Muscle twitching... Is it a symptom?

[Simon1984]

Good Morning everyone.
I’m quite an anxious person and I’ve developed a bit of a worry about MND. For the last month or so I’ve been having muscle twitches. These can be anywhere really, buttocks, legs, stomach, neck, arms.... they aren’t constant but I notice them coming and going, when I’m not active..
I’ve a mild numb sort of feeling in my right foot, again, this comes and goes, and is more a “feeling”, than anything else. I also have a clicking sensation, in Adam’s apple area when I swallow sometimes. I’ve seen an ENT who couldn’t see a problem and I’m now waiting for a camera down the throat. Nice!
should I be worried about my symptoms? Specifically the twitching.. to my knowledge, I have no strength or grip issues and I don’t fall over, or anything like that.
should probably mention, I’m on sertraline for health anxiety...
Thank you very much for your time
simon

[jd58]

My muscles used to twitch and then it stopped one the disease progressed a little. You need yo see you gp and refer to a neurologist for further tests
.

[Simon1984]

Oh god! Yes, I will. Was twitching your first symptom?

[jd58]

Yes but my speech also I had to give up supply teaching could not get words out and my feet flat when I walked. Though I had a stroke gp referred me for a nri scan but came back negative

[jd58]

I now a team of professional supporting me. Neurologist,speech therapist, nutritional therapist, ventilation team, phyiotgerapists, GP, Doctors at Hospice, MND association , social services, PIP Diability payment, District nurses.

[Samanth]

Muscle twitching or fasciculation's alone are usually nothing to worry about. There is a syndrome called benign fasciculation syndrome which is were you get muscle twitches, but most people get twitches when at rest from time to time. In MND fasciculations are associated with weakness when the neurones become overactive and then die. It is this combination of fasciculation's and progressive weakness that is worrying as a possible sign of MND. Changes in sensation are not usually signs of MND. From your description it seems that you do not have any weakness which makes MND unlikely but by all means see your GP.

[Ellie]

Because you have health anxiety Simon, I’ll give you my thoughts on your post today. (MND Connect are Monday-Friday)

Many, many people twitch are the vast majority is benign. Twitching is a known side effect of Sertraline and can be exacerbated by anxiety, tiredness, poor diet etc.
The hallmark of ALS is muscle failure which, thankfully, you don’t have. Nor are your other issues Red Flags for MND, if you read the literature.

As you’re being treated for health anxiety, please contact your GP/relevant doctor who hopefully can work with you to lessen your anxiety. I’m sorry you’re in a heightened state of anxiety, it can’t be easy, especially with what’s going on all around us.

Be kind to yourself - get good sleep, exercise, keep hydrated and eat well too.

Wishing you the best.
Love Ellie.

[matthew55]

Doesn't anyone else see that encouraging these type of people just makes them worse? 🤨

[Simon1984]

Because you have health anxiety Simon, I’ll give you my thoughts on your post today. (MND Connect are Monday-Friday)

Many, many people twitch are the vast majority is benign. Twitching is a known side effect of Sertraline and can be exacerbated by anxiety, tiredness, poor diet etc.
The hallmark of ALS is muscle failure which, thankfully, you don’t have. Nor are your other issues Red Flags for MND, if you read the literature.

As you’re being treated for health anxiety, please contact your GP/relevant doctor who hopefully can work with you to lessen your anxiety. I’m sorry you’re in a heightened state of anxiety, it can’t be easy, especially with what’s going on all around us.

Be kind to yourself - get good sleep, exercise, keep hydrated and eat well too.

Wishing you the best.
Love Ellie.

Thank you very much, Ellie. I found your post very reassuring. I’m very grateful for the work you all do. I apologise to those who found my post trivial. I realise it may sound insensitive to those who are struggling with the illness.
I do suffer badly with health anxiety and posting here was a big deal for me.
I’m constantly analysing my body for symptoms. It’s not pleasant to live with!
would muscle twitches tended to focus on a particular muscle or do they tend to happen all over?

[MNDConnect]

Hi Simon

Twitching on it's own is not usually a symptom of MND. As Ellie mentions, Sertraline can cause twitching, and the main cause of twitching is anxiety. The twitching then makes you more anxious and you end up stuck in a loop of worrying which makes the twitching worse, which then in turn makes you worry more.

Whilst the forum is a brilliant place to get support, no one on the forum is able to give qualified opinions on someone's symptoms and asking about symptoms without a diagnosis is more likely to cause more anxiety and worry than give reassurance.

We always suggest that people who are concerned about symptoms, speak to their GP and they are always welcome to give us a call at MND Connect to discuss concerns. Our number is 0808 802 6262 and we are available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Best Wishes

Rachel
MND Connect Adviser

[Andy wilson]

I,ve had a few muscle twitchers and am new to mnd ,cheers

[House44]

I twitch constantly. Left arm worse but I twitch everywhere. It’s constant in arms and now and then everywhere else