47 Y.O. Male: Twitching & Neck Injury

[antsymaxymaximiliano]

Greetings everyone. I’m a 47 y.o. male that has been twitching non stop. It all started June of this year when I started to experience major stress in my life and also sustained a neck injury during a cross fit training session. I was swinging a kettlebell when I felt something “very wrong” in my neck. I went to my Dr. who ordered an x ray and found that I had mild degenerative discs at the C5-C7 level. I continued to have pain and started to have slight tingling sensation in my left hand so he ordered a cervical MRII had the MRI in July and on August 1st I met with a spine specialist for an evaluation. The Dr. reviewed my MRI and didn’t see anything that was too far out of the ordinary for someone my age. As part of the evaluation he had me do a strength test (push/pull), reflex test, and toe / heal walking across the floor. He said everything looked good spine wise and thought I had done soft tissue damage and referred me to a physical therapist for rehab.On August 8th, exactly one week after eval with the spine specialist, I started to twitch and buzz (I had no twitching up to this point). It started at my left trap muscle and soon spread body wide. I’m not talking little twitches, but major poppers. I did like everyone else and turned to google for answers. The rest is history. I immediately went to my primary Dr. and expressed my fears. He could see that I was a nervous wreck by the way my blood pressure and pulse had skyrocketed. He explained that *** usually doesn’t start out this way, but he wanted me to see a neurologist just to be on the safe side. He started me on Klonopin for my anxiety. He also ordered an electrolyte panel, thyroid and magnesium tests which came back normal.The last 3 months have probably been the most stressful times I have ever gone through. And now with the twitching, I feel that I have one foot in the grave. I have a neuro appointment this Friday and I am literally paralyzed just thinking about it. In my mind I have already formulated a grim outcome. I have always been an anxious person, but this has really pushed me over the top. I have alienated my family and friends and have been reduced to a walking zombie staring at my muscles every chance I get for any sign of weakness or atrophy. Even after spending days reading this forum, I can't shake this little voice in my head telling me that this twitching and buzzing is an indication of something terribly wrong. As I type this I have experienced at least 100 twitches in every part of my body. I have thought about cancelling the neuro appointment because part of me just doesn’t want to know. I may have to be hopped up on Klonopin just to make it through the door. I really appreciate the opportunity to just communicate what I have I have gone through. I really don't know where I would be right now if it had not been for this site.

 

[JoggingCub]

I understand you fear, having needlessly put myself through it as well. JohntheJet has the best advice - get ALS out of your mind, hopefully your neuro visit will take care of this. You would see something else - a lot worse, by now if you had ALS. And your violent twitches, are certainly not indicative of a dying muscle. Good luck on Friday, you will be fine, share with us your good news.

 

[BobJazzy]

richyp,Listen to the people on this site. Everything you describe sounds like BFS. Nothing sounds like ALS. ALS is a disease of weakness. You don't mention any weakness. Can you still function normally? If so, that says A LOT. You had a stressful time in your life, noticed twitching, googled, and soon the twitching spread all over your body. That's textbook BFS my friend. ALS does not spread bodywide that quickly, especially without any weakness. My suggestion is to go to your appt. on Friday. You'll get the reassurance you need. You say that you get 100 twitches as you type. That's how frequent mine are. Hang in there, you're going to be fine. -Matt

 

[mommyLDN]

Hi Rychyp, and welcome to the board..I am feeling really bad because I can hear your fear in your post so much and hate to think of the thoughts going through your mind rite now...but please, please...listen to what everyone says here..There is not one person here that will steer you wrong..and if everyone sounds like they are just saying you sound like us..its because you do...its because we have all seen it and heard it so many times..we can spot a BFSer a mile away..I can assure you that this is what you have..and please dont let the buzzing and other sensory stuff make you think you have something more sinister...that is simply not the case..BFS can and does often cause buzzing, vibrating, tremors, bugs crawling, pins and needles...ect ect..all sensory garbage...some dont get that stuff but many do..I'm one of them and it does suck, but I promise you it WILL calm down as soon as you have some control over your anxiety...your anxiety is what the sensory symptoms feed on..you may always twitch..you may not..but I can promise you for sure that you WILL get better and things Will calm down to a much more manageable level.Please take care a post as much as you want for support and reassurance.Robynn )

 

[Gloria123]

