Worried about full-body twitching

[kejti]

I began to twitch in my calves and thighs maybe a month or so ago. Over the past week I have begun to twitch ALL OVER my body, except my face and feet. It is just brief little quivering all over and I do not have any other symptoms, no weakness or fatigue, except now that I have become really stressed about this twitching I have felt wired and shaky and unsure of my footing.
I am really scared about the twitching because I don't understand why it is happening. I feel all jiggly, like someone is poking me all over. I am 28/F and the only other signs I have is that my bones crack a lot. I think I get enough calcium though, although I am a vegetarian and usually eat the same things all the time, namely pasta or dry foods. Other than that, I injured my up back while traveling a few years ago, and it flares up pretty badly sometimes, don't know if it is a pinched nerve or just damaged tissue.

I am scared that the twitching might be MS or ALS. WHy am I twitching so much!!??

[kejti]

Wow that was a quick response. So you don;t think the twitching has anything to do with MS or ALS? I can't believe that it is all stress-related. I have severe bouts with stress, and inbetween I manage with little "crises" that stress me out. But could full-body twitching really happen just because of excess stress??!! I find it hard to believe.

[Manhattan]

Did the twitching occur after a viral infection? There is something called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (I can never spell this right). I've had exactly the same symptoms as you for several years. I had a lot of anxiety over the twitching which happens all over my body, face... even tongue, but in the end it's just twitching - no more. If you had other symptoms like weakness, then that would be cause for concern. Don't freak out if your face or tongue starts twitching, it doesn't mean anything worse. There's also the possibility that you have a mineral imbalance or thyroid problem... there are some conditions that can cause twitching like this and so you should always have it checked out by your doctor. My twitching tends to get worse around my period, but other than that there's no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes one limb will twitch steadily for days and they call this a "hot spot". This all did occur with me after a viral infection. I first felt it in my neck, then foot, then in no time it was everywhere. The doctor attributed it to stress, but I was only stressed about the twitching, so I went on to see a neurologist who ran a brain mri and emg - all normal. Now I just totally ingnore the twitching. You will too in time.

[hm2007]

I too have experienced fasciculations all over mu body for the past few months.  They appeared right when I got a bad cold/flu and was under a LOT of stress.  Though I have a bunch of other neurological signs, I don't have weakness.  I think you are fine, just stop worrying about it.

[kejti]

Thanks for the insight. I have poured over sites, getting really REALLY stressed over it and I even went to the emergency room and they did a CAT scan which came out normal. The twitches seemed to subside a little but they are still around, and still all over. I don't get them on my face, just everywhere else but there.
I have gotten extremely stressed about it and wonder if that could inflame the symptoms. As far as I can tell, I don't have any weakness...I still workout 2 days a week and feel fine, only a little wobbly and shaky which seems to be stress-induced.
I wonder how long it take to notice weakness, if you were to have ALS.

[harley123]

I'm writing to address your symptoms and offer a possible answer.  For the past year I've had twitching in my left calf and it progressed to both calves, then a few twitches here & there on my body and then a few twitches on my face, cheek and mouth area.  This fall I started aching in my thighs, other large muscle groups, and having muscle fatigue. My bones even started to feel brittle or like they were "cracking".  I was quite concerned as my father died of ALS.  I talked to my med. dr. about it and he scheduled me for MRI.  However, ALS is difficult to diagnose so I'm not relying at all on MRI results.  IN THE MEANTIME, I visited my Nathuropathic "dr.".  She specifically tested my nervous system.  My myelin sheath tested strong.  (The myelin sheath covers the nerves.  In ALS patients, the myelin sheath dies.)  My neurotransmiters tested strong.  However, my MODULAR-TRANSMITTER (it's a substance which the transports the neurotransmitters) was shorting out which would cause twitches which causes muscle fatigue which causes aching which causes a lot of worrying!  She told me to take 2 tsp. of Nature's Sunshine flax seed oil daily.  I bought a bottle of Barleans (high quality store flax seed oil), but had to take 3 tbsp. of it.  By the second day the twitches diminished by approx. 60%.  I was amazed after having coped with these symptoms for over a year.  I then ordered Nature's Sunshine flax seed oil and began taking 2 tsp. daily.  The twitches have decreased by approx. This fall I started aching in my thighs, other large muscle groups, and having muscle fatigue.  I was quite concerned as my father died of ALS.  I talked to my med. dr. about it and he scheduled me for MRI.  However, ALS is difficult to diagnose so I'm not relying at all on MRI results.  IN THE MEANTIME, I visited my Nathuropathic "dr.".  She specifically tested my nervous system.  My myelin sheath tested strong.  (The myelin sheath covers the nerves.  In ALS patients, the myelin sheath dies.)  My neurotransmiters tested strong.  However, my MODULAR-TRANSMITTER (it's a substance which the transports the neurotransmitters) was shorting out which would cause twitches which causes muscle fatigue which causes aching which causes a lot of worrying!  She told me to take 2 tsp. of Nature's Sunshine flax seed oil daily.  I bought a bottle of Barleans (high quality store flax seed oil), but had to take 3 tbsp. of it.  By the second day the twitches diminished by approx. 60%.  I was amazed after having coped with these symptoms for over a year.  I then ordered Nature's Sunshine flax seed oil and began taking 2 tsp. daily.  The twitches have decreased by approx. 98% and the aching in my muscles is improving significantly and I feel stronger.  I'm not saying this remedy will fix your symptoms, but it might be worth a try.  My suggestion is for you to find a good Naturopath ask to have your nervous system muscle tested.  My neuropath had to get quite specific (in fact, when my neuromodulator tested weak, she didn't even know what the neuromodulator is) with the muscle testing to find out what was going on in my case.  Feel free to write back if you want further info.