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Non-stop muscle twitching and "running ants" feeling

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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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  • Phoebe604
    Phoebe604 Futari

    Posted

    I sometimes get the twitching when I am tired or anxious
  • mary38696
    mary38696 Futari

    Posted

    I'm hoping someone has came up with a real diagnoses. I've been dealing with problems for 2 years now, the twitching, spasms, burning sensation,buzzing, electricity shocks and also it's happens in my head. The twitching and things started about 6 months ago and I can't handle them, they are driving me crazy.. I've had all kinds of blood test and a MRI and the Ana test came back positive which is a auto immune diseases, my thyroid has went bad and had to have my appendix removed.. My last resort is to be tested for Lyme disease. Before this all started I do remember getting two ticks off from me and one was a deer tick.. Hope I can figure this out, if anyone has any new information then I would appreciate them informing me of it.
  • mary38696
    mary38696 Futari

    Posted

    I'm hoping someone has came up with a real diagnoses. I've been dealing with problems for 2 years now, the twitching, spasms, burning sensation,buzzing, electricity shocks and also it's happens in my head. The twitching and things started about 6 months ago and I can't handle them, they are driving me crazy.. I've had all kinds of blood test and a MRI and the Ana test came back positive which is a auto immune diseases, my thyroid has went bad and had to have my appendix removed.. My last resort is to be tested for Lyme disease. Before this all started I do remember getting two ticks off from me and one was a deer tick.. Hope I can figure this out, if anyone has any new information then I would appreciate them informing me of it.
    • jeanne_88811
      jeanne_88811 mary38696

      Posted

      Not got a diagnoses here yet ! Although not having a certain diagnoses makes me happy it so far has not advanced to where they can pinpoint ALS. I am twitching in arm the last few days driving me nuts ! My legs are not twitching as bad , but it has moved to arms and back and shoulders bad. I am seeing a chiropractor for extreme pain in neck and shoulder blades and lower back and i think , not sure, but think that it is helping with the leg twitching. I once in a while have extreme weakness in my arms shoulders and jaws (feels like I can't chew anymore) but that comes and goes. I guess its a good sign that after a few months of this cramping and twitching (my nose and tongue too) my muscles still looked good on all the tests the nuero did . he told me to come back in 6 mths and see if i had anymore symptoms . I can only pray and try not to worry . I am still able to work and function at least. 
  • chuck1010
    chuck1010 Futari

    Posted

    My twitching started nearly tens years ago above my right angle.  It has progressed by the month & now EVERY muscle twitches. I have twitching, spasms, burning sensation, buzzing, electricity shocks. My muscles jump 24/7 somewhere & the residual pain is gruesome at times.  I've been everywhere with zero answers.  Tried traditional & quacks & anyone in between -  nothing helps!  Now have neck & head pains (pressure) & lots of weird sensations.  Last week my entire right side went numb, head pressure & total weird.  Thought I was having a stroke & accassionally believe a fatal heart attack would be better than this quality of life.  I have been tested for EVERYTHING & do have an issue with low platelets (ITP). Twitching is BFS (benign fascicular syndrome) - that's what they say I have.  Well, it's NOT benign to me.

    I used to have ants crawling but now it's HUGE ripples & also ringing in my ears - weird.  A real nightmare actually.  I just contacted Mayo Clinic (been there 3 times already) for one last attempt at anything.  They have no clue.

    As for me, I believe it all starts in the brain - or whatever I have left of it.  Muscles do NOT twitch without a signal.  I had one doc tell me it's an auto immune disease & there is a war going on inside my immune system.  Well, how do we turn off the war signals?

    Anyway, that's a short version of an ugly story so far.  It's been years & every month it gets worse.  I've (plus many olthers) been praying for a miracle for years but would rejoice with a few days of relief for now.

    • jeanne_88811
      jeanne_88811 chuck1010

      Posted

      I also been getting ringing in my ears lately and I was diagnosed 10 yrs ago probably with low blood plateletts too. Weird that we have the platelets in common. My nose is driving me crazy with the itching and twitching that is where it started several years ago and it seems worse. My skin burns too and hurts to touch it sometimes. I hate feeling like this day in and out 
    • chuck1010
      chuck1010 jeanne_88811

      Posted

      I was told my nerves are too close to the skin surface, therefore very sensitive to touch.  Even my clothes rubbing hurt my legs.  I do better without socks & no long pants.  Winter (cold) is worse but now everyday is a struggle.  My platelets have been as low as 3K & now I am taking weekly injections of Nplate along with prednisone.  Platelet is now 50K to 150K with no reason for fluxuations. Prednisone helps my platelets but I HATE the side effects.  I take 5 mg per day & trying to get to zero. I ran every day for 17 years & now just walking adds muscle fatique.  The muscle pain is just too much some days.

      Numerous docs have said they have never seen a case like mine.  It's horrible & hard to explain to anyone.  I look normal, but feel horrible.

      I feel your pain (I hope it's less than mine) & trust you can find an answer soon.  I will add you to my prayers.  None of us are getting out of here alive so if not this - it will be something.  I'm ready....

      If I ever hear good news I will reply immediately. 

    • mary38696
      mary38696 chuck1010

      Posted

      I have been trying to search answers for the same symptoms, I just got some results back and it's looking like lupus and it's affecting every part of my body, so hoping for good news on the 22 of this month with some medication.. If you've had a positive Ana test then you need to see a rheumatologist and they should check your blood with a test called C4- if it's positive then it's lupus..
    • Heather2612
      Heather2612 chuck1010

      Posted

      I too had low platelets which caused bruising and vasculitis rash. I had many neuro symptoms and muscle weakness and joint pain. It was found I had low b12 and low vit d which caused all the symptoms.
  • neil82786
    neil82786 Futari

    Posted

    Hi Futari i had the same for 3 years had brain scans Etc nothing showed up ! , i did some research and came up with this. Myself i take Proton pump inhibitors for excess stomach acid,i found out they badly deplete the body of Magnesium.

