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Twitches - 5/28/2013 3:34:11 PM

LafayetteLady

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As many here know, I have multiple health issues, including two back injuries (one to my lower, one to my cervical spine from two separate incidents). Well, now I have something new that I have never even read about.

At least twice now, I have woke up with these weird "twitches" in my arms. They don't seem to be related to neuropathic pain from my diabetes. In fact, I haven't been able to find anything on the internet about what it could be. The are like the twitches one might get from an EMR test, you know the one where they give you these electrical impulses to check for nerve damage? Of course, my searching could be off.

The first time it happened, I had slept in a weird way and initially had the pins and needles we all have when an appendage "falls asleep." Then it went to these weird twitches and those lasted for two days. Before I could make an appointment with a doctor, they went away. This morning, I didn't get the pins and needles, but I do have the twitches. They seem worse than I remember the last ones being, as they are causing me to drop things (since it is my arms and hands). They probably will go away before my doctor's appointment on Friday though.

Again, yes, I am going to the doctor, although this was not the reason for the appointment, so I'm not looking for a diagnosis from people on the internet. I do not want people without a medical background diagnosing me. What I want are if anyone has ever heard of this before to offer suggestions for me to research or point out to my doctor.

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RE: Twitches - 5/28/2013 5:02:11 PM

Duskypearls

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I only have my experience to share, and do not know if it's what you have going on.

For quite a while I've had twitches in my left arm, due to cervical injury, disc herniation, spinal stenosis and osteophytes; little bone growths growing around or impinging upon nerves coming from the spine and going to the arm.

The deterioration of all these issues causes many kinds of twitches, (which began with just one, and have increased in number over time as the conditions worsen), muscle spasms, pain and weakness in the left arm, that has led to muscle atrophy. Can't hold or carry much with that arm/hand.

Some are small, medium and bigtime. They come and go.

It's possible you slept on it in a way that put pressure somewhere on a nerve that's taken time to resolve. I hope that's all it is.

< Message edited by Duskypearls -- 5/28/2013 5:03:43 PM >

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RE: Twitches - 5/28/2013 5:08:40 PM

poise

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

At least twice now, I have woke up with these weird "twitches" in my arms. They don't seem to be related to neuropathic pain from my diabetes.

Diabetes is not the only cause of neuropathy, and it doesn't always cause pain, although it often can.
Your symptoms seem to be similar to those with peripheral neuropathy, which is discussed here.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-peripheral-neuropathy-basics
Good luck at the doctor. I hope they can find something to address your concerns.

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RE: Twitches - 5/28/2013 5:19:18 PM

OsideGirl

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I get something similar due to a cervical injury. I compressed my spine and took the curve out, similar to whiplash. The Doctor said it's pressure on the nerves. It's not constant, it really depends on what my neck is doing.

As a side, note I get twitches in my left side fingers and toes when a migraine is coming.

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RE: Twitches - 5/28/2013 5:34:14 PM

angelikaJ

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I get pretty severe muscle spasms which I learned are from my diabetes.

She said my anion gap was too high.

Apparently this is an indicator of metabolic acidosis as a result of less than optimally controlled blood sugars.

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 1:45:05 AM

LafayetteLady

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Dusky and Oside,

Well, that's one point for it being the cervical injury from when I was hit by the car. The really weird thing is that it feels like someone is stimulating my arm in some way causing the twitches. Not real happy about the dropping things though. Especially since I have lost coordination to begin with. In the last few months, I knocked a hammer off my kitchen counter (I knew I should have put it back where it belonged, lol) which resulted in me literally smashing my pinkie toe. That was back in like March, and I still do not have all the feeling back to my foot from that. Then a couple of weeks ago, I knocked one of my new (meaning it was sharp!) knives off the counter (damned counter, lol) onto (the same freaking) foot and cut a different toe. Not bad, but enough for their to be a lot of blood. So if I'm doomed to dropping things, I shouldn't be using heavy or sharp object.

BTW Dusky, I'm sorry your arm has atrophied and caused you so many problems.

Oside I also get migraines, but can definitively say that I didn't get a migraine close to these events. Because of my multiple health problems, I tend to be a bit more attentive to what happens before, during or close after things.

Poise,

That sounds like a distinct possibility. According to the link, peripheral neuropathy can be the result of an injury OR diabetes. I have both, so....

And see? Peripheral neuropathy didn't show up in my searches and wasn't on my "radar" to search.

angelika,

I don't know that I would call these "spasms." I get some pretty bad muscle spasms in my lower back from the other injury, and these definitely don't feel like that.

Still, I will ask about my anion gap as well.

