Non-stop muscle twitching and "running ants" feeling
Posted , 103 users are following.
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
shannon93482 Futari
Posted
You might want to check your thyroid levels. I have the same issues that you are having. I have a hypothyroid and I'm being tested for Hashimotos disease. They are saying now that Hashimotos may be linked to an excess amount of SIBO in your digestive tract. Once you heal your gut with the proper diet your symptoms will improve. Most patients find that removing gluten from their diet makes a huge difference.
alison11752 Futari
Posted
This sounds similar to my twitching. I have been diagnosed with cramp fasciculation syndrome. Go back the Drs, ask to get referred to a neurologist and they will do tests such as emg and an mri scan. Hope you get some relief. :-))
vivian1019 Futari
Posted
I am experiecing twitching on the side of my nose. It first started off around the left under eye and it moved down to the side of nose. now it's twitching like crazy.. have any of you guy experienced this?
boozysuzi100 Futari
Posted
This is interesting - 19 years ago I started with almost exactly the same symptoms - twitches, peripheral neuropathy and a feeling of worms under my skin and also crawling feelings.I spent 3 years getting nowhere- went down the virus route, magnesium etc etc- I am a nurse and one of the doctors noticed my muscles twitching- I was sent to.my occupational health department who referred me to a good neurologist who was so compassionate and was the first doctor to take me seriously- he was perplexed but lucky for me sent a sample of my blood to the John Radcliffe hospital in oxford- I am diagnosed with issacs neuromytonia which is characterised by twitches ( called fasciculations), muscleweakness etc - there is no cure but it won't kill you- treatment is with anti- convulsants but I chose not to take them- it's rare but my neurologist believes lots of people have it and are undiagnosed- it can be hereditary or auto- immune- your presentation seems similar to.mine and it is due to potassium attacking the nerve junctions- just a thought
chuck1010 boozysuzi100
Posted
Thanks for the info. Yes, it sounds like we share a unique condition. My twitching is getting worse & my leg muscles fasciculate so badly the residual pain is horrible. I have cramping in my calve muscles & now in my fingers & toes. I've tried every drug possible as well as topical meds with no success. I've modified my diet & all sorts of physical things with no improvement. Yes, I've been told it won't kill me but now I would prefer that it would. My quality of life is horrible & the pain is getting to be too much. It's taken over every muscle group in my body. I trust that you are doing better & that NO ONE ever has to deal with this.
ellgb Futari
Posted
Futari and everyone, thank you for posting your symptoms. I am very sorry you are suffering but it's also good to know I'm not the only one. To start off, I have RLS and have had it for many years. I am currently on Ropinerole 5mg (2-1/2 in the morning and 2-1/2 in the evening). I often have to take an additional 2-1/2 mg because the twitching will start up again. It used to be in my legs only but has now spread to arms and shoulders, my whole body at times. And it usually occurs late at night.
Another symptom: I have not been able to sleep more than 2 hours for at least four years. I have tried all kinds of sleep remedies, both pharmceutical and natural, and nothing helps. I am wide awake almost all the time. When I do sleep it consists of dropping off while in the middle of something like reading or watching TV. If I simply go to bed with the intention of going to sleep, it doesn't happen. Whether or not this is related to RLS, I don't know. My doctor seems to ignore the problems, other than writing me prescriptions. He sent me for a sleep study which determined I have sleep apnea but I was unable to use a CPAP machine--since I don't sleep it was pointless to run the machine when I was wide awake.
I will be 69 years old next week but I feel 89 physically. I would love to have some answers before I die.
carol77683 Futari
Posted
ellgb carol77683
Posted
Hi Carol, Thank you for the tip. I appreciate it! I've never heard of liquid magnesium. Is that purchased over the counter or do you need a prescription? I will certainly try it. I already drink plenty of water and always have. Did you ever try the bar of soap under the bedsheet? I've tried it and it seemed to work for a while but eventually it stopped.
anastasia55048 Futari
Posted
similar thing happen to me, expect its only twitching in my legas and stomach, and its also more of a "mice crawling on me feeling" which is far more terrifying. also i get a hot burning twitch every once in awhile.
atdheks Futari
Posted
Futari plz can you tell if you did recover?
Muscle twitching it has been happening to me for 5 month now?
I took blood tests and came with Vitamin D deficiency, hdl cholesterol to the border limit and blood glucose to the border limit.
I take muscle relaxant and mix of withamin D - mangnesium - calcium, but little effect.
any advice?
Thany youu
suat1 atdheks
Posted
Hello Guys , This is Dr. Suat from Turkey .
Let me Try to make it clear for u all . When I read the comments about muscle twitching I realized most of u were diagnosed with vit. D deficiency and some of u took vit. D supplements right after and ur muscle twitching still there . Here is one of the most common reason for it :
I m sure most of u heard of Celiac disease ( it s about gluten sensitivity ) . In this Disease there is an inflammation over the proximal part of small intestine which is responsible for malabsorption of the fat soluble vitamins (A , D , E , K) , iron and etc. ,
If u don't apply gluten free diet , the inflammation will continue in ur small intestines and despite u take vitamin d supplements because of inflammation which disturb the function of villi , u ll still not absorb vit d and result there is still less vit d and calcium in ur blood . In fact the reason why u get muscle twitching due to hypocalcemia .
So first make sure that u don't have celiac disease and then keep vit d and rest of ur diet !
vyacheslav59518 Futari
Posted
In my experience with keeping muscles healthy I came to conclusion that if any muscle are heart in the body there are some nerves that are not at rest and they are trying to come to rest. That why I would rather think how to ease the hearting area than look for medicine that would keep me from not feeling pain.
ladyyy333 Futari
Posted
Hi. I also experience muscle twitching. I'm just a teenager, and I have no idea on what caused this problem. It used to be just near my left knee, but now it happens at almost every part of my legs. The frequency of the twitching is very high. I would say I get 10 twitches in one hour. Thanks
Guest ladyyy333
Posted
Many people get 10 twitches every second, so I wouldn't say that 10 per hour is "very high".
Remember that anxiety is the most common source of muscle twitching, but you could ask a doctor about it, especially if you have other symptoms as well.
Ozzland Futari
Posted
I started twitching after my first panic attack. Went to hospital a few times. After a few years and different meds. Along with my Fibromyalgia I have anxiety and panic attacks and take Prozac, Xanax, hydroxyzine, gabapentin, Topamax, baclofen, atenolol primedone. Basically my mind is stuck in a panic attack and I have to dope myself up to try and be normal. Whatever that is. I'm never calm. Always tensed up. Neck and shoulders always hurt. Always annoyed. Only relief I get is when I sleep and thank God I can do that.