Muscle twitches

[valger59]

Hello,
    I am wondering about a condition that I have that started about a week ago.  I was carrying some rather heavy bags on my right arm, and right after I came home, my thumb in that hand starting twitching.  This lasted for about three days, off and on.  It seemed to be mostly my thumb, but when I would try to use the mouse on my computer, it would feel like it was my whole hand.  I finally went to a doctor (not my regular guy, who was booked) who said that it was probably carrying the bags, and that I didn't have any signs of neurological deficiencies.  This was my regular MD.  Anyway, I don't know if this could possibly be in my mind, but now I feel like I'm getting the twitches and tremors everywhere.  Just sitting here typing this now, I had a bad twitch that lasted a few minutes on my lower lip.  I feel like I keep getting them in my calves and feet.  I am so anxious about this, and maybe that could be what is causing this, but it's hard to imagine my mind doing all of this.  I went to my regular doctor today, and he seemed concerned, and said that I need to see a neurologist.  He mentioned ALS, Parkinson's and MS, but also said that there are alot of other reasons to get the twitching.  He took some blood work, and then said to make an appointment with a neurologist.  Do you think this sounds like something serious?  As I am sitting here, I am getting the twitching going down my neck now.  I couldn't possibly be so full of anxiety about this that I could be causing this, could I?  By the way, I am a 47 year old female, in generally otherwise good health.  Thank you so much for any help!  By the way, I don't have muscle weakness that I know of, or anything else.  Thanks, Val

[skyhag]

I too have been told that the weakness comes first and then the twitching when dealing with ALS.  We must also keep in mind that ALS is extremely rare, but those odds don't seem so good when it's our own health we're talking about.  When is you neuro appt?  I'm totally against prescription anxiety medication in most cases, but I'm wondering if you wouldn't be well served to have something that would help you relax until after the dr. appt.  I won't continue to take up space on your post since I have told you all I know (which isn't much) about your symptoms.  Just know I'm concerned and will be watching your post to hear about your diagnosis (partly for my own sake)

If I may address kidcoconut (is that nickname right?)  I am a retired flight attendant, thus the name skyhag.  My brain MRI was negative and my neuro more or less blew it off and called it "muscle tension putting pressure on my cranial nerves".  I guess I should be relieved, but I'm just not completely convinced.  I've decided to lighten up a bit and see if the symptoms won't subside.  It sounds as if you have maintained a wonderful sense of humor which is always great medicine.  

Best wishes to each of you!!!

[valger59]

Thank you so much for the very helpful comments!  I tried to post before, but it seemed to not work, so I apologize if this is my second posting.  
     I'll try to remember what I said!  I was saying that I don't think I have muscle weakness, but I'm not sure as to what that would feel like.  I think that is also something that you can become too fixated on, though, as are most of the neurological symptoms.  
    Years ago, I used to have panic attacks, and it would amaze me the things that my body could do when I felt these things.  So, it shouldn't surprise me that I'm feeling muscle twitches that could be benign, or something I'm sort of making happen.  It certainly does seem like the more you worry about them, the more that you get.  I am actually surprised though at the concern over muscle twitches.  I thought that my doctor would laugh me off, and instead he made me a nervous wreck.  He said that, especially at my age, (47)...these twitches get their attention.  He mentioned the three big diseases, and so that will be in my head until I get to the neuro, and hopefully get reassured.  It seems like a fairly common thing to have these twitches, and the people that get them tend to be the anxious types in the first place, and there starts the syndrome.  This, of course, is wishful thinking, I do hope that I have nothing serious, and I am also pretty fixated on the big things right now, like ALS.  I think the scary thing is just how awful ALS is, and that twitching can be a first symptom.  However, I also have read where twitching comes on after the weakness, and I don't think I have that.  I do get stiff and sometimes my knees will give me trouble, is that the same thing?  I attribute that to not exercising enough, and needing to loose weight.  
     The twitches that I am currently experiencing are probably not major enough to have gotten my attention and gone to the doctor, it was that first thumb thing that was so stange.  I couldn't even use my mouse on the computer, and it lasted for a few days.  That particular twitch is all but gone now, and I am left with the ones randomly occuring throughout my body, especially when I am sitting here typing, or at rest.  I'm taking a vitamin now each day, along with a magnesium supplement.  Have any of you gone to a chiropractor for this?  I have read where back problems can cause twitching also.  
     I'm sorry to you guys also for your disturbing symptoms, I know better than anyone how these things tend to take over your life if you let it.  That is what I am hoping, is that this is one of those things that I tend to obsess about for a while, and then it will go away, after the reassurance from the Neuro (I hope!)....anyway, thanks again, talk to you soon!  Val

[kidcoconut]

I'm not going to ask why " Skyhag" !