I actually just started with a new doctor (I couldn't afford my other one anymore, who is out of network), so we are still in that "getting to know you stage." I haven't even got to all my issues yet with her. I first saw her for my THIRD sinus infection in as many months. Which I think might be caused by mold in my bathroom behind the wall that can't be seen.

Anyway, so before this weird twitching started again, I began a list of things to discuss with her. There is already 15 things on the list! I realize that she probably won't be able to address all of the issues in one visit, but because she is a covered doctor, I don't need to worry about the number of visits. I figure I will give her the list and she can keep it and choose which problems she wants to deal with on each visit. Some are definitely connected. Such as I wrote down down all the possibilities from you guys, which are all related. But because we have been having trouble controlling my BS, some different treatments for my diabetes might be in order. She gave me baclofen for my back pain, but it only *kind of* works, so I want to discuss other options.

But I know I can't remember all the things going on when I visit, so I keep the list nearby and when I think of something, I jot it down for my visit. This is the first time I've done this with any doctor. I'm sure she will look at it and want to curse me, lol. Hopefully, though, we will be able to resolve some things.

The good news about the new doctor? Their office also includes some sort of weight loss program that may be covered under my insurance! Let's hope, since I'm sure there are some things she will say are attributed to my weight. But since I have an issue with my thyroid, that also creates issues with dieting. Well let's hope I can get at least half of these resolved and the other half get answers and treatment for.

And thanks to all for the info! I really appreciate it.

(in reply to LafayetteLady)

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 5:23:03 AM

angelikaJ

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LL,

As someone who gets hellacious sinus infections, I can tell you that antibiotics will not kill off fungal stuff.

You probably need cultures done.

Also, my MD is very careful to rotate my antibiotics to prevent resistance.

As for your back spasms, could she order a round of PT for you?
They can help with stretches and exercises that can really help.

Best wishes.

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 6:00:40 AM

Duskypearls

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LLady, I've heard Neurontin can be helpful for many with all different kinds of nerve stuff, including neuropathies, peripheral and otherwise. You Doc can tell you.

Whatever it is, I surely hope you get it diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Good luck with it all.

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 6:23:35 PM

littlewonder

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I've been having one sinus infection after another lately so I can relate to that. But I know it's because of the weather and atmosphere here in Baltimore and my body not being used to it. Blah. It seems lots of people are having a tough time with sinus infections this year.

I wish I could give you some thoughts on the spasms but I don't have a clue. I hope you can get some answers and relief from your new doctor. Good luck!

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 6:28:33 PM

OsideGirl

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quote:

ORIGINAL: angelikaJ
As for your back spasms, could she order a round of PT for you?
They can help with stretches and exercises that can really help.

I went through a period where the back spasms would not stop. Stretching, chiropractic, etc would help temporarily and it would come back full strength.

Muscle relaxers aren't really an option for me since I've found that they affect my memory functions, which would make it very hard to work.

Doctor found the trigger muscle and injected Botox. It worked like a charm. The spasm has not been back since.

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 7:26:23 PM

lizi

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When I was in my last clinical rotation, the PT there recommended increasing potassium and electrolytes to a patient that was having continual muscle cramps. Since those things are relatively benign, it wouldn't hurt to try them out.

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RE: Twitches - 5/29/2013 7:46:13 PM

littlewonder

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quote:

ORIGINAL: OsideGirl

I went through a period where the back spasms would not stop. Stretching, chiropractic, etc would help temporarily and it would come back full strength.

Muscle relaxers aren't really an option for me since I've found that they affect my memory functions, which would make it very hard to work.

Doctor found the trigger muscle and injected Botox. It worked like a charm. The spasm has not been back since.

I've been hearing a lot about using botox in that manner. I think it's something you should ask about. It can't hurt.

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 1:00:05 AM

LafayetteLady

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angelika,

Actually, I was planning on talking to her about the possibility of a fungal infection. It's on the list, lol.

I'm very careful about antibiotics ever since the bout of c-diff last year. Never again!

My back spasm are related to a spinal injury, we did PT and it didn't work.

Dusky,

I'm trying to remember if Neurotonin has been tried before or not. There have been so many. It may be contraindicated due to other health issues, but I will ask. Getting to that point where I'm ready to try anything, including being a fat zombie if it takes some of the pain away.

lw,

I've heard lots of people are getting sinus infections this year, too. Still I'm going to talk to the Dr. about a fungal infection.

lizi,

Oside,

I'm actually drug resistant (you can imagine how doctors react to that, lol), and most muscle relaxers don't work for me. The latest is Baclofen, which I have been taking for about a month. Not really doing anything, time to move on to the next one. Some suggestions on how to make doctor understand that drug resistance is a real thing and I couldn't get addicted if I tried. I was on 10mg of oxycodone every 4 hours for about 6 months, then stopped when I lost my insurance for a while. No withdrawals, no real difference at all. It barely did anything for my back pain (muscle spasms are only part of it), but I did realize it was doing something when I went off of it and noticed the difference in my pain levels.

