Severe twitching and other symptoms

[rose]

For about the last 3 months now I have had severe twitching that started on in the back area on the right side.  It will bend me over to the side side about 4-5 inches.  When it started it was only when I was laying down, now I also have it when sitting.  It's generally worse at night.  For that last few years my right had has periods of being shaky.  The last 8-9 months my eyesight has become increasing worse with some minor double vision at night which my reading glasses will correct.  My 45 and I understand that at that age your eyesite gets worse but my doesn't see to level out....just keeps getting worse.  Starting 14 years ago I have seen several doctors regarding pain in right side in ovary area.  Many tests were done but no one could find out what was wrong.  Finally this year a therapist told me muscle in that area is very weak.  (The hip area pops...feels like I'm popping it out of the socket and is very painful.)  This is about the time twitching started.  I saw my GP regarding twitching.  He is sending me to a neurologist.  I know I'm rambling but I guess I'm getting a little worried. Over the years I've probably had about 6 tests for thyroid and every thing looks good there.  The GP just did blood tests for any deficiencies and every thing looked good there. I feel like my personality is changing.  I was once a very patient person but now I'm not.  Any suggestions?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Rose:



Sorry that your having problems with muscle fasciculations.  I am not sure what to tell you.  Since you have had your thyroid checked and it is normal, this is good.  I will assume that this was done recently.  If you have no demonstrated muscle weakness with your fasciculations or sensory symptoms, then you do not have ALS.  There can be many things beside these two entities to cause muscle twitching.  A good neurological exam will help sort of which ones to test for.  I can't tell you too much about the eye acuity problems.  Diplopia is not normal and should be distinquished from blurry vision.  Double vision or when you see two objects either side-by-side or one ontop of the other is usually due to a weak eye muscle.  This needs investigation.  I would recommend that you have the neurologist pay special attention to your vision during testing.



Sorry, I am not much help.  Let us know how the neurological examination turns out.



Sincerely,



CCF Neuro MD

[chris]

Rose - i too have twitching and ghost images (double) at night time. Is your double vision on everything or on high contrast things? Mine is worse like on road signs and such. Had all kinds of test with no answers. Was told to live with it..



Chris (26 yrs)

[Mike]

Double vision in one eye must be distinguished from double vision in both eyes.  Many people with refractive errors (especially astigmatism and myopia) get double vision in the same eye.  This especially occurs at night, when the pupil is dialated.  Double vision in both eyes (where the double goes away when you close one eye), is neurologically significant.  Double vision in the same eye is not (usually--rarely an optic neuritis can produce this effect).

[chris]

Mike - mine happens in both eyes and if you close either eye the open eye sees ghost images too, not bad all the time.. Any ideas?



Chris

[rose]

My double vision is on road signs, lights, and the moon.  As far as if it's one eye or both eyes I'm not sure, I check it out tonight.



Chris - is the twitching worse at different times?

[question for Tracy]

True Double vision is when with both eyes looking at an object, you see two images.  Then you cover one eye and it corrects itself.  The reason Double vision can be a neurological problem is because the eye muscles are weakened and cannot support the eye causing them to shake and create the double vision.  If you cover an eye and everything is normal, that is a problem.  Or at least can be one.  If you have your spouse or friend hold a pencil in front of your face about 2 feet away, slowly move it from side to side having you follow it with your eyes, see if he -she notices rocking motion of the eyes or shaking.  If they glide smothly from side to side this is a good sign.

[Question From Chris For A Neuro Doctor P]

Well so is the doc basically saying if u have the twitching and weakness u could possibly have als?

I have been having problems for ahwile and i have really weak and achy feet?

I feel really unstable on my feet and i have alot of nervousness iam a 27 yr old male.

Please somebody shed some light all my blood work comes back ok and iam hypothyroidism and am getting it under control however i had these problems before this too i have been hypothyroid for about 2 yrs now.

Thank  you

[question for Tracy]

I guess ALS is very rare and alot of people twitching get scared they have it.  From what I have read from this fantastic Doctor (he, she) truly is one of the smartest Docs I have yet seen on a message board.  Anyhow from what I read with ALS and twitching you will have muscle weakness, I guess its fairly quick in progression with a fatal outcome, some folks may live up to 5 yrs but typically within a year your gone.  I know this because when my mom was in a hospice there were several ALS patients.  Again ALS is RARE and if you had it you would know it as your muscles would be progresivly wasting away, every muscle in your body not just one location.  Swalowing would be affected, breathing etc.  I twitch all over I dont know why or whats going on.  I just thank god my body still works and is not getting any worse.  You dont have ALS.... plus your alittle young for it.

[Question From Chris For A Neuro Doctor P]

Thanks Karen that is some pretty scary stuff.

With all the problems iam having i just hear alot and it gets me goin.

I just want to feel better.

Thanks

[skipatro]

For information on twitching and to get support from others in your situation, please visit the MGH neurology web forums, and go under the neuromuscular forum.  Many twitchers there who have been scared, and this forum offers much support and reasurrance.