Twitching in legs

It used to be that when i exercised, sometimes afterward my legs would twitch and I would have trouble controlling them. However it has become more and more common over the last year, and it happens after less time exercising even if my body or heart is not tired. I am an otherwise healthy 19 year old girl. I wouldn't worry except for the fact that it happens more often now .

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what your leg symptoms are from. however, I will try to provide you with some information.

One thing that comes to mind when I hear of muscle twitching following exercise is called Benign fasiculation syndrome a condition in which there are involuntary twitches of various muscle groups, most commonly the legs but also the face, arms, eyes, and tongue. If the diagnosis is confirmed and other causes are excluded, it can be safely said that the likelihood of progression or occurrence of a serious neurologic condition is low. Fasiculations can be due to or made worse by caffeine, anxiety, certain drugs, and exercise, such as may be the case in you.

However, there are other neurologic conditions that can result in exercise-induced leg symptoms. Please understand that I am not implying that I think you have any of these conditions.

There is a group of disorders that are due to a deficiency of one of the enzymes that is involved in muscle metabolism. These disorders usually cause muscle cramping rather than twitching or trouble with control. Such disorders include McCardle's disease and similar syndromes generally called the glycogen storage disorders. Some of these are progressive and involve muscles besides skeletal muscle (such as the heart) but some are restricted to skeletal muscle. In such cases they are usually not progressive i.e. symptoms mainly occur after exercise. These can be diagnosed either by blood tests or sometimes other testing is required.

Another group of disorders in which symptoms are brought on by exertion include paroxysmal dysknesias, the symptoms are mainly an involuntary muscle contraction that occurs with movement. The contraction is not a twitch but usually a much stronger contraction. Symptoms typically occur in one limb, not for example both legs at once.

Sometimes, fatiguability after exercise may simply be a sign of dehydration, so intake of appropriate amounts of fluid is important.

It would be best for you to discuss your concerns with your primary doctor/family physician. After obtaining a history and examining you, he/she will be able to determine whether or not further testing is necessary.

Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful, good luck.