Early Signs of Parkinsons?

[Christina123]

Thank you in advance for your input.  I am a 30 year old female in excellent health although I am experiencing some strange symptoms which are concerning me.

Over the past month I have noticed that my big toe on my left foot has been "twitching".  The twitching seems to occur in the morning (just as I am waking up) and lasts only for a few seconds.  It also occurs sporadically throughout the day.  I'll look down and just see my big toe moving back and forth.  

In addition, over the last month I have noticed that both of my pinky toes can twitch in a different kind of way.  I can see a muscle on the outside of my foot vibrating quickly and when it does that my little toe will move very quickly.  This seems like what neurologists describe as a fasiculation and is different then the slow twitch of my big toe.  Most symptoms seem to occur on my left foot.  However, the pinky toe on my right foot sometimes mimics the pinky toe on my left foot.  The big toe on my right foot does not twitch at all.

Also, sometimes my whole left foot seems to "jump" and my toes feel like they are contracting downward although they do not actually clentch or move.  As I lay down in bed to go to sleep I can feel a "thumping" feeling in my big toe even though it is not twtiching.

My other concern is that when I hold my pinky finger on my left hand in a certain way it can tremor.  Also, when I hold my hands out in front of me my left ring finger and middle finger seem to move back and forth quickly along with my pinky.

My questions are:
1. What can cause a big toe to move like this?  Is it always a neurological disease?  I have noted from my research that a toe tremor can be the beginning signs of Parkinsons.  Would you consider my big toe twitch a tremor?
2. Why does this mostly seem to happen on the left side of my body?
3. Should I be concerned about my left hand finger movements?

I am truly frightened and a new mother of a 3 month old baby.  I am so worried that I will not be able to take care of my baby that I can not sleep at night.  Do you recommend that I see a neurologist?  I did see a neurologist exactly a year ago for the finger tremor.  My cranial MRI and office exam came back 100% normal.

Thank you so much for your professional opinion.

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

Thanks for the question. It sounds like you are concerned enough that I would recommend you see your neurologist again so that a complete exam can be completed. The symptoms do not sound like parkinsons to me from what I am hearing. The neurologic exam will help determine if a focal problem is going on. I'm not sure of what to make of your toe movements? Fasciculations are not related to PD. Since this is such a visual complaint I would need to see it. Follow up with your neurologist and go from there. gs

[JimK]

I've had similar symptoms as yours for about a year & a half now. My big toe moves all over (both feet, but mainly my right).  This is non-stop.   The arches of my feet have continuous fasciculations.  Doctors don't know what it is.  I'm done going. One doctor told me it could be the beginning of hundreds of things or not & to not waste time/life worrying.  Of course you can't help but worry, but I do try to focus on ther things now.

[Christina123]

Thank you for your comment.  Do you also feel that "thumping" feeling in your foot?  I am going to a neurologist on Friday and I hope she will tell me that this is all benign fasciculations.  Thank you again - it makes me feel better to know that I am not the only one experiencing these strange movements.

[JimK]

I don't feel the thumping feeling but I've had hundred other neurolgical symptoms.   Started almost two years ago.  I went to put my key in the front door & just dropped my keys.  My right thumb was useless, couldn't move it hardly, couldn't flip a coin. It didn't hurt, just couldn't use it.  I went to a neurologist who finally did an MRI after I startded complaing of numbnest in my face, legs & twitching everywhere.   I regained full use of my thumb after a few months(They said probably a pinched nerve)but now my feet& parts of my legs felt like they vibrating. Also, twitches everywhere.  Especially my feet, felt like I was standing on a foot massager. The neurologist did another MRI looking for MS.  Nothing.  I actually noticed the inside of my right foot arch moving & twitching like a bag of worms about 1 1/2 years ago.  I went to a second Neurologist who said it could be related to back surgery I had.  I went to a foot doctor, hoping he would tell me it's a normal occurance, just comes with age. Nope.  He said out of all his years (he was old too), he's never seen it before.  Well, the foot still does it non-stop, toes moving & all.  I feel great.  I've seen too many doctors.  Guess I'll wait & see.  Hope you hear some good news from your doctor.  I'll bet he'll say he doesn't know though.   My biggest worry is ALS since I have constant twitching everywhere.  Most people I personally know with MS live normal lives, though.  

[Christina123]

I am positive it is not MS because I had a cranial MRI last year and they said it was completely normal.  It is rare to have a normal cranial MRI and still have MS.  ALS isn't a concern for me because I would have experienced wasting - wouldn't I?  So - I am thinking it is benign fasciculations which are settling in my left foot.  Stress related most likely.  I will let you know what the Dr. says tomorrow.  Also - I wish the forum physician would answer my question.  Oh, well.

[Christina123]

Well, I went to the neurologist and she did a full test.  No signs of anything - especially Parkinsons.  She is confident I am an anxious new mom and am having benign fasciculations.  She even suggested an antidepressent but I am nursing and not into taking medications.  Some yoga might be a good alternative.  I am going to try to ignore my twitching toes and move on with my life.  I hope you do the same!  Best regards.