There is no trigger muscle, as the spasms are caused by the spinal injury.

I will talk to my doctor about the potassium and electrolytes. After the kidney failure last year, there were issues with potassium, so best to be sure. But I love bananas! Not so fond of Gatorade or any of the drinks with electrolytes though. They are far too sweet for me.

My list for the doctor is getting so long!

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 7:49:55 AM

Duskypearls

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LLady, deep massage is usually the only thing that gives me relief, tho' temporary. Have you tried that yet, hon?

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 11:18:35 AM

LafayetteLady

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Uh, yea, I really am an odd one there. I can not deal with massages. Part is the fibro which makes it far too painful, but massages have always been painful to me.

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 11:37:20 AM

kalikshama

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quote:

Which I think might be caused by mold in my bathroom behind the wall that can't be seen.

When I worked in a building with toxic mold, I had tons of symptoms, including weird neurological ones, most of which went away after I stopped working there. That was in 1999 and I still have some chemical sensitivities, but no longer unexpectedly drop things, transpose numbers, etc.

Do you rent or own?

How long have you lived there and how long have you had the fibro?

< Message edited by kalikshama -- 5/30/2013 11:39:07 AM >

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 2:50:41 PM

Ultimatetragedy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: lizi

When I was in my last clinical rotation, the PT there recommended increasing potassium and electrolytes to a patient that was having continual muscle cramps. Since those things are relatively benign, it wouldn't hurt to try them out.

Increasing intake of potassium without having any way of monitoring it, is NOT a benign therapy. Ever heard of a lethal injection? The final component of that cocktail is potassium. Potassium is regulated within a VERY NARROW range in the body (3.5 to 5 mEq). Straying too far outside of this range could be lethal. aberrant conduction in the heart can begin around 6.0 to 6.5 mEq. Please have some knowledge of the subject matter before doling out advice.

It would be best to assess a patients potassium levels before supplementing their daily intake as well as being aware of their renal function and other medical issues, drugs, etc .Otherwise the end result could be disastrous

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 9:53:19 PM

LafayetteLady

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From: Northern New Jersey
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quote:

ORIGINAL: kalikshama

quote:

Which I think might be caused by mold in my bathroom behind the wall that can't be seen.

When I worked in a building with toxic mold, I had tons of symptoms, including weird neurological ones, most of which went away after I stopped working there. That was in 1999 and I still have some chemical sensitivities, but no longer unexpectedly drop things, transpose numbers, etc.

Do you rent or own?

How long have you lived there and how long have you had the fibro?

I rent. Which makes it a bit more difficult. I have a really great landlord, but I'm not comfortable approaching him at this time asking that he get the place tested for mold.

If anyone knows how I could get a mold analysis done at VERY low cost (like free, lol), I would love to hear it. If I told him there was a problem, I've no doubt he would do something about it. I do NOT want to move though. This is the first place that has felt like "home" since I had to sell my family home in 2003.

I was diagnosed with fibro in I think 2010, before I moved here. However, the house I was living in at that time could likely have had a mold problem. That place was horrible.

The really ironic thing is that I wouldn't have even thought about mold if I hadn't written a boat load of articles on mold damage recently. The guy who give me the work found it funny in that ironic way.

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RE: Twitches - 5/30/2013 9:54:35 PM

LafayetteLady

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Just so you know, I did say I was planning on talking to my doctor about it first, since I have had kidney failure in the past.

Also, I was only planning on eating more bananas, lol.

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RE: Twitches - 5/31/2013 6:14:38 AM

Duskypearls

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Llady, just to cover butt, perhaps consider getting a Whole Blood Mineral test to see where all your mineral levels are.aa I'm wondering whether if magnesium and/or calcium levels are off, could they be responsible for twitches.

BTW, regarding cheap mold testing...a few years ago a place I worked in had terrible mold in carpet and elsewhere and I got awful sick (no muscle twitches, all respiratory symptoms/headaches), but they wouldn't test it. I got a simple mold testing kit from Home Depot, which contained (I think) 3 petri dishes w/agar in them. I collected samples from different places myself and sent them off to a local lab who does that sort of thing, and the results came back as several types of mold, with long medical and technical descriptions of each.

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