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Long term muscle twitching, some pain, no help yet
Hello All. First time joining a forum like this. One year ago, I started wide spread muscle twitching. Just over my knee for 2-4 weeks and then - boom - my whole body was twitching non stop. Dr ran some blood tests, which were all fine except some minor inflammation. Referred me to a neurologist but it took 7 months to get the appointment. Over the past year, the twitching is daily but it isn’t non stop anymore. Sometimes one area is worse (last week my left elbow area, past couple of days, my right biceps). Legs are every day. I get some weird sensations in my feet and toes sometimes and zingers - painful electric shock like pain that jerks my muscle - but those are only 5-10/week. Neuro exam was fine - I have perceived weakness but not overt weakness. My EMG/NCS isn’t scheduled for another 7 weeks (13+ months after things started). When a new twitch pops off (like in my arms the last few weeks) I get scared about ALS. I’ve tried to learn more about BFS but there’s not a lot out there. I have notable less muscle in my non-dominant hand and a low level of pain daily. Hoping someone else has experienced something similar while I wait the 7 weeks for my EMG/NCS…. Both looking forward to getting some answers and am nervous about what those answers may be.
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Late onset MLS can also mimic ALS …. I’m no doctor but maybe they should MRI your spine…. Also idiopathic neuropathy can be the culprit
I am 55 as well. Been twitching for a little over a year. No other real symptoms. It is always reassuring to read about others the same age with similar symptoms. My anxiety can still sometimes get the best of me with the twitches!
I had an EMG three months after everything started on August 1st 2024–all clear. I was a wreck those first couple months. My symptoms started after a super mild COVID-19 infection and then the summer from hell ensued: my soul dog died, and lots of extreme other family related stress. Did you have a viral illness or major stress before the onset of twitches?
I had a crown replaced which gave me a lot of anxiety. I hate going to the dentist! I can remember shaking during the procedure. And then the next day I noticed the twitches. Bizarre
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1 ReactionMy nervous system must have gone into overdrive
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I’m 45 years old. I do have weakness in my left hand, which is driving my anxiety much higher. I do have pain and aching in my wrist, fingers, and thumb. My left forearm has notably less muscle mass than my right. Looking back on my post from 16 months ago, I see I also thought that to be true then so it might not be a change. I am dropping things more but I also have notable pain/aching so don’t know it that is part of it. I have an appointment with my PCP this week.
I’m trying to calm my fears but having this baseline twitching for 2.5 years means anything new (like maybe arthritis) makes me literally sick with worry.
I appreciate your responses. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that years of twitching doesn’t necessarily mean something terrible like ALS (even though that’s always a possibility). You folks help
It all started so long ago, I can’t remember. I think I was sick before. In the last 2.5 years, I can say that having a notable viral illness and/or fever definitely increases the twitching. So does exercise (particularly in my legs). My being extra anxious about the possibility of ALS also increases frequency of twitches. It’s hard to find similar symptoms online. My twitching is daily (from a couple to a lot) and is all over though it tends to be more prevalent in one muscle group for a day or two and then moves on
Would you describe your “twitches”. There are so many kinds, and they occur for many different reasons.
I believe that if you had ALS, you would be experiencing major difficulties now.
I have Functional Tremors. It’s different from Essential Tremors. I also might have a form of dementia that causes movement disorder.
Any type of dementia in not curable so I try not to think too much.
My twitches vary. Some are distinct, what I call ‘traditional twitches’ like when you see someone’s eyelid twitch. Some feel more wiggly or like a hair is tickling under the skin. Others feel like a wave or ripple going down a muscle. My tongue has very fine twitch/quiver in the middle, which again makes me very worried.
It’s great that you can set aside the worry about dementia. That is much healthier than what I’m doing. I hope it is never a problem for you!