Fasciculations anyone?
 

I have recently been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy - sensory and motor. I am wondering if anyone else gets fasciculations? I get them on the bottom of my feet, legs and arms.

fasciculations is one of the symptoms of neuropathy. Mines started to become crazy when i first got my "undiagnosed" neuropathy. also called muscle twitches.

i get them mostly in my calves. sometimes on my abdomen

Anyone with fasiculations should try magnesium therapy in earnest.

There is a magnesium lotion you can rub on, called Morton Epsom Lotion. It can be used on targeted problem areas. Rub into intact skin a small amount daily. Tops of feet, ankles etc. Start there.
A nickel's worth diameter on each foot. The skin on the bottoms of the feet is too thick, so don't apply there.

Once you get some mag into your circulation you can add an oral form that is well absorbed like SlowMag. Or a chelate of your choice, just NOT oxide which doesn't work.

Morton's is available at most local WalMarts and Walgreens or online at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-L...om+salt+lotion

I use Morton's every day... and it is just miraculous.

I get them everywhere. Very annoying. :(

Me too. Sometimes I dont have them once. Then other times, I have them throughout the day.

When lying, they seem to come on more often.

Muscle twitches can be caused by so many things. Certainly neuropathy can do it, but so can electrolyte issues, stress, fatigue.

I get them on and off, and have for years.

I second what Mrs D suggested-magnesium seems to help mine.

My electrolytes are all in good shape. I first started getting fasciculations back in 2000 - a gradual onset over a few months until I reached a point that I was having several hundred per day - in large muscles - totally visible to anyone. This lasted about 3 weeks. Also other neuro symptoms during this time like heaviness of legs, fatigue and some others. During that 3 week time period, I also burned my arm on the woodstove but was unaware that I was burning it until I smelled the burning flesh. These fasciculations resolved. Neurology exam was completely normal (albeit it was not until after that 3 week period of intense fasciculations). Then didn't have any for about 14 years - started in late last year though never at the level of 2000. I sure wish I knew the cause. I've done lots of research.

Well, if you have a definite diagnosis of neuropathy, that can definitely cause the twitching.

Even if your labs say your are not deficient in magnesium-you still might want to try and give it a shot. I would recommend Natural Calm. It is a fizzy magnesium drink. You can start with a quarter dose and see how you do. Even if the cause is neuropathy-magnesium has been shown to help the damaged nerves communicate better with each other.

I use the lotion as well. That being said, I have a decent parody song of "Infatuation" by Rod Stewart, but mine is "Fasticulation"...

ive been taking slo mag and my fasiculations have greatly decreased

Fasciculations
 

...in my calves like crazy. It looks like Aliens, the movie. 👽

I get them....the question is what human being doesn't get twitches from time to time lol

I thought this was part of being a living, breathing organism. All jokes aside I go through spells where they can be bothersome. I've had this for years. Like MrsD said try magnesium. I drink V8 and throttle back on coffee and it helps.

Same with me. I get them all over my body- calves, arms, thighs, mid back, shoulders, sides of torso, abdomen, feet. I am not sure if anyone has ever experienced this, but it was likely one of the most bizarre symptoms for me yet: a metallic clicking in my left ear. I was lying down reading before bedtime and got this very odd LOUD sound in my ear. I also have ringing in the ears, but this was crazy. I googled it and apparently it can be a twitching of the muscle in your ear. WHAT? So even my ears muscles are twitching? Blows my mind. At least there is no pain involved, at least for me. I handle the annoying twitching better than pain related symptoms. And I agree with you Baba, mine are more prominent at night, when lying down. And I think mine are worse when I am more physical during the day. And yes, for me they also come and go. One day I may not have any, or that I notice. I likely only notice them when they are more consistent.

I've had them non-stop in my lower left leg for 29 years, and now my right leg has joined the party. I also feel them in my back muscles now.

Thanks for the rec on SlowMag. Has anyone tried this apparent "generic" version of it?

http://www.amazon.com/MAGNESIUM-CHLO...851KT3BRK4YN5P

I've asked family and friends if they have "twitches" and such and everyone I've asked gets them. Honestly I've never met anyone that doesn't get them.

