Muscle twitches and cramps

[mlgirl]

For the past month I have been experiencing muscle twitches in my calves. They come and go, but I do experience them many hours a day, whether I am sitting or standing or laying down. I also experience muscle stiffness and cramping in my right calf and, as of today, also in my left leg and calf. I have been told by my primary care doctor and my neurologist that I have benign fasciculations and not ALS based on bloodwork, physical exams and symptoms. However, I am still concerned because the cramps seem to be getting worse. I even have cramps/fatigue in my upper right arm now, especially in the morning. I am concerned about fibromyalgia now. I am going to see a rheumatologist next, and I am having EMG done in a couple of weeks. Thanks!

[ggreg]

Well, if it's not peripheral neuropathy, back problems, or an iron/potassium deficiency, then you most likely have Restless Legs Syndrome or RLS.  I have it, and there is a big community of us RLS people.  It gets you in the right calf to start with, then it'll move over into the left, and sometimes up into the body or arms.  It can be controlled by a number of drugs, with most finding the best relief from opium-derivative medications, altho Mirapex and similar drugs are used with some success.  Do a search online for RLS and there are a number of websites devoted solely to that syndrome, and see if you fit in with that bunch.  No one knows the cause or the exact way it works, save it being a neuromuscular disorder, and some have an inherited kind and others an aquired kind.  Untreated, it's very disruptive, but good drugs and a doc who understands RLS make it pretty tolerable.  I imagine your rheumatologist will know all about it.  

[Hope75]

I have fasciculations and they sometimes irritate me to death.  I have peripheral neuropathy, but it was considered idiopathic - no known reason.  I am not diabetic and I don't have ALS, MS or any other "scary" disease processes.  Try not to stress as it only makes any physical issues worse, especially muscle twitches.  In my opinion, don't be "concerned" about fibromyalgia as it is just a diagnosis re: a syndrome that the medical community cannot explain.  I got tagged with this diagnosis b/c they couldn't find a reason for my pain.  That's just what fibro is - you hurt and we don't know why.  I have a positive Lyme Disease test right now, which is the only positive test I've had after two EMGs, several MRIs, visual evoked potentials, ABR, bloodwork out the wazoo, testing testing testing and 3 neurologists, a chiropractor, and I can't even remember what else I've done to find an anwer for three years.  Apparently, I probably have Lyme disease, but it is very controversial and no two docs seem to agree.  Good luck and try not to stress.  Hopefully it is just a restless leg type issue or even a stress reaction - perhaps even a vitamin deficiency?  Magnesium?  Just brainstorming:)  

[mlgirl]

Thanks for the support and insights. I asked my primary care doctor about Restless Legs Syndrome and he didn't seem to think I have that. Many of my friends have also asked me if I have RLS when I describe the symptoms. I'll ask my rheumatologist for a second opinion about it. In the meantime, I'm TRYING to to obsess about my upcoming EMG test - the test itself, and finding out the results are very worrisome.

[usyankee]

I got the same symptoms after a tetanus shot. Burning boiling pain, muslce twitches and spasms, weakness. It happens when I rest, not necessarily trying to sleep. (was eventually diagnosed with "fibromyalgia"). This was unacceptable to me. Something was not right! After much research, I have realized a few things:1) Mercury (thermosol in the flu shot) allows pathogens to grow and multiply. They love it! 2) Vaccines -an abrupt trauma to your immune system-- can bring out latent Lyme. 3) Pathogens can release neurotoxins, and mercury, aluminum (and aspartame/Nutrasweet is an excito-toxin) are neurotoxins (that's why aspartame causes fibromyalgia symptoms) and can all effect nervous system. If you go to a rheumatologist, they will have you fill out paperwork that gives a psych test. I feel-- sad mad whatever. Don't bother to fill it out. Don't think they are helping you. They are trying to diagnose you as psychotic.