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I Have Random Twitches On Both My Legs And Arms

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Posted on Wed, 15 Jan 2020
Question: I have random twitches on both my legs and arms and sometimes in my back. All of this started after doing some exercises in the gym. My spine hurts and the pain/stiffness spreads to both my arms and legs.

I am planning to see a Neurologist for the twitching. Should I ask for NCV?

What is NCV used for? Is it used in combination with EMG?

Also, since my symptoms are random and occur all over not just in one part of the body in itself good enough to rule out MND right?
Also, is muscle wasting visible or evident?

I am just anxious and the anxiety is killing me.
Thank You in advance for helping me out.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I have random twitches on both my legs and arms and sometimes in my back. All of this started after doing some exercises in the gym. My spine hurts and the pain/stiffness spreads to both my arms and legs.

I am planning to see a Neurologist for the twitching. Should I ask for NCV?

What is NCV used for? Is it used in combination with EMG?

Also, since my symptoms are random and occur all over not just in one part of the body in itself good enough to rule out MND right?
Also, is muscle wasting visible or evident?

I am just anxious and the anxiety is killing me.
Thank You in advance for helping me out.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 minutes later)
I have seen something under my skin move like a pop or a hearbeat but a visible one. Just think of a bubble under the skin bursting 2-3 times and then goes away. Or a heartbeat but which is visible under the skin which pops out or moves 2-3 times and then goes away.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I have seen something under my skin move like a pop or a hearbeat but a visible one. Just think of a bubble under the skin bursting 2-3 times and then goes away. Or a heartbeat but which is visible under the skin which pops out or moves 2-3 times and then goes away.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Does not seem to be a serious condition. The Neurologist will decide about the tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

I have read your query and here is my advice.

Since you are planning to see a Neurologist, is he that will decide if there is need for further examinations in your case and the type of the examination.

NVC measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through the nerve, EMG measures the muscle response to a nerve impulse.

Your condition seems not a serious one, benign fasciculations syndrome, for example, maybe an explanation.

I don't see a reason to think about MND.

Anxiety exacerbates these symptoms, so, try not to worry much more than necessary.

The pop-under the skin may be a vein that moves as the blood circulates.

The neurologist's evaluation will give the necessary information about the correct diagnosis.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Does not seem to be a serious condition. The Neurologist will decide about the tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

I have read your query and here is my advice.

Since you are planning to see a Neurologist, is he that will decide if there is need for further examinations in your case and the type of the examination.

NVC measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through the nerve, EMG measures the muscle response to a nerve impulse.

Your condition seems not a serious one, benign fasciculations syndrome, for example, maybe an explanation.

I don't see a reason to think about MND.

Anxiety exacerbates these symptoms, so, try not to worry much more than necessary.

The pop-under the skin may be a vein that moves as the blood circulates.

The neurologist's evaluation will give the necessary information about the correct diagnosis.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (59 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply doctor.

Couple of questions:
1. Can spine related issues cause twitching?
2. I also have vitamin D3 deficiency, can the twitching be due to that?
3. Whats muscle spasm, is it muscle spasm and not a twitch? Because I can see like heart beat sort of thing like under mirco seconds.
4. Is twitching always accompanied with muscle wasting or weakness? Or can there be a case where twitching happens before visible muscle wasting?

All these issues started at once after I hurt by back (upper-mid back) during a gym session.

I am able to run/walk and lift things without any trouble.

My anxiety is making me think about MND rather than some spine related issue.

Thanks for helping me out
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Thank you for your reply doctor.

Couple of questions:
1. Can spine related issues cause twitching?
2. I also have vitamin D3 deficiency, can the twitching be due to that?
3. Whats muscle spasm, is it muscle spasm and not a twitch? Because I can see like heart beat sort of thing like under mirco seconds.
4. Is twitching always accompanied with muscle wasting or weakness? Or can there be a case where twitching happens before visible muscle wasting?

All these issues started at once after I hurt by back (upper-mid back) during a gym session.

I am able to run/walk and lift things without any trouble.

My anxiety is making me think about MND rather than some spine related issue.

Thanks for helping me out
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

1. Yes, in some cases, spinal cord compression may cause muscles twitching, but not always.

2. Vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle pain, but not twitching.

3. Muscle spasms are painful contractions, twitching is more like vibration and not painful.

4. Twitching is a separate feature from muscle wasting (or atrophy), they may coexist in cases of MND.

Your symptoms started after a traumatic episode, so, there is no reason to think about MND.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

1. Yes, in some cases, spinal cord compression may cause muscles twitching, but not always.

2. Vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle pain, but not twitching.

3. Muscle spasms are painful contractions, twitching is more like vibration and not painful.

4. Twitching is a separate feature from muscle wasting (or atrophy), they may coexist in cases of MND.

Your symptoms started after a traumatic episode, so, there is no reason to think about MND.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Thank you for the replies.

