Multiple symptoms - not entirely sure

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Conflux

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Hello,

Let me just give some background information as this can further help anyone reading this thread. I’m an injury prone individual, I’ve played football and have had multiple surgeries in my lifetime. I am 19 years old currently. I’ve torn my ACL, torn my shoulder labrum twice, testicular torsion with surgery required, I have a herniated disc L5/S1, and have had multiple cortisone injections for that. I also suffer from depression and used to take bupropion. I’ve been off of it since November 17th. It was the 150mg? Don’t remember that specifically. It was assumed that long usage of any anti-depressant can cause twitching over time. I’ve stopped taking it and the twitching has not resolved.

The twitching is not in a fixed place per se, random body parts twitch. My tongue has twitched, both calves switch, biceps, areas near my eye, shoulders, back, triceps, literally almost every body part I’m pretty sure. I can’t recall if it started in an isolated limb and moved its way up. It doesn’t sound like it and it sounds like the twitching has been sporadic since it started. The twitching started May of last year (2019). However, the twitching is randomized usually but there are some times where certain spots continuously twitch regardless. There is a spot by my eye (not my eye specifically or eyelid, but like above and to the side almost near the temple that has been continuously twitching.) My calves mainly seem to twitch as well.

Once I resumed school I also noticed I have a hand tremor (I am ambidextrous, I write with my left hand and do a lot of other things like throw, computer mouse etc with my right.) The tremor started in my left hand and would only shake really when it was fighting against gravity. When it’s relaxed it’s fine. As of recently I’ve noticed it has went to my right hand. I can’t lower a pencil to paper in a straight line without it shaking. Sometimes I can’t take a picture without it shaking. I’ve also noticed my hands have started to feel stiff sometimes and I used to be able to twirl a pencil with my fingers pretty good but now I feel too stiff sometimes.

I’ve gotten my hand strength tested maybe a little over a month ago and my left hand tested 98lbs and my right 100lbs. Which is normal range from what I’ve read and was told. I am waiting for my doctor (neurologist) to get back to me so I can schedule the EMG. I’m also seeing a movement disorder specialist at the end of January.

I do workout a lot, deadlift, bench, squat primarily. My grip doesn’t seemed to have gotten weaker based on these lifts as far as I can tell. I’ve also noticed that my legs are fatigued more than normal. I’m a pizza delivery driver, and recently i’ve noticed that my shoulders feel abnormal fatigued. They’ve also started twitching more than usual. Both of them. I can’t shave, brush my teeth, hold pizza or do many things with them raised for long periods without them feeling tired almost instantly. This used to never happen. I can DO THEM, but my shoulders feel really fatigued and tired almost like a minute in maybe less sometimes. I’ve noticed that the twitching is more active when I’m not doing anything and usually laying down, or sitting. Its
not really prominent when I’m lifting or doing active things, sometimes they do happen though. I’ve noticed more cramping in my calves, feet and back as of late too. I do stretch and warmup properly for the gym. I do drink adequates amount of water.. usually. But I’ve noticed even when I do drink a gallon a day the twitching does not go away. I’ve tried taking magnesium and it did not help. I take a multi vitamin, fish oil and vitamin D. Nothing helps the twitching. I do feel sometimes when I drink alcohol the twitching is surpressed but I can’t really tell as I’m drunk so I’m going off on a hitch right now when it comes to that.

I remember a few years ago I had a twitching spell that lasted a month or so and went away. But this time it hasn’t gone away. I’ve been given mental fatigue and anxiety over this because the twitching bothers me and is annoying. And obviously google doesn’t help. I can’t google twitching and find anything without ALS being involved.

I understand it can be many things. I haven’t noticed any strength loss. I bench 280, Squat 365, and deadlift around 345. I haven’t been going to the gym as much on winter break due to me working more. So I feel a little weaker because of the breaks, but that’s normal. My friends or family haven’t said anything about my biceps or legs looking smaller or calves. But since I look at them everyday and I’m paranoid I always think they’re smaller. I’ve also begun constantly flexing my bicep and calves, and quads to see if they feel mushy or less prominent. Even my triceps or abs. My biceps feel weird and it almost feels like sometimes I can’t flex them but I think I’m just being paranoid.

