Post viral syndrome peripheral nerve hyperexcitability

Hi everyone,
I’m a 36-year-old navigating recovery from what’s been described as post-viral small fiber involvement and motor nerve hyperexcitability.

How It Began:

It started after a viral illness in August 2024, during a time when my whole family had upper respiratory symptoms.

I developed fever, diffuse headache, and left-sided temple pain, which later localized and became persistent.

By January 2025, I began to experience:

Burning sensations

Pins and needles

Odd wet or sunburn-like skin feelings

Muscle fasciculations (twitches) across my body

Migratory muscle pain and intermittent joint discomfort

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Workup So Far:

MRI of brain and cervical spine: Normal

Autoimmune workup: Negative

Skin biopsy: Normal epidermal nerve fiber density

Nerve conduction studies & EMG (lower extremities): Normal

CBC, CMP, CRP, ESR, CK, aldolase, B12: All normal

No evidence of large fiber neuropathy or motor neuron disease

No clinical weakness or atrophy

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Current Working Diagnosis:

Post-viral small fiber sensitization

Motor nerve hyperexcitability (likely benign fasciculation syndrome or similar)

Significant health anxiety, especially due to my medical background and profession

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What’s Helping Me:

Gabapentin (600 mg at night)

Supplements:

Magnesium glycinate

CoQ10

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)

Omega-3

Curcumin

B-complex

Vitamin D3 + K2

Ashwagandha, glycine, apigenin (for calming and sleep)

Exercise: Strength remains intact and working out reinforces my confidence

Mind-body tools:

Headspace and Curable app

Weekly visits with a psychologist

Gratitude journaling

Somatic calming techniques (breathing, grounding, mantra work)

New mantra I use daily:

> “One in a million. I am strong. This will pass.”

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Biggest Lessons:

Even with scary symptoms like widespread twitching or burning, the body can be in a state of hyperawareness, not disease.

I’ve learned the importance of regulating fear and stress to support nervous system healing.

Benign doesn’t mean painless—but it does mean hopeful.

Working with a neurologist, psychologist, and staying grounded in scientific reasoning has helped me reclaim my peace.

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Happy to connect with anyone navigating something similar. You're not alone—and your body is capable of calming, rewiring, and healing.