Muscle twitching & spasms | Arthritis Information

My muscles visibly twitch (rapidly) and slowly spasm. I know a small degree of this is common, but with me it is constant and causes movement of my toes, fingers or wrists. I almost always have a twitch going someplace, even on my torso at times. I have gotten no answers from my docs on this but it is starting to worry me. It has gone on for months with no improvement. I don't know if it is related to RA or vasculitis. My rheum saw it last time I was there and thought it might be a movement disorder. I do have parathesia and neuropathy. I go to my neurologist Monday and am going to push him for an answer this time. I think he has ideas and just isn't telling me yet. Anyone else have this problem and know what is causing it?

Laker

I have spasms too in the foot that my damaged nerve affected. You can visibly see them too. I can't really tell you what yours are caused by...but mine is that damaged nerve behind my knee that is slowly repairing itself.

I have also had twitching around my elbow (in 3 seperate spasms all in my elbow at once), torso, and my right thumb just will pull upward and twitch. My husban thought he could massage it out of my elbow and worked really hard - nope. It was constant for 4-5 days before stopping. Now I just have random movement not constant. My Rheum claims it was just muscle spasms...not to worry.

Again, I am prob the least experienced here but I hope this helps.

Mmhmmm I get that by my knees, and in my thighs, and my elbows etc etc etc etc etc

It's SO irritating
I have that really bad. Here's the problem, RA and Vasculitis can cause nerve problems and of course, that's what Neuropathy is, damage to your nerves. I've had a lot of problems with this lately. The neurologist was not much help at all so I hope to find another one in the near future. But he did try Neurontin and Bacoflen. I can't take the Neurontin. It made the tremors much, much worse for me. But the Bacoflen was great because it has help to settle the nerves down. I didn't realize it, but my body was actually shaking all the time. After I started the Bacoflen, it calmed down quite a bit.

However, that didn't get it under complete control. So they tried Lyrica next which has helped dozens of people on here. Again, it made the tremors worse for me. Then, Gabitril. Same deal. The pain specialist is the one trying these meds and she said that you just have to match up the right one to the patient and all patients are different. Then, she tried Cymbalta which helps with FM pain, neuropathy and depression. It has done wonders for me.

I still get tremors though so I am supposed to also increase my Clonazepam. I am also supposed to be taking MetaNX, a B12 prescription.

You might want to look into all of these and then discuss them with your doctor. There are a lot more options. You just have to find a doctor that's willing to try some of them with you.

If your RA is not under control, it can make the tremors worse. FM also can cause tremors and muscle spasms.

Well it is a relief to know that at least this is probably not a symptom of a new health problem. It makes sense that it is related to the RA and vasulitis. I often have burning or tingling pulses of pain in the area that is twitching. But it is upsetting to think I may have to deal with this forever. People talk about having good days and flares - I get continually worse unless I'm on prednisone, and then when it is reduced it all comes back.

Your replies also add to my thoughts that, although I feel more well overall, things are not under control because my joints and nerves are worse, not better since being on the immuran. Maybe I need another med with it or a higher dose. I am taking 75 mg of pamelor which helped a lot when I started it last summer, but I have also felt it does not work as well now.

My rheum and neuro are at the same university with the idea being that they will work together. I see the neuro Monday and the rheum in June. I don't know if the neuro will change the immuran but at least he may be able to give me something to help with the twitching. It drives my husband crazy. He says I am twitching constantly when he tries to be near me.

I feel bad for you that you have this too. It is so annoying. Thanks for the good info on the drugs, Deanna. I am going to look them up so that I am better informed for my appt.

Take care,

Laker