Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

muscle weakness/jerking/pain/fatigue

My symptoms:

-weakness (most noticable in my legs, they become jello-like and I have fallen a few times)
-jerking/twitching (severity varies but can last anywhere from a few seconds to hours)
-pain - mostly in shoulder area, my back along the sides, my arms and hands, and lower legs.  Mostly dull and nonsevere, would describe it as a burning feeling, tender (like a bruise) and sometimes stiff
-lack of coordination/off balance (in addition to walking weird it has also been so bad that I can't write)
-some confusion, going blank, disoriented
-fatigue

Muscle symptoms seem to get worse in parts of the body that I use the most.  My right arm and legs are most affected.  Began with my right leg going numb and muscle pain in my lower leg.  Symptoms vary in severity.  There have been a few days since this started that the symptoms have disappeared and I seemed to make a complete recovery but keeps returning.

These symptoms appeared suddenly a month ago and prior to this I was healthy.  I'm only 24.  The only medication I have been on is birth control (aviane) which I discontinued after the symptoms began.

I've been to a general doctor, two neurologists, and a rheumatologist. I've had two MRIs (brain and upper spinal), and two sets of bloodwork done by different doctors.  Everything came back normal.  My ana was positive but low titer, and they said I didn't have signs of inflammation.  

Any ideas?
14 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Magnesium deficiency, anxiety, tremors was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been suffering from this type of pain for years. My muscles ache all the time. They feel bruised, sore, and achy deep near the bone. My muscles are tight and ropy - so my massage therapists have told me. I have spasms and jerky muscles, especially my arms. I will at times slap myself in the face from a muscle jerk.

My hands and feet are extremely tight and feel as if they are going to curl into a ball. I am constantly fatigued and sleepy no matter how much sleep I get. My symptoms began after I had bells palsy and after I went to yoga and it felt as if I tore every muscle in my hamstrings. Immediately after, I couldn't sit on the toilet without holding onto the door. The more I exercise, the worse I feel. My muscles cramp, roll, spasm, and tighten up - it feels as if I have shin splints or tight muscles all the time. I have captured the cramps and muscle rolls on video but nothing from any of my doctors.

I have been to neurologists, rheumatologists, witch doctors, hematologists. They tell me the know it's something but they don't know what. My CK counts fluctuate between the 100s and the 1000s. One doctor called me to make sure that I wasn't having a heart attack because my CK was 15000. Currently I have to go for phlebotomies for high iron. My ANA was positive speckled.  I've had two muscle biopsies, the first five years ago came back showing signs of denervation while the second came back fine except the doctor noted that my muscles were extremely tight. There is no apparent inflammation in my muscles or joints. Acupuncture doesn't really help as my muscles "spit out" the needles during a spasm.

I don't know what to do anymore. If anyone can help I would appreciate any and all advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same symptoms as you have and they came on suddenly.  Burning muscles at the gym - leg muscles.  Now I am so frustrated because I am so fatigued and the muscle 'rolling'/ twitching/ cramping is almost too much to take.  My dr. is treating me for Lyme, but I am still the same, if not worse.  I have to work, and haven't been able to the past few weeks, I don't think my Dr. understands that.  I just want to have tests and know what I have.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You might want to be tested for ALS, its a VERY hard disease to diagnose and most doctors will not, but it is something to bring up as this disease kills your muscles! Often it is described in the beginning stages as flutterly feelings in your muscles. This is a very serious and terminal illness and def. something that you will want to know about.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

It does sound like it could be fibromyalgia or lyme disease. I am the CL for MedHelps fibro / CFS board... if you would like to join us, we would love to have you !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
About 4 years ago I put the ortho evra birth control patch on and have never been the same. My symptoms were immediate
Flushing,red face, feeling like clots were traveling thru my body, extreme thirst, feelings of numbness in fingers, electricity feelings running thru my spin, pins and needles in neck area, diarrhea, nauseau,extreme weakness, fatigue, foggyness,confusion,rapid heartbeat, cramping of hands or feet, flush feelings. My symptoms started to go away after 3 months and now 4 years later they are back. After numerous blood tests, mri, ekg, and many other tests my internest says I have fibromyalgia. I'm not sure if this is what I really have or he just can't find any other diagnosis
I hope you find out what is wrong with you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nice to see Im not the only one with the above symptoms.  Ive had many of these symptoms for a year, panic attacks, muscle jerking in my sleep, insomnia (jerking wakes you!), hallucinations during the night.  It is well researched that anxiety can be improved with magnesium and B6 supplements. It was an holistic dentist (Munro-Hall, Bedford, UK - I was being treated for chronic infection in my jawbone) that provided me with a magnesium/ calcium/ zinc and selenium supplement- powder form.  This was an instant fix, sedating me, I could sleep again!  Muscle jerking almost stopped but if I stop taking the supplement it comes back.  Been on it now for 4 months and will take it forever if I need to!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I read your post listing your symptoms.
They pretty much mirror my symptoms, except my twitching is
constant and all over my body.  My twitching has been going on
for over a year now and they still don't know why.  
Of the tests I have completed so far, it has been determined that
I have polyneuropathy, which is usually a secondary ailment to a
primary disease.   Doctors are pretty sure I have Lupus SLE.  
However, the testing can take up to 2 years to complete.  

