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Unexplained Muscle Cramps/Spasms/Chest Pains
by vulcanis, Jun 19, 2008 04:38AM
I am a 25 year old caucasian male of irish descent.
Ever since being physically active as a child, I have had problems with muscle cramping.
Strenuous and semi stressful physical exertion would often be accompanied by extreme painful muscle cramping in major leg and arm muscles. Making it difficult to move, let alone lift a particular arm or leg.
Growing up I had a normal childhood riding bikes, playing baseball, tag, all the sorts of things young kids do. Often times the cramping would never present itself. Appears to almost be random.
In highschool I ran cross country (not very well, however, often finished last in races due to extreme muscle cramping/pain, but I always finished a race, running through the pain. Went on to do some track and also some tennis, along with some bowling. Have experienced this extreme cramping/pain in all of these sports at one time or another.
In college I did competitive fencing for two years. For the first year or so, it seemd that I was no longer presenting the symptoms described. However, a year into it I had a very stressful match and ended cramping across my entire body, not being able to move. Again, had to fight through the pain.
Along with the painful cramping, another symptom has consistently presented itself. My muscles, in random places on the body, sometimes twitch or spasm. The spasms rarely last for more than 1 or 2 seconds, and seem to be random occurences. They sometimes will happen in the same area randomly for up to 10-15 minutes. It is very, very inconsistent.
I also randomly somtimes experience medium to severe chest pain at random moments in time, often not accompanied with any cramping, muscle spasms, or physical activity. It can happen anywhere. Sitting down at the computer. Driving. Doing physical activity. Not doing physical activity.
I had tests done at the Cleveland Clinic and they were not able to diagnose the issue. I had raised CPK and CK levels in unnaceptable leves in the thousands. However, no other enzyme or blood levels were out of whack. I had three muscle biopsies. One in my right upper thigh muscle, and one on each forearm.
Tests were negative for any kinds of myopathies. Tests were negative for any severe neurological diseases like MS, MLS or any other sort of degenerative muscle disorders.
Acid reflux has been toted as a likely candidate for the chest pains. Prevacid and Prilosec have both reduced chest pains slightly. However, the medium to severe chest pains have presented themselves at times when acid reflux could not possibly have been the culprit.
I recently had a colonoscopy performed due to my family having a history of colon cancer. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. There was a worry that I might have inherited Crohns from my mothers side of the family, but that was not the case. I also did not appear to have IBS or anything of the sort.
The only other thing I can tell you is that I have been told I have a condition called malignant hypothermia. A disorder that all anesthesialogists must be aware of prior to giving me any form of anesthesia.
The Cleveland Clinic did a number of tests on me, including blood draws, muscle biopsies, ekg, though, I don't quite remember of an MRI or CT was performed. This was done when I was 19 years old.
I have not had any further look into this since then, and I'm wondering what my next steps should be.
Besides the unexplained muscle cramps/spasms and chest pains, I am a very healthy 25 year old male. I'm perhaps 10-15 pounds overweight, but then again who isnt. I have seasonal allergies to ragweed, pollen, mold, dust, all those. I have however never gotten an allergy ***** test. However, I'm not allergic to any of the major things like penicillin, peanuts or latex. I typically get a strep throat infection almost perhaps like clockwork every spring and fall. I don't have any sexually transmitted infections, I have never done any intravenous drugs. I've occasionally smoked marijuana and i have ingested psylocibin mushrooms one time in my entire life. I have also never broken a bone in my entire body.
Mentally I have had issues with both depression and anxiety, often brought on, especially as a child, by these bizarre cramping events. Imagine having a ton of fun with other kids, only to be made fun of because I couldn't play anymore due to extreme muscle pain/soreness, being told by gym teachers and sports coaches to suck it up and quit complaining, or being called lazy because I simply could not continue with a certain physical activity due to extreme cramping and muscle pain.
Also, I was told by one of the doctors that I should avoid massive amounts of caffiene. Is there any truth to this? If so, how much caffiene is bad, and should I avoid drinking anything that contains caffiene such as soda, coffee or energy drinks.
On a side note, when I watch the show House M.D. I wish there were a doctor smart enough to diagnose whatever the hell it is that I have. Isn't fiction television grand :p
My main concern is this. What is wrong with me, and can it be potentially life threatening?
Ever since being physically active as a child, I have had problems with muscle cramping.
Strenuous and semi stressful physical exertion would often be accompanied by extreme painful muscle cramping in major leg and arm muscles. Making it difficult to move, let alone lift a particular arm or leg.
Growing up I had a normal childhood riding bikes, playing baseball, tag, all the sorts of things young kids do. Often times the cramping would never present itself. Appears to almost be random.
