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Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Muscle twitching

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Roanoke, VA
July 20
 · 
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A MyMSTeam Member

Thank u! For replying. I had the twitches in different parts of my body at the beginning of my ms journey in 2022 and had emg at that time(I have had 4 emgs) this last one showed that were benign and I try not to worry about them. They come and go but have been pretty consistent since the beginning of June. A lot of sites say they are not related to ms but I didn’t have them before:( tell me more about urs when you have time. Ty!!

July 22
A MyMSTeam Member

I get these twitches / spasms after I sit down evening time & sometimes after lying down in bed...I use a gel named arnicare (Walgreens or?) helps relieve the pain

July 21
MyMSTeam

Are you experiencing muscle twitching with your MS? That's a really common symptom, and you're definitely not alone in dealing with it.

Muscle twitching in MS happens because nerve damage disrupts the signals traveling through your central nervous system. This can show up in a few different ways:

- Spasms – larger muscle Show Full Answer

Are you experiencing muscle twitching with your MS? That's a really common symptom, and you're definitely not alone in dealing with it.

Muscle twitching in MS happens because nerve damage disrupts the signals traveling through your central nervous system. This can show up in a few different ways:

- Spasms – larger muscle contractions, often in the arms, legs, trunk, or back
- Fasciculations – tiny, fluttering twitches affecting just a small part of a muscle
- Spasticity – stiffness or tightness caused by increased muscle tone
- The MS hug – a tight, squeezing sensation around the chest or torso Many MyMSTeam members report twitching that gets worse at night, disrupting sleep. One shared, "Every evening for about 30 minutes, my legs and torso get very twitchy. It's annoying and tiring."

Spasticity can also be triggered by things like heat, stress, or lack of movement — so identifying your personal triggers can really help. Some people with MS are prescribed gabapentin to help manage twitching and spasms, particularly at night. One MyMSTeam member shared that taking it at bedtime helped them sleep through the night.

However, gabapentin does come with potential side effects worth knowing about:

- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Nausea or digestive issues
- Weight gain
- Memory difficulties

It's always worth talking to your neurologist about what's causing your twitching and which treatment approach might work best for you.

July 20

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