Full Body Muscle Fasciculation and Twitching

[regroup]

Hello Everyone.  About four years ago I developed an annoying twitch in my right arm.  About the same time I developed an unusual rash on the sole of my right foot.  To make a long story short, doctors testing me for Syphillis and ultimately diagnosed the rash as some form of "Derma" that was nothing to be concerned about.  The rash cleared up in about 9 months but the twitching continued.  I saw a neurologist who did the "tap the left the knee, tap the right knee...your fine...next" routine.

During the past three years the twitching/fasciculations has moved to my whole body.  It started in the right arm, moved to the left arm, then the right leg, then the left leg and now occurs in most major muscle groups pretty much non-stop.  I found this forum several years ago and used some of the suggestions like vitamin b's and magnesium which helped for awhile.  I also quit smoking several times which temporarily helped after the initial stages but later the twitching was returned.  In other words, none of the self-help tools have provided lasting relief.

I am convinced that most neurologists will say benign-fasciculation syndrome (BFS), however, I am sure this is not what this is.  Note that my symptoms started about six months after a contract job at an old rehabilitation hospital.  At the time I didn't consider my surroundings, but on reflection, I am convinced that I picked up a virus of some sort from the patients as patients of this hospital are post-polio, fibromyalgia, and other neuro-muscular "syndromes"  

My question:  Where to go, who to see?  Thanks in advance

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

Its unclear if the rash and the twitching are related. Lyme disease can cause a rash (called erythema migrans) in the first few weeks of infection after the tick bite, but fasciculations from involvement of the nerves should not appear until weeks to months later, rather than the same time as the rash. If you are not in an endemic area for LYme (such as New England) then this is even less likely. Viruses can cause nerve damage and widespread muscle twitching rarely, but do not tend to cause localized rashes as you describe.

Fasciculations involving the whole body are more likely to be benign, especially if no other neurological signs appear over time such as muscle weakness or wasting. Fasciculations can also occur from an overacitive thyroid gland (this should be checked for with blood tests), certain medications, excercise, cold exposure, pinched nerves or spinal cord problems. It is unlikely that this is from a contagious agent. Postopolio patients do not have any active polio virus infection, and fibromyalgia is not a viral/contagious disorder.

A neuromuscular specialist might be able to provide you with more feedback, and an EMG needle exam of the muscles may help to further exclude any nerve pathology.
Good luck

[raven33]

Hi I just read your post,sorry to hear your not feeling well.Encephulus (don't know if it is spelled correctly).Is a virus of the brain.I don't know if it is contracted or not.You need to find a neurologist,who will listen to you.Good Luck to you.Raven33.

[LukeL]

While I am not doctor I doubt you got a virus as you are most likely immune to any of them if you had your vaccines. It could be realted to stress because you said they went away for a while after taking B vitamins and when you quit smoking. This sounds like the placebo effect took hold for a bit but eventually they came back for some reason.

You said you saw a neurologist already maybe you should go see another one to get a 2nd opinion.

[regroup]

The reason I believe it is a virus is I am convinced most diseases like parkinsons, ms, als, etc. are virus based. The fact is we don't know why these crippling diseases occur, but studies have show that the "unknown" origins could be a virus and I am in that camp based on my experience.

The reason I brought this up is up until the time I spent doing contract work at a rehab hospital known for treating patients with these ailments, I was fine.  Moreover, it wasn't until about six months after my contract that my problems cropped up.   It just seems odd to me that after spending a year in those surroundings, all the sudden a perfectly healthly person would start having muscle fasciculations for no reason.   Is it just coincidence that I was working in an environment where people go to have their unknown cause "symptoms" treated?

At any rate, I am also positive that the vitamins did not have a placebo effect.  I just wish the medical community would acknowledge these problems early enough so that a person could make a wise decision. Ultimately I am sure the twitching and fasciculations cause will be known, whether it is while I am alive or post-mortem, whether it is ms, als, parkinsons, toxins, or whatever.   However, it seems it would be much easier to know in order to make good life choices.  Why invest in trying to live a healthy lifestyle and give up life pleasures like caffeine and smoking if you know your health will deteriorate regardless (due to a virus).  Why not go out with a bang!  I am not trying to blame anyone for the virus, just want to know what I am dealing with so I can enjoy the time I have left before the underlying cause of these fasciculations makes that impossible.

