Hand cramps and twitches

[Efraim]

I am a 57 year old healthy male. One year ago I was flat on my back for 3 weeks.  An MRI showed I herniated my c3-c4 disc plus 3 other bulging neck discs.  I herniated L6/S1 10 years ago and suffer from spondylyosis for over 30 years. A year ago my right index finger was at a right angle and could not be lifted.  My finger is now almost straight unless I exercise it (typing).  I did an EMG last year and was told I had reinnervation deficiencies in both arms, which were worse on the right side.  My neurology exam was normal.  Until two weeks ago except for my index finger I was symptom free.  Two weeks ago I was fasting for 25 hours and after 20 hours I started to get a twitch in my right forearm.   Two and a half weeks later the frequency has gone down but I still have intermittent twitches in various places from my right shoulder down and sometimes none for a day or two. I also feel very very mild pins and needles in both arms mostly down to the ring and pinky fingers.  I continue to work out at a gym without difficulty and take MgCl pills. The past two weekends and all nights have been symptom free.   I am worried especially since my sister died 29 years ago from MS and question whether a neurologist can help.  

[Adult Neurology, M.D.]

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 a doctor.

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

Herniations/protrusions are quite common. They are very often present without causing any significant symptoms. However, if the MRI shows the herniations are pressing on the spinal cord or it shows that the neural foramina (the spaces/bony canal through which nerves exit the spinal cord to get to all the muscles/body) are narrowed, then one can get symptoms of muscle weakness and tingling in the region supplied by those affected nerves. Perhaps you can review your MRI reports to see if they mention this. Since you have herniations in both the cervical and lumbar regions, some of your symptoms of arm and leg numbness may be explained by this

MS may present with symptoms of numbness/tingling. However, other common symptoms include
- episodes of acute vision loss, sometimes associated with pain in the eye
- bladder issues of retention or urgency
- balance problems
- weakness and stiffness of a limb or part of a limb

I would recommend going to your neurologist who ordered the EMG and clarifying these questions with him.

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

[Efraim]

Since my entry on August 16th, I have started to feel numbness between the big toe and index toe of both feet.  I also get a vibration like feeling in my left calf.  Is this anxiety?  Could it be from my neck?

[Efraim]

I forgot to add that I have had some cramping of my right hand as well.  I had it last year than it went away and has started again since the twitching began.  It is occasional and not constant.