Brain Fog/Muscle Twitches

[bdubbs]

I will attempt to make this as brief and concise as possible.

I am a 22 year old male living in Michigan.  I am a undergrad senior and work to make ends meet.  I have no prior medical history complications or surgery. Decent health, could eat better I suppose.  Try to sleep 6-8 hours a night. Dont smoke, do drink(though Ive reduced now).

I have had a consistent feeling of brain fog/lightheadedness since approximately Spring of 2007.  While hard to describe, I feel disconnected when interacting with individuals, lack of concentration, and that my actions move faster than my brain moves, leaving it hard to remember what I just did.

This feeling started back in Spring '07 following a cold I had.  Not to mention this was probably one of the most stressful periods of my life.  While Im use to facing stress and have been most of my life, legal and relationship problems only made it worse.

Since Summer of 2007 Ive had the following test proformed:

Complete Blood Work
CT Scan
Stool Samples (to test fungal/bacterial)
Additional Blood Work (to test for possible evidence CFS, Emph-Barr* test)
Anti-depressants (lexapro & paxil)
MRI - 8/07
MRI - 12/07

The brain fog is my main concern.  It interferes with my work, school and social life.  The brain fog feeling was originally accompanied with mild, dull, headaches.  These have seemed to go away.  I also have a lack of energy then I once did.  

My second concern is the ongoing occurrence of muscle twitches.   These seem to vary and occur all over the body (face, hands, feet, arms, legs).  They are not painful and while intermittent, they have occurred over the span of time since the lightheadedness.


I dont feel good.  Am I overwhelming myself with stress? Or is there a deeper concern?  What advice can you give towards testing/diagnoses given theses symptoms? Also Ive included my MRI results.  Are these results common or are they something of greater concern?

This is what the first results said back on 8/9/07:

"Impression:
A Solitary focus of signal hyperintensity within the white matter of the left frontal lobe anteriorly, inferiorly and laterally.  This is of questionable clinical significance and follow-up study maybe of benefit to ensure stability.  MRI Study of the brain is otherwise unremarketable"

Then on 12/7/07:

"Impression:
Redemonstration of stable appearing small white matter focus to the left frontal lobe.   The etiology remains uncertain.  This is of questionable significance.  No new lesion or other interval changes are seen."


Thank you for your time!

[ewgino]

The fact that this happened during spring and was right after having a cold leads me to believe that Lyme may be a possibility. Get a western blot test and if it shows positive your doctor will most likely treat it with doxycycline for a few months. It is common to have been bitten by a tick and not be aware of it.

[wyllieam]

I have had these exact symptoms since 2010.  6 years now.  I finally got a diagnosis of Hashimotos disease with slightly underactive thyroid.  Unfortunately since taking a low dose of TSH the brain fog has not gone away.  It comes in waves and I am currently in a really bad period which is why I'm doing some more online research.  Did you ever find out what was wrong?  

[crojag]

Hi,

I have EXACTLY the same symptoms and concerns that you outlined in your post.  They only started happening for me a week or so ago, and also followed a nasty stomach cold. My father has Parkinson's disease, and I struggle with lesser autoimmune disorders so this newest set of symptoms is quite concerning.  

Just curious how you feel now?  

Thanks,

[KristinShaye]

I do work at a vet clinic..which involves dogs with ticks..maybe it's lyme's disease?

[KristinShaye]

I am having the same issues (brain fog, muscle twitches, cold feet and hands) ! The only testing I have had done so far was an MRI . I have researched many different dieses that have the same symptoms as I do including: MS, CFS, even adhd (memory and concentration problems) I don't have MS even though my grandmother does have it. I don't know what is going on with me and my neurologist has been no help at all, I have had to basically beg my doctor to get my MRI going because he has recommended nothing.

[bdubbs]

Thanks for your response!
My doctor stated that he believed that the MRI results with hypersignal activity was just a CYA from the reviewing neurologist because everything else came out fine.  The report recommended a 6 month follow-up in which the doctor had one done at 4 months because weve ruled everything out.  He felt it wasnt necessary but it would help ease my mind.  The 2nd results he just said were 'stable' compared to the first.  I have a neurologist appointment at my University on Jan. 31.

Im not exactly sure about the Thyroid.  I thought we checked it with general blood work. Is that all that needs to be performed?  I havent had my blood sugar checked in awhile, but when this first started they checked it for me.

Thank you for your time and response! Take Care!

[rohit_786]

Please don't take me wrong i am not trying hijack this thread. I am also having dizziness /tremor in my hand specially left side  and eye floaters lot . Do think that can be any where related to neuro symptoms.

[JainMD]

Hi,
I think you need to relax.
Muscles twitching are also called as fasciculation’s. Muscle twitching is the result of minor local muscle contractions or the uncontrollable twitching of a single muscle group served by a single motor nerve fiber or filament. Some minor muscle twitching is common and goes unnoticed, but some may be sign of underlying neurological disorder.
Benign twitches are normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or anxiety. Any irregularity in your daily diet can also cause similar symptoms. Any drug overdose especially caffeine. Exercise can also induce twitching.
Symptoms suggestive of a neurological cause of fasciculation’s include:
Wasting of muscle, weakness, other findings of nerve dysfunction like pain, tingling and numbness. Neurological illnesses where fasciculation’s are seen include:
Chronic denervation of muscle due to disk compression of nerve exiting the spinal cord, ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, Muscular dystrophy among others.
I think it is anxiety which is causing more concern for you.
The fact that you have signal hyper intensity in your frontal lobe also contributes to some of your symptoms.
I think you should do Yoga, Meditation and relaxation exercise to help you further.
What did the doctor say about the MRI report especially regarding the signal hyper intensities within the whit matter of left frontal lobe area?
What are the other endocrine evaluation done like thyroid status, sugar status etc?
I think this results need to discuss with neuro-radiologist and also with another neurologist.
Keep me informed about disease progression and your health in general.
Bye.

[rohit_786]

Have you tested your Thyroid level ?, Check TSH , FT4 and FT3 . I had similar situation and after lot of work done one neurologist did thyroid test that determine i have Hashimotos  and  i am also man so don't assume thyroid only in women as most of my doctor skip that test because it is not common in men.
I still have muscles /joint aches and very less brain fog/lightheadness. Doctor said when my level adjusted i will be fine.