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Many neurological symptoms with no answer
I am a 32 year old male who, up until about 2 years ago, has always been physically fit and without health issues. In Feb. 2010 I starting having several concerning symptoms which came on rather quickly. These symptoms have persisted on a daily basis. Some have gotten better while others worse.
The symptoms I currently have are:
1. First symptom I noticed, and still very prominent, was shaking when I would lift something or hold myself up. This still happens on an everyday basis. I have had no weakness or muscle loss to date.
2. Next symptom to show up was my finger would twitch when using my computer mouse or any other activity requiring that sort of motion. This occurs in either hand. Still occurs in varying levels of severity.
3. I then developed an internal tremor or vibration feeling throughout my body upon waking. This happens most every day but occasionally is very minor or non-existent. The vibrating can return throughout the day for no apparent reason. If I lightly put my teeth together they chatter (always). Oddly enough I can hold my hands steady.
4. About few weeks ago I developed more concerning symptoms. I have a muscle spasm in my foot that persists. At certain times it goes away but continues to return. At times it is sore to walk on and feels like it is buzzing. In all cases can be sore to walk on. I have also experienced muscle twitches all over my body to include my head. This comes and goes, but occurs most every day.
5. Most every day I get the feeling of pins and needles throughout my body (mostly in the evening and sitting). I also noticed my legs and arms start to go to sleep very easy. These symptoms have worsened in the last month.
6. Not sure if related, but I have frequent sinus problems, my joints and muscles are often sore, and my skin condition has worsened.
7. At times I feel very anxious (uneasy) and can’t sit still for no apparent reason.
What I have done:
1.I have had numerous blood tests (metabolic panels, thyroid, etc.) done by my general doctor and neurologist, they can’t find anything wrong. They initially suspected it was caused by stress and prescribed antidepressants because I was under a lot of work stress at the time. This never helped and I stopped using them after a few months. My stress level has gone down significantly and I still have the symptoms.
2.I have been seen by 2 neurologists. I have had full physical examinations, an MRI of my brain and cervical spine, and a nerve conduction study. Long story short they found nothing and have no idea what is going on. The neurologist I have been working with does not think it is serious (MS, ALS, etc.) but wants me to be seen at an academic facility (apparently it is several months before I can be seen). She mentioned it seems muscular.
3.I have been checked for lime disease and celiac disease, both negative.
4.I have been taking magnesium for several weeks as well with no change.
I need to find out what is going on with me. I still run several times a week and am in good physical conditions, however my neurological system seems to be in over drive. Any ideas? I am trying to be optimistic by it is getting harder every day. I have been dealing with for 2 years and want to get on with my life.
Thanks,
Preston
The symptoms I currently have are:
1. First symptom I noticed, and still very prominent, was shaking when I would lift something or hold myself up. This still happens on an everyday basis. I have had no weakness or muscle loss to date.
2. Next symptom to show up was my finger would twitch when using my computer mouse or any other activity requiring that sort of motion. This occurs in either hand. Still occurs in varying levels of severity.
3. I then developed an internal tremor or vibration feeling throughout my body upon waking. This happens most every day but occasionally is very minor or non-existent. The vibrating can return throughout the day for no apparent reason. If I lightly put my teeth together they chatter (always). Oddly enough I can hold my hands steady.
4. About few weeks ago I developed more concerning symptoms. I have a muscle spasm in my foot that persists. At certain times it goes away but continues to return. At times it is sore to walk on and feels like it is buzzing. In all cases can be sore to walk on. I have also experienced muscle twitches all over my body to include my head. This comes and goes, but occurs most every day.
5. Most every day I get the feeling of pins and needles throughout my body (mostly in the evening and sitting). I also noticed my legs and arms start to go to sleep very easy. These symptoms have worsened in the last month.
6. Not sure if related, but I have frequent sinus problems, my joints and muscles are often sore, and my skin condition has worsened.
7. At times I feel very anxious (uneasy) and can’t sit still for no apparent reason.
What I have done:
1.I have had numerous blood tests (metabolic panels, thyroid, etc.) done by my general doctor and neurologist, they can’t find anything wrong. They initially suspected it was caused by stress and prescribed antidepressants because I was under a lot of work stress at the time. This never helped and I stopped using them after a few months. My stress level has gone down significantly and I still have the symptoms.
2.I have been seen by 2 neurologists. I have had full physical examinations, an MRI of my brain and cervical spine, and a nerve conduction study. Long story short they found nothing and have no idea what is going on. The neurologist I have been working with does not think it is serious (MS, ALS, etc.) but wants me to be seen at an academic facility (apparently it is several months before I can be seen). She mentioned it seems muscular.
3.I have been checked for lime disease and celiac disease, both negative.
4.I have been taking magnesium for several weeks as well with no change.
I need to find out what is going on with me. I still run several times a week and am in good physical conditions, however my neurological system seems to be in over drive. Any ideas? I am trying to be optimistic by it is getting harder every day. I have been dealing with for 2 years and want to get on with my life.
Thanks,
Preston
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Hypocalcemia can cause some of your symptoms, it shows up as low levels of calcium in the blood, so taking calcium in conjunction with Vitamin D and phosphorus might help. While low calcium is usually associated with bones, it also has a lot to do with how the muscles and nerves are doing. I am assuming the docs checked your vitamin and mineral levels when they did bloodwork to decide what you were lowest in, since you are supplementing with magnesium, but could be they didn't and your general doc can do that for you. Also, B vitamins can help absorption of magnesium. It is also possible your gut is not absorbing as well as it could, on account of some disease process, so when all else fails, you could have your gastro self checked out.
Another thing bloodwork should show is if blood sugars are low, which can cause you to shake. Also, some drugs can cause your symptoms, so if you're taking ANYthing else for whatever, have the prescribing doc review side effects and adjust as necessary, which can include medicines like steroids and SSRIs. Possibly fibromyalgia is going on, which the medicine Lyrica would help a lot with that. In fact, you ought to be on some sort of anti-spasm drug whilst they figure you out! The fearsome diseases that show themselves with your symptoms can be ALS and MS, which your doc mentioned as not likely, but wants you to be seen at a university hospital, which I think is a VERY good idea. MS is usually preceded by vision losses first, though, and ALS usually involves muscle weakness, which you said you don't have. Minor reasons for your twitching and similar symptoms are too much caffeine and too little sleep.
I chased this thing until I was satisfied I had looked into all things that could cause a whole-body collection of symptoms, with nutritional deficiency high on my list. Whether your calcium came back good or not, I think you should consider taking a really good vitamin and mineral supplement perhaps twice a week, along with your magnesium supplement as usual, just to be sure it's not the calcium. And I also hope your doc or perhaps the ones at a hospital in a university setting will go ahead and start some kind of treatment by giving you a medicine to calm down your twitching and such.
This is a very interesting situation you're stuck in, altho I'm sure this has to be scaring the daylights out of you, so sure hope you will post back to us any news you find out about your condition. GG