I don't doubt that is true. What I deal with now is a whole different animal than any sort of fasticulation in the past.

I'm sure results may vary, as is true with most things, but my forearms never kept the beat of "Tainted Love" before my neuropathy kicked it up.

I let my neuro know but when my PN symptoms started my chin started twitching something crazy. I'm an account executive and when I would be in front of a client and my chin started twitching I was wondering if they could see it lol

yes, I did use this mag64... it seems unstable in the bottle when exposed to moisture. But all mag will do this as it is hygroscopic.

If you mix it with other things in a pill dispenser, you might find it ruining other drugs/supplements. Once you open the bottle if you can add some dryness canisters (you can ask your pharmacist to save some for you), it might last longer. I didn't use every day, because I am very sensitive to the oral mag laxative action. Others here may be less sensitive. People on opiates or high dose Tramadol may favor the laxative actions. I much prefer the topical Morton's lotion + nuts and high mag containing foods. This way I don't get so upset.

Mag64 is a money saver depending on where you purchase it.
The best price I found is at Costco on special order! I used to get it for around 5 bucks a bottle there. SlowMag brand name is a good buy at WalMart, even if they order it for you especially.

Thanks for posting this - after some of the discussion over the weekend I was about to ask the same thing. My symptoms started with stiffness, fasciculations, and tingling. This progressed into cramping and possibly myotonia. (This lead the first neuro I saw to test for Muscular Dystrophy.) Then the feeling of weakness and heaviness in the legs. Most of these things started to clear up when I went on Gabapentin. Then the foot burning started.

It is interesting that quite a few others seem to have developed fairly similar symptoms to what I did. Yet, three neurologists including two neuromuscular specialists have said they can find no neurological cause for my symptoms.

I think a lot of you know just how I feel right now. Its frustrating and scary when you know something bad is going on inside of your body but the Doctors can't help you or don't even feel there's anything wrong with you. :(

Mrs. D:
Just curious - do you know of any scientific studies that have documented the absorption of magnesium through the skin? I use the Morton's lotion and it sometimes does seem to reduce the pain to some extent - but there seems to be a great deal of debate regarding whether or not magnesium is actually absorbed through the skin. All of the information I've seen on this comes from those who have a vested interest, so I don't consider it trustworthy.

There is one study on epsom salts baths:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post864114-32.html

I personally think this Morton's is very absorbed... It allowed me to reduce my hypertension medications from 3 a day to one small dose of betablocker. Nothing --has done this for me. Not oral, or the old CVS epsom lotion which was discontinued.

I really think this Morton product has some "accidental" combination of lotion ingredients that support transdermal absorption. No one I have recommended this to ...has any complaints, and many are sold on it totally. It is truly a miraculous product IMO. And the price is totally LOW for what you reap from it.

Thanks Mrs. D :)

Yes, yes, yes!

Before I had the neuropathy, I can't ever remember as an adult being essentially called a liar or worse, mentally ill.

No neurologist believed my symptoms before the skin biopsy. Folks here could tell me what I had. But very well thought of and even famous doctors told me I did not have neuropathy.

My husband and I spent thousands of dollars traveling to other states to be told that my symptoms were not neurological in nature, blah, blah, blah. A wonderful aunt told me that they should have seen me before my symptoms and they would definitely believe me.

My family doctor and a kind female internist believed me. And of course, folks here on this board. :)

I hope you can stay strong and remember that you are the only one that knows your body.

Yes, that seems to be a common story among people on this board. Fortunately, my symptoms are not that sever (yet), but they are getting slowly worse. I'm continuing to see the Doctors, and will push for more testing, etc. to identify what is going on and why. In the meantime, I am continuing to pursue dietary improvements and vitamins/supplements to see if they help. I'm also seeing an alternative medicine practitioner who is using a combination of acupuncture, cold laser, massage, and essential oils (not much success with that stuff, so I may be discontinuing it soon)

Like many here, I have a great job, but it does require a lot of walking, climbing (stairs and ladders), etc. One of my biggest fears is becoming too sick to work - but not sick enough to qualify for disability benefits.