In highschool I ran cross country (not very well, however, often finished last in races due to extreme muscle cramping/pain, but I always finished a race, running through the pain. Went on to do some track and also some tennis, along with some bowling. Have experienced this extreme cramping/pain in all of these sports at one time or another.
In college I did competitive fencing for two years. For the first year or so, it seemd that I was no longer presenting the symptoms described. However, a year into it I had a very stressful match and ended cramping across my entire body, not being able to move. Again, had to fight through the pain.
Along with the painful cramping, another symptom has consistently presented itself. My muscles, in random places on the body, sometimes twitch or spasm. The spasms rarely last for more than 1 or 2 seconds, and seem to be random occurences. They sometimes will happen in the same area randomly for up to 10-15 minutes. It is very, very inconsistent.
I also randomly somtimes experience medium to severe chest pain at random moments in time, often not accompanied with any cramping, muscle spasms, or physical activity. It can happen anywhere. Sitting down at the computer. Driving. Doing physical activity. Not doing physical activity.
I had tests done at the Cleveland Clinic and they were not able to diagnose the issue. I had raised CPK and CK levels in unnaceptable leves in the thousands. However, no other enzyme or blood levels were out of whack. I had three muscle biopsies. One in my right upper thigh muscle, and one on each forearm.
Tests were negative for any kinds of myopathies. Tests were negative for any severe neurological diseases like MS, MLS or any other sort of degenerative muscle disorders.
Acid reflux has been toted as a likely candidate for the chest pains. Prevacid and Prilosec have both reduced chest pains slightly. However, the medium to severe chest pains have presented themselves at times when acid reflux could not possibly have been the culprit.
I recently had a colonoscopy performed due to my family having a history of colon cancer. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. There was a worry that I might have inherited Crohns from my mothers side of the family, but that was not the case. I also did not appear to have IBS or anything of the sort.
The only other thing I can tell you is that I have been told I have a condition called malignant hypothermia. A disorder that all anesthesialogists must be aware of prior to giving me any form of anesthesia.
The Cleveland Clinic did a number of tests on me, including blood draws, muscle biopsies, ekg, though, I don't quite remember of an MRI or CT was performed. This was done when I was 19 years old.
I have not had any further look into this since then, and I'm wondering what my next steps should be.
Besides the unexplained muscle cramps/spasms and chest pains, I am a very healthy 25 year old male. I'm perhaps 10-15 pounds overweight, but then again who isnt. I have seasonal allergies to ragweed, pollen, mold, dust, all those. I have however never gotten an allergy ***** test. However, I'm not allergic to any of the major things like penicillin, peanuts or latex. I typically get a strep throat infection almost perhaps like clockwork every spring and fall. I don't have any sexually transmitted infections, I have never done any intravenous drugs. I've occasionally smoked marijuana and i have ingested psylocibin mushrooms one time in my entire life. I have also never broken a bone in my entire body.
Mentally I have had issues with both depression and anxiety, often brought on, especially as a child, by these bizarre cramping events. Imagine having a ton of fun with other kids, only to be made fun of because I couldn't play anymore due to extreme muscle pain/soreness, being told by gym teachers and sports coaches to suck it up and quit complaining, or being called lazy because I simply could not continue with a certain physical activity due to extreme cramping and muscle pain.
Also, I was told by one of the doctors that I should avoid massive amounts of caffiene. Is there any truth to this? If so, how much caffiene is bad, and should I avoid drinking anything that contains caffiene such as soda, coffee or energy drinks.
On a side note, when I watch the show House M.D. I wish there were a doctor smart enough to diagnose whatever the hell it is that I have. Isn't fiction television grand :p
My main concern is this. What is wrong with me, and can it be potentially life threatening?
It seems you have been having some neuropathic condition like Benign fasciculation syndrome which is a neurological disorder characterized by twitching of various voluntary muscles in the body like that in eyelids, arms, legs, and feet.The twitching may be occasional or may go on nearly continuously. An electromyograph test is desirable to assess your condition better.
Do you also have altered sensations, fatigue, muscle cramps and exercise intolerance?
Have your anxiety levels increased in the recent past?You should consult a neurologist and evaluate the cause.
The following medical conditions are some other causes of Muscle spasms Twitches,Tics,Chorea,Seizures
Muscle spasms often occur when a muscle is overused or injured. Working out when you haven't had enough fluids (you're dehydrated) or when you have low levels of minerals such as potassium or calcium can also make you more likely to have muscle spasms.
Some spasms occur because the nerve that connects to a muscle is irritated. The classic example is a herniated disk irritating spinal nerves as they exit the back, causing pain and spasm.