Please Help

[Ben1977]

Dear Sir/Madame

I would be most grateful for any advice you can offer. 8 months ago I started to suffer muscle twitching in my right upper eyelid. Somedays would be worse than others i.e twitching for most of the day as opposed to just a few hours. Once awake I would always have 2-3 hours before the twitching began. This lasted for 3 months and then stopped. However this pattern restarted about 3 weeks later and continues to this day. In addition about 4 weeks ago I started to experience muscle twitching in my upper lip and also middle toe on left foot. Again, somedays are worse than others and oddly they never seem to twitch at the same time. Although naturally concerned I had convinced myself that this was nothing too sinister and thought I would just have to live with it. However, during the few days, the side of my left hand has begun to twitch and also   my right quad muscle. Yesterday my left trapezium muscle also began to twitch and today my left forearm. It seems that everyday somewhere new will be affected and now I am beginning to worry. I have not experienced any other symptoms i.e muscle weakness/wasting and have had no investigations. I now plan to see my G.P but anticipate a long waiting list to see a neurologist. I would also like to point out that I am generally a very laid back person and truly believe that this is not caused by stress. I cannot think of any precipitating factors and am not on any regular medications other than glucosamine/chrodroitin which I began taking 2 months ago for my knees. Any help would be most appreciated.

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

Muscle twitching in the absence of muscle weakness and wasting is not suggestive of a disease like ALS
Muscle twitching can be normal in people exposed to cold, exercise, certain medications, with pinched nerves, following certain viral infections, or as a benign syndrome with or without muscle cramps. In the benign form the twitching is generally more widespread as it seems in your case.
I cannot make a clinical diagnosis, so you should followup with your doctor or a neurologist
good luck

[Jammsher]

To the Doctor...

I frequently see fascilutations listed as being caused by exercise.  I have recently been using one of those video game dance mats to loose weight, I stopped after my left calf started fascilutating really bad, and now my right calf is beginning.  My father-in-law has ALS so I know what fasics... look like.  My question is if caused by exercise how long do fasics typically last after you have stopped?  (Mine have lasted about a month and a half now.)  I figure since the exercising made my calves REALLY SORE the exercise was the source, but since they have not stopped, I am getting concerned.

Thanks!