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What Causes Arm Twitching After Alcohol Consumption?
Question: I have twitching in my left arm for about 3o minutes after I drink alcohol. I have little ticks all over my body any other time. Juts like a small one Pop of the muscle kind of thing pretty much all the time. I've been to a neurologist. He says is benign.
Brief Answer:
Probably benign.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Reading at your description of the twitchings and their distribution I would tend to agree with your neurologist in saying that benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) is the most probable cause.
However BFS is an exclusion diagnosis, meaning some other conditions which could manifest similarly should be considered and excluded. Such conditions would include metabolic alterations (like magnesium deficiency), neuromuscular disease like ALS, thyroid dysfunction etc. For that reason in order to make sure some routine blood tests like blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes and thyroid function are recommended, as well as an electromyography test. I must repeat I do not see any reason for alarm, tests are to make sure, fasciculations are most probably benign.
If tests come back alright but the symptoms bother you they can improve by use of medication such as beta-blockers or anti-epileptics.
I hope to have been of help.
Probably benign.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Reading at your description of the twitchings and their distribution I would tend to agree with your neurologist in saying that benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) is the most probable cause.
However BFS is an exclusion diagnosis, meaning some other conditions which could manifest similarly should be considered and excluded. Such conditions would include metabolic alterations (like magnesium deficiency), neuromuscular disease like ALS, thyroid dysfunction etc. For that reason in order to make sure some routine blood tests like blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes and thyroid function are recommended, as well as an electromyography test. I must repeat I do not see any reason for alarm, tests are to make sure, fasciculations are most probably benign.
If tests come back alright but the symptoms bother you they can improve by use of medication such as beta-blockers or anti-epileptics.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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