Non-stop muscle twitching and "running ants" feeling

Brain and nerves
1

Hello everyone,

it will soon be a year since this problem of mine started and nobody has yet found a solution to it, so I thought I have nothing to lose by asking here.

Around April last year I started getting muscle twitches. Out of nowhere. It continued for a month, until I finally went to doctor about it, no fun when your fingers get all jumpy when you sit still, or your muscles twitch so much it wakes you from your sleep. It's pretty unplesant when there's muscles moving under your skin all the time. In the thigh, in the leg, in the finger, in the neck... I think I even had it in the eye once. I so much wish it would just stop.

Doctor said it was a lack of magnesium, but a few months later the problem persisted, and a new sensation developed in my left shoulder blade - the warm buzzy "running ants feeling". I moved to another country, so went to another doctor there. That doctor stated that my neck is very stiff and asked if I suffer from migraine, which I don't think I do. They said I should try exercising a bit more - it should exhaust the muscles so they don't have the energy to twitch. They also prescribed going to a physiotherapist, which is a pretty expensive procedure to me, so I am still hesitating. In the meantime, the muscle twitching has subsided to a few times a day, however, the "running ants feeling" became more frequent. Exercise doesn't seem to alter it that much...

Other minor problems I have that might be related to this are heart rhythm problems in the evening and inability to stay in a bent-down position for more than a few minutes (gives me a terrible headache and dizzyness), I also suffer from obsessive thoughts, really often (I mention this since I have heard that psychological health matters a lot when it comes to muscle twitching) If someone could comment on this I would be really grateful. Doctors say they can't do anything about it, but they didn't really think of checking my nerves - maybe there's a pressed nerve, or something?

2

I also forgot to mention that when I moved country I was diagnosed with very low Vitamin D levels, which I read can also cause twitching. I've been taking these vitamins since October 2013, but no positive change as of yet...

3

Magnesium is important for maintaining a steady heart rhythm, so possibly you haven’t been taking the right form of it and/or the correct dose. You need the advice of a doctor who is really up on magnesium supplements. Once on the correct magnesium regimen you may find your muscle twitches are reduced, killing two birds with one stone.

Having said that, your muscle problems sound a lot like neuropathies. Hasn’t anyone suggested that to you? I have had a neuropathic right thigh muscle for three years now. The first sign of it was a distinct feeling that I’d spilled ice water on my thigh! This morphed into the (again) distinct feeling that a large adhesive bandage was being pulled off the top of my thigh. The latest sensation I have there—all of these sensations being mercifully brief—is a very strong burning sensation. In between I too have had the feeling of muscles moving under the skin of my thigh or ants crawling on it. Because of those two phenomena I thought to mention neuropathy to you in the first place. So you may want to suggest this to your doctor or straightaway see a neurologist.

About vitamin D, the dosage is critical. Be sure your doctor is taking into account your blood results, your age, and is also up on the latest guidelines. My doctor has me on drops (I’m 71) and advises I take them once a week since this vitamin is slowly absorbed. Another option, and maybe the best, is to spend 20” a day in the sun.

4

Would it be worth seeing if you could get a neurologist opinion?

5

Thank you for the suggestions!

Back in my home country I did get a prescription for a neurologist, but never got around to make an appointment, thinking that of all things I've ever been sick with, there's no way I'm nerve-damaged. The fact that I moved countries really soon after that doctor visit contributed to turning down that visit too... Turns out I might actually be nerve-damaged, and I regret not going to a neurologist much earlier.

My current doctors almost refuse to do anything until I go to the expensive physiotherapist as they prescribed, and no matter how many times I mention it they ask me to calm down and reassure me that they want the best for me and I should not be too hypochondriac about it all. Well I am not...

I'm actually really surprised - I always thought there has to be a very serious reason for nerves to become damaged... I got my first twitches in a sunny April afternoon reading news on my laptop, lying on my bed. No recent traumas, no mental shocks, no nothing, I guess that's why I was so quick to dismiss the possibility of nerve problems...

6

Seeing a neurophysio may help as they have a good understanding of nerve conditions. I see one which is

Very helpful.

7

I'm so glad things are moving along for you. After my experiences and friends' experiences I say: never let doctors get away with hinting that you are a hypochondriac!

If that physiotherapist is so expensive you may want to look at alternative therapies like acupuncture. But don't go that route until you have a diagnosis *you can accept* from a specialist like a neurologist.

Speaking of nerve damage, recent research shows that sufferers with fibromyalgia often have damaged peripheral nerves. I'm not suggesting you have fibromyalgia. The point is that this is a new kind of finding, and I don't believe the researches know how the nerves got damaged.

So, hang in there and all the best!

8

I have had twitching, burning, sensitivity and muscle pain for nearly 3 years. I have seen a couple of neurologists but they can't find anything wrong. At the moment I take gabapentin and amatriptyline

9

Hi Futari

I have similar symptoms due to Multiple Sclerosis and have tried numerous medications to control the twitching and sensations and the one only one I tried that worked was oxcarbazepine. It has the usual side effects this group of medications have such as sleepiness, but have found the benefit i get from it outway the side-effects.

Hope you find a treatment that works.

Diane

10

I happen to have same condition, constant muscle twitching all over. I have heard about Gabapentin as a good drug used to manage the twitching, what kind of dosage do you take for the twitching and how often do you take it? Also to what extent has it helped ease the twitches you have?

11

I take 600mgs of gabapentin TDS and 50mgs of Ametriptiyline at night and it has helped.  Still no diagnosis

12

Ask for a EMG I Have Been Living This Nightmare For Some years Now I Have Been Told I Have Polyneuropathy In Both My Legs And Feet And Now Im Begining To Have the Same Feelings In Both Hands .There Is No Bright Future Ahead In Fact It Will Get Worse But Having A Name For This Debilitating Condition Makes It A Little Bit Better And Having The Forum You Can Share . Information Is A Great Help.