Sounds like you have a supportive husband (and I have a supportive wife). That's one thing to be thankful for as all this plays out. :)

Thats what im told, is it stress,(therapist is reccommended". They think patients who complaining about neurological problems are druggies or some kind of mental condition. My pcp, thinks its all in my head, the suggestion of a therapist is evidence of that, furthermore, she only referred a opthamologist, as she dint believe in my other symptoms, though i did complain about vision problems, i was more concerned about my loss of sensations. which i still have.

Although I'm not advocating "stress" or "anxiety" creates PN problems, people with anxiety disorders present with many physical symptoms that are not linked to any organic disease. This is fact.

I have had anxiety issues for years and a laundry list of unexplained physical ailments. Once I addressed the underlying anxiety issue the psychosomatic issues cleared up.

I think doctors see a lot of psychosomatic based ailments so when they see someone suffering with a idiopathic ailment they jump to the psychosomatic conclusion without taking other causes into consideration.

Again not saying PN is caused by a mental process, but the mind is a part of our body and when it is out of whack it can create a lot of physical symptoms that can't be connected to any organic cause.

Twitching was my first symptom. I was (still am) twitching all over, I have about 100 -200 twitches per minute. They never stop. After resting for a while, they slow down to maybe 75-100 twitches per minute all over my body at the same time (not just arm etc. ) literally happening in every part at the same time.

you said this already, but im pretty sure you cant"fake" a neuropathy, if your so-called neuropathy, is caused by stress, than you should reduce it, i think the tests you are going through is causing more stress.

My neuropathy is with loss of smell, was sudden onset, and it dint appear because of stress, it appeared on the day i took diphenhydramine. and my inability to smell normally and loss of sensation is very concerning, and could be dangerous. im pretty sure "mental" condition cant cause Neuropathy continiously for weeks or months.
People can get frustrated because, of the Doctors unwilling to believe its neuropathy, and sayings your nuts for thinking that.
-the delay in diagnosis.
-i find it disheartening that doctors see neurological symptoms and mental condition, or the cause, they are not the same. neurological disorders, are disease of nerves, or neurons, while mental condition, is a disorder , probably biochemical in parts of the brain, used for emotions, and is self-limiting.
-i know my loss of smell and sensations, with other neuropathy was caused by stress.
i HAD alot of twitching within the first few weeks of the initial neuropathy and increased in twitching. Im pretty sure people also said, due to the frustration in the doctors and the disease itself, it can be stress full.

Utagrad, if you had mental condition for years, its possible your "neuropathy" is caused by it, and by your daily runs.

now if you look at everyones post, theres came out of nowhere, or sudden onset, without anything stressful(mentally) happening.

@canagirl, i think thats the common symptom of everyone with neuropathy, sometimes my right eyelid twitchs for up to 10 minutes, and parts of my body like my arms and legs, that rarely twitch also happen as well.
i also get myclonic jerks(falling asleep, jerking movement),

Good to know. It just seemed like no one was mentioning this symptom and I was curious. I will try the magnesium again though I have tried some in the past. I do, however, think there is a difference between "everyone gets twitches" and the type of fasciculations that I experience and it sounds like others do too. True, everyone gets a twitch here and there, now and again but I am referring to a much more persistent type of fasciculation. Along with this, I too have experienced cramping in my feet - sometimes lasts all day and nothing improves it.

Magnesium citrate makes a difference and improves this symptom for me.

I don't know anyone that gets fasiculations besides an aunt who has diabetes and a host of other problems. I just recently found out about her.

When I first had them, I filmed them and then showed the video to people. My doctor said that they can come with small fiber neuropathy.

Several friends and family said that they never had that. Cramps yes, but not fasiculations.

I have been taking magnesium due to folks' suggestions (thank you neurotalk) here and that has helped me. I still get them, mostly when lying down.

Until I developed peripheral neuropathy and had fasciculations myself, I never knew anyone else who had them or who talked about it. Fasciculations talked about here involve a duration over a period of time with relative frequency, with no other cause such as over exertion. It doesnt refer to a twitch here or there.
For people with peripheral neuropathy it signals that there is involvement of the motor nerves which are affecting the muscles.

