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Benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS)
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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@purple21 I have been receiving it in my left deltoid, once every three months. I believe you can get the shot in many of your muscles but I’m not sure if it’s allowed for more than one muscle group at a time, that’s something you’d have to talk to a doctor about.
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3 Reactions@marvel61018 Thank you! I will definitely ask my PCP when I talk to her this Thursday.
Hi all, I’m 40 and I’ve been having daily fasciculation twitches in my outer right hand muscle below my pinky for over a month and my quad muscles also seem to get stiff on and off but particularly at night. My PCP ran a bunch of labs which came back normal and gave me a referral to a neurologist. My anxiety is high and I have an appointment booked but it’s several months away. I’m worried about it being the start of ALS but hopeful it’s BFS. Has anyone here had BFS with more of a localized muscle twitch and not widespread? Anyone have muscle cramping in an area different from the fasciculation?
I appreciated reading this thread and hearing all of your different situations and hope you’re all doing okay
@brian146, wondering about this can be stressful. I had convinced myself I had either ALS or Parkinson’s. It turned out to be neither. My EMG tested my hands and feet.
As I recall, I had widespread fasciculations but also certain spots that occurred repeatedly. My first spot was a place in my right foot. It often occurred at night or when I was still. I also had an eye twitch that occurred almost daily right before my workout and during the workout.
I regret all the anxiety I put myself through before the tests. On the bright side….I was so upset I started talk therapy about it and it turned out that therapy was quite beneficial for me overall and I continued in the therapy for over a year. It helped me with the anxiety and other issues I was experiencing.
If it’s possible, you might call the testing location and see if you can get on a standby list, so that if there’s a cancellation, they can call you and have you come in. That works if you have time flexibility and can pop in last minute.
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1 Reaction@brian146 so my fasculations started in 2022. They started in my calfs. Felt life worms were moving under my skin. I also had leg cramps that felt lingered into the next day. I was so worried. The fasculations then went to other areas. Had all the tests. Including emg of my legs. All normal. The doc said I didn't have MS, ALS or anything like that. Also had a brain mri. Recently my primary care doc ran my ferritin levels because I have a history of being anemic and of course they were low. Well I've been on iron supplements for 6 mons and the fasculations have improved . So wondering if it was that. I read it can take a long time for them to stop if its due to low ferritin. ALS will have weakenss included with it. And loss of muscle mass. Hope you get answers. Praying God will bring you peace and good doctors.
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My fasciculations started about 2 years ago and like you was very concerned. Anytime I'm at rest they are particularly annoying. Mine are primarily centered on the calves and thighs, although I have had random ones in various places (biceps, hand, torso). When they are very bad it can cause cramping, especially in bed.
I had all of the labs which came back normal (to exclude factors other than ALS) and then a 4 limb EMG, which verified the fasciculations and eliminated the prospect of ALS. What a relief.
As long as you aren't experiencing weakness or muscle atrophy in association with the fasciculations I wouldn't worry. Plus, just the stress of worrying can actually exacerbate the fasciculations - a vicious cycle.
BFS in itself is not fun, but totally harmless. Try to not focus on your twitches (easier said than done) until you can see the neurologist who will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis.
Good Luck!
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