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Muscle Twitching and Spasms in Legs and Feet
Can lumbar spine problems (or spine problems in general) cause chronic twiching and/or spasming of muscles in the calves and feet?
My background: Posterior interbody lumbar fusion (L4-S1) 7 months ago, anterior cervical fusion (C5-C7) about 4 years ago, and undifferentiated spondylitis. Leg muscles twitch constantly, regardless of activities, worsen when I first lie down, but then settle down to mild twitching all night long after being in bed awhile. If I do any physical activities (walking on treadmill, stretching, eliptical machine, etc.) the twitching goes into severe spasms in my calves and sometimes in my feet during the night. Sometimes the calves will spasm when I climb stairs during the day, but I immediately walk out the spasm. On bad nights, however, I have to get up every 10 minutes all night long to walk out the spasms. If I don't exercise, the spasms are infrequent, but the twitching is constant. With exercise, the spasms are chronic on a nightly basis. At night my lower back frequently tightens or spasms, and in my sleep I'll arch my back and tightly lock my legs in a stretch to counter the lower back spasm, and it will wake up in the process; this may, at times, contribute to the leg spasms, but it doesn't happen everytime. I'm still having moderate groin and hip pain since the lumber surgery, but benefits have far outweigh the discomfort, and the pain is slowly but surely diminishing. The twitching and spasms preceded the lumbar surgeries and have not abated since the surgeries.
I don't have MS and don't seem to fit the pattern for RLS. I've taken RLS meds, potassium, magnesium, quinine, heomeopatic remedies, etc. but nothing help. Flexeril 3x daily will help when spasms get bad, but the side effects are pretty intense, so I stopped exercising for the sake of trying to sleep at night.
I would appreciate any insight you may be able to provide regarding back problems and leg and foot muscle issues. Thank you.
My background: Posterior interbody lumbar fusion (L4-S1) 7 months ago, anterior cervical fusion (C5-C7) about 4 years ago, and undifferentiated spondylitis. Leg muscles twitch constantly, regardless of activities, worsen when I first lie down, but then settle down to mild twitching all night long after being in bed awhile. If I do any physical activities (walking on treadmill, stretching, eliptical machine, etc.) the twitching goes into severe spasms in my calves and sometimes in my feet during the night. Sometimes the calves will spasm when I climb stairs during the day, but I immediately walk out the spasm. On bad nights, however, I have to get up every 10 minutes all night long to walk out the spasms. If I don't exercise, the spasms are infrequent, but the twitching is constant. With exercise, the spasms are chronic on a nightly basis. At night my lower back frequently tightens or spasms, and in my sleep I'll arch my back and tightly lock my legs in a stretch to counter the lower back spasm, and it will wake up in the process; this may, at times, contribute to the leg spasms, but it doesn't happen everytime. I'm still having moderate groin and hip pain since the lumber surgery, but benefits have far outweigh the discomfort, and the pain is slowly but surely diminishing. The twitching and spasms preceded the lumbar surgeries and have not abated since the surgeries.
I don't have MS and don't seem to fit the pattern for RLS. I've taken RLS meds, potassium, magnesium, quinine, heomeopatic remedies, etc. but nothing help. Flexeril 3x daily will help when spasms get bad, but the side effects are pretty intense, so I stopped exercising for the sake of trying to sleep at night.
I would appreciate any insight you may be able to provide regarding back problems and leg and foot muscle issues. Thank you.
Hello, I just read all the posts and have some things in commen..the excruciating burning back pain. I was told that I had DDD and arthitis in my L4-L5..It can be so miserable. You can't do anything..but lean against something to get some ease. Temporarily..unfortunately. I had ACD & F Spinal Fusion '06 and 3 ESI's in which were a mistake..bc the first two helped and I was so happy I hugged the doc and told him that I loved him, but the third one tore all of that down..I was lying there w/my face in little hole and they had music blairing in the background and the doc was talking to someone that apparently was helping him that he was taking a trip to LA and he hit something that made my whole body jump. I raised my head and asked what..what what was that? He told me to put my head back down and he studdered and answered with FRICTION. He told me to immmediately sit up and got in my face and asked if I had heavy breathing or was my ears ringing. I just told him that my hands and my feet were numb. They kept me for an hour under deep surveilance..I mean that they paced in front of my door and I had a heart monitor and blood pressure every 5 min. I truly believe they messed me up bad and I would like to know just what happened ...I am still numb in both hands and feet. It is only getting worse since now I have pain everywhere in my body. Actually that is when all the back pain started..HMMM? Of course, they cover their hides with the statute of limitations..conveinient..It is just not fair that they can destroy a persons life so quickly and I worked professional as a Vocalist in Nashville...not anymore. I can't play my guitar. My whole world has been turned upside down. What am I gonna do? Does anyone know. I have the leg pains, especially under my knees...oh...it is terrible. I can't stand for over 5-10 min.my back feels like it is on fire. I run...or should I say limp to the bed to lay down. I stay in the bed a lot..since my pain is still in my neck too. I feel like I am falling apart or should I say have fell apart. Well, I sure hope u get ur symptoms under control. If anyone knows what is going on w/me..I would appreciate it..oh..I do have those leg and arm rls symptoms ...so creepy and you have to stretch all the time..I sure hope u feel better and I will say a prayer 4 u guys...Take care and always GOD BLESS visit my website that I am just now working on,but it has a lot to say @ docs that leave u hanginng and ur life tooooo http://skeetelmore65.blogspot.com/
Dear opus88,
I'm reluctant to take narcotics only because I'm a teacher and I need to be on my A game. Do you find that these drugs inhibit you mentally at all? Opus88, thank you so much for your suggestions. You are really very helpful! Take care!
