What causes painful muscle twitching in various body parts?

Question

I am a 42-year-old male with no underlying conditions and I have been experiencing muscle twitching. Approximately four months ago, I noticed twitching in my left eyelid, which has continued intermittently on a daily basis since then. I consulted my ophthalmologist, who informed me that it was stress-related. Three weeks ago, after a stressful weekend, I woke up and experienced twitches in various parts of my body, including my calves, thighs, arms, buttocks, and shoulders. Concerned, I underwent bloodwork, which revealed a Vitamin C deficiency of 7 umol/l and a small amount of protein in my urine. At times, the twitches are strong and painful. They occur at different times throughout the day and persist daily, but they do not occur when I am actively using the muscles. As I have been researching muscle twitches on internet, I have come across frightening information. Kindly provide your insight.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern. Firstly, I would like to inform you that muscle twitches, also known as fasciculations in medical terms, can sometimes be a sign of a serious condition called motor neuron disorders (MND). However, the majority of muscle twitches are benign in nature. To provide you with an accurate diagnosis, I would need the following information:

Are you experiencing any significant weakness in your legs, arms, or neck?
Have you noticed any recent muscle atrophy (muscle wasting)?
Are you experiencing any difficulty with swallowing?
Have you noticed any loss of fine motor skills, such as difficulty with buttoning clothes or problems with writing?
Have you recently had any respiratory tract or gastrointestinal infections?
Are you experiencing any muscle twitches in your tongue?

Kindly follow up with the requested information for further assistance.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Dear Ryan The good news is that you don't have any additional signs and symptoms suggestive of MND. Accordingly, the most probable diagnosis for you is "Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS)". The BFS is benign as its name says. However, it is bothersome due to twitches, it is not life-threatening. So, as long as you don't have any previously mentioned signs and symptoms, be relaxed. My recommendation is to drink enough and remain hydrated, do some daily mild aerobic sports, and increase your resting time. Drinking Borage tea in a daily manner may be also helpful. Please note that it may take notable time for BFS to be disappeared.