1. < Brain & Nervous System

Benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS)

Posted by captainanxiety8 @captainanxiety8, Mar 10, 2019

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but I'm really not sure how to interpret what's going on. I'm 40, have had random twitches now and then around my body for a few years and ignored them. Mentioned it to my Doctor last year during my annual routine health check and she said it's likely just stress and ignore it. Got sick a month ago, high fever, headache, dizziness, chills, and near constant twitching in different spots all over my body. My knees were going crazy and my biceps were twitching, I felt like my body was malfunctioning. I was also itching all over and my extremities were aching, especially in my feet and hands, but when I pressed or touched my feet or hands, there was no pain spot.

Two weeks after I got referred to a Neurologist who checked my strength, did not do any EMG or MRI, no other tests, just testing if I could physically push back or feel anything below my knees and past my elbows. He laughed and said I have benign muscular fasciculation syndrome and gave me some Xanax. I went for a second opinion and got the same diagnosis, benign muscular fasciculation, and was asked to return after a few months to check on me. The twitching is not as constant as before, but it's still happening, arms, lower and upper legs, knees, neck, shoulder, chest, they last a few seconds and stop. I can't sleep, the itching and the twitching wakes me up at night. The twitching does not go away when I move the muscle, it keeps twitching. Has anyone else ever had anything like this? If so, how or did it resolve?

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milly54 | @milly54 | Oct 16 8:36am
In reply to @ganggreen93 "I am a 64 year old male... still very active and overall in very good shape...." + (show)
@ganggreen93

I am a 64 year old male... still very active and overall in very good shape. I have (suffered) with (what appears t be) benign muscle fasciculations for over 10 years now. Lately getting much worse. The facilitations have increased all over my body now... continuous all day. It leads to cramping and worst of all my legs appear to randomly give out on me causing me to fall down. This happens at least once a week now. About two weeks ago I had severe facilitations in my upper right arm causing terrible pain and cramping. My arm has not recovered. The pain seems to be the most severe at night while laying down and during sleep. I have not gone to a doctor as my fear is (either) being diagnosed with something worse or just going through endless tests as others have with limited or no relief. Has anyone else experienced any of these symptoms? Years of this is both mentally and brutally difficult to handle. Thank you and I look forward to any responses or support.

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There are many, many things this could be. Please don’t be afraid to seek medical care! It could be cramp fasiculation syndrome, neuromytonia, trauma/anxiety and the list goes on. Keep us posted.

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1 reply
ganggreen93 | @ganggreen93 | Oct 16 7:04pm
In reply to @milly54 "There are many, many things this could be. Please don’t be afraid to seek medical care!..." + (show)
@milly54

There are many, many things this could be. Please don’t be afraid to seek medical care! It could be cramp fasiculation syndrome, neuromytonia, trauma/anxiety and the list goes on. Keep us posted.

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Thank you... went to a Neurology Center last week. Went through 6 different tests, now awaiting the results. Thank you for the comments and suggestions and will keep you posted.

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2 replies
fela0218 | @fela0218 | Oct 16 7:48pm
In reply to @ganggreen93 "Thank you... went to a Neurology Center last week. Went through 6 different tests, now awaiting..." + (show)
@ganggreen93

Thank you... went to a Neurology Center last week. Went through 6 different tests, now awaiting the results. Thank you for the comments and suggestions and will keep you posted.

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Yes!! Please do! So happy to hear I am not alone ! God Bless

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vivipap20 | @vivipap20 | Oct 17 8:16am

Hello everyone ! Anyone over 50 years old that has muscle twitching ? Any diagnosis ? . My husband has them very sporadically for 5 months now , myoclonus as well and fatigue and stiffness in bilateral lower extremities ( below knee ) . We don’t know what is going on . EMG was normal . Follow up appt in February . Anybody with myoclonus and fasciculations? . Thanks in advance .

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1 reply
milly54 | @milly54 | Oct 18 9:16am
In reply to @vivipap20 "Hello everyone ! Anyone over 50 years old that has muscle twitching ? Any diagnosis ?..." + (show)
@vivipap20

Hello everyone ! Anyone over 50 years old that has muscle twitching ? Any diagnosis ? . My husband has them very sporadically for 5 months now , myoclonus as well and fatigue and stiffness in bilateral lower extremities ( below knee ) . We don’t know what is going on . EMG was normal . Follow up appt in February . Anybody with myoclonus and fasciculations? . Thanks in advance .

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Finally! Someone else like me on here! Yes, I’m 55 and have the same. The myoclonus finally went away after my two initial clinical exams which were normal. EMG on the 29th. My symptoms started after an extremely stressful summer: My soul dog passed away, one son broke his leg and the other left and returned from college. Twitches mostly in calves. In my opinion, I think many people of all ages develop this as an anxiety/trauma response. I also think it’s under diagnosed or under reported overall. Did your husband have an injury or period of stress this year?

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2 replies
fela0218 | @fela0218 | Oct 18 9:22am
In reply to @milly54 "Finally! Someone else like me on here! Yes, I’m 55 and have the same. The myoclonus..." + (show)
@milly54

Finally! Someone else like me on here! Yes, I’m 55 and have the same. The myoclonus finally went away after my two initial clinical exams which were normal. EMG on the 29th. My symptoms started after an extremely stressful summer: My soul dog passed away, one son broke his leg and the other left and returned from college. Twitches mostly in calves. In my opinion, I think many people of all ages develop this as an anxiety/trauma response. I also think it’s under diagnosed or under reported overall. Did your husband have an injury or period of stress this year?

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Is your EmG this month on the 29th? Please please keep us posted my EMG in 2022 was normal

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milly54 | @milly54 | Oct 18 9:26am

Yes, October 29th. Coming up soon…

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fela0218 | @fela0218 | Oct 18 9:35am

God Be with you...place all trust in thr Lord..

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vivipap20 | @vivipap20 | Oct 18 10:03pm
In reply to @milly54 "Finally! Someone else like me on here! Yes, I’m 55 and have the same. The myoclonus..." + (show)
@milly54

Finally! Someone else like me on here! Yes, I’m 55 and have the same. The myoclonus finally went away after my two initial clinical exams which were normal. EMG on the 29th. My symptoms started after an extremely stressful summer: My soul dog passed away, one son broke his leg and the other left and returned from college. Twitches mostly in calves. In my opinion, I think many people of all ages develop this as an anxiety/trauma response. I also think it’s under diagnosed or under reported overall. Did your husband have an injury or period of stress this year?

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Hi . Thanks for replying . Well …, he was promoted in his job so trying to adjust to the new position did created some stress for a few months prior to the onset of symptoms.
In general , he isnt an anxious person for the most part he is calm but yes maybe some more stress at work .
I hope it is just that . I am concerned . It was so abrupt like his nervous system was on fire . I can pinpoint the exact weekend where everything started . So strange .
What did your doctor
Said about the myoclonus and fasciculations ? .
I wish you all the best in the upcoming EMG . Keep us post it .

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vivipap20 | @vivipap20 | Oct 18 10:15pm
In reply to @ganggreen93 "Thank you... went to a Neurology Center last week. Went through 6 different tests, now awaiting..." + (show)
@ganggreen93

Thank you... went to a Neurology Center last week. Went through 6 different tests, now awaiting the results. Thank you for the comments and suggestions and will keep you posted.

Jump to this post

Wish you all the best . Please keep us post it . My husband also has itching with the twitches ….
Well at night with nocturnal myoclonus . Did you have an EMG ? .

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