[JimK]

I 'm glad nothing major was found, as it seems is the case most of the time with neurological symptoms.  Of course I don't know many people with the moving toe syndrome like us, but maybe we're just special (ha ha).  Enjoy everyday, I think as we get older alot of weird things are going to happen & change to our bodies. Good luck.

[skipatro]

If you go to the MGH web forums under the neuromuscular thread, there are many people there who twitch and you may find some help and answers and also people who understand what you are feeling.

[eyegirl]

Hi. I am concened because for the last five months I have  had eye twitching in the upper eyelid of my right eye. it seems to be getting progressively worse. Sometimes it really is annoying when I'm trying to focus in on something, it does not effect my vision, but my work involves me speakin to others a lot , and i tend to lose my concentration because of this stupid twitching. is it just stress? Or is it the beginning of something else. Also sometimes when I'm going to sleep at night, my body suddenly jolts up. Sometimes its mowr subtle, but sometimes its very strong What does anyone think. This body jolt ting has been happening ofr about five years. I'm otherwise in good health, work out, eat well, and I practice yoga. any ideas?

Thanks,
Eyegirl

[Christina123]

My eye did the same thing about 3 years ago and my vision is 20/20+.  However, the eye doctor told me that my computer work was causing undue stress on my eye and gave me +1 reading glasses.  The eye twitch went away right immediately.  When I don't wear my glasses - my eye will start to twitch again.  Go see your eye Dr.  Also - the jolt when you sleep is most likely unrelated.  This is a common thing that happens to a lot of people.  I think it is called a myoclonic twitch.  Nothing to worry about.  Hope this helps.

[CityGuy]

WOW..at least I am not the only one.  In DEC '99, I noticed my thumb was twitching slightly ( moving back and forth).  I was FREAKED out as this was around the time Michael J. Fox went public and I read his first symptoms were that his finger was twitching. I went to the doctor and he said it was nothing.  It went away for about 16 months then re-appeared again briefly, along with odd muscle twitchings/movements in different parts of my body.  These fasiculations (?) have come and gone very quickly and are not a problem other than the intense anxiety and fear that I have ALS or Parkinsons.  I have no other signs ( weakness, atrophy etc..). Also I juts changed jobs, i am a very high energy and intense perosn with mild Tourettes syndrome.

Then last Friday I had my hand draped over a chair as I was listening to a lecture and my pointing finger moved by itself up and down..it did this 4 times over a three hour period and then it has not done it since...that scared me even more...I think I have had these muscle movements most of my life and I have reda it is VERY common..but I am scared..is anyone out there able to give me any advice...Thank you and God Bless.

[Christina123]

Did you have a flu virus over the past 2 years?  My general twitching seemed to occur right when I had Influenza B.  This was a difficult flu that lasted almost 2 weeks.  I have read that benign fasciculations can start after a flu virus.

[JimK]

I believe I too have a mild form of Tourette,s.  As a child I'd  jut my jaw out constantly, or clear my throat constantly or twitch my neck side ways, etc.  This all drove my family nuts.  Nobody heard of Tourette's back then (I'm 40 years old now).   Now I don't have those types of things unless I'm really stressed.    

Now I'm just dealing with the loss of strength in my thumb thing (which I did regain after a few months), contant, non-stop twitching in the arches of my feet, plus a non-stop twitching in my chest (which I'm going to a neurologist on the 30th to have checked out), plus twitching all over, all the time.

Maybe it's related, maybe I'm just a bundle of active nerves, maybe I'm nuts (like the rest of the world).  I don't know.  Believe it or not I don't worry about it too much, since I know there's not a whole lot doctors can do for neurological problems.  I'm just going to try to enjoy every minute I'm alive, twitches and all.  

I'll post on my diagnisis from my Neuro on the 30th.

[fuckme]

Hi..........
I am fine , how are you

[JimK]

You're a real charmer aren't you.  Duhhhh...what an idiot!

[Christina123]

I went to the MGH neuromuscular web forum and the people there have been very helpful and reassuring.  Do let us know what happens at your Dr. appt. on Thursday.  Hope you get the answers you are looking for.

[JimK]

Well, I went to the Neurologist yesterday & as usual was told I'm healthy as a horse, twitches & all.  He attributes the continuos twitching in my feet (non-stop & looks like a bag of worms)to a pinched nerve in my spine.   I had back surgery there 5-6 years ago.   Attributes the annoying twitch in my chest, which goes for weeks at a time, as nothing more than a fasciculation.   Same goes for all my other twitches.   This has all been happening for almost 2 years now, so as time goes, maybe I'll start to believe the doctors.   See ya.

[junglist]

I have taken a large dosage of lsd the last two years, and sometimes ecstacy, after a rave in summer , my girl freind noticed my leg twiching, ever since then I get twiches in both my knees and sometimes my feet jerk too. I have a freind who took way too much lsd and I have noticed that she get tremores all over her body. I have looked in drug books and I have never found any thing to do with lsd or mdma with nerve problems, do you think I should go see a neurologist or just wait a while and see what happends

[MRB34]

A related discussion, Twitching toes -- any cures was started.

[payetoya]

I am a 34 year old woman and I am experiensing twitchin on left big toe, I am also worried for this has been going on for about 15 days and don't know what could be causing this.