I know many here on the board have a problem with twitching muscles.
I have asked my LLMD if the problem that causes the twitching is in the brain or in the twitching muscle itself.
He does not know.
Does anyone here?
Makes it easier to design a good treatment plan..
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
If you find out the answer to this question, I hope you post it here!
Twitching is the only (well, maybe)symptom that I had to start with, and still have, to this day---some 8 years later.
In fact, a few days ago, the muscle surrounding my left arm elbow joint has twitched so bad, and so strong, that I can see it very clearly, when it does twitch. Something that really hasn't been the case with my other twitching muscles, all these years.
I am probably a little more concerned with this latest muscle twitching (the elbow joint one) than I have been in a long time. I don't know why this particular muscle is twitching harder, and more strongly, than any I have had in the past 8 years. But, it does worry me.
I am no longer committing a lot of mental attention to the muscles that do continue to twitch, but I sure wish someone, some person, or LLMD, would come out and find the answer, once and for all!
My LLMD never did give me an answer, and no one on this board has come up with the answer either.
This is the place to post the answer, though, so SLS, if you do find it, please come back and share!~
Posted by kim812 (Member # 17644) on :
Twitching in my left calf was my first symptom and to this day 4 years later it is still twitching 24/7.
I had an EMG done when I first became sick but it was normal.
No one seems to be able to explain it.
I also have electrical current sensations along with sometimes stabbing pain in my L calf only.
Never had twitching anyplace else.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I've asked this before here, but never got an answer.
I would like to know this as well. I have twitching pretty much every single day, always in different places. Eye, feet, leg, butt, arm, chest, back, scalp, etc.
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
Just to inject a bit of uh, levity here my most "bizarre" twitch was an anal muscle. I swear, you've never felt a muscle twitch before, until you've had one here! lol . . .
oh, and how about a tongue twitch? I'm not kidding. Not the whole tongue, but one side of one part. Unbelievable!
I bet I'm not the only one here whose had every conceivable muscle in the body twitch~!
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Julie,
The tongue twitching is called palatal myoclonus and is a neuro problem coming from the brain. Hubby has this sometimes when he has seizure-like episodes. When this happens to him he babbles and talks nonsense -- I can't understand him. It usually doesn't last very long fortunately.
I'm not sure if what some of you describe is an actual muscle twitch or myoclonus which is considered a movement disorder.
I do know that Dr Y in New York -- one of hubby's least favorite neurologists -- was convinced that hubby would fail his patented muscle biopsy test.
Hubby had previously had a normal EMG. We did not have the money to do the muscle biopsy. This is supposedly a new and improved method of detecting nerve damage -- only Dr Y does this test.
Bea Seibert
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
Thanks Bea, but I do notice that when I have a tongue "twitch", it is just that---a tiny portion of my tongue, feels like it is twitching . . . just as any othe muscle has. Nothing noticable to see, if I opened my mouth and looked in the mirror, but I can feel it nonetheless.
I can still speak, and talk, it is just the "bing bing bing" of the part of the tongue that is twitching that drives me mad!
thanks for the post, though. I too wonder if twitching is neuro in nature, or a chemical lack of something (magnesium) that is at the root of the twitching.
Posted by wantabe (Member # 14703) on :
My worse twitching is actually in my brain. My brain jiggles- usually wakes me.
Doesn't happen as much since starting treatment, but is still a strange feeling!
Other twitching moves around the body and more noticable when overly tired Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
I think the twitching is caused by Bb's effect on the nerves that control the muscles. So, it may be in nerves (peripheral), but not necessarily the brain itself everytime.
Posted by jklynd (Member # 7550) on :
I agree with everyone that posted twitching is related to the brain...
The muscles are not "autonomous",they are under control of your brain and nervous system..
How else would you explain a 7th cranial nerve infection being responsible for a drooping face,or part of your face/eyes,known as "Bell's Palsy"?
What would cause "Shingles", a "re-activation" of the chicken-pox virus to affect mainly nerves in the abdominal area, causing extreme "phantom" pain, and itching/discomfort?
I had episodes of "Bell's Palsy",(once), twitching, myoclonus, migrating pain, a pain in my jaw (chin),where there was a sensitive spot about the size of a "pencil eraser", and early on,severe costochondritis (rib-cage and sternum pain)..
