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What Causes Twitching At The Back Of Neck?

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Posted on Fri, 21 Aug 2015
Question: Receently ive been experiencing some odd sensations. As Im falling asleep iv noticed some thst occassionally a hand will move or slightly jerk involuntarily or a leg will jerk randomly. I havent fallen asleep yet when these happen (obviously because im conscious) so Im not sure if these would be hypnagogic jerks or something more serious. Also recently ive started experiencing an odd twitching in the back of my neck. It feels as tohugh its moving my head very slightly but I dont know for sure if it is. I usually dont notice it when im moving around or teaching, but when i sit down during a break the feeling will sometimes return. Could these be signs of ms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Yes your description seems to be consistent with the diagnosis of hypnagogic jerks. These jerks are present only during initial phase of sleep and don't occur in awake condition. The jerks are common in childhood and decreases in frequency with increasing age. Commonly it is precipitated by stress, anxiety, decreased sleep, sleep pattern disturbances and caffeine intake as tea or coffee.
It's not seizure and can be differentiated on the basis of eeg study.

Twitching of muscle at this age without wasting, abnormal neurological examination may be benign fasciculation syndrome or anxiety related muscle twitching. This doesn't cause harm.
For treatment you can improve your sleep habits, cut down caffeine intake, may take clonazepam in night for some time with multi vitamin and calcium.
No these are not signs of multiple sclerosis be assured.
If you are very concerned visit a neurologist for proper examination and evaluation.
Hope You found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (17 hours later)
How often is myoclonus caused by ms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely presentation of multiple sclerosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Myoclonus is vary rare in multiple sclerosis.
The reported patients are few in number with diagnosed multiple sclerosis and is extremely rare as presenting manifestation of MS.

Be assured .
You can get more information about myoclonus in multiple sclerosis with the below link
http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0000X0000/1-s2.0-S0000X0000-main.pdf?_tid=f16af496-38cb-11e5-9733-00000aab0f01&acdnat=0000_7244d0000ba51252af16d80b8ada

Do get back tyo me for further queries.
regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (14 hours later)
Recently ive noticed that it takes a couple of Seconds before im able to urinate. Is this Urinary hesitancy? If so, possible ms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Less likely to be multiple sclerosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Delay in initiation of urination may be due to local cause or spinal pathology.
At this age possibility of urinary tract infection is to be considered first.
Do you have burning micturition sensation, any history of sexual contact.
Any history of frequency, incontinence.
Spinal pathology has associated features like weakness of limbs, sensory loss in limbs.
Though urinary complains are also present in multiple sclerosis but isolated complain is less likely.
You can consult a neurologist for proper examination and investigation for multiple sclerosis or other disease.\
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
How long is abnormal? For instance, ive noticed it can take up to 10 seconds before i initiate urination. Is that too lomg?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Consult urologist for urodynamic study

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
If your symptoms are associated with intermittent stream, residual urine with sensation of incomplete evacuation, frequency, incontinence than hesitancy may be abnormal.
isolated delay in initiation may be difficult to be labelled as abnormal.
If in doubt you can consult a urologist who can advice you urodynamic study for actual status.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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What Causes Twitching At The Back Of Neck?

Brief Answer: Detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hello dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Yes your description seems to be consistent with the diagnosis of hypnagogic jerks. These jerks are present only during initial phase of sleep and don't occur in awake condition. The jerks are common in childhood and decreases in frequency with increasing age. Commonly it is precipitated by stress, anxiety, decreased sleep, sleep pattern disturbances and caffeine intake as tea or coffee. It's not seizure and can be differentiated on the basis of eeg study. Twitching of muscle at this age without wasting, abnormal neurological examination may be benign fasciculation syndrome or anxiety related muscle twitching. This doesn't cause harm. For treatment you can improve your sleep habits, cut down caffeine intake, may take clonazepam in night for some time with multi vitamin and calcium. No these are not signs of multiple sclerosis be assured. If you are very concerned visit a neurologist for proper examination and evaluation. Hope You found the answer helpful. Do get back to me for further queries. Regards Dr Neeraj Kumar Neurologist