Sorry For Asking

[Greenboy55]

Hi all,

I am very very sorry if this comes as insensitive and something I was debating on asking on here given I have no diagnosis. I will keep it simple as I don’t want to offend anyone or waste anyone’s time.

My one and only symptom is persistent twitching in my left abdomen that is usually felt at night mostly and can affect me sleeping. This has been happening I would say around 3 to 4 weeks now. I don’t currently have any other symptoms such as weakness or atrophy that I can see. The twitch is like a on off twitch and affects the same spot it’s not a constant twitch ie that lasts a few seconds it’s a mini twitch every few seconds if that makes sense but is persistent when laid down or sat. I cannot feel it when stood or active etc.

I will be very honest and say that this is really causing me to be very anxious with google almost suggesting mnd/als at every turn. I suppose my question is would my symptoms be concerning? And is it possible twitching in the stomach to be a early sign?

My GP has requested a video of the twitching and plans to call me back after the video and he believes it to not be anything sinister from what I’ve described so far and also understand I have a level of health anxiety but obviously wants to understand more and see the twitching before next steps or any referral etc.

i am a 33 yo male if that helps also.

I am really sorry if this post is misjudged I just feel like I’m losing my mind with worry and kind of hoping for any advice.

Many thanks

[Gordan1111]

Hello Greenboy55. I'm not the best person to give you any advice on this but I'm sure others will be able to advise. Best wishes Gordon.

[Ellie]

Don't worry, Gordan - the post is on the MND Connect sub-forum, so I'm sure they'll answer tommorow.

[MNDConnect]

Hi Greenboy55

I'm sorry to hear that you have concerns about motor neurone disease (MND). Twitching on it's own is not an early symptom of MND. If you google twitching, it will bring up MND but this is incorrect. The main cause of twitching is anxiety, stress, tiredness and caffeine.

There is nothing that you have said which would give cause to think that you might have MND, even at an early stage.

Best Wishes

Rachel
MND Connect Adviser

[Greenboy55]

Thanks Rachel - I will try and focus my mind away from such a worry and again I do apologise for posting and hope it hasn’t come across as insensitive. I just really didn’t know why a muscle would twitch for days without a more sinister cause.

Unfortunately the persistence of the twitch has only heightened my anxieties which has led me to try and seek an understanding. I do now believe though on its own it should be nothing to worry about despite the annoyance.



Many Thanks Rachel

[MNDConnect]

It is really hard once you are concerned about something like MND. Once you've read that twitching can be a sign of MND, it's very difficult to forget this.

Twitching is something that most people experience at some point. Most people don't notice or it's just a bit of a bother and it goes away. If you are anxious then the twitching will continue. This causes you to be more anxious which causes the twitching to continue so you end up stuck in this cycle of worry and twitching.

Twitching rarely has a sinister cause. It's easy for me to say but please try not to worry about MND. There really is nothing to suggest that you have MND.

Rachel
MND Connect Adviser

[Greenboy55]

Thanks Rachel I really appreciate your comments - I certainly will try not to worry and focus my attentions elsewhere. And also seek help for health anxiety which is also a concern for me.

Thanks

[GaryM]

If it helps at all, I'm a born worrier. I went through a period in my twenties where I was sure I had something wrong with my bowels. Of course worrying about it made it worse. The way I got through it was time. Instead of trying to ignore the symptoms I accepted them and just tried to get on with my life. It took a while but eventually the symptoms subsided and I stopped noticing them. Best of luck.

[Greenboy55]

Thanks Gary really appreciate that.

[Greenboy55]

Hi Rachel,

My GP has referred my video and symptoms to a neurologist for a review. I believe this is because I have a twitch that isn’t explained and also due to my health anxiety I believe. I would like to think that is the reason for seeking guidance rather than any suspicion of it being anything more sinister.

Although my anxieties are now sky high it will give me reassurance possibly.

Again thanks for your comments on here.

It is appreciated.

[Ellie]

Many, many twitches don't have a "cause", the vast majority are benign.

Hopefully you will get some answers from the neurologist.

Love Ellie.

[Greenboy55]

Thanks Ellie - I’m sure it’s nothing and trying to get my head into that rationale also. I believe my GP is seeking advice from a neurologist and then a referral if needed. Hopefully he like Rachel will provide full reassurance so I can concentrate long term on my health anxiety issues.

Thanks for commenting Ellie, all reassurance really helps on here.