Hi there,
I have had a similar story to yours and after 6 months my IgM antibodies for CMV are negative which indicates that the acute phase of this illness is definitely over. I still get twitching mostly of my left leg and foot and this seems to get exacerbated by exercise. I also get occasional pins and needles on that left side. I too have had a neurological examination and MRI of the brain and cervical spine which were normal.
My GP reckons that these are all post-viral symptoms and I have spoken to someone that has had CMV in the past and he experienced symptoms for 12 months.
I guess patience is the key here. Try not to do what I did - I fixated on the worst possible causes for muscle twitching etc. and nearly got myself into a very anxious state!
Hang in there!
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
It sounds like you had an infection, the cause of which could not be identified. A CMV test that shows recent CMV infection does not necessarily prove that was the infection you had; the majority of people carry CMV, and in the absence of immunodeficiency (as occurs in HIV patients and other patients with suppressed immune systems), CMV does not typically cause active infection though most people carry it. If the CMV is found in a body fluid, such as blood, CSF, or other fluids, during evidence of an infection, then it can be deemed the causative agent. Finding the virus itself, through specific tests, rather than just antibody titers, is how this virus is diagnosed.
Having said that, your symptoms of twitching, headaches, soreness, could potentially be post-viral, however, CMV can not be assumed to be causative, and given the information you have provided, seems unlikely as a cause. Investigations for other causes of headache and soreness are indicated by your neurologist, and if none are found (it sounds like you had an MRI which is reassuring, but other testing may be necessary), treatment for CMV is strongly recommended AGAINST until more definitive evidence is available that it is causing infection. If it is found to be causing infection, testing for HIV and other causes of immunsuppression would be indicated. Evaluation by an infectious disease specialist would also be indicated before antiviral therapy for CMV is begun.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.