It would sometimes double me over,as the muscles in my abdomen would just "spasm", and I had no control until the "waves" passed...
Being there is normally nothing to indicate external trauma, e.g. swelling,redness,a "black and blue" area, the only thing that comes to mind is an inflammation of the nerves,or blood vessels that feed that particular area.
Posted by Dawnee (Member # 15089) on :
I'm just not so sure that it's a brain thing. I think it is inflammation in the spinal cord or something. I have noticed that sometimes I can turn my head and suddenly certain muscles will twitch at that exact instant. Not on just one occasion, enough times to make me go "huh... some kind of connection there". I think it's also why a LOT of us have tightness in the neck and shoulder area... inflammation pressing on nerves making muscles twitch.
Thats my assumption anyways. I have twitching EVERYWHERE. And I just started Doxy and the very first day of Doxy I got a new twitch on the bottom of my right foot...I'd never had one there before.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Its a short circut somewhere either in the brain or in the muscle the nerve or the wiring has been stripped of its mylene sheath same can happen to nuro sgnal carriers in the brain. Take b12 shots and complex b vitamin and also magnesium and a one a day vitamin. Help body rebuild the mylene coverings.
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
Twitching is very commonly associated with Bartonella.
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SForsgren: [QB] Twitching is very commonly associated with Bartonella.
__________________________________________
I was just about to post the same thing
Posted by Dawnee (Member # 15089) on :
I sure wish that if I had Bart it would finally SHOW UP on a test.
Also, about the myelin sheath stuff... if that were true wouldn't we all have lesions on our brain and spinal cord in an MRI? I've had 3 MRIs now... one of my brain, one of my neck, and then one of my entire spine.
NO damage shown to the myelin sheaths. Only one very small "area of enhancement" in the front left convexity of my brain "likely representing a venous angioma"
You'd think with all my twitching and neuro symptoms, if it were the myelin being stripped away it would show on an MRI?
Posted by mcoLyme08 (Member # 17650) on :
I have twitching and many other Neurological/Neuromuscluar issues.
I had a full Neuromuscular work-up, EMG, Nerve Conduction studies, Muscle, Nerve and Skin biopsies, Full Autonomic work-up (Tilt table, etc) as well as an EEG, SPECT scan, Full body MRI-series and blood work/spinal tap to check for antibodies to certain things.
The results showed Inflammatory Demeylinating Neuropathy with multifocal distribution, Conduction blocks, The skin biopsy showed both small and large fiber neuropathy. The nerve biopsy showed inflammatory changes. EEG showed generalized seizure activity, SPECT scan was marked as "Severe global hypoperfusion".
So, in my case, it is the nervous systems--Autonomic, Peripheral and Central. Not the muscle itself, as the muscle biopsy came back normal.
(I have tested positive for both Lyme and B. Microti, but am suspected to have Bartonella as well based on symptoms/treatment response.)
Posted by swedish lyme sufferer (Member # 14579) on :
Yes, I know bartonella can cause twitching, but I wonder if babesia could cause it as well?
(Since I have been on extensive bartonella protocol and declining.)
For me the twitching gets horrible when I take IV abx of different kinds, things that seems to push the Bb around in the tissues.
Has anyone been treated for babesia that has had an impact on the twitching issues?
Posted by stormton (Member # 14412) on :
I have tried so many different abx combinations, you name it. The best combination that actually got rid of the twitching was Bactrim and Roxithromycin. I did 8 regular Bactrim(4 DS would be a substitute) and 900mg Roxithromycin for 3 months. I was suspecting lyme or bartonella as the twitching culprit.
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
Suggest you read up on the functions of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) - it is the master switch for all. When that finds its way back into balance, then you will no longer be twitching as well as finding relief in general.
I haven't had a twitch in years - and I used to twitch sooooooooo bad along with a lot of other strange symptoms.
When you clear the infections and clear out ALL the neurotoxins ( - not just Lyme), I am sure you will all feel a lot better. It will lessen slowly, ever so slowly, as you reduce the toxic load --- .
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my most "bizarre" twitch was an anal muscle. I swear, you've never felt a muscle twitch before, until you've had one here! lol . . . ![[bonk]](graemlins/bonk.gif)