Stress Center Peer Support

Hi,
I've had muscle twitching for about 2 weeks now (went through a stressful move) and am wondering if it is due to anxiety? Last night I had it and almost felt like I had 'restless arm syndrome' like I just wanted to move my arms. I just started back on my magnesium supplement, so I'm hoping that will make a difference. I spent a good 2 hours laying awake last night fearing that something was wrong with me due to the twitching. I wanted to get out of bed and come onto stresscenter and ask, but I made myself stay in bed as I think it would only validate my feelings that something was 'wrong'.

Any takers???
Ocean

Hi Ocean... so sorry that the twitching caused you to lose sleep and cause you worry. I don't know the "scientific why" but do believe that stress/anxiety causes muscle twitching...annoying but nothing more to it than that! I often get it in my eyelid...hard to cover/conceal that when dealing face to face with others...ya know, I'm just SURE that that's ALL the other person is noticing (heaping dose of sarcasm!)...anyway, it goes away with time & relaxation...not to worry!
Best wishes!

Hi Ocean, I have had muscle twitching in my left arm for the past three weeks. I notice when I use my arms more, such as lifting, the twitching appears. Several years ago I had twitching all over and was convienced I had something majorly wrong. The more I thought about it, the more they fired. Relaxation will help. You may notice them when you are relaxing, but give it time and it will disappear. I assume your recent move required much lifting which will definitely cause that. Muscles you rarely use were probably put to the test.

When experiencing anxiety, we subconsciously contract our muscles... they become TIRED, just as we do. When that happens or, when they release, it causes the twitching...

I think we have all had it! But, with all of the strenuous work involved with your move, you could have strained yourself, causing the muscle to spasm as well.

Don't fret... it will stop!!! Try some moist heat... might help! Good luck!

Hi, I've been having a palpitation in my neck. It hurts some times because it feels like I have a deep pulse all of a sudden on my neck. Is that the same thing? I've had it for 3 days and have been kinda nervous about it. Should I go to the doctor?

Hi Ocean -

I had a bout of muscle twitching, brought on by a fued with neighbors and it's anxiety. It started in my foot: at first I didn't make much of it. Then it started in a muscle in my back and got so bad it was hard to sleep. Then I went into a spiral: anxiety brought on twitching, which brought on more anxiety, loss of sleep, which meant more twitching...Get the picture? I was certifiably neurotic by the time I saw my doctor, sure I was dying of ALS or MS. She said it was anxiety and put me on Lexapro and Klonopin. While I waited for those to work, I did the program. Between the 2, I tackled my anxiety but my twitching didn't completely go away.

I was doing great but that fear that I had some terrible disease was always at the back of my mind, waiting for a muscle twitch. Finally, I tackled my biggest fear and made an appointment with a neurologist. I hadn't had a panic attack in months, and I didn't there, but it was close. The diagnosis...Benign Fasciliation Syndrome. I had 2 different nerve studies (very painful) and a thorough exam and that was it.

As the name suggests, you don't die from it (but you do die with it). Here's a link if you would like to explore further. I know how scary the twitching can be, how easy it is to imagine the worst. Knowing what I know now...I would have sought help earlier. I suffered too many sleepless nights and terrifying days! Good luck.

<A HREF="http://www.nextination.com/aboutbfs/faqgeneral.htm#4" TARGET=_blank>http://www.nextination.com/aboutbfs/faqgeneral.htm#4</A>

Could be anxiety, could also be benign fasculation syndrome. I have had this for over 5 years, I have muscle twitches quite often, they occur more when tired, stressed, or too much caffiene. Dont worry they are benign and wont hurt you, just ignore them and they should calm down.

i had muscle twitching on my left anckle for 2 weeks,it could be lack of pottasium or just your nerves it will go away dont panic let time just pass i dont get it anymore maybe cuz i take calcium and magnesium supplements to calm down. is annoying though !

Thank you ALL for your replies! It makes me feel better that this is probably anxiety, and if it doesn't resolve, then I will get checked out by a physician. I've continued taking the magnesium and it seems to be helping, when I do have the twitching, trying to ignore it seems to help it pass.

Thanks again!
Ocean

Hi, wow, so sorry that others have twitching. My neck pulsation has gone away. Thank God. I did go get checked out by the doctor. Waiting for some test.