myoclonus from spinal stenosis/herniated disk?

Hi, I am wondering if myoclonus (muscle twitching) and myoclonic jerks (involuntary movement of limbs) can be caused by spinal stenosis/herniated disks.  

I have bulging disks at L4-L5 and L5-S1 with some central canal and foraminal stenosis.  Most of my leg symptoms are typical of these spine problems (pain, weakness, tingling, numbness), but I also get frequent myoclonus in my legs, as well as fairly frequent involuntary leg jerks.  The jerks just happen one at a time (i.e., not repetitive), maybe 1-2 times an hour if I'm sitting or laying down. Sometimes my whole leg jerks and sometimes it is just my foot, as if a doctor had tapped my heel with a reflex hammer.

Are my spine problems responsible, or is this something else going on?

Thanks!

[theasian]

Hi there

This is not gonna help you much because I'm gonna say that the myoclonus can be as a result of your spinal problems or it can be as a result of something else. The causes of myoclonus are so wide spread. It can be caused by kidney or liver problems, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, spinal cord or brain trauma, tumours, toxicity from a chemical, hypoxia, as a side effect of medication and also as a result of infections and diseases.

You'll have to speak to your doctor about it. Maybe you can ask him to run some blood tests (CBC, liver and kidney function, vitamin B12 and magnesium levels, ANA) or maybe even an EMG on the affected muscles to see if maybe those muscles are "damaged" so to speak.

Take care