Muscle twitching - Herpes Message Board

Let It Bleed · 11-03-2004, 04:36 PM

Anybody have any problems with muscle twitching? I've read about a few of you who devloped this at the time of infection, or shortly after. It comes and goes, and when it's coming it gets very pronounced and is constant. Since my infection, I developed muscle twitching, sometimes before an outbreak, sometimes not. It's mainly in the legs and is frequent, but occurs all over. The muscles are also often sore in my legs, and down into my feet. Tingling too. What is causing this in us and what's it's significance? What helps?

unlucky_guy · 11-04-2004, 04:56 PM

What you have is Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (BFS). Doctors aren't sure what exactly is causing the twitches, but Herpes is known to be one of the triggers. Somehow the herpes virus causes your nerves to go "haywire"...which in turn causes muscles to randomly twitch. There is no known cure, but there are medicines (like anti-anxiety medicines) which can lessen the symptoms.

Have you tried taking suppressive therapy to control the outbreaks? That might help. Other than that, do a search for "Benign Fasciculation Syndrome" and you'll find some good websites with info about it.

Let It Bleed · 11-04-2004, 09:43 PM

Apprecaite the reply. I'm familar with BFS. But I thought that BFS was when no cause could be found for the twitching? Who knows, either way, I suspect the twitching is still benign? Even when caused by herpes? What about progression? Does the twitching get more severe with time, or is the worst of it, or does it remain constant? It's always present. And my muscles are always so sore.. my neck hurts, head hurts, vision is blurry. This all came with the herpes. I even worry about the meningititis reoccuring. But mostly my legs, I'm having a lot of difficulty walking at times.. pain. No weakness. I have an appointment with an optical neurologist next week, hopefully lenses will correct my blurry vision. Valtrex clears my outbreaks, but doesn't seem to affect the other. Just looking for other's so that I won't feel so alone with all this. Thanks again.

Samagevans · 11-09-2004, 04:00 PM

Hi, This is weird... I hope and think. Not sure yet, either way. Anyway, I was diagnosed with having Genital Herpes Simplex about a year ago... Ouch!! Funny, cos seriously I really have no idea how I could haved caught this!! or when for that matter! Anyway, It's bothered me and played up with my Nervous System Something cronic since... That is the conclusion I came to and I'm no Doctor. I got the first outbreak, bad, really hurt, but only one sore. The aches and pains were bad enough. All down my Thighs and in my Bum muscles - or Gluteas Maximus (if I spelt that correctly?)... Anyhow, was on Acciclovir and found that I got another outbreak, started taking it continously and hey presto, no visible outbreak, just the Aches and Pains or what I understand are called "Prodomes" (again Spelling?)... But means the onset or aches that you feel indicating that the Virus is trying to reactivate! Little git!.... Swapped to Famvir or Fasciclovir and this appeared to help for a while. About May this year, I started to get twitches in my muscles. I did not think anything of it as I work out in the Gym when I can and have had twitches before, although on and off. I would get a twitch if I worked out too hard for example, but ... a protein drink, some nutritious food and it would be gone overnight. These twitches were happening too often and the gaps were closing... Although random and everywhere. I was suffering with general fatigue too, or that's how I describe it. Feeling as though I was shattered (Muscle wise) if I was shopping or something... waking up and not feeling revived, even though I'd had a deep sleep. Then.... Cramping started, Muscles Spasms and my thighs started to really hurt causing me pain to walk. I also thought my knees were giving way on my and wondered if I had damaged them. Internal Tremor type feeling, a general feeling of instability gets me every now and then... and a rapid or what I think is a Thumping heartbeat when I lay to sleep.... I am worried too.... But I am convinced that the Herpes is more responsible for all this than it generally takes credit for. I am seeing a Neurologist on Thursday and Yes my Doctor also thinks / suspects that this is BFS and says I should not worry, but wants to rule out the more serious pathology.... We'll see... I hope all is well and I can just get the news and pick things back up again. It's really upsetting and disturbing my life.... I was about to start a new business, part way through set up and lost motivation... generally fit, although I was a smoker- but Gave uyp a month ago. Never felt worse... Typical eh! But you are not alone... Trust me. God Bless

Sam

Let It Bleed · 11-11-2004, 01:22 AM

Sam,

Wow! You took the words out of my mouth. Our stories are identical. All of it. From the knees, to the soreness, cramping, fatigue, tremor, and difficulty walking. And I just quit smoking a month or two ago. And I had the brief gym twitches too, which are entirely unrelated to herpes twitches - which are chronic. Sometimes my thigh/calf/foot muscles just feel tired, fatigued. Still twitching. I see the neurologist tommorow and have some tests lined up. Let's keep in touch and see compare what the doc's say. I also met someone with the exact same story as us too, so something is up with this virus. It's very bothersome & becomes difficult to deal with. Appreciate it.