That Twitching Underneath My Skin Can’t Be Normal
July 18th, 2006
I’m a little bit concerned.
I could just be sitting in front of the TV when, without warning, the twitching begins. Usually it’s isolated to a tiny spherical area of my arm or my leg or my neck or my calves. It vibrates and twitches and I sit there watching it intently. The longer I watch it, the longer it continues to twitch. And sometimes, without warning, a fellow twitcher joins in from the other side of my body.
And while some people talk about having this problem, all this twitching can’t be normal.
At first it was funny. You know, the kind of funny you get when you bang your funny bone into a sharp metal corner of a desk or slam your knee into a sharp metal table. It’s surprising and altogether hilarious. Well, when the under-skin twitching started, I sort of approached it like it was a party in my cells. You know, imagining that there were a bunch of white blood cells who had started up a party, but it was sort of dead until the red cells joined up. The combination wasn’t lethal or anything, but off the hook enough to get that under-skin vibration going on.
But after the initial “making it seem fun” moment (which removes the freaky nature of under-skin twitching) I started to wonder if this was even normal. Before long, the twitching had a beat to it. I timed it, actually. It had a typical 4/4 rhythmic beat. I even put on The Police’s “Roxanne” and the music completely went with the beat of my under-skin twitch. Of course, wouldn’t you guess — the minute I carted my left forearm over to a friend so they could see the in-rhythm twitch and how it matched The Police… well, the twitching was gone.
A moment later it returned, with another twitch happening on the other side of my body.
I’ve done the research, as you very well know. A little twitch now and again isn’t anything to worry about. But wouldn’t you guess, the minute I finished doing my research I was met with four different twitches on four different parts of my body. I measured their rhythm and came up with this result:
Twitch #1
Location: Left forearm
Rhythm: 4/4
Goes With: The Police’s “Roxanne”
Twitch #2
Location: Back of neck
Rhythm: 2/4
Goes With: Queen’s “Under Pressure”
Twitch #3
Location: Tip of Nose
Rhythm: 3/4
Goes With: 50 Cent’s “In Da Club”
Twitch #4
Location: Top of Right Foot
Rhythm: 9/8
Goes With: Disney’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”
That doesn’t totally seem normal to me. Don’t you agree? I mean, one twitch at 4/4 time seems somewhat normal because people often talk about a twitch now and again. But having four distinct twitches at four distinct rhythms, on four different quadrants of your body doesn’t totally seem reasonable to me.
So I decided to check my symptoms online.
After some extenstive time spent with WebMD, I determined that the only possible reason for all this musical twitching is that I have something called “West Syndrome” which is a disease whose symptoms include:
Generalized Flexion Epilepsy
Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy
Infantile Myoclonic Encephalopathy
Jackknife Convulsion
Massive Myoclonia
Salaam Spasms
Infantile Spasms
Disorder Subdivisions
Mild Twitching of the Nose or Mouth
Even more research determined that West Sydrome is “a rare form of infantile spasm that occurs very early in the development of an infant. Unusual brain wave patterns occur (hypsarrhythmia) and possibly mental retardation. The spasms that occur may range from violent jackknife or “salaam” movements where the whole body bends in half, or they may be no more than a mild twitching of the nose or mouth. These spasms usually begin in the early months after birth and can often be helped with medication. There may be many different causes for the spasms. Neurological testing will be helpful in determining the cause.”
So, yeah. Not normal. Not fun. But apparently what I’m going to have to deal with here.
If anyone else has any advice on this, you can imagine that I’d probably really appreciate the help. Not to mention, if there’s any kind of support group for under-skin twitchers with West Syndrome, I’d love to know that too. Now, if you’re one of those West Syndrome people who actually have those violent “jackknife” movements where your whole body bends in half…
Well, let’s just correspond via e-mail.
Do you do all your own medical care by searching internet medical sites?
