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Persistent Muscle Twitches throughout Body

Posted by moconnor166 @moconnor166, Oct 2, 2023

For about 2 months now, I've had persistent muscle twitches. They started in my right hand, and now they occur regularly in my legs, hands, arms, and occasionally in my face, shoulders, and torso. I went to my primary care place, and they referred me to a movement disorder neurologist. I'm scheduled for an appointment there in January 2024. I've asked them to keep me on a cancellation list in case any earlier appointments become available.

I'm worried about the muscle twitches being an early symptom of a serious condition. I have trouble sleeping at night, partly because of the twitches, and partly just from constant worry and anxiety. The muscle twitches are worse at night when I'm lying in bed, and also when I'm quietly sitting down reading or watching television. I don't notice them so much when I'm actively moving around during the day, walking, swimming, gardening, etc.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this ? What was the diagnosis ? Thanks for any help that you can provide.

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twitchy | @twitchy | Oct 3, 2023

Yes I’ve experienced the same symptoms for almost five years….. you are worried it might be ALS….. I’ve been down that road with the anxiety…. if there are twitches and no weakness don’t worry…… always with als twitches appears only after that muscle starts to weaken and starts usually in one spot then slowly spreads to other parts of the body….. if you’re twitching is random all over it is not indicative of ALS

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fela0218 | @fela0218 | Oct 3, 2023

I know exactly how you feel. This started for me in 2020. It was initially only in my calves. I could see the twitching. It was like popcorn popping out of my skin. I went to Neurologist they did a emg that was negative. Mri of head negative blood work good. So did my own research and realized this can be triggered by stress and anxiety. I went back to my old self, working out and eating better it helped and I still get them all over but not nearly as bad. I put my health in God's hands. I pray alot and I pray for you.

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1 reply
moconnor166 | @moconnor166 | Oct 3, 2023

Thanks, Twitchy and Fela, for your helpful responses. You're correct, ALS (as well as multiple sclerosis and parkinson's disease) is what I was worried about. When you research muscle-twitches online, you learn that they are an early warning sign of those conditions, and then the worry and anxiety starts. It makes it hard to sleep. It's a vicious circle, as the muscle twitches make the worry and anxiety worse, and then the worry and anxiety make the twitches worse, and it becomes impossible to sleep.

My muscle-twitching actually did start in one single place in my right hand. I didn't give it a single thought, wasn't worried about it. But after a few weeks, it became random all over my body. Sometimes I can see the muscle twitching. Then I went online, learned about it being an early warning sign of ALS, etc. , and became very worried. I saw my primary care provider, who referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist is all booked up until January, so I must wait until then for an appointment.

On this very forum today, I learned about a condition called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome. Then I researched that, and it seems similar to what my symptoms are. That was reassuring, and maybe that is what I'm experiencing. I'm just going to wait and see how my neurology appointment goes.

Thanks once again to you both for your helpful and reassuring information.

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2 replies
illinijohn54 | @illinijohn54 | Oct 3, 2023

Have you researched Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)? The name is a bit off as it often starts as a need to move one’s legs, but I experience it across most of my extremities at times. Some find help with iron pills, though not me. I do take Pramipexole which helps some. Good luck.

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fela0218 | @fela0218 | Oct 4, 2023
In reply to @moconnor166 "Thanks, Twitchy and Fela, for your helpful responses. You're correct, ALS (as well as multiple sclerosis..." + (show)
@moconnor166

Thanks, Twitchy and Fela, for your helpful responses. You're correct, ALS (as well as multiple sclerosis and parkinson's disease) is what I was worried about. When you research muscle-twitches online, you learn that they are an early warning sign of those conditions, and then the worry and anxiety starts. It makes it hard to sleep. It's a vicious circle, as the muscle twitches make the worry and anxiety worse, and then the worry and anxiety make the twitches worse, and it becomes impossible to sleep.

My muscle-twitching actually did start in one single place in my right hand. I didn't give it a single thought, wasn't worried about it. But after a few weeks, it became random all over my body. Sometimes I can see the muscle twitching. Then I went online, learned about it being an early warning sign of ALS, etc. , and became very worried. I saw my primary care provider, who referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist is all booked up until January, so I must wait until then for an appointment.

On this very forum today, I learned about a condition called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome. Then I researched that, and it seems similar to what my symptoms are. That was reassuring, and maybe that is what I'm experiencing. I'm just going to wait and see how my neurology appointment goes.

Thanks once again to you both for your helpful and reassuring information.

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I have also had them on my lip and my thumbs lol its my nerves!

