muscle twitching

[EJNILB]

Dear Dr.

I was Dx with RRMS on 5/13/13. ON was the presenting symptom. MRI of brain and spine confirmed cerebral and cord lesions. Since Dx I've had constant body wide twitching. The MS specialist rejects the fact it's related. I found information supporting his position in official MS literature, however, there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence from other people with MS that twitching is common. As I'm sure you know, an internet search of muscle twitching invariably returns results about ALS. Besides a positive Babinski my neuro exam was good. I also have low vitamin B and very low vitamin D (17). Can this twitching be the result of my MS or should I press for EMG?

Eric

[goolia75]

It didn't really seem like this doctor addressed your question. To answer your question, my sister-in-law has MS and experience muscle twitching. And I don't mean spasms or cramps, but actual fasciculations. I know of many other people with MS who have twitching. Go to "This Is MS" online (search for it) and look up "muscle twitching". There are lots of people who experience it. Although doctors claim it's not related, patients are the ones who really have MS, so I would trust the patient's opinion more. Besides, MS can cause muscle weakness, so I would think that the muscle twitching could also go along with the weakness.

Also, my sis-in-law had a normal EMG. If I were you, I would do the EMG. That will be able to rule other things out so that you will feel more comfortable knowing the twitching isn't caused from a fatal neuro disease. Good luck!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
A positive Babinski sign is seen in ALS, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, infection or injury, spinal cord tumor, compression, infection and injury and in stroke. Of this you have relapsing MS. If you had ALS as well, then your doctor would find signs of both upper (muscle weakness, decreased motor control, inability to perform fine movements, increased spinal reflexes, and positive Babinski sign—great toe going up) and lower motor (muscle weakness, abnormal EMG etc) neuron weakness in at least one limb.
So, since you have generalized twitctchings, get the blood levels of the following checked if they have not already been checked: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, or vitamins B1, B3, or B6 and Vitamin D. Generally deficiencies of any of the above can cause muscle twitching and spasms in localized or generalized areas of the body. Get your kidney function, parathyroid gland function and adrenal function tests done because these affect the electrolyte balance in the body. Stress, alcohol, caffeine and fatigue all cause similar symptoms. Hence if you take alcohol or coffee then cut this down. Sleep at regular hours and see if it helps. Certain sleep disorders and peripheral nerve disorders due to diabetes, Lyme's, lupus or hypothyroidism can also be the cause.
Since a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net please consult your doctor regarding this. Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.