Comment by Neil — July 18, 2006 @ 9:38 am
Neil - Yeah. I like not having to pay any co-payments or waste any gas going to the actual doctor’s office. And the Internet is pretty reliable and accurate, as you can see.
Comment by Pauly D — July 18, 2006 @ 9:44 am
Ever have your kneecap start twitching on you? Mine’s gone into full-blown migratory mode in the past. Popped out once on me an shifted a bit to the side. Had to smack it back in place. Was a bit alarming.
Comment by Kevin — July 18, 2006 @ 9:44 am
Maybe you feel guilty about something?
Comment by susan — July 18, 2006 @ 10:02 am
I have this twitching of my eye once in a while. I always wonder if other people can see it or not. When I look in the mirror I can’t tell because, well, my eye is twitching.
Comment by Mark K — July 18, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Looks like someone may be missing another blog post due to medical reasons? Can we expect the computer woman voice again?
Maybe you could try drinking more water.
Comment by H.F. Peterman — July 18, 2006 @ 10:46 am
Try scalding yourself with boiling milk. That should make you forget about the twitching. Heh…
Comment by Amy — July 18, 2006 @ 11:05 am
nothing a little medical marijuana couldn’t cure or at least numb you enough not to notice it anymore. Also try less caffine in a given day.
Mark K — I get the eye twitch, too. Yeah people can see it. Most pretend not to notice but you can count on good friends making ample fun of you for it.
Comment by jerry — July 18, 2006 @ 11:28 am
I get the occasional twitch under my eye (near the outer corner; could be either eye) or above my upper lip (usually on the left). I always worry that people around me think I’m winking at them or doing an Elvis impersonation.
Comment by Nicole — July 18, 2006 @ 11:54 am
Nicole,
Even if you were truly winking at me I just assume you had a twitch because someone of your caliber wouldn’t be winking at me.
(how’s that for a shameless line?)
Comment by jerry — July 18, 2006 @ 1:30 pm
Every now and then after pilates, I get a weird “Ice Ice Baby” twitch in my thigh. That usually goes away after using something like icyhot or after some gentle massage.
Comment by Bre — July 18, 2006 @ 2:20 pm
Try POM Pomegranate juice with uh …antioxidizing lycopene or something… mixed with lime juice, preferably foreign bought. That’ll fix you right up!!
Comment by susan — July 18, 2006 @ 6:32 pm
This could be a pro for your future income! Imagine if you could train your twitch and make your skin dance! Everyone would want you for a bartender.
And your might want to read “West Side syndrome” again. I think you may be too mature for that.
Comment by Janet — July 18, 2006 @ 8:35 pm
i hate those twitches! the one near my eye freaks me out the most though i have had the knee one that kevin speaks of. and freakishly, a pulsing on my forearm. weird!
Comment by ms. sizzle — July 18, 2006 @ 9:36 pm
“…that occurs very early in the development of an INFANT”.
is it possible…do you think…that perhaps you self-diagnosed yourself with the wrong disease? not that i’m questioning your WebMD skills, you know, i’m just asking.
Comment by junaid — July 19, 2006 @ 4:05 am
twitch. twitch. the twitch is baaaack.
Comment by dgm — July 19, 2006 @ 6:32 am
This can be a sign of problems in your neck or back.
It could also be a neurovirus, a virus that causes funky firings of your nerve endings, resulting in odd twitches and spasms.
I have this too. Don’t worry. I’m still normal.
Sort of.
Comment by Dariush — July 19, 2006 @ 7:22 pm
It’s nice to know we’re all freaks.
I mean, twitchers.
Comment by Pauly D — July 20, 2006 @ 6:07 am
I’m a twitcher, too. It’s usually my eye, but the other night it was at the top of my chest.
Comment by Nanette — July 20, 2006 @ 4:17 pm
My nose twitches. But it’s not freakish, it’s charming. (At least, that’s what they tell me.)
Comment by Rabbit — July 20, 2006 @ 4:55 pm
Rabbit - Who tells you that?
Comment by Pauly D — July 21, 2006 @ 8:58 am
Dear All
I have done some research about twitching body parts and have encountered a book on Omens related to twitching of body parts. As it seems that twitching on the left side of the body forbodes bad things while when it occurs on the right side it is auspicious.
If you take care to note what happens after 24/48 hours you will notice that they are in fact related.
It seems that only few people have these types of premature advice about future events. The events cannot be predicted but the outcome is pretty sure. E.g twitching of the left arm is bad news while in the right arm is good news. Which news???? After 24/48 hrs you get to know and it is usually beyond what I tried to think about.
My quest now is to try to relate a twitching to the event that will happen. I am still searching.
Comment by Ravi — July 28, 2006 @ 12:15 am
Dear Friend,
Yes, I do have the same symptoms. I have found that food allergies can be part of the problem. To help heal the nerves, try Flax. There are numerous books of Flax. However, the best way to eat flax is raw and soaked in your favorite juice. One part flax to 4 parts liquid. Soak for a few hours in refrigerator. Then stir and drink. It is a shot of Omega 3’s right to the brain and spinal cord. After about 2 months you will notice a difference in your skin, heart, any symptoms of arthritis will be gone and vascular problems will be improved or gone, oh and your twitching will be gone. Your brain will be clear and you will write about the miracles you experienced. Remember buy organic and in bulk. Golden brown is easy to work with. Don’t waste your money on Flax oil. It goes rancid in 2 weeks and it is expensive.
Good Luck,
Healing with native foods.
Comment by Dianna — August 7, 2006 @ 7:22 am
hey, i have same symptoms though mines are big twitches now and then my full quad deos it only for a second tho, i suffer from trapped wind in stomach and gives me sore chest, also gettin under skin twitching, i drink maybe 3-4 times a week n think maybe has something to do with it? its rare the twitching thing docs dont know wat to do with it, say its stress, caffiene e.t.c, never a straight answer, its annoying cause you start to think theres something seriously wrong wen it continues on and on, down the arms chest neck e.t.c, will we be cured!!! a think our diet maybe a big factor of it a like mcds cant be good, anyone any idea to go about it would appreciate it,, thanks
Comment by Brian S — November 22, 2006 @ 11:02 am
Hi, I’m getting those twitches for the last month. How did you make out with yours? Did they go away? I just got tested for Lyme, waiting for results.
Ken
Comment by Ken — January 25, 2007 @ 9:05 am
yeah i definitely had and still have a twitch in my left eye, in the corner and i have no idea what it could be! Sometimes i get it in my arm as well or my leg, but i’m pretty sure it’s a normal thing, but im not completely positive lol there it goes again!
Comment by Mackenzie — January 30, 2007 @ 11:45 am
Well i do have to say that i am starting to feel some of the same type of symptoms. i am totally fit and the twitching started last week. My left pectoral Muscle literally jumps up and down all day long. I am in pretty good shape and feel that i am usually on top of my game. I am a therapist and when i am in my sessions with my clients i have to literally push a book up against my chest and hold it there until the session finishes. My clients have totally lost there concentration when it starts moving! totally crazy! Great to look at your blog and check up on your self diagnosis!
Comment by kosty — February 5, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
I’ve been having an under-the-skin twitch in the middle of my stomach for a couple weeks now.. it seems to last a day and then it goes away for a few.. I’m starting to wonder about it, but I must say the worst thing to do is diagnose yourself on the internet.. according to internet information it’s probably some rare cancer and they’ll have to amputate half your body to get rid of it, so I suggest going to someone who went to school until 37 years old (in medicine, of course) instead of panicing. As for the eye twitch, it’s usually associated with lack of sleep..
Comment by Dani — April 22, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
I get them all over my body i usually play about with them and see wats up with them and i found that if u hit one side of the twitching muscle it will make it go faster lol yeh its wierd i no but just thought id share it with ya.
Comment by Tez — August 12, 2007 @ 5:11 am