twitch

twitch
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
gutwrencher39@aol.com

Aug 21, 2005, 10:37 AM

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I don't like going into a Parkinsons forum....it scares me too much. So I'll post here.

I am 42 years old. I'm a 10 year man with owning a moving company...and I work very brutal days on occasion.....just so you know what kind of day my body sometimes goes through. I am also very high stressed and worry much.

Last week, I noticed a twitch in my index finger...which sometimes moves my thumb a little. The fingers do not touch and rub when this happens....my pointer just jumps around a little. I did not pay much attention to it the first few times...until it bugged me and I went into a Parkinson forum and website. Needless to say....I feel like I've been slowly dying ever since. I am scared out of my mind.

It does not seem to be the "pill-rolling" movement they describe, which they don't do very well. What exactley would this look like?

Also, it will twitch a few times...maybe sometimes a minute....then it will stop. Sometimes it returns in a few minutes....but most of the time it goes away for sometimes 6 or 7 hours before returning. It's now 8pm and it last hit at 2pm. I keep hoping it's gone for good....but I feel this return coming on at any minute. I have to talk about it here because my wife says I'm talking too much and worrying too much and it's driving her crazy...as well as getting her depressed. too.

I don't really feel other twitches...but I think the stress is causing me to be mean and feel like I'm going to die. I can't help it.

Does this sound like Parkinsons or other bad condition? I don't feel any other symptoms, but maybe it's too early. my walk and talk is fine....I don't stumble or walk funny or nod my head. just that index finger on my left side.

Whats the difference between a tremor and a twitch?

Remember, Micahel J. Fox had the "twitch" before the tremor, right?

Why does it seem like the twitch is worse in the early morning hours...like 5am to 11am? I wake up...it's there. And then right before I go to bed at midnight.

It has twitched in between those hours...but those seem to be the active points. why?

Thanks for lending an ear....I'm scared to death and dread the next twitch because it will send me right back into the dumps.

BTW, I can't see a doctor until the start of the month. I let my insurance expire last year and just now am getting it back. I also fear sending up red flags and the insurance dropping me. The worst that could happen? I find I have PD and no insurance to treat it.

Also, my left eyelid is now twitching out-of-control. Related?

I'm falling into the hole again.

smithn
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Aug 21, 2005, 5:14 PM

Post #2 of 6 (863 views)
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Re: [Guest] twitch [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I don't think you have Parkinson's at all. Stay out of that forum unless you are diagnosed with it - you are scaring yourself needlessly at this point and you are doing a number on your blood pressure. I would bet that your twitching has everything to do with the amount of stress you are under, the amount of hours and physical sweat you put into each day, and the great amount of heavy work that you do. Operating a moving company is very hard on the body. Wait and go to the doctor once your insurance kicks in so that you can have some labwork done and put your mind at ease. Try to get some restful nights. Try to cut way back (if not out altogether, if you can) on the caffeine. Limit your salt intake also. The description of your twitching problem does not sound like Parkinson's to me - more like simple initial signs of carpal tunnel, considering your line of work. Or, it may be nothing. For what it's worth, almost anyone can purposely make parts of their body twitch when they hold a certain position. Anyhow, like I said, go ahead and make an appt. with your doctor about your concerns and suggest to him/her that you be referred to a neurologist for an EMG. Take care of yourself and please stop thinking worrying about dying. Let us know how your doctor's appt. goes.

Guest
Anonymous Poster

Aug 22, 2005, 9:05 AM

Post #3 of 6 (857 views)
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Re: [smithn] twitch [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

thanks for the positive words. I thought I could feel my whole body vibrating this morning....especially with my eyes closed.

this is a nightmare.

Guest
Anonymous Poster

Jun 13, 2006, 2:09 PM

Post #4 of 6 (707 views)
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Re: [Guest] twitch [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

OK, I am getting pretty scared myself. I am a healthy 43 year old male and active triathlete. I work out with some combination of swimming, cycling or running 6 days per week. Recently I have noticed that each time I complete a hard workout my right thumb begins to twitch. It looks exactly like what my thumb would be doing if I were channel surfing with the TV remote. The twitching goes away after a certain amount of time, but it is happening more often after workouts and is lasting longer. Any ideas?

Guest
Anonymous Poster

Jun 14, 2006, 5:19 PM

Post #5 of 6 (702 views)
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Re: [Guest] twitch [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Guest have you talked to your primary physician about this??? My first thought was your job and your stress level. Some people transfer a lot of stress into there backs where it comes out as pain or tingling or even numbness. A twitch wouldn't surprise me either. My wife was having numbness and dizzy spells from stress that she had been "placing" in her back. After a full work-up by neurologist to rule out MS, she went to a chiropractor and the symptoms have gone. I think you should talk w/ your primary doc about this. Be aware that todays doctors don't believe in Chiropractors. You need to give more information about your height and weight and activity level. Do you have Parkingson's in the family?? It doesn't sound like you have Parkingson's but talk to your doctor!

bkdaniels
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Jun 20, 2006, 1:10 PM

Post #6 of 6 (695 views)
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Have You Ever Heard Of A Nervous Twitch? [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

A Nervous Twitch is ofen medically termed Muscle Twitch or Fasciculations. However, in any case, (these) twitching is associated with other signs of a nervous system disorder.

In its simpleist form, these twitches are related to electrolytes and their effects on neuromuscular excitability. I am sure, there is no need to explain how these electrical waves appear but, to let you know, the mechanical change or twitch lasts a great deal longer than the action potential.

A second electrical wave, can therefore arrive before the muscle fiber has relaxed, prolonging the contraction, and if the anterior horn cell fires (or the motor axon is stimulated) at frequencies of 10 to 20 per s, the twitches fuse into a prolonged contraction (tetanus). This accounts for one of the great reasons to seek medical attention to gain a solution, before more severe consequences result from inadequate medical treatment.

Usually, the problem can be corrected easily. But, before you should see to it that you are doing everything you can to relieve yourself of the stress and strain of your job.

Often times, this is not -only- relieved by finding another occupation, but starts with a correction as simple as being physically prepared to do the job. This means, eating properly (health diet) if this is not availiable, you should concider supplements (such as potassium or calcium), adequate rest, and plenty of fluids, preferablly a rehydration e.g. Powerade, which can help to restore you exectrolyte balance, throughout the day, or tonic water.

Hope this answers your question!

REFERENCE(S)

1. The Analyst, Muscle Cramp/Twitches (Online: Diagnose-me.com, 2006) http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C254143.html

2. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Water and Sodium Metabolism (Online: Merck, 2006) http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section2/chapter12/12b.htm
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