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What Causes Constant Twitching, Muscle Fasciculations In Eyes, Limbs And Headache?

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Posted on Tue, 26 Apr 2016
Question: I have constant twitching and muscle fasciculations in my eyes and limbs, I have transient headaches, and my right eyelid twitches constantly. I just got over a nasty GI illness. Help me out!

Also I ate some nasty mollusc creature at an asian restaurant. I was wondering if this could relate to my GI issue, which had nasty constipation followed by change in stool and stool habits.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please visit with your doctor as you may have developed GBS

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM: Please note that the symptoms are described at classic case of Campylobacter gastroenteritis leading to logic manifestation called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Of course this is a worse case scenario. Please visit with your regular doctor and explaining your fears and concerns. If this is the case,you will need intervention sooner than later.I hope this helps
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (20 minutes later)
I don't think it is GBS... my legs don't feel weak. I have noticed some corn kernel looking things in my stool... and I haven't eaten any corn. I'm from XXXXXXX Could I have a parasite or something?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Parasitic infections are possible, however not common unless you have specifically been exposed.

Detailed Answer:
Is there a reason you think you may have been exposed to parasites? Do you have dogs, cats, do you farm, have you eaten raw meats, and coming back to the Asian food you are, was that cooked, you might be allergic or developing allergies to shell fish.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (16 minutes later)
Dear Dr. Kwase,

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful responses. What sorts of tests can I order to confirm/rule out GBS or parasite? I don't like to go to the doctors around here, they are dismissive and unthorough. I can ask Walk in Labs to run tests for me. My mother has arranged a colonoscopy when I go and visit Michigan this spring break.

I am worried about the mollusc I ate from the Asian restaurant, specifically. All my GI problems started shortly after eating that meal. I almost thought I saw a worm like thing in the mollusc but I dismissed it as a bit of its intestines and ate it anyways (oh how I regret that decision)

Respectfully,
XXXXXXX Aharonov

P.S. I will pay more to continue this conversation, I appreciate your responses.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome, CBC will show elevated Eosinophils, easiest way to

Detailed Answer:
clue you in to a parasitic infection.

* Now the reason you need a CBC, is it will also tell you if you are becoming iron deficient (Anemic) and thus the tingling feeling you are feeling.

* For the GBS, if one tested antibodies against Campylobacter jejuni, then by extension you would be presumed to be at risk for GBS

* At this point though you just have to give a stool sample and Ova and Parasite testing will be done, and case closed after that.

* So stool specimen would be the best bet if I were you.

* The wording you used "fasciculations" is seen in very few neurological entities and is a specific symptom, that's why I fear that GBS should stay on the differential diagnosis for you.

* Please do not hesitate to more ask questions, I will reply promptly.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (25 minutes later)
Just to make sure that I am using the term muscle "fasciculations" accurately... They are brief twitches of muscles in my arms, legs, rarely my abdomen, and eyelids. Earlier it was both eyelids, now just my right lower eyelid, which is twitching fairly frequently now.

And sometimes I feel like my whole body is twitching. As in: I have one brief twitch in my midsection that makes my whole body move.

Also, I forgot to mention, my right forehead muscle (frontalis? I googled it) was twitching as well, earlier (about a week ago), but that has subsided.

I will check with the lab if I have antibodies against campylobacter. Are there any other tests for GBS I should run?

Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This twitching is truly interesting, but the eyelid symptoms are a concern

Detailed Answer:
* Serum autoantibodies to GBS are measured
* Then the rest are pretty invasive including lumbar puncture and testing CSF, Nerve conduction studies all have low yield.
* The diffuse twitching could be a reaction to toxins from bacteria and or parasites in your body, as your body fights off the infection, then the toxins are released.
* Fasciculations are worm-like movements, not really twitching, but if you can imagine a waves on the surface of the skin, thats how fasciculations would be decribes, the twitching is different, I think of muscle spasms for twitches, but very rarrely would one describe muscle twitches as fasciculations.
* Read up on ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and look up a youtube video, they will show the tongue of someone with fasciculations, this is a buzz word for neurological deficiencies.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (19 hours later)
I definitely don't have fasciculations, thanks for clearing that up.

I have noticed continuation of these twitches, and now they are more painful and feel sort of like small bug bites. Also I noticed faint purplish spots, maybe 3 or 4 mm in diameter at the spots where it hurts sometimes near my knuckles...

I wish I knew what was going on if it is serious, or I am being a hypochondriac!!!

I don't want to waste my time or doctor's...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can you please upload pictures of the spots please?

Detailed Answer:
I understand what you mean, please upload some pictures and lets see if I can further provide some insight and answers.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (2 hours later)
I have uploaded 3 images to this link. It is a very well known image hosting site. Thank you. http://imgur.com/a/ZdMUE
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would rather at this point start with lab work and stool testing

Detailed Answer:
The pics do not look awful, but of course you are not feeling well, try and take Benadryl and ibuprofen and that should hold you up for the night, I really think that you have bacteria or parasites removing toxins that are irritating you. Please see if you can get the blood and stools tested. That can place all this to rest easily.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (20 hours later)
Hi Dr. Sassen,

I hope you're having a pleasant evening.

I ordered a CBC with Lab Corp. Is it okay to forward the test results to you and hear your opinion on them?



doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes please forward them over

Detailed Answer:
I will be more than happy to discuss those with you.
Thanks again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sassen S Kwasa

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 502 Questions

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What Causes Constant Twitching, Muscle Fasciculations In Eyes, Limbs And Headache?

Brief Answer: Please visit with your doctor as you may have developed GBS Detailed Answer: Welcome to HCM: Please note that the symptoms are described at classic case of Campylobacter gastroenteritis leading to logic manifestation called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Of course this is a worse case scenario. Please visit with your regular doctor and explaining your fears and concerns. If this is the case,you will need intervention sooner than later.I hope this helps