Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Muscle Twitching , pinched nerve and weakness/wasting of tricep?

I'm an active 39-year-old male that has recently developed muscle twitching throughout my body but mostly in my left arm and left back/chest.  More concerning is that a couple of months ago I developed a numbness in my left forefinger / middle finger and a very tender / painful area right around the interior of my left elbow.  The numbness has since dissipated but I've also noticed significant muscle weakness/wasting in only my left tricep area.  I've also noticed the onset of a slight tremor in both of my hands although the left is more noticeable.  Although I've suffered no trauma, I believe that I have a pinched nerve in my neck because when I rotate my head in a circular movement, I get a shooting electrical sensation that travels down my left arm as my head rotates toward the left.  I visited my general doctor for my symptoms and she prescribed a muscle relaxor and celebrex?  After some research, I decided to take neither since it appeared that she was simply trying to treat the symptoms and not the cause.  I also visted a chiropractor who took x-rays and saw nothing unusual and had little to offer except a lot of babble.  I'm scheduled for a full physical including blood work next week.  Based on the symptoms I described, should I request anything in addition to a routine full physical?  Is there any cure short of surgery for a pinched nerve?  Could the pinched nerve be part of a more serious problem and could a pinched nerve create muscle twitching throughout the body as well as muscle weakness/wasting in my left arm?  
Thanks!!  Dave
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A single disc herniation resulting in a pinched nerve should not cause diffuse muscle twitching. The majority of disc herniations resolve with conservative medical treatment, which includes anti-inflammatories such as celebrex. If a patient has persistent pain or significant weakness, then surgery may be considered. A MRI of the cervical spine would provide the answer to your question. If there is a problem with one of your nerves, it should be seen. Then based on the results, a consult with a neurologist may be reasonable. If the MRI does not explain your symptoms, then the neurologist consult would be more useful. Good luck.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Hello everyone,
Last December my 60 yr old husband who has always been active and healthy had a weakness in his legs. This become so disturbing that he went to see our MD who immediately the next day sent him to a neurologist.  He has been through the worst time since then.  His whole body has been affected.  Within three weeks of the first visit he lost the use of his right hand.  He could not open it, his legs became weaker and weaker and then the pain in his right hip and leg became worse.  EMGs, NCVs, spinal taps, MRI's and xrays were all done and nothing conclusive came out.  Meanwhile they discovered diabetes, which he couldn't have had for more than a few months, and a mass in his lower right lung that he had removed, it was benign, thank God.  Meanwhile all this was going on and he kept getting weaker. He has been seen many times at Cleveland University and now just 5 months after his first visit they have decided it is non systemic vasculitic neuropathy.  They did a biopsy of the radial nerve in his right hand in order to find this.  They are a great group of doctors up there and we haven't minded all the long trips.  My husband is now wheelchair bound and is now receiving chemo treatment to stop the inflammation of the blood vessels surrounding his nerves.  Now, about twitching...at night after he goes to sleep every muscle in his body twitches.  This sometimes goes on for hours. I don't get much sleep because I quite often get hit (not very hard, just enough to disturb my sleep).  I thought Neurontin, which he takes 300mg 3 times a day was supposed to control this.  could someone tell me if I am wrong?  Thank You
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Your symptoms are exactly like mine were. Briefly, after suffering from neck and shoulder pain I had an MRI of my neck which showed disk herniations at C5-C7, the surgeon performing my operation felt that only C5-6 justified fusion although I begged him to do both. I later found out that he NEVER did multi-level fusions. The shoulder symptoms went away, but within months I developed numbness in both index fingers and thumbs, that eventually began extending up the forearms on the medial sides. I also got severe pain in my right elbow, except mine was on the outside part just above the joint. Another MRI revealed that C6-7 was much worse, and spurring present at both levels. I then had the second level fused, and am happy to say that all of my symptoms are now gone although it has taken 2 years. I still occasionally will get the symptoms back, but they don't last. I think the medications ordered are not a bad idea though. They actually won't 'cover up' the symptoms but will decrease inflammation and spasm which could cause increased pressure on the nerves. Oh, and I also wanted to urge you not to have a chiropractor manipulate your neck until you find out whether your disks are okay. It can make a herniated disk much worse! Let us know what your MRI shows, and good luck to you.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Muscle aches was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
recently (2 weeks ago) I woke with a dense ache in my right shoulder.  It felt as though I had slept in a wrong position.  After a few days of pain more intense and went to the Dr.  Took Xrays that showed nothing as far as discs were concerned.  He prescribed anti inflam., Flexeril, Percodan for pain.  The pain is gone but lifting my arm feels like I have a 50 pound weight attached.  Just reaching for my garage door opener is challenging.  Any clues or insight greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
REGARDING CHIROPRACTOR: THE ONLY REASON YOU FELT HE BABBLED IS BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T LISTENING WITH A HEARING EAR. LISTEN TO THE CHIROPRACTOR AND FOLLOW HIS DIRECTION YOU WILL RECEIVE RELIEF IF YOU DO YOUR PART TO WORK WITH HIM. AMERICAN PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT SURGERY AND PILLS.  THIS IS NOT YOUR ANSWER.  THE SPINE AND THE BRAIN ARE YOUR LIFE SOURCE AND WORK TOGETHER 100%. PARAPLEGICS ARE THE PROOF. IF YOU TRULY WANT HELP THEN FOLLOW THE CHIROPRACTORS ADVICE.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I forgot to add that his right leg/thigh area has atrophied along with the anatomical snuff box of right hand.  Now symptoms are spreading to the left side of his body. His first chemo treatment was last week and he will get these every 21 days for 6 months.  There is no way anyone can tell how much use he will regain of his limbs once the inflammation is stopped but we know this isn't what we thought retirement would be like.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Of course lots of things need to be ruled out, but I would think you would need to see a neurologist for spine and brain MRIs, to get some clarification of what is going on and rule out potential demyelinating diseases.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I should have also mentioned that I regularly get a tingling sensation in my left arm. Thanks for the info!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have similar arm pain/weakness. I would get an MRI of your neck. A bulging or herniated disk in the neck will cause arm problems. That is what was found when I had an MRI done of my neck. I would schedule an appointment with a neurologist.
Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I went on line today to post this same question. Iam 60 years old lift weights and play golf. I have had these symptions for about two months. Went on meds to reduce swelling which did nothing.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Forum

Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease