Muscle twitch or spasm?

[Corriel]

Hi everyone, spasticity is new for me and it seems to be worse in my arms. The last week or so I have noticed that while at rest, my left thumb starts to vibrate and move towards my index finger. Very annoying but it only happens a few times per minute then goes away for up to several hours.

I have 2 questions, is this from spasticity and does anyone else have it affect their thumbs?

Thanks!
Corrie

[Corriel]

Thanks folks! It seems to only happen in the evening but last night my hand started to cramp too.

Everything feels fine this morning though thank goodness!

Thanks again for responding!
Corrie

[calamfred]

Hi,
My husband will also have this happen. Just the other day I heard him sigh, saw him pressing on his forearm area. I asked what was going on? He removed his thumb, and I could visibly see the muscle twitching. He described it as annoying rather than painful.  

I know when a muscle gets over fatigued, it can go into spasm/twitching. Like my eye will do that if i have been reading for long periods of time. Spasms are considered involuntary muscle contractions. Spacticity is more of involuntary muscle stiffness.

Holding steady constant pressure on the area in spasm can sometimes stop it. Usually it seems to just run its course, so to speak...and be off and on.

Spacticity tends to come on, and generally without some type of intervention doesn't usually relax off on its own. If you do a Google search, there are some good articles on this subject. Just make sure you're reading from a reputable site.

I always have to add that with a lil chuckle, as my grandparents used to tell us about medical info they had read, and we would tease them "Was it from the Enquirer, lol?".  And as always, check with your Dr at your checkups

Regards,
C

[Sailorsong]

The closest thing I get to what you are describing is a tremor/twitching of my left index finger. Like with your thumb it only lasts for a short while (minute or two) then goes away for hours or days even. It is because of this repetitive movement that I refer to it as a tremor.

I tend to think of spasticity as a singe movement (tightening) of a muscle like with my MS HUG and my leg cramping.

Dennis

[Corriel]

Thanks Dennis! It is hard to describe the thumb gets shaky looking and feels like it is vibrating then it just moves on sideways into a straight position next to my index finger.

I can't tell if it is a twitch/spasm or tremor. It seemed like an odd place for a tremor so I opted for spasticity but I honestly don't know.

[Sailorsong]

With you stating about a vibration I would tend to think it is some sort of tremor rather than spasticity.  But since I don't experience this I can't be sure if I'm understanding what you were saying correctly.

Dennis