BFS doesn't cause progressive, full-body fasciculations anymore than it causes MS, ALS, etc.  BFS is a symptom of an underlying physical cause, that I am sure of!  I don't care how much it cost, I just want to know what my underlying physical cause it.  By having the information, one can make better life choices.  What is the point in investing in the future, furthering your education, or developing life-long relationships, etc., if you know your health will continue deteriorating.  I would rather die.  Of course, to each his own, but regardless of your outlook, the one thing that is certain is a lot of people suffer from these symptoms and no one seems to care.   It is only after they develop full-blown cases of the underlying disease a diagnosis is made.    How can you determine if one has a disease based on two taps on the knee?  

[LukeL]

I will agree that some diseases are probably virus or chemical related but these usually take decades to appear after exposure. It should also be pointed out that anxiety can cause twitiching and other neuromuscular symptoms. If you are really worried you could have an EMG done

[kwag]

You sound on the right track.  There are bacteria that feed on your magnesium and other nutrients and that may be why when you supplemented them you felt better.  There are natural ways to kill off bacteria like samento and artemisin (probably not spelled correctly) and I am sure more.  Have you looked at Hulda Clark yet?  Lyme is a biggie right now.  I used to dismiss lyme but I have learned not to now.  Please look into it.  Google Sue Massey and see what you get.  You are right the these symptoms have a root cause but I don't think you will find the answer in medicine.  Your immune system needs help to kill off these bacteria and virus and fungus.  Hang in there.  kw

[Moses1]

I have had full body fasciculations for over two years now.  Three EMG's, CT scans, MRI's of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, countless other medical exams, neurological and blood workups, and 3 nerve conduction studies later, all verified I did not have ALS.  However, what I do have is apparently very common. There are many people out there that have similar symptoms: fatigue, fasiculations, cramping, etc... There is a lot of recent literature that discusses fasciculations can be caused by multiple disc herniations.  As I have 9 herniated discs, (3 cervical, 3 thoracic, and 3 lumbar which have accumulated over the years) my neurologist, nor myself are too terribly concerned at this point.  But, they are annoying as hell, and a bit embarrassing at times....

[johnflox]

As we all know, neuropathies can have multiple causes: hereditary, secondary to other illnesses like diabetes, the outcome of surgery or an accident, etcetera.

But for people previously healthy and with unexplained neurological problems the first thing they should try to rule out is chemical exposition.

The typical chemical toxicities come from medications, solvents, pesticides. Asuming that you are not exposed to toxic levels of chemicals at work or during your leisure time and hobbies, you could revise what drugs have you taken since 1 year prior to the onset of your symptoms.

Well known drugs that cause long lasting or permanent neuropathies are antimalarials like LARIAM, antibiotics like CIPRO, LEVAQUIN, AVELOX, and many drugs for treating more unusual illnesses.

[WilliamBill]

Much weakness, soreness, twitching, and such since organophosphate poisoning in 1999. Tons of Magnesium and B-12 shots help, but much pain with sugary stuff after short painless period. All is very variable with no known triggers. Choline helped for a short time, then it returned.

[Bluetreetops]

I developed leg muscle twitching about 7 years ago. It started one night right after drinking a glass of Tropicana orange juice.  The twitching ceased after several hours. Then it started to happen with coffee. I cut out the orange juice and switched over to organic coffee. No twitching occurred. Since then, I have found that it happens with practically every non- organic food I eat but never with its organic counterpart. I figure that I have a real nerve sensitivity to the organophosphates that are taken up by the sprayed plants. This sensitivity extends to beef, chicken and lamb. I have no problem though with wild fish. I must say, that I recently bought a Swing Master, that passive exerciser that vigorously moves your ankles back and forth. It has really irritated my leg nerves to where I have constant twitching. I stopped using it when I finally associated it as the source of the problem. I hope the twitching starts to settle down. Don't know the mechanism for that onset.

[burro]

I am new to this, so please be patient.  This is my symptom.  I fall asleep just fine, then about 40 minutes later my body starts twitching slowly with intervals of non twitching, then constant and harder. To the point it shakes the bed. This goes on all night long with no relief whether I sleep on the floor, couch, chair.  I am fine during the day tho I do notice weakness now in my legs.  I'm fine when I sit.  No pain involved.  Earlier, in the summer, I had restless leg syndrome til about a month ago and then the body twitching started.  I do take Sonata as a sleeping aid, but the twitching overrides it and I get no sleep.  The only meds I am on are:  calcium, mult-vitamin, Levoxyl and Paxil (both these I have been on for over a year).  I am 60 years old and in general good health.  If anyone can help me it would be appreciated.  I had some blood work done last month and all categories within normal limits.  I have not yet been to a Dr. for this.