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twitchy | @twitchy | Oct 4, 2023
In reply to @moconnor166 "Thanks, Twitchy and Fela, for your helpful responses. You're correct, ALS (as well as multiple sclerosis..." + (show)
@moconnor166

Thanks, Twitchy and Fela, for your helpful responses. You're correct, ALS (as well as multiple sclerosis and parkinson's disease) is what I was worried about. When you research muscle-twitches online, you learn that they are an early warning sign of those conditions, and then the worry and anxiety starts. It makes it hard to sleep. It's a vicious circle, as the muscle twitches make the worry and anxiety worse, and then the worry and anxiety make the twitches worse, and it becomes impossible to sleep.

My muscle-twitching actually did start in one single place in my right hand. I didn't give it a single thought, wasn't worried about it. But after a few weeks, it became random all over my body. Sometimes I can see the muscle twitching. Then I went online, learned about it being an early warning sign of ALS, etc. , and became very worried. I saw my primary care provider, who referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist is all booked up until January, so I must wait until then for an appointment.

On this very forum today, I learned about a condition called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome. Then I researched that, and it seems similar to what my symptoms are. That was reassuring, and maybe that is what I'm experiencing. I'm just going to wait and see how my neurology appointment goes.

Thanks once again to you both for your helpful and reassuring information.

Jump to this post

I have BFS and if there is no weakness in the areas where your muscle twitches it cannot be als…. anxiety associated with worry will make the twitches worse, of course….. but never the less it’s something that is maddening and only people like us that experiences the same can understand

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moconnor166 | @moconnor166 | Oct 8, 2023

Yes, Illinijohn, I've considered the possibility of Restless Leg Syndrome. My muscle twitches (fasciculations) are worse at night when I'm in bed. They prevent me from falling asleep. If I do manage to fall asleep, they wake me up and I cannot fall back asleep. This leads to tiredness and exhaustion during the day.

But they're also present during during the day when I'm resting or sitting down, reading, or watching TV. They aren't noticeable when I'm moving around, walking, gardening, swimming, etc. Movement seems to help. It's when I'm lying still, trying to relax, that they are at their worst. Like you mentioned, it's not just in my legs. They are also frequently in my arms and hands, and sometimes in my torso.

My muscle twitching has been going on for about 2 months now. I'm not noticing any weakness. I only hope that it's the benign form, and not an indication of anything more serious. Thanks for all of the previous replies, which have been helpful.

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2 replies
twitchy | @twitchy | Oct 8, 2023

Follow up with your doctors….. don’t worry ….. at least it won’t be ALS….. normally in that god forsaken malady the muscle weakens than twitches

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illinijohn54 | @illinijohn54 | Oct 8, 2023
In reply to @moconnor166 "Yes, Illinijohn, I've considered the possibility of Restless Leg Syndrome. My muscle twitches (fasciculations) are worse..." + (show)
@moconnor166

Yes, Illinijohn, I've considered the possibility of Restless Leg Syndrome. My muscle twitches (fasciculations) are worse at night when I'm in bed. They prevent me from falling asleep. If I do manage to fall asleep, they wake me up and I cannot fall back asleep. This leads to tiredness and exhaustion during the day.

But they're also present during during the day when I'm resting or sitting down, reading, or watching TV. They aren't noticeable when I'm moving around, walking, gardening, swimming, etc. Movement seems to help. It's when I'm lying still, trying to relax, that they are at their worst. Like you mentioned, it's not just in my legs. They are also frequently in my arms and hands, and sometimes in my torso.

My muscle twitching has been going on for about 2 months now. I'm not noticing any weakness. I only hope that it's the benign form, and not an indication of anything more serious. Thanks for all of the previous replies, which have been helpful.

Jump to this post

That all aligns with my experience. Plane flights can be really bad if I don’t have my Pramipexole as you are essentially trapped and can’t walk around to ease symptoms. Good luck as you explore and treat and any new ideas are welcome.

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moconnor166 | @moconnor166 | Oct 8, 2023

Thanks, Twitchy and Illinijohn for that information. I have a neurology appt. scheduled for Jan. 8. I hate to wait that long, but I'll just have to be patient. And I'm researching information on Restless Leg Syndrome. I also ought to mention that I've been taking Pravastatin (for cholesterol) for 15 years now. And I began taking Lisinopril (for high blood pressure) a little over a year ago. So I wonder if one of these could be causing the muscle twitching.

When you go online, there are so many causes of muscle-twitching that it's mind-boggling. Some very serious, others mild and benign. Right now I just have to bear with it.

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