Myoclonus

[Beachchristianlady]

55 yr old female. Started with a lot of pain in my legs...that turned into spasms. Then has moved to other parts of the body, lower back, arms, shoulders,ect. Also have eye, and finger twitches. The spasms have gone from mild to severe. Went to ER..told me I have Myoclonus. Had CT, and bloodwork that all seemed ok. Had brain and back MRI..brain ok...back arthritis with swelling pressing on some nerves that could cause some of the lower problems. Scheduled for Nerve induction study test tomorrow on the lower extremeties. Have had trouble with thyroid meds before, understand this could cause some of these symptoms. Have on my own figured out a while back that if my body gets too much of thyroid med...I have trouble...with my BP going up and heart flutters....so I cut back the dose and seemed to be fine until all this. I am also on Prozac and have been for about 2 yrs. Was put on during time of excess stress...(divorce) ect... I am a realtor that has had to go to work at Home Depot since the market has been so bad...very hard on your body work. Had an accident at work and had shoulder surgery last year that was a 5 month out of work at Home Depot. I have cut dose down on thyroid med and Prozac and seem to be some better with the jerks. Still having eye blinks a good bit ...what should I be tested for and who should I see...I know what has been done already...leads me to believe it is med related. I also have read about lipid overload causing some of this?? I have gained about 20lbs during the last 9 months with the surgery ect.. do have high cholesterol...I also have digestive problems and have 3 endoscopies and stretched esophogus...yep I am a mess...need help??? thank you so much.

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

I am not sure based on the description above as to whether or not your twitching is myoclonus or otherwise. Myoclonus typically is not painful, and is not usually described as spasms. Myoclonus are rapid irregular, non-rhythmic jerks. Spasms is a word used to describe clonus, which is different from myoclonus, and describes repetitive rhythmic contractions of a muscle usually when the muscle is stretched. The two are very different and have different causes. In general, muscle twitching can have many causes, as you mention, thyroid, medications (including prozac), and stress (such as in benign fasiculation syndrome which is a syndrome of small rapid twitches all over the body that are painless and benign and occur with stress, caffeine intake, and exercise).

It sounds like you are planned for an EMG/NCS, which will assess how some of your nerves conduct electricity and how the muscles respond. If you have not yet been evaluated by a neurologist this would be of benefit to you, with follow-up with your primary doctor regarding your thyroid problems and management of your anti-depressant.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[Beachchristianlady]

Thank you for your infomation. I have been kind of mixed up as to the things the doctors have told me so far. As you explained...I have the twitched...but I also have the very painful stuff too! Had brain MRI and Back MRI...brain seemed to be ok...neurologist said..arthritis in the back...with some swelling that has caused some of the lower problems.....had the nerve condution study on the lower extremeties...was told I have neuropathy...but still no full explanation. I have been given...Gabapentin 300 mg at bedtime. Has helped a lot, along with I have cut doses on Prozac and Levathryoxine...cut back on carbs and sweets...had a test done with over all sugar for the last 3 months...normal...and the cholesterol was 198...not the greatest but not real back either...I am just at a loss of what to do next...Dr plans another test...to check for dizzness and vertigo ect...I did have a tick on my back last year...was dried up when I discoverd it...but that site was well irritated...for some time and I had a slight flare up of the same area recently...could Lyme disease cause any of these symptoms?? I am tired a lot...but have these shock like pains along with the twitches...but as I have said the twitches are some better now...Thank you for you help. June