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What Causes Muscle Twitching With Pain And Tingling In Hands And Legs?

Posted on Fri, 10 Jul 2015

Question: Help! I'm really nervous. I've been having twitching in my muscles, achy hands, legs, and arms. My right leg and arm are especially achy. I also get tingly. Been going on and off for couple months. I've had blood work, most of it ok. Waiting for couple of other tests. Just had a cat scan, normal. I'm afraid it's some horrible disease. I have real bad anxiety and depression.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If common medical conditions are ruled out then anxiety is the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Sudden onset twitching of muscles, aches in hands and legs, tingling etc can also occur due to low vitamin B12 levels, Hypothyroidism, iron deficiency anaemia etc. Though you have underwent blood investigations sill I'd advise you to rule out the conditions I have mentioned.

Anxiety with depression with somatic symptoms can also cause the symptoms you have mentioned. Your all investigations come normal so possibility of anxiety is high. Tingling, twitching and aches in muscles etc symptoms are seen. In such cases medicines like SNRIs are used with good results. Venlafaxine, Duloxetine etc are commonly used drugs. These drugs will help to improve the symptoms you are having. Medicines like Propranolol, Atenolol etc would help to reduce the symptoms of trembling and you will feel better. Don't remain afraid or fearful for any serious illness. Most likely cause for your symptoms is anxiety and depression with somatic symptoms. Gabapentin or Pregabalin are the medicines which are used commonly and cause much improvement in symptoms. Please talk to your doctor and take prescription of the drugs.

Relax yourself, have balanced food rich in proteins and complex carbs and low in fats and refined carbs. Start talking B12 and omega 3 fatty acid supplements and you will see improvement. Visit a psychiatrist for help.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please be assured that if common medical causes are ruled out the most likely cause for your symptoms is psychological and stress related. With proper medicines your symptoms will decreased.

Take care. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (7 minutes later)

Thank so much for your detailed response. It is very reassuring. My main fears were MS and ALS. Too very scary diseases. My mind gets the best of me sometimes.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The symptoms don't match the presentation of ALS or MS

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question

Your symptoms don't match the illness you have mentioned. MS and ALS both present with different symptomatology. Secondly onset of both illnesses usually occurs earlier mostly in 20-30 years of the age.

Your CT scan came normal so we can rule out MS easily. In ALS atrophy of muscles, weakness etc are seen. You have symptoms of fatigue, tingling and twitching which are not classically seen in ALS. So be assured, based upon the symptoms you have mentioned, you dont have ALS or MS.

Don't remain stressed due to these illnesses.

Thanks, Still have more doubts please ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)

Thank you sooo much. Your reassurance is really helpful. I really appreciate your help!

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation and please come out of your anxiety. Remain relaxed.

Take care

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar