Muscle Twitches, Pain and Soreness

[Break]

Hi,

I have been trying to root case my muscle twitches/soreness for the past few months but in vain. All my problems started after I had a severe viral infection last December/06. Initally I started to experience severe muscle pains in my legs and later occassional twitches. Slowly my muscles started to become quite sore, but have improved a bit lately. Now I have twitches all over. I have been to many neurologists, but none are able to come up with a actual diagnosis. I also went to the local ALS centre and the neurologist told me it is mosy likely not ALS, and he would perform EMG to find out any other causes. My EMG is scheduled next week. I tried all kind of remedies, like taking B-12 shots, multi-vitamin pills, etc but cannot get rid of twitches. Somtimes they come as minor electric pulses. I am not sure what is cooking inside my body and extremely worried. I don't know if it some post viral effect or somethig else.

[qtbeme]

I too have the same symptoms.  I went to the dr. two days ago and he asked if I ever had a rash like lymes or was bitten by a spider.  I did have a rash like that almost a year ago and was told it was ringworm and to put cream on it.  I had twitches between my thumb for a week then I had gotten what I believe was the flu for a week.  After that  my legs were really sore for a few days and went away.  Then my eye started twitching for a few days and went away.  Now my arm is really sore and my cheek is twitching.  I am always a really healthy person, I was.  My doctor scared me because he said he'll check for lymes, arthritis and a few other things and if it's not that he'll start checking my head.  I'm 33 years old wth a one and two year old.  I 've read so many stories of these same symptoms, I wonder if it could be something new going around.  

[HSVParent]

I was infected end of 2006. I have been under the treatment of Valtrex. My 10 year old daughter may have been effected by sharing my body sponge,bar soap, toilet? I have read & read so many articles that HSV is only transmitted sexually. I do not believe this to be true. My daughter broke out with pimple like sore along her tummy & itchy. I took her to the doctor unsure of what the outcome would be. Doctors said I could not transmit to her so they just test for chicken pox. This is when I started to notice the first signs of twitching of her eye. LAter that twitching moved to her tummy. By now I was convinced it was the HSV attacking her nervous system. I had the doctors test for HSV-result was negative. (Thank God!) BUt still I wasnt convinced. Because the twiching now went to her shoulders/neck/mouth and a itchy rash broke out on her neck. This rash broke out during a holiday weekend. By the time I was back to her local docor rash was already healing. The doctor suggest to bring her when rash is fresh not scab. Does anyone have any advise or similar stories?  

[Jlisa]

Same symptoms exactly and going on 2 years. I have been to several Neurologists and a nationally respected Rheumatologist who I continue to go to and still no answers. I have had EEG, sweat tests, MRIs and a slew of lab work. Everything negative. The good news is that all of the really scary stuff has been ruled out like MS, ALS, Etc. I appreciate your post because I was feeling very alone in this. I am otherwise healthy. The main concern of my Rheumatologist is the beginning of a myopathy in one leg (loss of sensation and slowing of nerve messages). I am trying to fight back by doing strength training. Don't know if that'll help or not. My idea not the docs. A neurologist calls these benign fasticulations and said a lot of folks have them and ever find out why. His only concern was eventual muscle atrophy although he said it would be rare. All of this started with an eyelid twitch. I was never sick preceding it and didn't have any rashes. I once heard that geographic location and low Vitamin D could be a factor. I take mega doses of Vit. D because I live in the upper midwest where everyone has low Vit. D. It hasn't helped yet but I just started so it may just be too soon to tell. Good luck.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Though the twitching has come after the viral infection, it is not necessary that the two are related. There is a condition called as Benign fasciculation Syndrome. The symptoms mimic those of ALS. But there is no serious problem. And the symptoms are exacerbated by anxiety stress. Viral infection is a stress.

Do keep me posted about the EMG. EMG tells us about the origin of the twitching. It differentiates between a muscular problem and a nerve problem.

Regards

[Jlisa]

Since BFS mimics ALS but is not a serious, progressive disease can I expect the myopathy in my leg and slowing nerve pulse to subside and go away? It hasn't progressed much since diagnosed via tests a few months ago. I am assuming I have BFS since the neurologist ruled out neuromuscular diseases. Is there something I can do to offset the muscle tremors? They have become more pronounced although a bit less frequent in my estimate. I can't make the correlation to stress. The tremors are most noticeable after physical activity and at rest.