Muscle Twitches All OVER

[dietcokebottle]

Hi,
I get muscle twitches at least 20-40 times a day usually its in the legs or arm or just under the arm. I can see my muscles jumping. It started about 4 weeks ago and its starting to freak me out. I have been on xanax because I have been very stressed and have been having panic attacks. I dont take the xanax much now maybe once a week. Also I am a diabetic and am on blood pressure tablets . I am 24 years old. I am so afraid right now cos my health is so much in a mess I have always takin good care of my diabeties. My HBO is about 6.5 for my blood. I also got high cholestrol and I am normal weight and I try and watch what I eat. This muscle twitching has just pushed me to the edge no matter what I do some other medical thing comes along now I have this twitching to worry about. Can anyone tell me if they had similar expeience of muscle twitches and what you think might be the cause. thanks.

[DrHelp]

Hi everyone-
i was SO SUPRISED to read A LOT of these posts in the neurological section on muscle twitching, endocrine disorders, bizarre illnesses--- and none of the doctors responses suggested magnesium deficincy!!
not one that i saw!
this is such a common disorder. it is so treatable-- and i hate to see people waste years and time and money going to doctors and never finding the reason for their illnesses.
PLEASE-- if you have any muscle rigidity, tremors, twitching, ANXIETY, depression, AGITATION, mitral value prolpase, heart palpatations, panic attacks, asthma, restless legs, and more-- PLEASE DO A SEARCH FOR YOURSELF ON MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY. YOU WILL BE AMAZED.
you may even find yourself the answer you have been searching for for so long.
i cant go into all the important facts on this post-- so PLEASE READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT IT!!!!
some important points****
-you cant take a blood test for it-- its innaccurate-- will come out normal. you need intracellular measurements-- not blood tests!
-do not take magnesium supplements with calcium-- it interferes!
-slow-mag is magnesium chloride-- its a good over the counter supplement that favors better absorption (it has a small amount of calcium but not enough to interfere-- aviod calcium- mag combo supplements
-it is verysafe to take mag-- except in persons with kidney disease
-by taking it orally, it may take 2 weeks to get tissue levels back to normal and decrease your symptoms
- it is a very common deficiency and so widely OVERLOOKED!
- diuretics, caffeine increases magnesium loss-aviod these
-in severe cases you can get injections

it makes me so sad that A LOT of people will never realize this and never research or find this out-- and suffer for so many years.
please-- this is so overlooked-- and you are the only person that can find the right answers to your health-- a doctor will not do this extensive of research for you. you have to be the one to direct your doctor in answering your health concerns.
i hate when someone labels a medical disorder as a "syndrome"... that means they dont know!
there is ALWAYS an UNDERLYING REASON for a symptom.
things just dont happen for no reason.
it is up to you to find that reason-- and HOPE that you find a doctor open and caring enough to help you and run a lot of tests to find the underlying problem.
for example-- depression IS NOT A CONDITION! it is merely a symptom! WHAT is causing the chemical imbalance?? what chemical? if it is serotonin-- then WHY? most of the time it is endocrine in nature.
there are SO MANY neuroendocrine disorders that get overlooked and not treated by doctors because they simply do not know about them or have educated themselves about them.
one HUGE EXAMPLE is ADULT GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY!
a lot of doctors dismiss this and refuse to beleive it exists! this is simply not true.
GH deficiency is bigger than most of us will ever realize in our lifetimes. It is a HUGE neuroendocrine disorder with MANY symptoms and many causes (autoimmune, LYMES, fibromyalgia, pituitary tumors, head trauma, radiation, ... etc)
many patients will never ever get help with this and never have a life because many doctors will not look into it.
let me give you the most important words of wisdom--- never give up on yourself-- seek until you find a competent doctor that will address your issues. leave immediately from those who will not consider completely checking you for all neuroendocrine disorders including growth hormone deficiency. be your own advocate.
help is out there-- you have to ask and search until you find the right person to help you that holds the medical knowledge.
try Universities and never stop inquiring and researching.
GH deficiency can have problems with mineral and magnesium absorption.
you could just simply have low magnesium in the tissues.

the only reason i listed this is that i want people that may have this to seriously look into it.

