What Causes Vibrations In Leg And Muscle Twitches In Body?

Posted on Fri, 27 Feb 2015

Question: So about 3 weeks ago. I began having a vibration in my left leg down to my ankle, off and on. Also felt like it was in my right leg sometimes. I also had some tiny muscle twitches in other parts of my body that last no more than a few minutes at the most. Went to doctor. He checked my circulation, and reflexes. Told me to take magnesium twice a day, drink plenty Gatorade. I mentioned how anxious it made me and he also prescribe Ativan as needed. So after a week...muscle twitches are for the most part gone, but the original symptom of the vibration in my left leg is still present. Not everyday but still fairly often, and when it happens it lasts for most of the day with small breaks. I'm not sure what is going on but its driving me crazy. I have no loss of balance that i can tell or coordination, no breathing issues, or swallowing issues. its really at this point the only consistent symptom.

Answered by Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely these symptoms are occurring due to non-neurological cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to HEALTH CARE MAGIC

I can understand your problem. The symptoms like vibrating sense in leg and muscle twitches in body can occur due to some electrolyte deficiencies. Detailed evaluation is needed to find out proper cause. You have been advised to take Magnesium so probably you have hypo-magnesimia. Low levels of Magnesium may cause tremors in extremities, twitching in muscles, cramps in muscles, confusion etc symptoms.

As your doctor has checked your circulation and reflexes so probably other neurological causes as well as vascular causes have been ruled out. You have no loss of balance or coordination so most likely the symptoms are due to non-neurological cause. Low magnesium is also known to precipitate anxiety symptoms. Other possibility for such symptoms is low levels of Vitamin B12, and I would advise you to get your B12 checked to rule out this condition. You are already taking multivitamins so probably they have B12 in sufficient quantity.

Also as your symptoms of vibration occur in episodes and ativan on SOS basis is helping to some extent so these symptoms can occur due to anxiety also. Continue to take Magnesium and wait for some days. As per my opinion your symptoms should improve.

Thankyou

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (1 hour later)

I have been on magnesium for a week. how long should I wait. can you take to much magnesium, can I overdo it. how much should I take to be safe

Answered by Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In most of individuals symptoms reduce in about 3-4 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking a follow up

In usual cases of symptomatic hypomagnesimia Magnesium Oxide is advises in 400-800 mg doses daily. This would be sufficient for your symptoms. In most individuals symptoms start reducing in about 4 weeks. As per my opinion 400-800 mg doses will be safe for you. Consult your doctor for prescription of any drug.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (42 hours later)

Is there anyway to know which is related to anxiety and which is related to an actually need for magnesium.

Answered by Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get electrolyte levels checked for cause of your symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking a follow up question

For evaluation of anxiety you should consider consulting your doctor and to rule out common medical cause. Get your sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels checked to rule out electrolyte abnormalities.

Thankyou

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj