Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Neck pain, muscle twitches, back tingling

Aproximately 5 years ago I had a series of undiagnosed petit mal seizures and a grand mal seizure on the same day. None since.
For the past several years I've had a spot near my left shoulder blade that tingles or is numb that worsens with activity. Also in that time frame my right ring finger tingles and is sensitive to the cold.
In the past year, I have had muscle twitches that started at my ankles and have methodically worked there way up my body. I now have twitches throughout my body mostly in calves, thighs, buttocks and shoulder areas. These twitches can rarely be seen through the skin. Worsens with activity and fatigue. Legs get tired and sore easily too now.
Also in the last year my right foot has gone stone cold on occasion in the winter and seems sensitive to both heat and and cold.
Also in the past year, my neck started getting sore with any physical activity and spreads to the shoulder area. Now it's just sore all the time.  A slight jolt like hitting it when I get in the car sends a shooting pain from the top of my neck down to my shoulders.
I am hypothyroid (under control), take Zonisamide for seizure disorder, and used to be fairly active though now I tire quite easily.
Have been tested for diabetes, ALS with some electrical muscular test (though my muscles weren't twitching at the time) nad had a doplar leg artery scan. All blood work comes back normal.
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
   The symptoms that you describe are possibly related to side effect of the Zonisamide that you are taking for your seizure disorder.  Zonisamide (Zonegran) is known to cause paresthesias and hyperesthesia (areas that feel numb, tingling or sensitive).  It has also been associated with fatigue, and twitches.  The neck pain is not something that I think could be due to the Zonisamide, and I would suggest that you have an MRI of your cervical spine to evaluate for degenerative disease. I would also suggest an MRI/MRA/MRV of the Brain to evaluate for a structural lesion that may be contributing to your epilepsy (such as a tumor, vascular malformation, hippocampal sclerosis, etc.)  You mentioned that your 'blood work' came back normal.  If they did not send a B12 level, a B6 level and muscle enzymes (CPK, aldolase) I would add these on.
I hope this has been helpful.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

In April of 2006 my symptoms started with heavy tremors in my legs. Since then I have been experiencing twitching/buzzing/vibrations/burning/crawly feelings in my upperback/numbness and tingling in my hands and feet/cramping in my legs and hands/chills/etc.

I went to a neurologist and was told it was likely anxiety causing this and to this day I don't believe the diagnosis.

Thankfully, some of my symptoms have begun to calm down. During the first couple of months of panic I came across this website which has others suffering in a similar fashion. The main thing is to rule out the most sinister diseases and get on with your life.

Paul

http://www.nextination.com/aboutbfs/
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
-By undiagnosed I mean that bloodwork, mri, eeg, spinal tap, etc. were unable to determine the cause.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm confused about undiagnosed petits and Grand Mals.  Did you go to a neurologist?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too am having similar-type symptoms for the past 10 months.  The only difference is 5 months prior to all of the neurological symptoms I had herniated a disc in my neck at c6-7 (no surgery).  One suggestion, if you haven't already, is to get an MRI of your cervical spine and see if anything is going on there.  I have been through the testing mill as well, EMG/NVC, Brain MRI (looking for MS), Spinal Tap, lots of bloodwork etc. - all come back "normal."  I have tons of neck/arm pain, twitching, dizziness, facial/tongue numbness, numbness/tingling in feet (sometimes moves up the leg), arms, back, my reflexes are hyperactive, my BP is now fairly high when it was always low.  My worst symptom is that my nerves to my arms and legs feel over-active all the time, like almost vibrating.  Anyway, no one is attributing this to my neck...yet...they say the disc is reabsorbing as it should; however, my neck/arm still are SO painful after 15 months...4-5 months into this the pain increased and then the neurological symptoms hit me like a brick wall and are unrelenting.  It all waxes and wanes, but it's always something and I NEVER feel well.  Anyway...that's my story and I think with the pain you're experiencing in your neck/shoulder a cervical MRI would be valuable.  From what I've read about with others, neck problems can effect just about everywhere in your body.  Good Luck.  I hope we all find answers and get relief soon.  Take Care.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Forgot, I'm a 50 year old male.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure what is going on, as I have no clue yet as to what is going on with myself (other than hoping it's not a worst-case scenario). I too have had full body fasciculations for about 9 months now, and twitching which started in my right elbow, right forearm, left tricep and facial twitching for 10 months. For the last 2.5 months, my tongue has felt tired, with intermittent jaw fatigue. My abdominal muscles feel fatigued most of the day, even without any stress on them. I have an appointment with a neuro next Thursday. I just turned 26 years old a month ago. Not sure what is going on, but I hope you find an answer that you are looking for. I hope everything is ok on your end and it is nothing that is too serious. Take care.
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