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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Neuromyotonia
Question: I have had problems with muscle twitches and spasms for a long time, at least since college (10yrs ago). I have several twitches/tics/?? in my face, one is around the right eye and involves the cheek, and the other is on the right side of my mouth & also involves the cheek. I've had the problem with the eye twitch (vision is fine, btw), for as far back as I can remember. The mouth/cheek twitch started a few years ago. Both get worse when I'm stressed, angry, or tired.
I also have muscle twitches in my legs. Sometimes a certain area will just twitch, either rapidly for a few minutes, or go at a steady pace for a while, sometimes 5-10minutes or even longer, and it drives me nuts! It isn't painful as much as it's just annoying, and I can't make it stop. Typically it happens in one of my thighs, and it always happens when I'm sitting down, not when I'm standing.
And then I also have a problem with my leg jerking at night or in the evening. It's not restless leg syndrome, I don't have a desire or urge to move my legs, in fact, I would like to keep them still but it just jerks without my permission or conscious movement. At least 90% of the time, it's my left leg doing the jerking. I'll be sitting or laying down, and the entire leg will just jump or jerk. Sometimes it happens only a few times then stops; other times it happens on and off for quite a while.
The other day as I was looking up some stuff on the internet I found something called peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, and a type of that which is called neuromyotonia, and the symptoms look very similar to what I experience, including also fatigue, as well as excessive sweating (which I've seen a dermatologist for but still isn't controlled). So my question is partially, do you think this could be what I have? But more importantly, what kind of doctor should I see to try to a) figure out whatever is going on, and b) to treat whatever is going on??
I also have muscle twitches in my legs. Sometimes a certain area will just twitch, either rapidly for a few minutes, or go at a steady pace for a while, sometimes 5-10minutes or even longer, and it drives me nuts! It isn't painful as much as it's just annoying, and I can't make it stop. Typically it happens in one of my thighs, and it always happens when I'm sitting down, not when I'm standing.
And then I also have a problem with my leg jerking at night or in the evening. It's not restless leg syndrome, I don't have a desire or urge to move my legs, in fact, I would like to keep them still but it just jerks without my permission or conscious movement. At least 90% of the time, it's my left leg doing the jerking. I'll be sitting or laying down, and the entire leg will just jump or jerk. Sometimes it happens only a few times then stops; other times it happens on and off for quite a while.
The other day as I was looking up some stuff on the internet I found something called peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, and a type of that which is called neuromyotonia, and the symptoms look very similar to what I experience, including also fatigue, as well as excessive sweating (which I've seen a dermatologist for but still isn't controlled). So my question is partially, do you think this could be what I have? But more importantly, what kind of doctor should I see to try to a) figure out whatever is going on, and b) to treat whatever is going on??
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those symptoms you describe can be in the setting of neuromyotonia, it is true. However it is a very rare condition and given the long time without any major progression and the association with stressful situations I would consider issues such as benign fasciculation syndrome as more likely.
Anyway of course investigations are needed and the most appropriate type of doctor is without a doubt a neurologist. If you have access to a major center then consulting a neurologist with peripheral nerve and muscle conditions as a subspecialty would be even better. He should examine you to look for the presence of other possible signs as well as order some tests starting with nerve conduction studies and electromyography which is the most important test for the diagnosis of neuromyotonia or other peripheral nervous system issues.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those symptoms you describe can be in the setting of neuromyotonia, it is true. However it is a very rare condition and given the long time without any major progression and the association with stressful situations I would consider issues such as benign fasciculation syndrome as more likely.
Anyway of course investigations are needed and the most appropriate type of doctor is without a doubt a neurologist. If you have access to a major center then consulting a neurologist with peripheral nerve and muscle conditions as a subspecialty would be even better. He should examine you to look for the presence of other possible signs as well as order some tests starting with nerve conduction studies and electromyography which is the most important test for the diagnosis of neuromyotonia or other peripheral nervous system issues.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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