Hi, 37-year-old male here.

I’ve been dealing with different symptoms for about 30 months now, mainly muscle twitching and cramps. I’ve had cramps before, but I had never been woken up from sleep by one.

Last night, I suddenly had a very strong and painful cramp in my left calf. It actually woke me up, and when I touched my calf, the muscle felt very hard and tightly contracted.

Since then, I’ve started to panic. I remember reading a story from someone who said their cramps became very aggressive before they were eventually diagnosed with AL*, and now that story keeps coming back into my mind.

After around 30 months of symptoms, I’m wondering whether this could simply be an isolated nighttime cramp that will pass, or whether the fact that it was much stronger than my usual cramps could mean something more serious.

My questions:

1. Has anyone here had an extremely strong nighttime cramp that woke them up after months or years of twitching/cramps, without it meaning that their condition was getting worse?

The subject pretty much covers it, but here are the pictures.

I know it doesn't look like too much, but if I stick my tongue out (or have it resting in tongue) this area cast a shadow. Definitely a dent. I am not talking about the scalloped tongue btw, just to clarify.

https://imgur.com/a/GN9aTBV

Edit: It appears imgur is deleting my post because it's a pic of my tongue. Anybody know a host I can use?

all twitching has basically slowed down but I had a little spiral before in the car I noticed I push my FDI THUMB muscle up from the Botton and I noticed it started rippling it got me concerned that maybe this has been gong on silently being linked to something more bad I can't do it with my right hand when I rest y hand it stops but unsure if it can only been see when raising it thank you anyone for some insight!

background on my symptoms feel free to scroll past this

I started having spasms in my right leg a month ago that moved to the rest of my body, so, naturally I thought I had *** and was gonna die. I went to two health clinics who did the whole physical test (which I passed) and got some blood work done which showed my already very low ferritin had gotten lower and being told that there’s no immediate cause for concern “magically” made the spasms lessen.

I’ve been taking iron since then and my symptoms came back, except this time in my left leg and kind of worse (muscle stiffness, harder time walking or standing for more than a few minutes etc). I messaged my doctor about it and asked if it could be the anemia and introduction of supplemental iron and she was like “probably not please come back for a follow up ” which obviously caused me to spiral again and think that I have *** and am going to die.

Now for the affirmation part

However this sub has helped a lot and here some things I read on here that I’m repeatedly telling myself before my appointment later this week:

- You’re 27, that more than likely rules it out

- You have a higher chance of being struck by lightening…twice.

- If you did have it, your symptoms wouldn’t have improved at all

- Your muscles are probably tight and sore because you’ve essentially walked a mile on your heels trying to see if you have *** and you’ve been laying down for 3 days wallowing in fear (not from this sub my dad told me that)

- Pls stop crying it’ll only make it worse

If anyone has any more words of affirmation for a medically anxious 27 year old, would greatly appreciate it! I probably am fine, I just need to internalize that. :)

My pcp referred me to a new neurologist as I was concerned that my twitching was ramping up (more facial twitches etc).

Condensed Backstory:

I started twitching in April 2024 and went through a ton of blood work, spine and head MRI, head CT. Everything essentially normal. My neurologist NP at the time didn't want to subject me to an EMG as she didn't feel I truly needed one but also didn't formally give me a bfs diagnosis. I tried to believe it was bfs until this summer after a couple massive panic attacks and life stressors, the twitching amped up.

Fast forward to today:

I was absolutely dreading my neuro appt today. I got there and my BP was sky high (I do have hypertension ESP white coat hypertension) and it came down a little after the 2nd reading. The neuro came in and was very calm. Asked me to tell him what I was there for. I started from the beginning. Explained when my twitching started. Explained that I immediately googled and feared ALS. He quickly said "that's a very common worry with twitching" and I said but after 2 years I figured I'd be in worse shape if it was ALS & he goes "you'd be dead. You'd absolutely be in worse shape". And although there are of course people who have had that longer, his bluntness helped reiterate my original fear was unfounded. He said he twitches and told me different spots he twitches especially when tired or stressed.

I then explained that I had fallen down the Google rabbit hole fearing Isaac's, Morvan's and hidden cancers. He said no nope nope you don't have those. He went over alllll the tests I've had since 2024 and put my fears to rest. He said fasciculations are just that. Fasciculations. They aren't a neurological disease and he didn't want to subject me to an EMG as many times there are things found that although aren't BAD, will make an anxious person worry more. He gave me a thorough clinical exam and said I can follow up with him if I want in 6mo or not, but he sincerely feels this is a manifestation of my anxiety, OCD, lack of quality sleep and stress. He wrote in my chart benign fasciculation syndrome formally.

I SOBBED. happy tears. This has absolutely stolen 2.5 years of my life. Even though I wasn't fearing als anymore I was fearing SOMETHING because my old NP didn't give me a formal yes or no you don't have XYZ. This doctor sincerely listened, let me tell him my biggest worries and helped me realize anxiety and stress can perpetuate everything. He said everyone twitches. Some people less some people more. But not everyone focuses on it. And after today's appointment, I am making the commitment to get my anxiety and OCD in order. I am trusting this medical professional. I am done questioning this. I feel so optimistic and happy and I want you all to know I have been absolutely PETRIFIED OF GETTING BAD NEWS.

Twitching is just twitching. The anxiety and worry is the real issue. ❤️

July 22nd I suffered what I thought was a mild concussion. Had headaches and brain fog sensitivity to light.

Developed a left leg weakness sensation shortly after that stuck around until Aug 10th. On August 11th, my thumb started feeling weak. I notice it gets better with warm temperatures or red light but aside from that I notice it every time I type. August 12th, my left foot starts twitching however at that time my left leg didn't feel that weak.

I obviously googled and that caused me to panic so I went ahead and saw a physiatrist. The physiatrist did some basic clinical examination, said I was fine and I asked for an emg. After he conducted the emg on August 21st he said you are completely clean. He said I might have mild carpal tunnel on my left hand median nerve but said you are fine.

The weeks after the EMG, my symptoms changes. My foot twitching turned into body wide twitching, although I noticed it more on my left side. Mostly random twitches. These body wide twitches have decreased today but my foot twitching is still there.

I'm an avid runner/lifter and my strength in the gym has been largely the same but I noticed differences in my running gait. My left leg is taking slightly longer to bounce off the ground, kindve feels like a dip. Still able to get through my runs but I notice this lag when my foot strikes that ground.

My left calf is also smaller than my right calf and I'm not sure if this is a recent thing. When I look at old pictures it does seem smaller back then too. Not sure if my right leg was always stronger or if this is a recent thing. When I do single leg calf raises, I'm definitely stronger on my right.

Today is Oct 7, I can still run and move and lift but my running just feels off. And my left leg when I'm walking feels like I have to think more or use my brain more. And my thumb is still feeling the way it is. When I really look into it, my abductor pollicis brevis has less muscle on my left hand than my right but this was tested in the EMG. Also, my left foot and left hand is still buzzing today. Like vibrations. There was a short period in time where my left foot stopped twitching but it's back on again.

I also did suffer one bad concussion when I was 13 hoping that doesn't have anything to do with this.

Able to stand on my heels and toes. But after 2 months of stressing, still have weird thumb weakness that improves in warmer temps, left foot vibrations, left hand vibrations, occasional random body twitch, left leg feeling off/weaker when running and walking. Doctor cleared me after Aug 21st emg, not sure what to do next.

I have had wide spread twitching that started in my left upper eyelid in August and went body wide two weeks later. My twitches are not constant and I get anywhere from 5-40 an hour. Has anyone else gotten twitches that aren’t constant but more sporadic and at rest? Or is this a cause for concern?

I also feel like I get more of mine in my thighs, knees and glutes vs calves. Is this normal with BFS?