I weigh about 200lbs and that hasn’t seemed to change. I maintain around there. I’ve spit a lot of information out so far and I can’t think of anything else that can help. So if you have any questions just ask and I’ll answer to the best of my capabilities. Sorry for any typos as well.

It could be so many things but I really want to just rule ALS out. Sorry for the wall of text. My paranoia and anxiety has gone up since and doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I’ve also ruled out caffeine,
no caffeine or caffeine the twitching is still there. My diet is pretty bad, but I never drink anything besides water or powerade usually. I’ve gotten many blood tests done and have the results if anyone would like to know them.

thank you so much, hopefully this wall doesn’t scare any of you away. I’m also a terrible sleeper and I know that probably doesn’t help. I sleep 8-9 hours some days and still feel tired. I almost always wake up tired even if I get over 8 hours. It’s a constant fatigue that i’ve been dealing with for years. I also have bad posture, neck aches and other issues that might not be helping.

ask me any questions
 
Hi there- read this:

You talk about lots of twitching over your whole body. You report zero weakness, clinical or otherwise. You report cessation of brain meds recently. You report poor diet and a variety of injuries. Have a look through the link above to reassure yourself, but it should be very clear to you that this forum is not for you. Keep working with your doctor to track down the cause for your concerns, but a forum that exists to support those with a terminal neurological condition is not a place for you- which is excellent news for you.

All the best
 
Your body has been through a lot for your 19 years. It might be time to slow down long enough to talk to your doc about a sleep study or record your sleep on your phone, try hacking your sleep with everything from white noise to meditation to see if that affects the twitching, and reconsider the amount of lifting/weights you're using you're doing if it's all too much given your job and other commitments. Throwing in Pilates, ballet, tai chi and the like to elongate the muscles that may be irritated can't hurt, nor can reconsidering your "pretty bad" diet/hydration regimen esp. considering you're doing supplements and burning the candle pretty far down. Without refreshing sleep, your body can't metabolize everything you're getting into.

No one will see ALS in this, though -- very good news. I would work closely with your primary care doc and maybe a dietician, as I think ultimately that is the path that will help you feel better, not neurology or movement disorders.

All the best.

--Laurie
 
Hi there- read this:

You talk about lots of twitching over your whole body. You report zero weakness, clinical or otherwise. You report cessation of brain meds recently. You report poor diet and a variety of injuries. Have a look through the link above to reassure yourself, but it should be very clear to you that this forum is not for you. Keep working with your doctor to track down the cause for your concerns, but a forum that exists to support those with a terminal neurological condition is not a place for you- which is excellent news for you.

All the best
Hey. Thank you for the reply. I just found the form and decided to instantly post before reading anything. Sorry for not following the guidelines! I was just being an ignorant impatient anxiety ridden fool. My apologies. I will keep this in mind. I read that thread and it has given me insight.

Your body has been through a lot for your 19 years. It might be time to slow down long enough to talk to your doc about a sleep study or record your sleep on your phone, try hacking your sleep with everything from white noise to meditation to see if that affects the twitching, and reconsider the amount of lifting/weights you're using you're doing if it's all too much given your job and other commitments. Throwing in Pilates, ballet, tai chi and the like to elongate the muscles that may be irritated can't hurt, nor can reconsidering your "pretty bad" diet/hydration regimen esp. considering you're doing supplements and burning the candle pretty far down. Without refreshing sleep, your body can't metabolize everything you're getting into.

No one will see ALS in this, though -- very good news. I would work closely with your primary care doc and maybe a dietician, as I think ultimately that is the path that will help you feel better, not neurology or movement disorders.

All the best.

--Laurie
Hi, Thank you for the reply. I actually have gotten a sleep study done before and it actually came back normal. Forgot to mention this. I’ve taken melatonin but it does not seem to help. I appreciate the reply and will keep this insight when I’m moving forward.
 
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