Developed muscle twitching and shaking all over the body. Could it be something serious?

Question

Hi doctor,

I hope you are well and hopefully will be able to answer some of my concerns. For the past three months, I have been experiencing some unusual symptoms which have given me cause for concern. First of all, I am a 28-year-old female. Before three months, I started to experience a sort of internal vibration or shaking feeling all over my body. I still have this symptom today, there have been only a few days where it has disappeared completely. It also seems to get worse at night when trying to sleep. I have also developed random muscle twitching across my whole body; it comes on randomly and sporadically anywhere on my body. My final symptom which can vary on and off is muscle pain in all my limbs particularly my forearms and a sort of burning tingling sensation in my hands and feet. I have been searched online; it has given me the possibility of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I am now absolutely terrified that I have this disease. My general practitioner (GP) has done some muscle blood tests, and the only thing that showed up was a severe vitamin D sufficiency for which I am now on tablets. I do not think I have any muscle weakness, atrophy, etc. Do you think it could be a severe disorder or hopefully something treatable? I am a relatively healthy person I have diagnosed hypertension for which I take Ramipril. I am now taking prescribed vitamin D. Thanks for taking the time to read my concerns your opinion would be most appreciated. Many thanks

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I passed carefully through your question and would explain that we can exclude ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), considering the fact that you have sensory complaints (tingling and burning sensation). From the other hand, this would be an exceptional diagnosis at this age. Also, vitamin D deficiency can mimic this clinical situation. Another possible cause to consider would be vitamin B12 deficiency or thyroid gland dysfunction. For this reason, I would recommend checking your thyroid hormone levels and vitamin B12 levels to investigate for a possible deficiency. As you are taking Lisinopril, I would recommend checking potassium plasma levels too as it can increase potassium plasma levels. Nerve conduction studies would help exclude ALS or peripheral neuropathy and put your mind to peace about ALS.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and would explain that this feeling could be related tovitamin B12 deficiency or thyroid gland dysfunction. Vitamin D deficiency may influence in all this clinical situation too. For this reason, I would recommend performing these tests too. But I would exclude amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as your symptoms are atypical of this disorder. So, try to relax and don't worry about it. If all these tests result normal, I would recommend considering fibromyalgia as a possible cause underlying your complaints. Anyway, I would recommend trying Duloxetine or Pregabalin to help improve your situation, if all the above tests result normal.