if anyone finding this post needs more info on GH deficiency-- please go to hgfound.org

for those of you without neuroendocrine issues and simply have twitching, anxiety, cramps, depression, etc--- please research magnesium all you can. try google.com

never give up--- there is an underlying reason to everything!
its just that a lot of doctors dont necessarily TRY to find it and just treat the SYMPTOMS with other unrelated pharmaceuticals. These meds may treat a symptom-- but its not what your body needs. find what it needs to the best of your ability.

i know-- i have found my way-- i had magnesium deficiency that got better after I figured it out and started taking slow-mag.
i also have growth hormone deficiency. i had to FIGHT long and hard for any doctor to take me seriously. i could have suffered my entire life NEEDLESSLY if i gave up.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Muscle twitches are called fasciculations in medical terms. There is a condition called benign fasciculation syndrome which can occur in individuals your age. Also, fasciculations can occur secondary to stress, and excessive excercise. You should have this evaluated by seeing a neurologist. They may or may not decide to do an EMG, a test to look at the function of muscles and nerves. Good luck.

[paigeh]

Hi, I am so excited to read that I am not the only one who is experiencing these symptoms.  I am a 28 yr old pretty healhly female & have been having tons of these muscle twitches up & down my arms & legs for over a year now.  I have just recently started having a lot of tingling in my fingers, toes & head.  I also have shooting like pains in my legs & hips.  The pains come & go & are not too bad to deal with.  I just wondered if any of you had any advice for me.  I am not a stressed out or depressed person, so I don't think that could be a cause.  A co-worker of mine was recently diagnosed with MS, so I have been really worried about that.  This forum is making me think more positive though.  Thanks so much for any help you can give.

[DrHelp]

HI Ianna-
some sources report that TOO MUCH calcium taken at the same TIME- can interfere w/ magnesium absorption. They compete for absorption and calcium usually wins.
Slow- mag the kind i take, does have a LITTLE calcium in it-- but not enough to interfere and enough ratio to help them work together.
it is recommended to take calcium and magnesium at different times if you are to take more calcium in a day. I take my calcium supplement at a different time. for people with a deficiency, definately need to take their magnesium separately or in a combo ratio like Slow-mag.
below is some literature from the web on the subject (different views on the absorption issue):
(remember, regular blood serum tests will be innacurate- it does not show a deficiency or low "intracellular" amounts)

Magnesium

Type

Mineral

Source

Wheat germ, wheat bran, brewer's yeast, nuts whole grains, brown rice, green leafy vegetables, honey, fish, fruits, figs, almonds, beans, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds.

Dosage

300-1600mg daily.

Discussion

Magnesium is needed for healthy nerve and muscle tissue. It is responsible for more biochemical reactions in the body than any other mineral. It acts with calcium and phosphorus to ensure proper metabolism and with potassium to modify sodium levels. Magnesium is needed by every cell for synthesis of protein, utilization of fats and carbohydrates, and production of energy. It is used with B6 in many enzyme systems and to produce energy. * Magnesium is lost with excess sugar and caffeine intake. * Alcohol and sodium deplete magnesium. * Too much calcium blocks magnesium absorption/utilization. * Saturated fat blocks magnesium absorption and utilization. * Magnesium consumption decreases as we age. * 1 soda drink contains about 30mg of phosphate. Every mg of phosphate eliminates 1mg of magnesium from your body. Magnesium glycinate is magnesium chelated with glycine, which is a great carrier for magnesium. Its low molecular weight gives higher absorption and it does not require stomach acid to be absorbed. A magnesium deficiency is associated with low levels of calcium and potassium. Excessive amounts of magnesium can prevent calcium from being absorbed so some doctors recommend taking calcium and magnesium at different times. Other sources say that calcium and magnesium are absorbed differently and do not interfere with each other. Magnesium and B6 work together. B6 assures proper magnesium in red blood cells and magnesium activates dozens of B6 enzymes. You cannot metabolize C, D, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium without sufficient magnesium.

