Calling Doctors: Question | FerrariChat

Calling Doctors: Question

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by SefacHotRodder, Oct 15, 2005.

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  1. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
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    Chris
    Recently, i've been getting these weierd "spasms" in my legs. Its wierd, my muscles sorta just twitch. It happens usually when my legs are straight out like when i'm watching tv in bed or resting my legs on a table or even lying down going to bed. Its getting to the point where i have to keep moving my legs every minute or so. Does anyone know what this could be? It doesn't happen any other time, just when my legs are completely straight out and flat.


    Thanks



    Chris
     
  2. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
    1,305
    Geneva, Switzerland
    I have it as well. Started in the legs (upper part), and went to the stage where i had it everywhere, really just everywhere, basically, it was similar to the "writers cramp" in the eye, just everywhere. Also had some "Needles" twitching etc etc (have it since more than 8-10 years, but it's going away now).
    Made big exams, and nothing came out.
    Make sure it's not just happening on one side, as this could be bad news.
    Otherwise, try taking some calcium/magnesium for a while (months). Also, do you sleep enough ? Do you have it more when you're stressed ?
    How did it start ?

    Sometimes, this is also related to mitochondria. There is something you can try, it's L-carnitin...maybe it could work. Also do exercice a lot, even if it's bad, it makes the thing much better.
     
  3. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
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    By the way, is it rythmic (does it like a heartbeat), or is it only once ?

    One is called Myoclonus, the other myokiny....(not sure about spelling in english, ermm)...These are different.
     
  4. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales
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    Angus Podgorney
    Try more potassium in diet.
    Sleep leg twitching is different, a form of sleep apnea.
     
  5. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
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    Oh man...

    bad? As far as i can remember, it only happens on my right leg :(

    Thanks

    Definatley not

    I don't really get stressed

    I have no idea

    Thanks

    Umm. Its sorta a rythmic thing. It happens and then it sorta "spasis" (sp?) a few times

    Thanks. I'll look into it

    Thanks



    Its actually happening now. I'm sitting at my desk and my leg is resting on the floor and my "gastronemius" muscle (at least, thats what i think it is based off a google image search for leg muscles) is twitching. It stops for about half a minute and starts again. The twitching lasts about 15-30 secs


    EDIT: Now that i'm thinking about this, i'm noticing it more. Its happening in my back too and in my "underarm" area. AND, its only happening on my right side :(
     
  6. ^@#&

    ^@#& F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2005
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    this might sound stupid but are your boxers (or whatever underwear you happen to wear) tight at the bottom? It could have something to do with that..
     
  7. luke9583

    luke9583 Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
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    I cramp up when my Ca is down.
     
  8. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    NO

    These don't feel like cramps but i'll look into it.
     
  9. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Clifford Gunboat
    People always feel compelled to say something about electrolytes when a patient has that complaint...take potassium, eat bananas, take tonic water, blah blah blah.

    The truth is it is a little muscle twitch that is harmless and happens to everybody occasionally and has nothing to do with electrolyte deficiencies.

    It is harmless and meaningless, ignore it.



    *The above is for entertainment value only and is not intended as medical blah blah blah.
     
  10. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    Harmless? I can't watch tv without having to change my position every 5 minutes.

    "The truth is it is a little muscle twitch that is harmless and happens to everybody occasionally ..."

    Occasionally caught my eye in this one. Define occasionally. Every 30 seconds? I doubt it.
     
  11. vvvmd

    vvvmd F1 Rookie
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    Dec 23, 2003
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    Muscle fasciculation or twitches are usually harmless and very common. The ones that happen in eyelids are the most common and are meaningless. Sometimes they can occur in other muscle groups and can be very annoying. Lack of sleep or stress can make them worse. Unless they are associated with other symptoms like loss of strength or muscle mass they usually mean nothing.
     
  12. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Angus Podgorney
    Restless leg syndrome is indeed a clinical diagnosis, usually in sleep, but occ. seen in awake. I am not well versed in adult RLS, but it is seen.

    http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm

    Anecdotally, my father-in-law recently had similar problem, I told him to try more potassium. Seemed to work. Who knows why.
    Besides, dic-doc dunno nuttin' about the other 2 legs. :)

    HTH
     
  13. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    Thanks. It could be my lack of sleep. I get about 6-7 hours a night.
     
  14. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    QUACKFIGHT!

    :D
     
  15. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

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    #15 Sfumato, Oct 15, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
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    Could this be a syndrome, which will eventually be recognized as a basis for preferred treatment?
    :)

    I used to get these in my legs as a teenager, and just attributed it to 'growing pains.'

    When our exotic cat was still a kitten, and was in the bloom of growth, we would wake up in the morning sometimes and he would seem noticeably bigger.

    His legs twitched, too.
     
  17. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
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    Yeah, this is fully right. I went to 2 different neurologists, had quite painful exams (a 40 cms needle in the legs etc) just to hear the muscle response to electric stimulation. It least you can hear the twitching....how cool.
    But useless.
    Frankly, i would first try out to sleep more, do some exercice, every day (if it's in the legs, walk a lot), and start with calcium/magnesium. It helped a lot with me.
     
  18. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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  19. Boudewijn

    Boudewijn F1 Rookie
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    If you are on a normal diet there is no need to take additional elements. Fasciculations they are, usually harmless but when persistent I would consult a neurologist.
     
  20. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    Thanks Boudewijn


    I want to make clear that these don't happen when i'm using my legs (walking, driving etc) but when i'm sitting or lying down.
     
  21. M512

    M512 Formula Junior

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    Threads like this drive me nuts. There is way too much erroneous advice. Unless you're an anomoly, then your diet is not perfect. Everyone should supplement with a high quality multi-nutritional.

    There could be many reasons for your problem. While it is likely "nothing serious" as in massive health problems will result, you do not know that for sure. Your problem could be nutrition related, circulation related, etc, etc. "Don't worry about it" is simply an irresponsible approach. There can be many causes for what you are describing, but the internet is not a valid medium for diagnosing a problem. Leave that to the professionals. The key is to find a good physician. Remember that MD's are like Champion F1 drivers.... Good ones are far and few between. You may need to go to 10 physicians before you find a good one that does more than; "go home and rest, it's nothing to worry about..." or "take these samples and see what happens".

    You may also want to good DO that specializes in MMI.
     
  22. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

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    Sleep medicine in kids is part of what I do.
    The website linked is a nice summary of RLS. I had to look it up as adult medicine is different. So, read it and decide. Site is NIH site, not some good houskeeping dreck
    It isn't just fasciculations.
     
  23. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    ^ Thanks. Thats definatley what i have :( . I will certainly be looking into this.

    Thanks guys
     
  24. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    He describes fasciculations, not Restless Leg Syndrome. Common and harmless.

    I believe Boudewijn and Victor both agree with me.

    Remember Chris is 17 years old.
     
  25. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
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    But its annying and does affect what i do. It does make a difference when i do stuff. I can't watch tv without moving all the time and its annoying as hell when i'm just sitting somewhere doing something (like right now)

    18 in 3 weeks ;)
     

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