**On the issue of magnesium....birth control pills deplete one's
body of B-6 and magnesium.  Anyone on birth control pills
should supplement these two.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
check for narcoelspy

this is a rare sleeping disorder that is missed alot!

sympothms:
numbness...can be in head, hands..or side you use the most
dizziness
dream alot
tired all the time no matter the sleep you get
low blood sugar
feeling faint
slurred speech


these are some of the factors

I have this disorder...Praise the Lord, my drs caught it 10 yrs earlier than most
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I am a 27 year old female.  For the past month I have been having alot of problems.  I have been on birth control pills for 2 and half years.  About 2 months ago I was changed to b/c pill called Yaz.  I started having severe anxiety, stomach pain and insomnia caused by muscle jerking only at night.  I went off the pill about 3 wks ago and the symptoms of jerking are so bad at night.  I can't get any sleep at all.  It can be any part of my body, my legs, my arms, my head, or just my whole body.  In the morning I feel so achey and I can feel little flutters in my muscles.  I am so scared of brain tumors or something serious.  It all started when I started my new b/c pill.  I also been under alot of stress with bad anxiety attacks.  I was wondering could a diuretic cause magnesium problems.  My pill had a diuretic in it.  I could not stop urinating for over a month.  Every half hour, it was terrible.  I lost 5lbs in a couple of days because of this.  Could something like this throw off our body and cause jerking at night?  I also went cold turkey off the b/c pill after 2 and half years.  So now my body is all messed up with my hormones.  Does anyone know if magnesium will help these muscle jerks at night and muscle flutters during the day?  HOw much do you recommend?  I am only 90lbs.  HOw long does it take to see the difference?  My doctor gave me Xanax for the anxiety and to sleep.  It does help when I take it but I don't want to get addicted.  So I don't take it all the time.  Then I can't sleep and the body keeps jerking. I am so exhausted and stressed out.  I never had this bad of anxiety.  Can anxiety cause muscle twitching and jerking at night?  My neck hurts really bad too, I am going to a chiopractor on Monday because I feel like my whole body is out of whack.  Do the muscle jerks at night sound serious?  My doctor thinks it's a whole hormone imbalance.  I am having more anxiety over these jerks now.  Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow! That is great that your symptoms are improving! I noticed a big difference after a few days, but took 2-3 of the 250mg tabs too. The Doctor friend of mine told me to do this, and that taking too much can cause diarrhea, and when that happens to cut back. Even now, i have to take 2 tabs a day to keep the pain away. Low Magnesium can definitely can cause the jerking and muscle twitching too. I don't know why doctors don't test for this either, except that i have read that the blood test for this really is inaccurate. Maybe that is why. I recently told my sister about it too and she is just amazed at the difference in the last two weeks! Hope your symptoms continue to improve........keep us updated, maybe others can benefit from it too!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the responses.  It looks like I do have most of the symptoms and even some of the risk factors for magnesium defiency, but what I don't get is why the doctors wouldn't check for that?

I've been trying the magnesium supplements for a few days now and it does seem to make a difference.  Within an hour my muscle jerking stops and I get drowsy (which is great, as I was also having sleeping problems on top of all this).  Unfortunately I'm still getting episodes where the symptoms come back, though less frequent.  If my symptoms are due to a magnesium deficiency, how long does it usually take to clear up completely after taking supplements?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

I would be tested for fibromyalgia, but try the magnesium supplements first. I buy my magnesium in powder form, which is easier to absorb.

Good luck !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Since you have already been to many doctors, I will tell you the only thing that has worked for my muscular pain. Magnesium supplements. This was told to me by a doctor friend of mine that also did accupuncture, and after about 2 weeks of taking it my pains vanished! When i don't take it for a few days, the aches and fatigue return, so i know it is from this. Magnesium deficiency is very widespread and most people will benefit from it, and can cause all of your symptoms.....do an internet search on the benefits. (other doc's have told me the same thing!).
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.