Deficiency Symptoms

It is thought that 20-80% of the population of the United States is deficient in magnesium. It is implicated in ischemic heart disease, angina, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes, stroke, vascular-spasm and diabetes-caused vision problems. Magnesium is used with B6 in many enzyme systems and to produce energy. Many B6 deficiency symptoms are the same as magnesium - convulsions, tremors, kidney stones, and insomnia. Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms: * Tremors, muscle twitches and cramps, muscle weakness and pain * Palpitations, breathlessness * Insomnia, sensitivity to loud noises * Migraine or tension headaches * Nervousness, irritability * Mental and physical fatigue * Fearfulness, confusion, disorientation, poor concentration * Psychiatric disturbances, depression, schizophrenia, autism * Glandular disturbances * Poor circulation, constriction of blood vessels, high blood pressure, high LDL * Calcium deposits * Heart disease, chest pain * Poor complexion * Menopause-associated insomnia, infertility, premature birth * Abdominal pain, constipation * Feeling like your skin is crawling

Caution

* Magnesium should be used cautiously by patients with an impaired kidney function. * Taking over 3000mg may have laxative effect. * Taking over 5000mg may cause nausea, calcium/phosphorus imbalance. * If you get muscle cramps that you didn't have before taking magnesium, you may need less magnesium or more calcium. * The correct ratio of calcium to magnesium must be maintained. Generally, it is 2 times as much calcium as magnesium. For example, take 200mg calcium with 100mg magnesium. Women need a higher magnesium percentage, often equal to that of calcium. For example 200mg calcium/200mg of magnesium.

[tomy7]

Not sure why anyone jumps from BFS to ALS???  BFS is a fairly common occurance.  ALS occurs in 1/100th of 1 percent of the U.S. population.  It's needless worry really.

[Craig12]

Sounds like Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS), which is often times brought on by stress.  You should probably see a neuro just to confirm.  Have you had your thyroid levels checked?  I am 23 and have had muscle twitching for a little over a year now.  When my twitching began I was under a lot of stress and my thyroid was out of whack (hypothyroid - caused my cholesterol to be high as well.)  You might want to go to www.aboutbfs.com for more info on Benign Fasciculation Syndrome.  Good luck!

[dietcokebottle]

Maybe I described it wrong like my arms or legs do not move I just see my muscles jumping but my arm or leg do not physically move I have full control over body movement its just I can see my skin jumping so presume its a muscle doing that. Its scary anyone experience that.

[CyndyisMe]

I also get muscle twitches and jumping in my arms and legs. I was told it was a combination of Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome. I have had to be very careful when holding things because my arm (especially the left, non-dominant one) will swing out on its own regardless of what I am holding at the time. I have learned NOT to hold the popcorn in the movie theater :-)  Seriously, I think it is more than the RLS or the PLMS because things like "the cold" wll set off the spasms in my legs (as when I am swimming). Also my index finger will pull forward down past my thumb (very painful) and/or my
2nd or 3rd toes will pull down and to the side away from the big toe in a tight spasm (extremely painful) and I actually need my husband's help to massage the area, usually by pulling th diget back in the opposite direction that it is spasming... until it releases. I don't know what it is... but I do know a little of what you are experiencing.

[shamrock]

It sounds like BFS to me.  I have these for about 5 years, primarily in my calves.  Somedays are worse than others. Somedays I can actually see my calve muscles move.  Sometimes it is a slight vibration & it can't be seen.  Once in a while it will happen in another part of my body.  I have just learned to live with it.  It doesn't bother me much anymore.  But I agree, high anxiety & sleep deprivation (which was my problem) doesn't help the syndrome.

Good Luck.

Shamrock

[darthschracker]

A related discussion, Muscle Twitching was started.

[amywoodling]

A related discussion, magnesium deficiency was started.

[Stresshead1983]

Please look it up on google its www.McVitamins
its a new neuropathy medication no side affects worth a try...

[Stresshead1983]

Good luck i suffer the same u all im going to neurologist next week i want to have a mri and other tests cause all doctors r eggs;
Pin point it to anxiety i know its not. ....
I read up on natropaths a new formula vitamin B1 is being released for nerves and our symptons im going to try it wish me luck

[mxandy359]

A related discussion, Spasms? was started.

[dkittredge]

A related discussion, muscle twitching all over was started.

