Muscle twitching - advice/reassurance/information please!

[Emmi1995]

I am almost 31 years old. I have rheumatoid arthritis, some other chronic long term health stuff going on and they have recently found out that I have a severe vitamin d deficiency.

About a month ago, I noticed that one of my arms was weak and I was struggling to use it. I panicked, but then remembered that I had been painting and probably overdone it, and left it as that.

I have regained the strength back in my arm, but since then I have noticed that I get muscle twitches quite a lot in my arms and legs. Mainly one sided but sometimes on the other side too.

My mum had a friend who died a few years ago of MND and I have been in a state of panic since developing these twitches around 3/4 weeks ago, absolutely convinced that is what I have. I also have very cold hands and feet and pins and needles sensations quite a lot, but I’m not sure if that’s a separate issue.

My rheumatologist said that once I have had the symptoms continuously for 2 months, she can refer for nerve tests, but it’s torture waiting for them. I have a young child at home and I’m in tears most days consumed with this fear.

Is there any advice, information, potentially reassurance that anyone can offer please?

I think low vitamins B and D can also cause these symptoms. Make sure you are on a good combined B supplement. Once your low D is topped up you may find it all stops.

Thank you, I am waiting for my next set of bloods to have my b12 tested so I have no idea whether that’s low or not but it wasn’t that far over the threshold when I had them done 2-3 months ago

Has a Dr seen the ‘muscle twitches’? Take a video if you can. The symptom in MND is muscle fasiculations which are can be videoed and are quite distinctive to a Dr. They are often in the small muscles of the hands. If they don’t last long enough to be videoed then I don’t think that’s what you have. It is a rare illness and there are many other causes of muscle twitching most not harmful. Have you seen your GP and shown them and they can examine you and if appropriate refer to a neurologist? I think that would be a better route than asking the rheumatologist.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DfVEWiRqbzM

What kind of muscle twitches? Can you actually see the muscles jumping? Or is it more like restless legs syndrome?

Other things can cause this. Calcium/magnesium deficiency. Stress, anxiety.

Worth getting it checked out if it doesn't go away, but don't worry about it in the meantime. Since I turned 30 my body is always popping up some new weird symptom which could be some deadly disease. But they usually self resolve within a few weeks.

I’m not too sure if I’m being honest - they feel like huge muscle jumps and feel like they should look like that YouTube video because of the sensation - but every time I feel it and pull back my clothing to actually inspect I struggle to see anything major going on. I have seen the muscle almost trembling but not distinctive movements such as the YouTube video shared

Sorry forgot to add - I do have a GP appointment coming up in a couple of weeks for something else but will ask about this too if just for reassurance than anything else

My husband was told his B12 was "normal". He then waited 18m to see neurology and got a report saying it WAS the B12. We found out that it was "borderline" normal and could still cause symptoms. We'd not had the numbers when he was given his result over the phone.

Thank you for this information, was he experiencing muscle twitches? If you don’t mind me asking?

Most muscle twitching is benign. MND is unlikely. You have some tests lined up and can’t do anything about it either way so I think wise to find something nice to distract you over the next few weeks xx

I don't think so - numbness and pins and needles.

I have suffered from muscle twitches for years. They come and go, but they're mostly when I haven't slept well and also when my thyroid gland is playing up.

Also, have a look at Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (it's very common):
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=apps.nhslothian.scot/files/sites/2/Muscle-twitches-and-cramps-2024.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjSvfjqxriSAxUAQkEAHc1-DgoQFnoECFMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1h0LpxVRir65KrrVVtNoHr

I get these from time to time, I can actually see my upper arm muscles twitching. I have it for many years and it's never developed into anything more. It's worse when I'm tired. My eyes twitch too at times.

I had a spate of muscle twitches a few months back. Hey we're almost constant, and in weird places like my feet, legs and lower arm. I was also getting pins and needles very quickly too.

A blood test flagged I was deficient in a bunch of different things. I now take a well woman multi vitamin and the twitches have basically stopped. It's very likely just a deficiency

Isn’t vit D deficiency associated with that?