Why am I having muscle fasciculations and can literally see my muscles moving?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 27-year-old female. I do not drink or smoke. Last year, I started experiencing muscle fasciculations all over my body (face, arms, legs, and butt). I can literally see my muscles moving, but it does not hurt. Also, I occasionally have minor body jerks while resting and sleeping. My arm or leg twitch and jerk a little. Sometimes I wake up due to a jerk or a twitch. Body jerks have intensified after I got COVID three months back. I sometimes feel "pins and needles" in my limbs or back, but never on its own. It happens when I cross my legs in a weird way or when I bend my back. I am not sure if it is related to other symptoms, but I have had bruxism for many years. I grind my teeth every night. Also, I have been working from home (10 am to 4 pm) for three years, so I did not have a lot of exposure to sunlight, and I probably have vitamin D deficiency. I am prone to anxiety and very emotional. I am not sure if it plays a role. My parents do not have any hereditary diseases such as Huntington's, but my maternal grandfather had Parkinson's. I have read it could be electrolyte deficiency, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, chorea, severe anxiety, kidney problem, etc. I would appreciate your opinion, and please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Regarding your concern, and would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be related to any serious neurological disorder. I would exclude ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) based on your description. Coming to this point, I would suggest checking thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid gland dysfunction, blood electrolytes for possible imbalance, and vitamin D plasma levels for possible deficiency. I would also suggest Magnesium supplements 300 to 400 mg daily and trying to exercise regularly. If the problem persists and all the above tests result normal, I would recommend consulting with a neurologist for a physical examination and performing some other tests like nerve conduction studies and an EEG (electroencephalography) in order to exclude myoclonic epilepsy. I suggest you discuss with your doctor the above tests.

Thank you.