[SusanMarlene]

Don't despair. I've had muscle twitching, tingling in extremities, and also numbness in hands, arms while sleeping. Started very gradually about 9 months ago and didn't get bad til about 3 months ago. Getting adjustment from my chiropractor helped the hands from falling asleep. But twitching  has gotten worse so went to my doc who ordered many blood tests (only sl low Vit D) so taking supplement. Now am in process seeing neurologist. Next week get EMG to test muscles and nerves in legs/feet where it's worst. I was very scared thinking it's a terrible disease, but after reading many posts see it may be benign. Still--drives me nuts. So started taking 250mg magnesium oxide 2x a day. Been about one week and that has helped reduce tingling and twitched. Also trying GABA 500mg at night which definitely helps reduce the symptoms but makes me very tired all day!  So don't know if I can continue that. I probably have anxiety too but want to avoid going on prescription medicine for that if possible (afraid of side effects ). Good luck. You may have to cut out the ciggies and any caffiene--stimulants are bad for twitching.

[kss_UK]

I am a young male 24 years old from UK, I have had excessive muscular spasms for around a year or so, like most of you people on the forum the symptoms that you have experienced/experiencing are mirroring what I am feeling. To think it really scares me I don't know what to do, I don't get much sleep as it is, the time now as I write this post is 4am GMT on my Blackberry. I get head aches various parts of my head, little spasms in my legs, calves, arms, I wake up some nights and can't feel my whole arm which freaks me out! Like there is nothing there I don't know if its just the way I sleep or what.. I'm always cracking my neck not purposely just that it stiffens up and have to push my head to the left cracking it to loosen it and make it physically feel better, In the day sometimes I get numbness in my fingers, cramps in my toes maybe, but I think nothing of it, but now I really feel like crap and don't know what to do. iv had a hell of a lot stress over the years education wise falling out of university and so on, also family worries. I'm not in the best of physical conditions but try various activities.

I have not yet seeked any medical attention regarding my symptoms, now I really feel like I need to, it keeps me awake till silly o'clock in the morning until I'm to tired to even think about it any more :( I'm a pretty big lad 6'3" 15.5st, I smoke and drink occasionally but not an alcoholic.. I'm scared to think that I am ill.. Can anyone help me.... really!

Thanks for your time,

K.S.S

[kss_UK]

I am a young male 24 years old from UK, I have had excessive muscular spasms for around a year or so, like most of you people on the forum the symptoms that you have experienced/experiencing are mirroring what I am feeling. To think it really scares me I don't know what to do, I don't get much sleep as it is, the time now as I write this post is 4am GMT on my Blackberry. I get little spasms in my legs, calves, arms, I wake up some nights and can't feel my whole arm which freaks me out! Like there is nothing there I don't know if its just the way I sleep or what.. I'm always cracking my neck not purposely just that it stiffens up and have to push my head to the left cracking it to loosen it and make it physically feel better, In the day sometimes I get numbness in my fingers, cramps in my toes maybe, but I think nothing of it, but now I really feel like crap and don't know what to do. iv had a hell of a lot stress over the years education wise falling out of university and so on, also family worries. I'm not in the best of physical conditions but try various activities.

I have not yet seeked any medical attention regarding my symptoms, now I really feel like I need to, it keeps me awake till silly o'clock in the morning until I'm to tired to even think about it any more :( I'm a pretty big lad 6'3" 15.5st, I smoke and drink occasionally but not an alcoholic.. I'm scared to think that I am ill.. Can anyone help me.... really!

Thanks for your time,

K.S.S

[HATEANXIETY]

Your posts have been verY informative.  Thank you!  My mother was recent diagnosed with cancer, and that sent my stress right through the roof.  Since then, I've been twitching like crazy all over the place.  As soon as the twitching starts, my anxiety would kick in high gear.  When I am in bed, my heart also start racing.  Ive also been taking TylPM just to get some sleep.  My dr wants me on Xanax, but I refused.  I've been taking b12, but I hadn't realized that I wasn't suppose to take it with calcium, now I know.  Well, you've been helpful, to me with easing my paranoid mind due to anxiety.  I was thinking of the worst for my twitching, like huntington.  I just wish it would stop, today!  Thanks again!