I did work where there were periods of time of extreme strenuous exertion and high stress and never had them before my feet started going numb. I never heard of anyone at work having them either. I dont think they are all that common.

I do know people that have twitching that lasts but eventually goes away. Again I think its more common but some people simply don't talk about it. When someone asks me in the store or at work "how are you doing" I don't reply "well I'm having some persistent fasciculations, how are you doing?" lol

My sisters, wife and mom have had fasciculations that simply go away with time.

Before i had normal twitching, but after my unndiagnosed neuropathy, began, my twitching went hay wire, i get twitching in unusual places, but its more random than pins and needles feeling, or loss of feeling, but im pretty sure its related.

if your sisters plural and your mother have periods of fasciculations maybe you should be exploring a genetic cause for your symptoms or maybe they are all under stress.

Besides low magnesium, low blood sugar spells is a common cause of twitching muscles:

http://symptomchecker.webmd.com/mult...ns=49|50|49|50

I read a book on hypoglycemia once that claimed up to 70% of people having a low sugar attack will have muscle twitching.
Low blood sugar also causes feelings of anxiety, and since that topic comes up here often, it needs to be addressed again.

The best way to deal with low sugar attacks is to clean up your diet, avoid white carbs and sugar and eat balanced meals with some protein in each one, and lower glycemic vegetable or fruit carbs. Some fruits are lower than others. Bananas are high and peaches much lower, for example. Investigate the Book or online by Dr. Barry Sears who developed The Zone diet. Eating this way is rather easy, and controls blood sugar as well. The Zone encourages the consumption of Omega-3's also, and limiting inflammatory high amounts of Omega-6's. A high inflammatory diet is going to release cytokines from the Cox-2 enzyme and those may trigger the twitching.

Please help!
 

Hi everyone - I really need to ask for your support here. I am in a very bad way :Sob: and have some questions about your twitching/fasciculuations.

I am having a hard time with my twitches, I keep thinking they are due to MND. I have a diagnosis of plexus neuritis, but it is going to be double checked this week by two different neuros, tomorrow and Friday. I have some questions and would like to see if I am alone. I have had random, widespread twitching for 2 years now, but these twitches in my affected arm are different.

1. Has anyone else had this fear with their twitching - that it could be due to something even more sinister than neuropathy?
   
2. Is twitching a very common symptom of neuropathy, or just somewhat common?
   
3. Do you have twitching in one spot, or several spots, that are like "hot spots" - where in that particular spot, the twitching is more constant? I have this area on my forearm that keeps acting up.
   
4. Are they constant, meaning non-stop, or do they break/pause, but then start back up again? Mine break/pause.
   
5. Do you have weakness with the twitching? I do. :(
6. If yes, is the twitching in the weak area or different areas?
   
7. Does anything aggravate seem to aggravate the twitching? Mine seem to act up after lots of movement.
   
8. Do you have pain in the area of twitching?
   
9. Do your twitches stop when using the muscle, or do they just keep going? Mine do both.

Twitchwitch: I know what you are going through - I was in a very similar place several months ago. I did so much research on ALS/MND and BFS that I could probably write a book on it. Go to your doctor appointments this week. Tell them your fears. Then listen to what they tell you. Hopefully they will be able to reassure you that you don't have what you fear.

But ultimately, time may be the only thing that will convince you. I'm sure you have done your research, so you know that MND is almost always relentlessly progressive. So every day, week, month that goes by without your weakness getting worse should ease your worries more and more.

Do your best to stay calm. Spend time with your family and friends - this will help you keep your mind off of the things that trouble you. Remember: Stress and anxiety will make your symptoms worse - especially twitching (the two leading triggers for BFS are stress/anxiety and physical illnesses virus, etc.)

Thank you, I am sorry you went through this but it helps to know that someone knows what this is like. I also have said that 'I could write a book'...
My neuros know my fears, and one of the 3 so far says "no to ALS" because of the pain and sensory issues. I did have pain in this arm, big time, in December...since then the pain has died down, but is still there, but the weakness and twitching got worse.

So that is why I wanted to know how common twitching is with neuropathy and characteristics of the twitches people with neuropathy experience.