I often get arm and leg spasms, but a few months ago, I had the strangest of "attacks". I can only describe it as "electric spasms"...everything twitches, I was not able to control my walking, my arm movements were uncontrollable and when I tried to talk, what came out were long stutters. I am not usually an alarmist, but this did it for me. My husband took me to our hospital emergency room. That, in itself could give me spasms, because of the long wait, but when they saw my symptoms, they took me in immediately. I guess we were all thinking "stroke". They started testing right away....bloodwork, ekg, CAT scan and others that I can't think of right now.... After a few hours of tests, they couldn't find any anomalies, but I was still "jumping" A neurologist came to talk to me after looking at some of the test results, and as he was telling me that they hadn't found anything wrong, he seemed to be very concerned with the spasming. He suggested that it was all stress related but ordered an MRI and another "gram" type of test of my brain. I am very claustrophobic, so I needed to be medicated to put me to "sleep". After the MRI and when the drugs wore off, I was eating and realized that I was no longer having spasms. I was monitored overnight, and released in the afternoon. I was referred to a neurologist for follow up. I havent gotten around to that yet, because I had hip replacement surgery two weeks later, and I am still recovering from that.
We all know that FMS is not nearly as "mysterious" or "misunderstood" as it was 20 years ago, but through years of my own experiences, and reading or hearing about undiagnosed symptoms in FMS/CFS sufferers, I find it interesting that events like I just described are not uncommon with FMS sufferers. WHAT AN ELITE CLUB WE BELONG TO!!!!! BE WELL!!
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That must of been so scary I haven't experienced to that extreme but have spasims in my legs like electric as you've described or someone poking me with a fork and a bit of slurry speech but I do hope it doesn't happen again for you or so bad .I felt like i was going crazy but being on here makes you realise im not lol .hopefully theyll get to the bottom of it very soon and you feel much better take it easy x
HI It was scary, especially since I woke up to it and it lasted until late afternoon. The worse part was not being able to communicate well. While in the hospital, at least 8 medical professionals turned to my husband and asked "does she always talk like this"?. It was taking me a few seconds to get a two-syllable word out. Weird. I, too, am glad that we can share our experiences with other fibro patients. We are NOT crazy!
That sounds like symptoms of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Fibromyalgia is listed as a 'symptom' of FND on the FND Hope website, even though it's a condition in it's own right!
Several years ago I made the decision to come off amitriptyline - a month after taking my last tablet I was on holiday in Dartmoor with my husband and during the night my whole body spasmed for about ten minutes; then again after another half an hour - I stayed conscious. Later in the early hours the paramedics finally appeared and did all the tests they could. They concluded that my heart was ok, did not have a stroke or an epileptic fit - they thought it was the fibro reacting to coming off the drug after only three months. I knew they were right because I was ok apart from feeling totally worn out/muscles hurting a lot. That was so scary but still glad that I had come off the drugs - due to various bad side effects that had got worse over time. The problem with fibro is that you never know when or where you are going to get spasms - legs, ribs, throat, stomach, etc. YAY NOT!!! Take care
Many years ago, I took Amitriptylint for a short period of time. I stopped taking it, and to be honest, I don't even remember why I stopped. All I remember is that I did not like the way it made me feel.. You're right about not knowing when the spasms will come on. I haven't figured out what might trigger them. I'm thankful my husband was with me. I was convinced that I was having a stroke. Thanks for sharing. Be well.
hi.. it’s so scary.. I have been getting electric shock spasms all over my body the last few weeks and also my upper body now trembles and hands shake? Not something I had had before so really scared me. Thank you for sharing as it’s good to know symptoms other are having xx
reading about other's experiences with FMS, etc, is one of the best treatments I get. Some symptoms are a little scary, but just knowing from someone else that the symptoms aren't often and are short lived , etc., ways makes me feel a little better. Be well.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia back in 2011 after 4years of various tests and examinations. I know exactly what you mean when you talk about electric shock spasm feeling, from experience. Infact I've had what I can only describe as a dull electrical pain down the front of my upper right leg for weeks now and then in my upper right arm for a couple of weeks, I was beginning to wonder if maybe I'd had a mild stroke without realising but then the arm pain/ache moved into my left arm also a week later for a few days 😭...... I was once asked if my pain is worse when the weather pressure is high.🤔 I'd never thought about it BUT I have been wearing a magnetic bracelet permanently for about 6years now and at times it does cross my mind what I'd be like without it but I'm to afraid to try and find out, I can't stand the thought of more pain and feeling worse. Last night whilst watching the evening news they mentioned how the Northern lights have been visible for a month or so on and off, it did make me wonder if this is why my leg has been hurting!🤔🤔🤔 fibromyalgia 😏😤
HI I have definitely experienced changes in pain sensation when the barometric pressure changes. Fortunately, I live in Phoenix, and our pressure stays pretty steady...and we also do not have much rain or cold weather to exacerbate pain. My spasms DID make me think I was having a stroke. One good thing resulted from my spasms/shocks....hospital personnel performed LOTS of tests. I was pretty much normal with each one. Wishing you pain-free days!😊
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