13

Hi. I have been diagnosed with AMAN. Is this what ypu have too? 

14

Hi Futari,

Sorry to hear about your problem. You know what, I have exactly same problem. Probably mine is more breath taking. I have seen so many doctors and went through so many different kind of tests, but still they couldn't figure out what causing all that. So, I did my own research over it. I don't know if it's correct or not, but I think we both suffering from classic anxiety.

Sometimes I do feel like I am dying or gonna die soon, and then I keep calm myself down by thinking to mself that it's just a phase of anixety and I am absolutely fine, and I'd recommend you to do the same, and I hope it'll help you. Well, when you can't do anything about it, there's no harm to that as well.

15

This seems like a common problem.  I get like an electric current in my legs.  I have had loads of tests but they can't find anything. I wonder if it is our nervous system in overdrive

16

I have exactly the same thing! Either thoughts about dying or very ugly thoughts about harming people I love. Which is nonsense because I couldn't hurt a fly! sad

It might be the reason we have this. In that case I need to look up techniques for relieving anxiety. Maybe that will ease up the symptoms. As for you dear friend, stay strong!

 

17

I have been experiencing some similar symptoms. An ant like movement in my legs and feet. With small areas of cold sensations as well, I feel that this thing that is happening is related to the Sesorimotor Integration, Sensorimotor Integration is effective as long as the quality of incoming sensory information is good. What this does is that it gathers and interprets information and executing movements, and it is a cooperation of the nervous and muscular system. Basically it is like a sensor for the nerves that allows your to bassically execute movements. And to this statement there are a couple other things that i feel is connected to this like the Muscle Synergies, these are groups of muscles that are recruited by the central nervous system to provide movement , and Proprioception, this is the cumulative sensory input to the central nervous system from all mechanoreceptors that sense psition and limb movements. Really all im getting at is that the nervs are in fact being inturupted or damaged due to anything from lack of skill to overly worked. I use the word skill briefly as I mean the possibility of muscle imbalances causeing these motor behaviors to act out as a strange feeling, this could also lead to core tempurature as accordingly, lack of muscular balance makes lack of needed movements like a good stretch without the ability or skill to do so your cofidence could come to play and prevent you from wanting to work out at all this is all relative and should be noticed as this could lead to a unhealthy life style like obesity. Staying fit is key to a healthy nervous system and keeping your physical heath in shape to prevent any future possible illnesses and or imbalances. A body without proper care is only unfair so take initiative and become the outcome instead of letting your outcome control you. These factors could be creating the thoughts you may be having Futari, the mind is only as healthy as your body. I would advise seeing a the right personal trainer that will attend to your emotional stress and work from there. As long as there are no serious health issues you should be able to work this out, as do I intend to do the same. this problem is obviously not diagnosed and not something curable by medicine so I would imagine your bodies health and core tempurature being improved to the maximum limit your health will reach, this probably will include a fit body so enjoy it if you decide to get the physical treatment

 

18

I have the same symptoms.  Constant muscle spasms in my legs and ams.  I had a nerve conduction test done and all was normal.  Went to a neurologist yesterday and he had no answers.  I go to physical therapy, but nothing seems to help.  I wake up with spasms in the morning and go to bed at night with them.  Constant!  I have also been diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency.  I've been taking 2000 iu per day, but it doesn't seem to be helping either. The reason for the anxiety IS because of the constant spasms.  I have no answers for you, but just know you are not alone. 

 

19

Hey Futari,

Im so sorry you are having to deal with this and have not found answers. If you have tried Magnesium, but you are not finding relief you may want to try Potassium. That is what helps me. Low Sodium can also cause muscle twitching and cramps. Also, you may want to get your adrenals, kidneys, and thyroid checked if you haven't already.

Best of lluck to ya!!! 

20

Exactly same thing happened to me three months before , it just started out of blue when i stand from my workstation i felt dizzy that created high intensity anxiety attack. i went to ER they did lot of test including ECG , diabetes, few tests of co ordination and for MS like walking in staright line , following a pen , reffered me to ENT but every thing came normal and they sent me back with anti anxiety medicines. but from that day its been 3 months i have the same problem a bit dizzy, tingling in arms and toe in night mostly, getting nauseous , intense fear 

panic attacks kind of , middle chest pain some time , jaw tightness , teeths clench in night , toungue sensation and depressive thoughts.

i went to several doctors and done with my blood test , liver profile , electrolyte , 3 times ECG , every thing came out normal , they reffered me to physiatrist and she kept me on some medicines Etizolam and maxgalin (not sure why) but i stopped them since they were not so great and causing me drowsiness and low feeling.

and then i was reffered to pshyologist (lol) .. and i have to go through hypnothereapy.

Well ignore my English , i am 27 year old and healthy male 

few points those were with this trigger moment which instigated all this are

i was into stress , professional as well as personal (personal was at the time i got anxious and got panicked)

i just quit smoking after 5 years being a light smoker , i feel light headed all the time its been 3 months

that is my story , 

latest test for me includes CBC which shows slight anemic MCV 62 and hmgbln 12.8 , sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium levels came back normal 

i still get rendom twitches and a sensation like a mobile phone vibration in my left leg .. some time small pains and tingling but all is not as painful as more annoying 

i have become a paranoid with all these in last 41/2 months ..

i used to be very fit and used to work out well before 

worst is dizziness .. and i do get feel i get panic attack too but apart from those

these are continues sensations i get .. 

can any one please help ??