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Non-stop muscle twitching and "running ants" feeling

Posted , 103 users are following.

Futari
Futari

Hello everyone,

it will soon be a year since this problem of mine started and nobody has yet found a solution to it, so I thought I have nothing to lose by asking here.

Around April last year I started getting muscle twitches. Out of nowhere. It continued for a month, until I finally went to doctor about it, no fun when your fingers get all jumpy when you sit still, or your muscles twitch so much it wakes you from your sleep. It's pretty unplesant when there's muscles moving under your skin all the time. In the thigh, in the leg, in the finger, in the neck... I think I even had it in the eye once. I so much wish it would just stop.

Doctor said it was a lack of magnesium, but a few months later the problem persisted, and a new sensation developed in my left shoulder blade - the warm buzzy "running ants feeling". I moved to another country, so went to another doctor there. That doctor stated that my neck is very stiff and asked if I suffer from migraine, which I don't think I do. They said I should try exercising a bit more - it should exhaust the muscles so they don't have the energy to twitch. They also prescribed going to a physiotherapist, which is a pretty expensive procedure to me, so I am still hesitating. In the meantime, the muscle twitching has subsided to a few times a day, however, the "running ants feeling" became more frequent. Exercise doesn't seem to alter it that much...

Other minor problems I have that might be related to this are heart rhythm problems in the evening and inability to stay in a bent-down position for more than a few minutes (gives me a terrible headache and dizzyness), I also suffer from obsessive thoughts, really often (I mention this since I have heard that psychological health matters a lot when it comes to muscle twitching) If someone could comment on this I would be really grateful. Doctors say they can't do anything about it, but they didn't really think of checking my nerves - maybe there's a pressed nerve, or something?

4 likes, 203 replies

203 Replies

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  • rejaul20713
    rejaul20713 Futari

    Posted

    Hi Futari,

    First of all my sympathies to you.

    I also had this symptom from July 21st 2014. Boy that was a bad day for me. Out of the blue, I had two fingers of my right hand twitching badly. I thought it might be because of stress and so took a day of leave from work. But the condition worsened at night, no sleep for two days and the twitching took over my hands and legs. I got worried and went to a doctor the next day.

    They got me to do a some blood tests, meanwhile a benzo drug-Etilaam was prescribed which helped but never entirely cured the twitching. The blood report showed that I have deficiency of Vit D3, B12 and borderline Hypothyroid. So, I started taking all those medicines and Etilaam (which came with its own sort of benzo drug related symptoms). Anyways, I got rid of Etilaam after a lot of fight and numerous panic attacks and hospitalization. Meanwhile, my vitamin D3, B12 and thyroid conditions got normal, but the twitches were still there. I got prescribed Magnesium, which improved my sleep and reduced the twitches, but that too was ineffective to completely cure it.

    I was completely mentally broke, when on 10th of Jan 2015, read a little bit on such symptoms in a homoeopathic website, which prescribed Phosporous-30c for my specific set of symptoms, as I was a sceptic about homoeopathy I didn't get the medicine until 13th of Jan, thinking what more harm can be done now. I took 4 drops of Phosphorous-30c in empty stomach in the morning on 14th Jan and 15th Jan, to my surprise, by the night of 15th Jan the symptoms were better. So, I thought I shud increase my dosage to get relieved asap, which was a mistake as homoeopathy dont work that way, the symptoms came back but short of their original magnitude; I went back to 4 drops in empty stomach in the morning before brushing my teeth and today as I write on this blog, I think 80% of my twitching is relieving, its something huh! only 12 days of this medicine has made such an impact.

    I am not saying that Phosphorous 30c will also work for you, coz I have delved deep into homoeopathy, which says that like cures like, and the person and their specific set of symptoms has to be matched to find a cure, there may be a little bit of trial and error involved, but if u get the proper cure, it will work. Also check Causticum and see if the symptoms matches you

    Physiotherapy is expensive, but homoeopathy is not. Also no side effect, and the cure is permanent. God! I just became a fan of it. Hopefully, you get the same results too.

    And one more thing, relieve yourself of stress, dont drink caffeine. Even though they wont remove your twitching symptoms, you will more likely sleep a little more and your nerves will be calmed. Also, MS and other neurological diseases are very rare which stress related symptoms are high in everyday life.

    Best of luck!

  • emma28824
    emma28824 Futari

    Posted

    Hi I get nervous twitches nearly all the time now and i have had them for a long time like it must be over 3-4 year and I am under 18. Is there anyway that I can stop them, it's so embarrassing I try and controll them but it seams to makes it worse. Can anyone hep me or tell me what to do please x
  • emma28824
    emma28824 Futari

    Posted

    Hi I get nervous twitches most the time but it have got worst for me because I get stressed easily and i try and controll them but it makes it worse. I have had it for about 3-4 years now and I am under 18. I want to get rid of it but I just can't and I don't know why, can someone help me please x
    • christina60471
      christina60471 emma28824

