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Original poster

Scared something is really wrong with me

77 replies

Beebityboo · 04/04/2021 00:49

Just feeling very anxious and need to vent. Since Christmas I have been having constant, daily muscle twitches all over my body. I mainly notice it when I'm at rest and sometimes it's accompanied by pins and needles. I put off going to see the GP as I was shielding and I could tolerate it.
But for the last four weeks I have been woken up every single night just before sleep either with one big twitch or because I hear a sound in my head that wakes me up, like a beep or a buzz. Im always terrified after and feel hot and sick and my heart is pounding. I'm utterly phobic of going to bed at this point and I'm exhausted. The GP did some bloods that has shown low folate levels and wants me to take supplements for four months, otherwise he isn't concerned.

I'm terrified though. This doesn't seem normal to me? could this be an issue with my brain or some other kind of neurological issue? It happens every night, sometimes multiple times and the twitching is relentless. Just don't know what to do, I'm scared there is something really wrong. Advice/reassurance would be very appreciated.

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 04/04/2021 01:45

Also, have you enough mobility to do legs up the wall? Sounds mad but it might well help. I do that in bed so it's comfy.

Hope you are okay to sleep tonight.

AutoIncorrect · 04/04/2021 01:53

Ask for a second opinion from your GP

fifteenmillionmerits · 04/04/2021 06:17

Could these be symptoms of MS?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
MyPatchworkQuilt · 04/04/2021 07:13

@OliverBabish

Look up exploding head syndrome. Sounds awful but it isn’t!

Anxiety will also have a big part to play - perhaps if things don’t settle down and there aren’t any other concerning symptoms, ask your GP for a short prescription of a sleep aid (melatonin, perhaps even zopiclone) to see if that helps settle you back down.

Interesting. I get this sometimes, never knew it had a name.

I sometimes take an antihistamine Promethazine which helps me to sleep.

SuperintendentHastings · 04/04/2021 07:17

@Brownteddybear FFS , she's worried and scared. Perhaps she's looking to see if others have had similar experiences.

thehairyhog · 04/04/2021 07:23

Could these be tics? To me, all your symptoms sound like poor gut health causing neurological issues (anxiety/tics) - look up the gut/brain connection. It's becoming a widespread problem. Does this ring any bells for you?

Original poster
Beebityboo · 04/04/2021 07:50

I am quite overweight and don't eat brilliantly so poor gut health is probably quite likely.

OP posts:
tiredteacher100 · 04/04/2021 07:57

It might be worth trying a weighted blanket, I have found they really help with anxiety

Sundances · 04/04/2021 08:04

How limited is your movement - I'm a serious insomniac but being physically tired out is the best cure - however I don't get to do 7 mile walks every day. Can you do sitting exercises using weights (tins of beans)? If you seriously exercise and stretch your muscles the twitching might stop.
I get the urge to scratch often as I drop off - upshot is it wakes me up and I have to strart trying to get off again. But exhaustion from exercise over rides that.

TheSilentStars · 04/04/2021 08:04

Hello!
There's a lovely welcoming thread in MH for people with health anxiety.
A lot of the posters on the thread (me included) have tingling, buzzing bits and pieces of our anatomy. It does seem to be very common. (My ankle and foot are doing it as I type)
Do come and join us if you suffer from HA. Flowers

Original poster
Beebityboo · 04/04/2021 08:07

I have and do suffer from HA, but this just seems different. My muscle twitches don't stop all day no matter how I'm feeling and it's now been three months without any change.

OP posts:
DinosaurDiana · 04/04/2021 08:11

Are you on iron now ? Ferrous Fumarate has been gentle on my tummy.
I had things slowly creeping up on me that I thought was age and peri menopause, that have gone since I’ve been on iron.
A big beat of my heart, pressure in my upper chest followed by a big beat of my heart, out of breath and palpitations just from running up the stairs and pressure in my chest if I walked more than 20minutes.
But the biggest worry that has gone is the tingling in my hands and arms they woke me at night, which then started in the day.
You really need to give the iron a couple of weeks and see how much better you feel.

SeaToSki · 04/04/2021 08:11

Why are your other health issues?

TabbyStar · 04/04/2021 08:12

Search benign fasciculation syndrome, also there are Facebook groups, there are 1,000s of us with similar symptoms, brought on possibly by stress, anxiety, infections, medications, but ultimately harmless.

Original poster
Beebityboo · 04/04/2021 08:13

Don't want to say as rare and potentially outing. Very unlikely to be related though as had it since birth without these issues.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beebityboo · 04/04/2021 08:14

Would benign fasciculation syndrome explain the sleep issue? I've read about it and assumed it's what I had until the sleep jerks/noises started to happen.

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 04/04/2021 08:16

@fifteenmillionmerits

Could these be symptoms of MS?
Oh stop! The last thing OP needs is a diagnosis over the Internet, from people unqualified to give it

OP, regardless of the cause, these symptoms sound problematic enough, and are certainly having an impact on your life, to merit going back to the GP, and asking for another consultation.

Good luck - I hope you feel better soon, it sounds really tough at the moment 💐

thehairyhog · 04/04/2021 08:22

Well, even MS is linked to gut dysbiosis. Maybe looked up the many symptoms of autonomic dysfunction.

thehairyhog · 04/04/2021 08:26

Nothing wrong with going back to the GP for a check up, but those that blindly think they will solve everyone's health issues are kidding themselves. They can be great with specific medical issues, not so good at looking at overall health of the body which often causes these unexplained ailments people have, and are expected to rub along with (or medicated for with no attempt to resolve the underlying issue). I'm not anti science btw Wink but it's a limited service.

EarringsandLipstick · 04/04/2021 08:28

OP please don't listen to @thehairyhog

Nobody here can advise you, and those suggesting random diagnoses, like HairyHog, are being irresponsible, especially as you mention you have anxiety.

Your symptoms could be due to a number of conditions. Please go back and discuss again with your GP.

MrDarcysMa · 04/04/2021 08:33

Op are you taking anti depressants? Brain zaps and muscle twitches are a common withdrawal symptom.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/04/2021 08:34

I think jerks when falling asleep are normal. I get them all the time. Just dozing off, sudden twitch, wake up, ad infinitum.

Your muscles will be tense with anxiety. That’s why their twitching.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/04/2021 08:34

They’re...

thehairyhog · 04/04/2021 08:41

Haven't mentioned any random diagnoses thank you very much. The OP has been to the GP already (and no doubt will go back) and has asked for opinions. I suggested she look at her overall health, particularly her gut health, hardly outrageous. Anyway that's all from me. Good luck OP!

EarringsandLipstick · 04/04/2021 08:41

Your muscles will be tense with anxiety. That’s why their twitching.

OP is having muscle twitches / spasms throughout the day. That is significant and neither you nor any other poster here can say it's due to anxiety.

OP needs to follow up with her GP.