[john lake]

Back in November I started having rapid left upper eyelid twitches.  They subsided after a month.  I was under a lot of stress at school.  The doctors ran a CAT scan, which came back negative.

HOwever, I have been having twitches all over my body since that time.  Could it be Fasciculation?  I have slight tremors in my hands.

The Dr. thought it might be from supplements I was taking and energy drinks + stress.  Who knows.

Any thoughts out there what it might be?

[burro]

It is now 1/10/06 and all body twitching has ended.  Have no idea why.  I get a good full night's sleep.  It is wonderful.

On a side note:  I have never been in a Forum before and had no idea that when I signed on I would start getting SPAM.  People need to be told about this.  I am very disappointed this has happened and no longer want to be a Forum member.

Burro

[One_King_Down]

My leg's have been twitching, poping, tingleing, going numb and have had a feeling of pins and needles for the past few months. It is driving me crazy! I went to the neurologist, he zapped my legs and said my nerves were fine and he said I probably had restless leg syndrome (RLS) and put me on Requip. It does not seem to work all that well. The twitches come and go all day. I feel it in the thighs, behind the knees, calves, feet. I even noticed that I have two large lumps or a giant dent in my left thigh when muscle is fully flexed. Worried, but the Doctors keep telling me not to be. They say it is just my anxiety causing all of this. I would not have the anxiety it the twiching would just go away already! What is up with the thigh, I can see the damn muscle changing, how can this be normal and due to stress and anxiety? They say work out and it will go away, I am working out every day and the legs just seem to get worse! Can anyone relate to what I am going trough here???

[kidcoconut]

How did you make out?

[Hope for all]

I have read everybody's thread. And there are simular, And yes there is many causes, chemicals, viral, disc compressions. The common denomanator is "denervation of the nerves". ELF waves,drugs,processed foods, detergents,all contain chemical componets that do not help the nevevous system, and weekening the body making it prone to health problems and injuries. Chemicals and radiation all cause nerve damage. This known, you are all half way there on the raod to heal ones self. Cut out all the **** in your intake. Such as smoking, drugs, and bad foods. whitch out for the shampoo you use and soap. Most importantly pay attention to the water you drink and food you consume.If you have to read about it on a lable that is the first sign you dont know what you are getting!!!!! Second the clothing you wear such as shoes underwear and so on where does it come from and what Material! is it made of. As you sweat your skin asorbs chemicals on your clothing such as the detergent you use for cleaning! Your shoes is made of what, Glue, chemicals and so on. Get the picture!!! Go Natural all the way!! Use natural soaps and clothing made from natural fibers. Whach out for vitiamins too do you know what is really in them??? My advice Fresh fruits, vegtables not canned. Nuts hole grains, Pure water. Think about this- bottle water does not mean its pure its in platic for one thing. Mineral water and glaicier water in glass is better. Somtimes just the water from your tap with a charcoal filter system and boiled in a stainless steal cooper bottom pot can be better than some bottled!Stay away from Aluminum pots and pans.Pure *Iron skillets and pots are best but expensive. I have so many things to be said i dont even know where to start.  To repair nerves there is a hole cause and effect that needs to take place to get damaged and to be on the road to heal. This is just the first step watch what you consume as food and what you use from the chemical industry for cleaning. After you are awear of this then you need to get to know your cells in your body and what they need for balance.Balence is everthing. Hydration-Fuel-Oxygent-circulation(exercise.) If you can do just thse first steps, i will give you many other secrets At the cellular level to heal oneself.But it does not work when you dont think and do all aspects of this process. Everyone  is a little different in what the body is lacking and is exsposed to, you really need to know your history and yourself. Sterngths and weekneses and how to get the nutrients into the cells. How to controll the endocrine system,purify the liver and kindneys, is just the first step, to start the healing process. Its you that is going to do it. Mind, body and spirit. Purify all of these, then rebuild (heal)like a Phoenix.

[BeTwitching]

A related discussion, Full Body Twitching was started.