What causes muscle twitches in the erector spinae when lying and relaxing?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I have muscle twitches in my erector spinae when I lie down and relax. Is this common, or could it be ALS? I am so afraid.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health care.
I can understand your concern.
I would like to know some details about your symptoms:
- Since when did you start experiencing these twitches?
- Are these twitches visible to family members or only felt by you (but not visible to others)?
- Do you not experience twitches while being busy at work, walking, or sitting?
- Do you experience twitches in your arms or legs as well?
- Have you noticed any muscle thinning in any of your limbs?
- Have you experienced any impairment of sensation in any of your limbs?
- Do you have any neck pain?
- Do you have any other significant medical history or are you taking any medications?
- How is your sleep? How long does it take for you to fall asleep, and do you have any trouble staying asleep?
- How would you describe your usual mood - are you generally happy, sad, or leaning towards feeling worried?
Looking forward to your response in order to help you.
Thank you.
Investigations to be done
Regarding follow up
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Here are the answers for your questions.
- When did you start experiencing these twitches? One week ago, a couple of times a day.
- Can family members see these twitches, or do you only feel them? No one has checked yet.
- Do you experience twitches while working, walking, or sitting? They occur only when I am resting or lying down.
- Do you experience twitches in your arms or legs? No, I do not.
- Have you noticed any muscle thinning in any limb? No, I have not.
- Do you have any loss of sensation in any limb? No, I do not.
- Are you experiencing any neck pain? No, I am not.
- Do you have any other significant medical history or take any medications? I take SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for anxiety.
- How is your sleep, both falling asleep and staying asleep? It is okay.
- How would you describe your usual mood - generally happy, sad, or leaning towards feeling worried? I am more on the worried side.
My test results are normal. I experience twitching in my stomach, and sometimes it occurs in my shoulder. However, I am concerned about the unusual sensation in my back muscles, which is why I am worried.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Alone, twitching does not fulfill the clinical criteria for ALS. There are numerous causes of twitches, which include:
- Extreme cold.
- Anxiety.
- Benign fasciculation syndrome.
- Fasciculation cramp syndrome.
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Neuropathy or plexopathy.
Since you mentioned that you have an anxiety disorder, your twitches may also be related to anxiety.
I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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