I'm reluctant to take narcotics only because I'm a teacher and I need to be on my A game. Do you find that these drugs inhibit you mentally at all? Opus88, thank you so much for your suggestions. You are really very helpful! Take care!
some times when you are on a muscle relaxer for a long period of time it can cause twitting. I had the same thing i was on flexarill for years and out of the blue i had twittes my pain managment doctor changed my muscle relavxer to soma and two days later the twittes are gone i hope this helps you
HI again, I am so sorry for all your pain, I can hear the agony ur in.
Have you tried narcotics? My pain was never as severe as yours sounds but never the less were very limiting in what I was able to do. I've been on oxycontin for 6 months now and it does help the back pain and mobility, however I find it doesn't help at all with the leg/thigh pain.
I've also read on the pain forum where TENS machines can do wonders for some people and back pain, have you looked into that?
I'm glad epidural is no longer an option for your sake, and I sure hope surgery is a last resort also.
keep fighting
Have you tried narcotics? My pain was never as severe as yours sounds but never the less were very limiting in what I was able to do. I've been on oxycontin for 6 months now and it does help the back pain and mobility, however I find it doesn't help at all with the leg/thigh pain.
I've also read on the pain forum where TENS machines can do wonders for some people and back pain, have you looked into that?
I'm glad epidural is no longer an option for your sake, and I sure hope surgery is a last resort also.
keep fighting
Thank you, both, for your advice. Since my insurance won't cover the epidural, it is no longer an option. I guess some things work out for the best. I am still, however, in a world of pain. My insurance also wouldn't cover Cymbalta, so after weening myself off of that, I am on Neurontin. The side effects are intense, but I know I can get through this in a few weeks. I am so frustrated. My doctor wants so badly for my pain to go away, but the insurance company could care less. Surgery seems to be the only remaining option. Physical therapy did not work and meds don't seem to help with the pain. The jerking and pain down the back of my legs have improved with the Neurontin, but the severe pain in my lower back won't cease. I don't mean to use this site to complain. I just want a solution to this problem. Is surgery my only hope? Ironically my father is a retired surgeon and advises against me having surgery, but I feel like I am running out of options.
Jrussbag,
I used to be a ballet dancer (before the back pain) and I am not a stranger to muscular twitching and pain in my legs. What seemed to help me was using a heating pad before activity and stretching the muscle. After activity, ice helped. The heating pad loosens up your muscles and gets you ready for action. The ice relieved the pain after activity. I don't know how helpful this advice is to you, but I would try using a heating pad first.
Take care, everyone.
Jrussbag,
I used to be a ballet dancer (before the back pain) and I am not a stranger to muscular twitching and pain in my legs. What seemed to help me was using a heating pad before activity and stretching the muscle. After activity, ice helped. The heating pad loosens up your muscles and gets you ready for action. The ice relieved the pain after activity. I don't know how helpful this advice is to you, but I would try using a heating pad first.
Take care, everyone.
Katie- from my experience (and great spinal specialist) i have chosen not to take any meds and espec not epidurals, as they are temporary and perpetual. I saw 3 spinal specialists, REAL Dr's dont advise you towards an epidural unless it is your last option...think about it- its a needle to your spine, that has temporary effect!
I have DDD and minor herniation on several lower discs. I ruptured a disk about 3yrs ago. It was explained to me that it was actually good since it acted as a pimple would. (when it pops, it relieves pressure internally) With the rupture however, it put pressure on a nerve, caused my calf to weaken (to a limp), thus, a discectomy 4days later to relieve the disc fragment pushing on the nerve..
I suffered mild nerve damage in my calf that causes perpetual fasciculations, especially at night.... which brought me to this thread!
I apprec any advice but i would offer this to all..... it seems the more i utilize the calf and STRETCH regularly the better it is. I know our schedules dont coordinate properly but it helps and it makes sense. Its almost as if my calf is telling me it needs attention. As with any muscular issues in the body, stretching can only help. Try to lean towards exercise bikes and elipticals over running, as running is not good for joints/back. I realized this after my wife convinced me to run NYC marathon! Best of luck, i hope this helps.
I have DDD and minor herniation on several lower discs. I ruptured a disk about 3yrs ago. It was explained to me that it was actually good since it acted as a pimple would. (when it pops, it relieves pressure internally) With the rupture however, it put pressure on a nerve, caused my calf to weaken (to a limp), thus, a discectomy 4days later to relieve the disc fragment pushing on the nerve..
I suffered mild nerve damage in my calf that causes perpetual fasciculations, especially at night.... which brought me to this thread!
I apprec any advice but i would offer this to all..... it seems the more i utilize the calf and STRETCH regularly the better it is. I know our schedules dont coordinate properly but it helps and it makes sense. Its almost as if my calf is telling me it needs attention. As with any muscular issues in the body, stretching can only help. Try to lean towards exercise bikes and elipticals over running, as running is not good for joints/back. I realized this after my wife convinced me to run NYC marathon! Best of luck, i hope this helps.
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