[lizee1960]

Hi, lanna.  Yes you are right about having to have both but you also need Vit "D" as well.  The ones you get from the stores will not have the right combination.  You need calcium, magnesium, silicon, and vit D.  I have more info if you want. I have been taking this combination for the last 4 years. I had a bone density test done 6 months before I started the vits. I had Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.  Then 6 months after that I had another bone density test and it impoved by 20% and now I will be getting one again next year and I can't wait to see what this report tells me.  My Doctor told me to keep taking them as it's working.  So there your are.  You can email me for more info at
***@****

[snooze]

Kristina1 -

What kind of magnesium?  Some types are not very absorbable (expecially magnesium oxide).  For more info on magnesium, check out the magnesium archives at www.askwaltstoll.com .

Based on the information there, I'm taking Magnesium Glycinate.  The amount/strength of twitching has really reduced and my other symptoms (nervous system hyperexcitability) are a whole lot better, but still have a ways to go.  I've only been taking the magnesium gyclinate for about two weeks.

~snooze

[Kristina1]

I have muscles twitching, small involuntary arms or leg movements.  I read your posts on magnesium deficiency and that alleviated the incredible fear I had of having something very serious. I went to the doctor who sent me to the neurologist who prescribed Magnesium (600 mg a day). After 2 months the symptoms are a little better. I also started having a sudden leg or body jerk that wakes me up when I am trying to sleep. The neurologist added a PLMS diagnosis. (before was just BFS maybe caused by muscle inflammation that I may have had this summer).
I was prescribed a new medication that contains a protein and is used for Parkinson patients (sorry can

[snooze]

For LoveMyKids -

I've been doing a lot of research on magnesium defiency in the past few weeks because I started twitching all over about a month ago.  One of the things I read with interest was that voice spasms could be related to magnesium defiency -  and the twitching, and the nervousness, the insomnia, and the fatigue, and the depression, and an eyeopening list of other unsolved problems which I've had for years. Do a search on "symptoms of magnesium deficiency" -  there is a lot of info out there.

www.krispin.com/magnes.html
www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/supplements/magn.html
www.healthy.net
- look for the "Magnesium" article by Elson M. Haas M.D.
- also there: "Magnesium: The Stress Reliever" by Leo Galland M.D.

----

Here's a definition that mentions voice problems (http://www.kemc.edu/m.html)

Magnesium deficiency: Can occur due to inadequate intake or impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium. Low magnesium (hypomagnesemia) is often associated with low calcium (hypocalcemia) and low potassium (hypokalemia). Deficiency of magnesium causes increased irritability of the nervous system with tetany (spasms of the hands and feet, muscular twitching and cramps, spasm of the larynx, etc.). According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of magnesium are 420 milligrams per day for men and 320 milligrams per day for women. The upper limit of magnesium as supplements is 350 milligrams daily, in addition to the magnesium from food and water.

----

My whole nervous system has gone out of whack in the last month and I haven't been able to get any help.  But every symptom I have matches magnesium deficiency.  I think traditional medicine thinks of magnesium deficiency as a set of very serious symptoms that occur when your blood serum magnesium is measurably low. But I think there's an under-the-radar level of magnesium defiency that causes these other symptoms that everyone wants to write off due to nervousness.  But I'm not twitching due to nervousness.  I think I'm nervous due to magnesium deficiency and I'm twitching because it's gotten so bad my body is trying to tell me something.

Anyway, I'm now taking Magnesium glycinate, which just arrived.  (VitaminShoppe.com, Vital Life, Magnesium Complex).  We'll see how I feel in a few weeks.  For $15.00, it's worth a try.

Wish I could just...

~snooze

[Fultz]

I also have been twitching for about 3 weeks now.. I'm like a lot of people.. I tend to think the worst..  The twitching started in my left eye, and has now hit every muscle in my body.  I don't really notice the twitching during the day, but when I lay down at night is when I really notice the twitching, especially in my calve area.  I don't want to go to the doc, because I don't want to hear any bad news.. I'm not experiencing any other symptoms.. However, I'm always waiting for the next symptom.. This is something I think about all day long. I know this can be caused by stress, and I am under a lot of stress right now..   My husband, our 2 kids and I have been living with my parents for the last 5 months, and we are in the process of building a house.. Any input would be great.. thanks..