    And there are warnings about this .So i bought some Swisse Ultiboost Magnesium ans started taking them everday- as do i my PPI .

    Low and behold after 6 weeks the twitches eased, and only have now and again, in my legs ,and not all over my body like ants. do try this

  • KMRC
    KMRC Futari

    Posted

    I have these same symptoms and was diagnosed with Chronic Inflamatory Demienating Polyneuropathy (CIPD).  I was injured in a car accident when I was younger and it took many years, seeing many specialists to no avail.  30 years ago I was diagnosed with RSD, now called CRPS, chronic regional pain syndrome.  The region was, at the time, my feet and legs and the feeling was burning pain, crawling ants, muscle spasms in calves and feet, very painful.  Started me on opioids, steroids. You name it I took it and nothing happened.  After a few years, I developed the same thing in my hands and arms (CIDP) and now it is everywhere.  The neuro doc says it is like there is some strange antigen eating at the sheaths of my nerves.  Sounds like something I would stay away from!  I have emgs every 4-5 years to see the progression of it.  It is a cousin of Guillume Barrett syndrome and all of these are auto immune issues, of which I have many.  I were compression garments on my legs and arms but my feet and hands are terribly painful.  I take a few things for the pain but have tried to structure my life around making my life as stressfree as possible.  Good intentions and all...being in pain is stressful. Much as I love my family, having them pile into my home 2-3 times a year lays me out for weeks!  I rely on my dogs, cat and kitten (and the husband, of course!) to keep me calm and happy and I try to give back where I can.  I rarely leave the house and someone else always drives.  I also take hot baths with a cup of Epsom salts, 1/2 cup baking soda and a few drops of lavender oil, light the candles, put on my favorite soothe music and enjoy a good, 30 minute soak.  Makes me feel like superwoman for about an hour but it does help me relax so I can fall asleep.  I laugh a lot and limit my exposure to those who are so caught up in their disease(s) that they no longer act like themselves.  I tell everyone I am from a small town in France (from Saturday night live in the 70's & 80's) and that I am a cone head.  I follow that with saying I lost my cone and am now having phantom cone pain!!  Pain is something we cannot avoid in life and if you are unlucky enough to be in pain your entire life, your spirit will need to be fully present to deal rationally and irreverently with the pain.  When it is a part of you, I believe you do what you think is necessary to lower the pain and rewrite what your life will look like and how you want to be remembered.  My family will remember that I was quirky, an artist, funny, bordering on hilarious, smart, strong, ingenious in how my life worked for me and allowed me to have sustained happiness and to fully love and be loved by family, friends and creatures of my sphere.  Most will forget that I was as sick as I am because I put myself in a loving, giving mood as much as possible.  Including towards myself.  Are you good to yourself?  The pain you experience is very real and certain drugs may always be needed but in lesser quantities.  Not because the pain is better but you will become more tolerant and even give into it when need be.  Treasure who you are.  And what special gifts you have to give humans and/or animals or plants, whatever.  The more you contribute (and trust me, some days all I can contribute is focused positive thoughts), the more at ease you will be.  Get a dx, learn everything you can about the condition, treatments (and whether  they will make you better, worse or dead...) keep those who love you apprised of new conditions but be sure you have good things to talk and laugh with them about, too.  Let those who are trained to help you, help you.  Be gentle with yourself and others.  It sound a bit harsh, but beware of putting too much of a burden on one or two folks.  It is very psychically draining on them and often they drift away.  It takes loads of strength to be sick and in pain and still be a person who treats others like they wish to be treated.  Be grateful for what you DO have.  You will find writing this stuff down is helpful to the mind and body.  It is all connected, baby.  Nobody gets out unscathed but we can make the best of what we have, whatever that means to you.
  • Janis22
    Janis22 Futari

    Posted

    Chicken!!! Chicken causes mine. I know it's wierd. And I thought I had lupus. But nope. It was the chicken. I avoid poultry now. But strangely enough am fine with eggs. Good luck to everyone 👍👍💕🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
  • keith3030
    keith3030 Futari

    Posted

    Sounds to me like Benign fasciculation syndrome with some neropathie. If you drink alote of dairy the magnesium is good. Patasium is good like eat a banana everyday might help. I have the same problem and from my own research this is all I can find.
  • doreen07617
    doreen07617 Futari

    Posted

    I have a family member with crawling ants.  I know of a Dr Battercharjee of Royal Free Hospital who has a diagnosis for this.  Cannot remember the name.  He was one of the Docs who founded it so to speak. 

    I have it in legs only that is a nerve thing.  A bit different to all over twitches.    My family member was also low in vitamin D.

  • ivonne18384
    ivonne18384 Futari

    Posted

    Hi Futari,

    I had the same proble as you, and the only answer I got is vitamin D deficiency (level of 6 ng/mL), if you're as me, possible you might need first correct your deficiency with high dosage of vitamin D3 and other cofactors (vitamin A, K) and MAGNESIUM. I have been taking 10,000 for 3  months and more and my levels are still below the optimal level, however I must say that my symptoms have improved significantly, I still have tingling in my legs but I try to subsiced them by applying magnesium cream, it helps a lit bit however when you apply it generates a tingling sensations. In addition I do Epsom baths a night that help to sleep and reduce the tingling. I'm looking foward to feel excelent again. Hopefully would be soon. Hope you're doing better now. 

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