It could be as simple as a magnesium, calcium or potassium insufficiency or deficiency. I eat a banana when it happens and many times the twitches will stop. I stay on top of the magnesium and calcium, because I've tested low, and most muscle spasms and twitches have gone away.

What little I found out at appointment
 

I just came back from my appointment and I didn't get much information out of the neurologist, surprise, surprise... He told me I had benign fasciculations which were causing the twitches, not PN. I pressed him so I could bring back some info for you guys and IF I understood him he said twitches were a sensory symptom and that thin fibers caused the burning and thick fibers caused all the other sensory symptoms. Not sure I follow that. Maybe MrsD can make sense of it.

I hate to say this, but some doctors do make stuff up. :rolleyes:

Twitching
 

Hi Healthgirl,
I have twitches also that come and go and I was diagnosed with sensori polyneuropathy. The twitches are not every day seems to happen when my sugar is high or not feeling well. Today I am paying with the feeling of a pair of boots and burning like a bad sun burn had the twitching when I was trying to sleep, had to much Labor Day Celebration.:

I did have tingling,twitches,jerking. And now swollen ankles and feet and a feeling of I am wearing something on my lower legs and lower arms. Feels like it's all up my left side now, if I run the top of my left foot . You can feel the tingling . I was on effexor for the problems and my so called aniexty that I didn't have , I have seen an internist, nueroligist and a couple useless drs. I've had 2 Mri , and nothing. And a nerve conduction test. ThY refuse to do N emg or other test because they say it's no nueropathy. He said my Brain was irritates, I wonder if it's sfn.

Muscle twitching
 

I also have developed muscle twitching in the last month or so in my legs. The neuropathy seems like it is getting a lot worse. It used to be just my feet, now I have stabbing in my ankles and the pain is halfway up my calves. My muscles have started twitching and my calves feel like they are cramping. I take magnesium citrate. The pain has gotten so bad that I can't sleep at night. Also started new weird sensations like water dripping up my legs.

My neuropathy started with twitching which my neurologists insist are benign fasciculations. Truthfully I don't care what they call it as long as it stops because they made it impossible to sleep. I had the burning and all the other sensations you are describing but at the beginning they were not as much an issue as they later became. I am on Gabapentin but I am looking to get off it. Some people are helped by it. I am looking for a doctor to prescribe a topical with Gabapentin and other ingredients that I can use as needed instead.

Some things to try:
Slow Mag (1 in the morning and 1 at night with a meal)
Morton's Epsom Lotion
Aspercreme with Lidocaine (some people prefer Menthol instead)

Check some of the threads on topical creams and supplements. There is a wealth of information. I hope this helps.

pinkynose, you mentioned about stopping your sleep med and noticing change in twitching. Can you tell me how are you doing now? I also take sleeping pill (ambien) and wonder it some of my symptoms, including twitching, from it. Thanks.

Hi Irina
I'm doing pretty well being off Ambien. When I took the drug I would sleep 6 hours but then I'd be awake. Most nights now I will wake up more frequently but fall back asleep. Overall I am getting more hours of sleep most nights. I do not have the same feeling of tiredness the next day that I often had with the drug.

All my symptoms including twitching began lessening the 2nd day after I was off the drug. Burning was the one sensation that improved the most and all have been less until a recent flare. During that flare the days weren't so bad but the nights were intolerable especially psychologically because I thought I was on the mend.

Because my flare was upsetting me so badly I gave in and took an Ambien one night in order to escape. The next day my daytime sensations were awful. I hope to remember that so I don't do it again but I know I'm human and sometimes I just need out. At least i know what to expect now when I do.

Everyone is different and I don't know if quitting Ambien will improve your symptoms. I was on the drug off and on for 20+ years and it's not meant for long term use. I totally get what it's like not being able to sleep. Good luck!

I have jerking and shaking more so on my weak left arm and leg. I also have buzzing on and off in both legs. I have not any pain.....just tons of discomfort from intense pressure and shaking. I cannot ever get comfortable!!!!! I have SFN. Let us know!