      Posted

      I have twitches too. I discovered they are gluten induced. Try eliminating all wheat from your diet. I feel best and have the fewest amount of twitching when I discovered that sugar was causing them too. I've figured this out over the course of about 4 years. I try to eat a paleo diet, but I can tolerate potatoes and rice. However, I cook them at home. I don't eat fries at fast food restaurants because they might be using the same oil to fry breaded chicken nuggets, and rice at Asian foof restaurants beacause I don't know if the soy sauce has wheat in it or not. The workers at the restaurants usualy don't know either when you ask. Protect yourself by eating at home, pack your lunches, eat at restaurants where there are gluten free offerings. There are more choices now, but be careful.
  • wendy62357
    wendy62357 Futari

    Posted

    If you still are undiagnosed, have your doctor test you for Lyme Disease. I have it. Muscle twitches, low vitamin D and many other symptoms. Good luck to you. I hope you already have an answer and it's not Lyme. They told me, "The good news is that you have Lyme Disease and you're going to live. The bad news is that you have Lyme Disease and you're going to live."
  • MStice
    MStice Futari

    Posted

    I agree with Wendy...get tested for Lyme. Make sure it is the Western blot test as that is more accurate. (and that the lab they send it to is reliable - not all are for testing Lyme) If it comes back positive, you're on the right track to getting healthy, but it's important to find an LLMD (Lyme literate doctor) You may also be low on magnesium which often causes muscle twitching. (perhaps due to Lyme, or simply a deficiency on it's own) Have your doc test for magnesium. (not the serum test though, which is the most common test they take for this as this won't accurately reflect a magnesium deficiency, even if you are) You can even try a liquid ionic magnesium supplement, or better yet, a magnesium (body) spray (oil) that is much better absorbed through the skin rather than taken orally. (hence going through the gut) Google magnesium oil and you'll find a few excelent products and info about it - worth giving it a shot to see if it helps with the twitching.
  • glenn68875
    glenn68875 Futari

    Posted

    first of all the twitching I'm sure has to do with the nerves and muscles. I have the same condition and a doctor told me my nerves were compressed making blood flow through them difficult. One night I had a very awkward feeling when I was having oral sex and felt my liver trembling continuously. Immediately I realised it was a panic attack but even after calming myself down it wouldn't stop. I resorted to bitter leaf tea which stopped the trembling liver instantly but my twitching still went on as usual. However the twitching reduced when I stopped smoking and also changed my diet. I have made several researches and I personally think the condition is due to different things, toxins from smoking and sexual exhaustion. My next move is to apply Chinese homeopathic herbs which help rejuvenate the body and also stops the twitching. As a matter of fact I had researched on this extensively as it annoys me to have twitches like that, the only time I read someone recover fully from this condition is when they applied Chinese homeopathic herbs. I also want to add that my twitching intensifies anytime I smoke.
    • christina60471
      christina60471 glenn68875

      Posted

      I've had the twitching in my muscles for about 4 years now and they have increased in intensity, but I've noticed that I can calm them down if I eat a strict gluten free diet, and paleo is even better. I've eliminated all refined sugar, most caffiene and dairy. I notice that when I drink coffee, eat chocolate, caffeinated tea or eat gluten on accident I get 'twitchy', I have numb extremities while at rest or even as I move around. I've gotten used to it in that it doesn't scare me as much as in the past, but I don't like it.  I go back to eating a strict gluten-free diet, drink water, lay off all sugar, etc. the twitching largely goes away.  I take 5000 IUs of Vitamin D a day. By eating a gluten free diet I don't have the full head/foggy head that feels like it weighs 50 pounds.  The weird thing is that by not eating dairy or beans very rarely has made me more sensitive to them. When I do eat dairy I get bloated and uncomfortable and when I eat beans I get very gassy. So, I pretty much stay away from both of them.  I also notice that I have the worse reaction to sugar. I have to stay away or I feel very twichy and numb for about 3 or 4 days and I really hate it. I do not miss sugar because it's like a physical punishment every time I eat it. I guess I have a gluten sensitivity induced neuropathy?  I just eat really healthy now and I can maintain a positive outlook and I can function. My recommendation is to clean out your kitchen of all wheat/gluten and sugar. Best of luck! 
  • Natchiz
    Natchiz Futari

    Posted

    Hi Futari, Please get your calcium and parathyroid hormones levels checked! Neurological symptoms like that, along with heart rhythm issues and low vitamin D levels are signs of a parathyroid/calcium metabolism issue. It can also cause anxiety, depression and psychological issues as well as fatigue and much more.
    • luisv522
      luisv522 Natchiz

      Posted

      Hi what kind if metabolism problems.. I have twitching 24/7 with shooting pain and all they have told me is low vit d
    • christina60471
      christina60471 luisv522

      Posted

      Try a gluten free diet. I've been living with twitching for about 4 years now and I've been able to calm it way down by not eating gluten. You'll have to eliminate all wheat from your diet. It takes time to clean out your kitchen and figure out a new menu, but it is so worth it. I feel best on a paleo diet, but I can tolerate potatoes and rice. I take 5000 IU of Vitamin D. I think it helps my mood more than anything. Eating a strict gluten free diet has eliminated foggy brain, achey joints, etc.
  • zak1997
    zak1997 Futari

    Posted

    Hey Futari, i've recently encountoured your post and i seem to suffer from exactly the same symptons as you have/are. I was just wondering, have you found out what you have been diagnosed with? or have you found any treatments that seem to be effective? 

    Thanks a lot.

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