days the pain is much worse.  Yesterday at the same time, I had stabbing pains in the palm of my right hand, the top of my left hand felt like it was on fire and the sole of my left foot was hot, burning and very tender.  It was worse then being in labour for childbirth.  At least then you know the cause and it will go away after the birth.  

A friend sent me a message that the Reader's Digest Septemer issue has an article on Terri Garr, the actress who  has MS.  I don't  think there are two people anywhere that have identical symptoms as our immune systems are unique to each of us and determine how we react to illness or viruses.  

I can't get any treatment for my symptoms, because I don't have a diagnosis.  If there is such a good thing as being diagnosed with MS, then this is probably the best time, as there has been so much progress in the treatment and delay of the disease.  For the rest of out there who don't know what we have, get lots of rest, learn to laugh hard and realize that you aren't alone in your struggle.  

The doctor increased my dosage of Gabenpentin and I get my B12 shots, take my vitamins and hope that this doesn't progress to my right leg and foot.  I also have developed a ganglion on my right wrist.  Since that is how the symptoms on my left foot started, I was wondering is anybody else out there have had GANGLIONS and what do you do for them.

Take care,
The Canadian

[cleon]

Can you find a Dr who would administer a Mag Sulphate intra drip - wonderful for muscle twitchs and spasms and also for headaches.

[ohtay]

myclonis is basically nothing.  It iritates the people around me more than me, now that I know what it is.  I have found that
different things irritate it.  If I don't get enough sleep or I am not listening to my body when it is telling me what I need to do, like go to the restroom, go to sleep, etc.  My myclonis exhibits itself in a way that my grandma always would comment that someone was walking over my grave.  Its just a "rapid shiver".  My neuro had wanted me to do anti-seizure meds, but they irritated me more than they helped.  You need to really pay attention to your habits, and try to figure out what promotes the seizures, and then try to change those habits.  I still have spasms from time to time, but its not like before when I was having 100+ episodes a day.