Muscle Spasms

[mizgahobin]

Does anyone diagonased with lupus suffer from crazy muscle spasms and twitching.

[sweetheart1990]

I'm new to this page,was reading comments on muscle spasms,I suffer from them also, usually when extra tired. I have found for me a glass of oj helps, I still get them but it slows them down and not as many at one time.  My are usually in my back.

[karajo]

I'm still learning about all of this, but I'm thinking the muscle jerks can also be associated w/ fibromyalgia too.  It must be common for people who have had a busy day for their muscles to jerk at night as they are unwinding.  Is your sympotoms only at night or does your muscles jerk during the day too?  Is this your only symptom?

[CMarieD]

OMG! Some people that know what I am going through. My spasms sound identical to most of you. It usually happens when I'm comfortable in bed almost sleep or when I am asleep and it wakes me up. It is so frustrating when I go to my doc and all he says is "I don't know what can be causing it". Recently, it has gotten more painful and more frequent. I have the 5 mg flexeril but it makes me so sleepy so I break it in half and it still leaves me groggy for the next several days.

[karajo]

OK, when you go back to the dr. ask if they could repeat the ANA.  I am under the impression that they have to wait a certain time before they can repeat the ANA due to insurance issues.  Anyway, when they agree to re-do the ANA, spend time in the sun prior to having the test done, even if it's cloudy.  Depending on the exposure - how many clothes you have on and cloud cover - but around 15 min.  "If" you have lupus, this will cause an immune response, thus causing your ANA to be elevated.  A positive ANA is not the only thing they look at, there are other symptoms.

There are 11 criteria for a lupus dx.  You must have at least 4 of the 11 to recieve a dx.

They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash) (74%)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash (50%)
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis (95%)
6. serositis - inflamation of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood count or lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test

Other symptoms are:
fever (90-95%)
low vit D levels
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out (27%)
fatigue (90%)
muscle pain and weakness (90%)
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
lymph node swelling (50%)
...to name a few

Keep in mind that fibromyalgia, CFS, MS and lymes disease also have similar symptoms.  

[hamheff]

Been reading some other posts. I wonder if maybe my ANA was down on the day they repeated the bloodwork. My doc seems to be basing the whole diagnosis on that bloodwork. The bloodwork was negative, so I don't have Lupus? I had x-rays, ultrasounds, emg plus I've been tested for ankylosing spondilitis, carpal tunnel, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, lupus... plus a bunch of tests with letters in them.. lol. Don't know what they were for but I am anemic and a migraine sufferer. I take a pile of vitamins everyday to help and sometimes it does. Never been tested for MS but I think my symptoms are more like lupus then MS. I work in trucking selling parts so hopefully if it is lupus, I can get some modified duties. Been at this job 4 months and am finding it very difficult - but maybe this is just a flare up

[hamheff]

I'm not sure if they have checked my vitamin D but I have an appt. in 2 weeks so I will ask. I was first diagnosed with Lupus from a blood test. I was later told it was a lab error and that it was actually negative. I'm wondering if the negative result was actually the error. When I read these forums, I can relate to most of what everyone is saying. My mother-in-law has Lupus and she thinks the same thing - that maybe it was a wrong diagnosis. I noticed this morning a bruise on my leg that I don't remember doing - second time that's happened in 3 weeks and they're dark purple bruises - not real big but noticeable and not sore.
When I go in, I'm going to ask to be re-tested.
I do drink soda, maybe too much, but I will cut down and try some of your suggestions.
Thanks for the help