Just curious, what did the MRI show. What do they say you have or don't have. If I had to go there and it said "Brain Tumor" I'd drop dead on the spot. They could cross off the "Brain Tumor" and pencil in Massive Heart Attack!

[skyhag]

You're right...it does help to vent to someone who understands your frustration.  Those who are not affected do not realize the sleepless nights that accompany this type of frustration.  I will offer you one bit of advice...limit your internet education, because there are few sites that offer encouragement.  They will scare you to death!!!  (It sounds like you have at least one dr. who's doing a good enough job of that)  I think you are doing the right thing by seeing the neurologist and don't be surprised or alarmed if he orders an MRI or muscle/nerve tests.  It's precautionary.  My greatest panic attack occurred when he gave the order for the MRI and upon arrival at the radiologist I noticed he had marked the diagnosis box "brain tumor".  When they finally were able to pull me off the ceiling they explained that this was common for insurance purposes.  They need to tell you these things!!!  Take care and try to surround yourself with positive reinforcement.  

[kidcoconut]

Hi, Try to relax ! I'm 46,male, and in pretty darn good physical shape if I do say so myself ! I've got the twitches though ! Yes, I'm concerened about all the bad things, MS, ALS, etc.etc., but I think it's nothing but Benign Fasiculation Syndrome. I was/am too afraid to go to the doctor with it. I did go and get checked for Lyme disease which came back negative, but I was too afraid to mention the twitching. ( this was a young doctor, my regular guy wasn't available, so I just went to whomever. I asked him to put me on anti-biotics while we waited for the Lyme test, but he refused. He's pretty "by the book", which is why I didn't tell him about the other stuff. ( which is really why I went in the first place ! Because I was pretty sure he was going to send me for all kinds of tests which I was afraid to go on. I know, I know, chicken ! ) I've always has trouble with tightness in my neck, shoulder "stingers" that last for months, carpal tunnel almost every year. This has gone on for about 8 years.) The twitching started in late December. I just noticed my right arm twitching right where the forarm meets the bicep area. I thought nothing of it, then my left pinky was twitching when I was sitting at the computer. Like pulling to the side. Then I read up about twitching, which was my first mistake! Began worrying about ALS and such, then I started twtiching in my back, my pelvis, both legs, both arms, you name I twtiched there. I did think it was computer related, as that's when I'd get the shoulder burn and carpal tunnel in the past. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago it almost stopped completely. Only to return after a party we had for St. Pat's. Now I'm twitching like there's no tomorrow. The good thing about it is I've increased all of my weight lifting and treadmill, and I'm an excellent walker on my heels and toes now !!!! I told my wife that fear is a great motivator ! I figure if I can lift more than I did last time, or run faster, I must not have any muscle weakness! Still, it's scary at times. I'm much better when I'm not stressed. I've tried Quinine, magnesium, calcium, thyroid extract stuff, all kinds of Vitamins, enzymes, no real help. Does anyone know if you can test yourself for muscle weakness. I'm just wondering if I might have some but my other muscles are compensating and I can't tell. I really don't want to go to the doctor. I kind of look at it like if it's one of the "bad ones" they can't do anything about it anyway, so I'd rather be blistfully unaware. Yeah right, blistful is anything but what i am !!! Let me know how you make out, I'm sure it's nothing. But I know logic doesn't play a big role when you're all nervous.

[valger59]

Thank you so much for the info!  I can't believe I could be doing this to myself, you know how it's impossible to imagine that?  The weird thing with my case, is that my thumb started twitching almost immediately after I had gotten home from carrying some bags from the grocery store on that arm, and it was sort of heavy.  The doctor thinks it's possible that I somehow injured a tendon or something there, and then after that initial twitching in my thumb, I got freaked out, and started twitching in other places.  But, as I mentioned, I find it hard to believe that I could be causing the other twitches.  The thumb twitching went on for about three days on and off, and that is almost gone now.  I went to a chiropractor who said that it could be from the bags.  The weird thing is that I definitely have twitching in my thighs and in my lower extremities, I can't imagine that it's something I'm creating.  I am a really anxious person, though, and have tended in the past to be a hypochondriac.  The thing is, these twitches are terrible for someone like me, because as I have read, the more you think about them and worry about them, the worse they become.  
    The thing that is making me feel better is coming on boards like this one, and talking with others, because it does seem to be a common symptom, and not everyone with twitches seems to have some neuro diesease such as ALS.  It just scared me yesterday at the doctor, when he acted concerned, and said that muscle twitching gets their attention, and that it's a little unusual for anxiety.  He mentioned the three big diseases that we are all afraid of, but also pointed out that many other things can cause them.  It's all just so scary, so thanks for the reassuring words.  I have my neuro appt. in about two weeks, don't you hate the waiting game??  Thanks again, Val