Experiencing Persistent Muscle Twitching and Occasional Tingling – Should I Be Concerned?
I am a 36-year-old female, standing at 5'9" and weighing 175 pounds. For the past eight months, I've been working as a scrub nurse. My current medications include albuterol, and I take various supplements such as B12, a multivitamin, magnesium, turmeric, biotin, and vitamin D. I avoid smoking and drinking, but I do use THC to help with sleep. For the last three weeks, I have had ongoing symptoms: - Continuous twitching in my left calf and foot, with occasional spasms in my left glute. The sensation feels akin to "wiggling worms" and often occurs in multiple locations simultaneously. Initially, I experienced a buzzing sensation in my leg and foot, reminiscent of a phone vibrating silently. - Occasionally, I feel mild tingling or pins and needles in my left foot, though there’s no associated numbness or weakness. - There’s no pain involved, but the buzzing and vibrating sensations are persistent. I do have a video capturing my calf activity, which I plan to share in the comments. Tests conducted so far include bloodwork checking CBC, electrolytes, B12, thyroid levels, and markers like ESR and CRP, all of which returned normal results. However, my iron levels were slightly low, likely linked to my vegan diet. To manage my symptoms, I have tried: - Taking 500 mg of magnesium daily. - Staying hydrated and replenishing electrolytes. - Wearing compression socks throughout my shifts (this has been ongoing for months). - Incorporating stretching and foam rolling into my routine. - Eliminating caffeine and alcohol from my diet. I have a few questions: 1. Could this still be benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) considering the tingling sensations I experience? 2. Should I consult a neurologist or request an EMG exam at this point, or would it be better to wait? 3. Are there any additional tests or treatment options I should think about? As a nurse who spends the entire day on my feet, I do feel anxious about the possibility of ALS or MS, but I'm attempting to maintain a rational perspective in light of my health worries. In my recent visit to my doctor, she did not perform a physical examination but suggested I simply monitor the situation, attributing it to my prolonged standing. While she mentioned my B12 levels could be a factor because of my veganism, my recent blood tests showed normal levels.
Answers (1)
7/20/2025, 3:40:38 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about persistent muscle twitching and tingling sensations; these can be distressing symptoms. Let's break down your situation and explore next steps.
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Understanding Your Symptoms:
- The twitching and tingling you’re experiencing may indeed point toward benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS), especially since you have not noted significant weakness, pain, or muscle atrophy. BFS is characterized by muscle twitching without serious underlying conditions. However, the presence of additional sensations like tingling can indicate a range of issues, some of which could be benign or related to staying on your feet for long periods.
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Monitoring and Assessing Need for Further Evaluation:
- Since your initial tests were normal, and you’ve made efforts to manage your symptoms through hydration, magnesium supplementation, and lifestyle changes, it may be wise to keep a close eye on your symptoms. However, if the sensations worsen, become painful, or lead to any new symptoms like muscle weakness, it would be prudent to seek further evaluation.
Specific Next Steps:
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Continue Monitoring Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, noting any changes in frequency, intensity, or new sensations. This could be helpful for future discussions with your healthcare provider.
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Neurologist Consultation:
- Given your ongoing symptoms and concerns about conditions like ALS and MS, it would be reasonable to consult a neurologist, especially if you continue to experience persistent twitching and tingling. They can provide a specialized evaluation, and if necessary, an EMG (electromyography) can be performed to assess muscle and nerve function.
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Explore Nutritional Support:
- Considering your vegan diet and slight iron deficiency, look into ways to enhance your iron intake with plant-based sources (like lentils, chickpeas, spinach) and possibly a B12 supplement (if the vegan diet has led to lower vitamin B12 levels). Low levels of these nutrients can contribute to neurological symptoms like tingling.
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Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Continue with your current routines, but consider adding regular breaks during your shifts to sit or move around, reducing strain from prolonged standing. Also, incorporating relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises may help alleviate anxiety and muscle tension.
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Reassess Medications and Supplements:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about reviewing your current medications and supplements, particularly the THC use, which can have various effects on muscle and nervous systems.
It's normal to feel anxious about your symptoms, especially as a nurse with firsthand knowledge about various conditions. Keeping an open line of communication with healthcare providers about your concerns and symptoms is important. Should you have any further questions or notice changes in your condition, please seek immediate assistance or reassurance. Take care!
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