1. I have had little to no symptoms today, so that most certainly rules out MND, right? Or should I still check in with a neurologist?

2. Also, I am still not sure if I was twitching or if it was something else. It felt like heart beat under the skin wherein I was able to see my skin going up and down (moving), is this twitching what I am describing?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Thank you for the replies.

1. I have had little to no symptoms today, so that most certainly rules out MND, right? Or should I still check in with a neurologist?

2. Also, I am still not sure if I was twitching or if it was something else. It felt like heart beat under the skin wherein I was able to see my skin going up and down (moving), is this twitching what I am describing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Since you have no symptoms currently, this is a reassuring fact that there is no need to think about MND, no need to rush into a neurological evaluation.

From your description, it was probably twitching.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Since you have no symptoms currently, this is a reassuring fact that there is no need to think about MND, no need to rush into a neurological evaluation.

From your description, it was probably twitching.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 hours later)
Ok, so the heart beats under the skin are twitches. It’s never happened to me before, I do get them daily all at random parts.

1. So just twitches on their own without muscle wasting or weakness means nothing to worry, right?

2. I do sometimes feel my muscles are fatigued or tired or have a heavy feeling in them, what be causing that?
Is that due to d3 deficiency or spine issues?

3. Is it normal to have twitches here and there?

4. What are the the early noticeable symptoms XXXXXXX someone with MND?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Ok, so the heart beats under the skin are twitches. It’s never happened to me before, I do get them daily all at random parts.

1. So just twitches on their own without muscle wasting or weakness means nothing to worry, right?

2. I do sometimes feel my muscles are fatigued or tired or have a heavy feeling in them, what be causing that?
Is that due to d3 deficiency or spine issues?

3. Is it normal to have twitches here and there?

4. What are the the early noticeable symptoms XXXXXXX someone with MND?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)
Would like to add one more thing, it twitches in the area where I feel the pain and where I feel my muscles are tired or heavy or a bit numb, is that indicative of something?

I have read that I should report this to the doctor like muscle twitching where the muscle hurts or feels heavy or tired
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Would like to add one more thing, it twitches in the area where I feel the pain and where I feel my muscles are tired or heavy or a bit numb, is that indicative of something?

I have read that I should report this to the doctor like muscle twitching where the muscle hurts or feels heavy or tired
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
your questions answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

1. Only muscle twitching without any other symptoms does not point towards any serious neurological condition.

2. Muscle fatigue actually may be a feature of vitamin D deficiency.

3. Benign fasciculations syndrome, for example, may result in twitching in different locations.

4. Weakness and muscle wasting, muscle cramps, paresthesias, etc. are among the early symptoms of MND patients.

Hope this helps.

Take care.




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
your questions answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

1. Only muscle twitching without any other symptoms does not point towards any serious neurological condition.

2. Muscle fatigue actually may be a feature of vitamin D deficiency.

3. Benign fasciculations syndrome, for example, may result in twitching in different locations.

4. Weakness and muscle wasting, muscle cramps, paresthesias, etc. are among the early symptoms of MND patients.

Hope this helps.

Take care.




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
1. Are MND symptoms sudden or are they gradual?

2. Do they go away and come back when resting and random?

3. Can any spine issue or nerve issue cause twitching?

4. Should I get myself tested for some other deficiency?

5. Is the muscle twitching localized and then spreads or it can be random and appear on both limbs and back or shoulders.

6. Is it possible to develop weakness later on after getting the twitches?

7. In my case since the twitching is all over and random is that in itself safe enough to rule out ALS?

8. Twitching in shoulders, butt, back and under feet are they common in MND?

9. So I saw my primary care doctor and he did check for some clinical weakness and said to that since my symptoms are vague and not like localized to one position or limb, I should forget about MND.
He did let me know that I should concentrate on exercise and has ordered some more blood tests.

10. Let’s say if I go next week and get an EMG, if something’s wrong it will show up or there are chances it might not show up but still something’s wrong?

Will an EMG be helpful in my case as my twitches are not localized and happen all over, will it able to rule out anything ?

11. Do you have any suggestions for me like do some exercises or should I continue to monitor for a month or so before I go and see a Neurologist?

These are my final set of questions. Thanks again for helping me out.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
1. Are MND symptoms sudden or are they gradual?

2. Do they go away and come back when resting and random?

3. Can any spine issue or nerve issue cause twitching?

4. Should I get myself tested for some other deficiency?

5. Is the muscle twitching localized and then spreads or it can be random and appear on both limbs and back or shoulders.

6. Is it possible to develop weakness later on after getting the twitches?

7. In my case since the twitching is all over and random is that in itself safe enough to rule out ALS?

8. Twitching in shoulders, butt, back and under feet are they common in MND?

9. So I saw my primary care doctor and he did check for some clinical weakness and said to that since my symptoms are vague and not like localized to one position or limb, I should forget about MND.
He did let me know that I should concentrate on exercise and has ordered some more blood tests.

10. Let’s say if I go next week and get an EMG, if something’s wrong it will show up or there are chances it might not show up but still something’s wrong?

Will an EMG be helpful in my case as my twitches are not localized and happen all over, will it able to rule out anything ?

11. Do you have any suggestions for me like do some exercises or should I continue to monitor for a month or so before I go and see a Neurologist?

These are my final set of questions. Thanks again for helping me out.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (24 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your questions answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

1. MND symptoms are gradual.

2. These symptoms mostly worsen with time.

3. It is possible for spinal or nerve conditions to cause twitching.

4. You may be tested for vitamin B12 levels.

5. The twitching may happen randomly, but mostly in MND are the limbs more affected.

6. Weakness and atrophy may happen after twitching, but, in MND weakness starts early.

7. This type of twitching is not common in ALS.

8. In MND twitching, weakness, etc. are mostly located ate limbs.

9. I agree with the opinion of your primary care Doctor.

10. Both results are possible. EMG may rule out neuropathy or muscle problems.

11. Stretching exercises may help you. Try also not to worry about it.
There is no need to see right now the Neurologist, monitoring is enough for now.

Hope I helped you.

In good health.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Your questions answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

1. MND symptoms are gradual.

2. These symptoms mostly worsen with time.

3. It is possible for spinal or nerve conditions to cause twitching.

4. You may be tested for vitamin B12 levels.

5. The twitching may happen randomly, but mostly in MND are the limbs more affected.

6. Weakness and atrophy may happen after twitching, but, in MND weakness starts early.

7. This type of twitching is not common in ALS.

8. In MND twitching, weakness, etc. are mostly located ate limbs.

9. I agree with the opinion of your primary care Doctor.

10. Both results are possible. EMG may rule out neuropathy or muscle problems.

11. Stretching exercises may help you. Try also not to worry about it.
There is no need to see right now the Neurologist, monitoring is enough for now.

Hope I helped you.

In good health.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Today, I have twitched a lot less than the previous days,plus I twitched on my hip, shoulder, butt and back.

That’s a good thing right:
1. That my twitches have reduced today.
2. The places where the twitches happened.
3. I did test for B12, calcium, Manganese and some other enzymes all normal. Only D3 is the deficiency.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Today, I have twitched a lot less than the previous days,plus I twitched on my hip, shoulder, butt and back.

That’s a good thing right:
1. That my twitches have reduced today.
2. The places where the twitches happened.
3. I did test for B12, calcium, Manganese and some other enzymes all normal. Only D3 is the deficiency.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
A follow up to my previous question and one of your answers:
So EMG will definitely rule out ALS, right?

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
A follow up to my previous question and one of your answers:
So EMG will definitely rule out ALS, right?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, it's a good thing that twitches reduced.

The locations also are not typical for MND.

EMG alone cannot exclude MND.

Clinical findings offer the most necessary information about a diagnosis of MND.

Hope this helps.


Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, it's a good thing that twitches reduced.

The locations also are not typical for MND.

EMG alone cannot exclude MND.

Clinical findings offer the most necessary information about a diagnosis of MND.

Hope this helps.


Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

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I Have Random Twitches On Both My Legs And Arms

I have random twitches on both my legs and arms and sometimes in my back. All of this started after doing some exercises in the gym. My spine hurts and the pain/stiffness spreads to both my arms and legs. I am planning to see a Neurologist for the twitching. Should I ask for NCV? What is NCV used for? Is it used in combination with EMG? Also, since my symptoms are random and occur all over not just in one part of the body in itself good enough to rule out MND right? Also, is muscle wasting visible or evident? I am just anxious and the anxiety is killing me. Thank You in advance for helping me out.