Wow, can I SO relate to you right now (except for the initial injury - which makes me suspect your twitching could be related somehow).I also have been twitching for about a month and a half now and made a neuro appointment for tomorrow. Just like you, I'm in a complete and total tailspin and have practically had anxiety attacks over this today, because of the appointment, where part of me (most of me) would rather not know, if there's an inkling of a chance of <you know what>.My twitching is mainly in my right calf but I do twitch elsewhere as well (like my foot, and my other calf - in various spots). Yesterday, the left part of my hand went haywire and starting twitching uncontrollably.I have also been testing my own knee jerk reflex which seems very extreme to me - where I kick very hard, so that has me scared to pieces as well.Anyway, I'll be thinking about you on Friday and send me some good vibes tomorrow. I literally am going from the appointment, to my son's 3 year old birthday party that I arranged months ago, and is such a big event. I hope I have a smile on my face of relief. And, then on Friday, I hope you feel the same way!Take care and know that you're not alone out there.Mitra

 

[ShannyB63]

Hey richyp, there's not much I can say that hasn't been said already by all these great people....but seriously it all sounds like bfs to me too....widespread twitching , buzzing sensations and then add a dash of anxiety....bam bfs...and you googled...so did I and nearly had a nervous breakdown over what I read.....and hey I literally shook as I walked thru the door to my neuro appt..and you know what he said even before he examined me...typical bfs...and I have all the symptoms you have...good luck with your appt and post back and let us know how you go...best wishes and please don't stress to much...shannon

 

[SimonaStar]

you are okay ) ) you will see ) ) ) )

 

[DesertKnight]

I'm new here too and have had symptoms for about the same amount of time you have. My twitches started in one leg, went to the other, I googled...then BAM they went haywire from scalp to toenail. Sometimes the buzzing feelings I get in my thigh are worse than the twitches. I can relate to the anxiety you are experiencing as well. I have a spinal problem myself, a double major scoliosis curve, and it was my orthopedist that is sending me to the neurologist. I freaked out when he said he wanted me to have an EMG...I thought surely that must mean he thinks something is wrong. My husband finally convinced me that YES, something is going on, but NO it isn't something terrible. For some reason I'm programmed to think it's always the worst case scenario, my husband is ever the optimist. You sound like me and so many others on here. And what reassures me and gives me courage is knowing that none of them have anything other than BFS as the cause of their twitches. I'm ready to join the ranks of those who have been to the neuro, had a clean EMG, and can move on to help other people scared to death like you and me.

 

[antsymaxymaximiliano]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Just the fact that you have all been through this and have taken the time to respond means the world to me. I'm going to keep this thread open on my phone tomorrow during my exam. I just know it will give me the strength I need to make it through.JohnnyRocket, thanks for your words of wisdom. I have been talking to that little voice inside of my head and I think I'm starting to make a little progress!JoggingCub, yes fear has paralyzed every aspect of my life. I am praying that my exam goes well tomorrow so I can start to let some this go and get my life back. I'm noticed you're from the bay area. I'm in Sacramento. I have and early a.m. appointment so I'll post back to let everyone know how it went.BobJazzy, I forgot to mention in my original post that I haven't experienced any weakness. I have done every strength test imaginable, so it's the one thing that I have been holding on to. I'm taking your advice and going to the appointment. Your post took my anxiety level down a notch. Thanks for that!mommyLDN, thank you for the warm welcome and for explaining the sensory issue aspect. I think the constant buzz is the worst part of this whole thing. And, you're so right, it sucks!LeslieLuv, thanks for the wishes! You're so right about the great people on here. I hate to think of where I'd be right now had it not been for everyone's words of encouragement.Gloria123, I actually thought about you today and just know that your exam went well. I'm looking forward to reading your post about your experience. Simona_Star, thanks for the smiles and knowing that I will be ok. It means a lot!DesertKnight, it sounds like we are wired very similarly. I am also programmed to think the worst. I wish it wasn't that way for me, but it just is. I too hope I can get past this and help other people suffering from this.

 

[Gloria123]

I'm thinking about you tomorrow. My appointment went as well as could be (I posted a new post) and I know yours will too. I still have an EMG to go through, but he was convinced it would be fine (of course, I'm scared of that upcoming appointment a month from now). Hang in there - I really think you'll find a lot of relief tomorrow. I'm sending some really good thoughts your way....