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Have Had Neurological Problems, Get Muscle Twitching And Pain. Suffer From Anxiety And Have ALS. Suggest?

Posted on Sun, 22 Sep 2013

Question: I have had neurological problems on and off for the last 2 years. This last episode has lasted 4 months. I get muscle twitching and pain, mainly in my legs. I have seen a neurologist several times and also my GP. They all say there is nothing serious going on but can't give me a diagnosis. The last visit to my GP I asked if she would check my neuro obs. She tested the strength in my legs and feet which was fine, she also checked my reflexes which she said were 2 out of 4. Can you tell me what she can deduce from this. I suffer from health anxiety and am worried in case I have ALS, which my MDT say I don't have.

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms may not be due to Pathological cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX

Generally, Muscle power or strength along with deep tendon reflexes in legs are checked to ascertain the integrity (functioning) of the supplying nerves in the involved area. A tendon reflex of Grade 2 is considered NORMAL and signifies no involvement of nerves.

Even the possibility of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is unlikely in your case because you dont have any other symptomatology of ALS which include Foot drop, Clumsiness and weakness in Hands, Slurring speech, difficulty in swallowing etc

I attribute your muscle twitches and pain in your legs to the adverse reactions caused by SERTRALINE and CARBAMAZEPINE. Both of these drugs will produce muscle aches, twithes, trembling, cramps, numbness, tingling etc as their side effects.

So, I suggest you to consult your treating doctor and discuss the issues.

Hope I have addressed your query. Happy to help further

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (4 minutes later)

I had these symptoms prior to taking the medicatio

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms may be PHYSIOLOGICAL.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Nice to hear from you.

If your symptoms are present prior to taking the medications, then I assume that your muscle twitches are due to Physiological causes.

Muscle twitches and aches can happen for lots of reasons like ANXIETY (in your case as mentioned in your first query), STRESS, CONSUMING TOO MUCH CAFFEINE, A POOR DIET etc.

So, the general measures to treat muscle twitches include
* getting enough sleep
* avoiding caffeinated drinks
* eating healthy foods like lots of fresh fruits and vegetables

Hope I have justified your query. Good day

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar