What Causes Benign Fasciculation Syndrome?

[DaneBentoMalcomD]

So if our twitches are not caused by any serious disease, anybody have an idea of what can cause this?I know that scientists dont spend their time and money on BFS since its harmless, so theres little that have been figured out.Im not talking about what triggers it (stress or viral infections). Im talking about it pathologically (like anterior horn cell damage, or hyperexciatbility).Is it more peripheral, or central? Is it chemical balance or the nerves themselves?Can you guys post here what youve heard or read somewhere about the pathophysiology of BFS?Thanks

 

[mommyLDN]

Well I have been told now a total of two times that BFS irritates the motor neurons, doesnt kill them like in ALS but just irritates them. But in all fairness, anxiety is capable of doing the same thing, so that could be why we dont get taken seriously by some docs because they know anxiety is capable of this. So..... Once again that is just something that I have heard around, a couple of times now.I hope others will contribute to this thread as well, I'm curious to what others have heard or been told.Take careRobynn )

 

[TwitchyMD]

Nobody really knows. The top specialists will just tell you that for this condition you should take sodium blockers (which decreases the nerve excitability) such as carbamazepine, which is greatly effective for most patients. I personally almost do not twitch once I started to take 200mg 1-0-1.Look, it is like idiopathic migraines. It is not known what exactly causes them but we know its harmless.Docen

 

[BarbiePetals]

I thought it had to do with Sodium and Potassium channels being messed up but who knows.

 

[AussieSurvivor]

Lots of theorizing and anecdotes but no fact..In my opinion in my case. Chronic anxiety issues producing hyper-excitable nerves .Resulting in twitching and other sensory stuff. Fueled and made worse by acute anxiety (excitable) events or more precisely the adrenaline rush that goes with them. Control the anxiety, control the BFS....cheersRodger

 

[NervousnessNoMore]

If you read the post I made under general topics from Adam and victors principals of neurology you will see they talk about motor nerve terminals......not motor neurons. I have heard that potassium and magnesium are a factor. I have also seen that most blood tests won't find magnesium deficiencies because there is only 1% of your bodies magnesium in your blood. I think chronic stress is a trigger along with acute attacks. Stress does strip the body if magnesium. Notice when you are really nervous most people make more trips to the bathroom. Not sure if dare was serious or joking but I do believe God was a factor for me. It's a long story that u don't feel like writing again but you can search my previous posts. Bottom line is whatever happens to us happens. Involuntary muscle twitches are out of our control. We can't stop what we can't control. Time to put our fate in God's hands.Btw I have never heard of some one with wide spread twitching get the big nasty. There is a poll on ALS forums right now asking that. It's on it's 3rd page and not one person has presented that way. I have also never heard of anyone who had twitching in general that was not accompanied by cramps and weakness within a few months. So if you are just twitching your fine. If you had a clean emg you are definetly fine. And even if you have twitching and cramps unless your emg was dirty you are fine. Even if it's slightly dirty you are almost certainly fine. Weakness is still the key. Go read Adam and victors principals of neurology and be happy you don't have the big nasty!

 

[NervousnessNoMore]

If you read the post I made under general topics from Adam and victors principals of neurology you will see they talk about motor nerve terminals......not motor neurons. I have heard that potassium and magnesium are a factor. I have also seen that most blood tests won't find magnesium deficiencies because there is only 1% of your bodies magnesium in your blood. I think chronic stress is a trigger along with acute attacks. Stress does strip the body if magnesium. Notice when you are really nervous most people make more trips to the bathroom. Not sure if darr was serious or joking but I do believe God was a factor for me. It's a long story that u don't feel like writing again but you can search my previous posts. Bottom line is whatever happens to us happens. Involuntary muscle twitches are out of our control. We can't stop what we can't control. Time to put our fate in God's hands.Btw I have never heard of some one with wide spread twitching get the big nasty. There is a poll on ALS forums right now asking that. It's on it's 3rd page and not one person has presented that way. I have also never heard of anyone who had twitching in general that was not accompanied by cramps and weakness within a few months. So if you are just twitching your fine. If you had a clean emg you are definetly fine. And even if you have twitching and cramps unless your emg was dirty you are fine. Even if it's slightly dirty you are almost certainly fine. Weakness is still the key. Go read Adam and victors principals of neurology and be happy you don't have the big nasty!

 

[LaurentHCH]

i also think that is has to do with the magnesium level in the cells. that is why you have to supplement the right one. make sure you take magnesiumOROTATE also. that is the one directly resorped by the cells.