Benign fasciculations of the calf

Exercise-induced (running) benign fasciculations of the calf.

[wheelchairpanda]

In most spots it's harmless. But some, for example the middle inside of the calf, it goes really deep and stays pushed in for 3 seconds. And where the calf meets the ankle really sucks too.

[dnlgby]

I did some research on myself,

I believe it can be the following reasons:
1. Prolonged sitting - can cause nerve compression and irritates the tibial & sciatic nerves. (Especially if you are overweight).
2. Bad sitting posture - L4 -> S3 nerve compressions -> can also lead to nerve irritation. keep these nerves neutral when sitting.
3. Electrolyte deficiencies.

* Stress & Too much caffeine is making it worse.

[tiffanyturner]

Yep…going on maybe 3yrs of it being continuous in both calves. I get them all over, but in other areas like my finger muscles(thumb and index), sometimes the pecs, and muscles right above the knee. Those don’t last as long maybe a couple weeks here or there. These calves are EVERYDAY!!! It’s like it feels good to touch and follow to the source of the twitches but it’s annoying.

[mrdanni]

I started getting these in my left leg mainly the calf (everyday) looks just like this. The leg in question has permanent nerve damage from a herniated disc, I also feel the herniated disc has deteriorated further (it was diagnosed 2 years ago, I had alcoholism problems and basically spent 90% of my time the last 2 years sat compacting my spine).

Doctor isn't worried at all as fasciculations from herniated discs, especially when it's killing / severely damage the affected limb is extremely common.

Unfortunately I was an idiot and doctor googled and big bad came up, spiralled me into insanity and I started getting twitching (nothing to this degree) everywhere. My guess is health anxiety / stress resulting in hyperstimulation / chronic stress disorder which can take months for the body to get back to normal.

Also there is a link between benign fasciculation like this / from an injury that can cause it to go widespread, also not helped by stress. So I'm probably in for a very uncomfortable time for the rest of my life potentially... yay...

[liamstrauss]

Nobody in medical history has diagnosed this as a disease or disorder if it is thought to be benign.Fasciculations like this are NOT the casual twitches one gets day to day here and there because the local nerve is stimulated.For a start this happens symetrically so that rules that out, the twitching can running along a single nerve and they also come with lots of other symtoms, some life changing.You will not die of it but as you age you will find out that your stamina diminishes greatly.You MUST get an EMG with these symptoms because it can be caused by many other conditions that are not serious.

[lovemytide]

I have ALS and fasciculations were my first visible symptoms. They are often nothing to worry about but they can also be a sign of something devastating

[briangallagher]

Taking enough magnesium glycinate has just about cured this for me. I also drink Keto Chow Daily Minerals in 2 liters of water along with 1 1/2 teaspoons of pink salt every day. I seem to need extra electrolytes no matter what my diet is.

[garethdower]

Had this for 1 year. Started in left calf then to right and now a little in arms and back.
Neurologist did EMG, MRI and bloods on CK. All negative and Benign is a word he used, but have to go back in 6 months just incase it isn’t.
Annoying and painful at times but my worry on MND has finally abated.
Started after a bad Covid infection, so my finger points to that. Not the vaccine - COVID!

[clem]

I have had fasciculations in both claves with chronically elevated levels of CPK, creatinine, ferritin… for more than 15 y. Recently, fasciculations extended to other parts of my body (upper legs, back, arms …) and I was diagnosed a neuropathy. Still looking for the exact disease… no loss of weight but a lot of muscle and joint pain. Looking for people with similar symptômes.

[jayleon]

Ive had this for a year. Never in my life except for cramping from sports. But seems like ive had weird symptoms post covid vaccine and covid. What scares me most is ALS but from what i keep seeing is benign syndromes and electrolyte deficiency. Hope it gets better!

[benjilewis]

Had this for 5 years, when I’m stressed or exhausted it’s much worse.

[DrBrandonBeaber]

Nice. I have experienced this before as well.

[MrRecica]

Ever have an MRI to check your lower back for punched nerves? I've had this off and on for 7 years. One doc said it's from a pinched nerve in my lower back. Others said it was just BFS. Left quad. Both calves.

[michaelberesford]

I have this now. Comes with kinking, numbness, and others symptoms. Mine started after coming off Lyrica or a Pfizer Covid shot. Really sucks as my sleep is effected as well. No my covid shots for me.

[Nabiyah]

These are not necessarily benign long term and are generally indicative of a mild to moderate nutrient deficiency (typically a vitamin/mineral). Do yourself a favor and get a micronutrient test. Some preliminary you should ask your provider to run (Mg RBC (not serum, unless you run both together. RBC is a more sensitive Mg test. Mg tests are poor preventative markers and don't really show anything helpful until the body is actually in trouble due to where the majority of Mg is stored in the body). Vitamin D 25 OH, *NOT the 1, 25.* Tell Dr DO NOT code VIt D as routine, but as a followup for symptoms of possible deficiency, otherwise INS won't cover and it's ridiculously expensive for just one vitamin when ordered as _routine_. Of Course run a standard CMP. A CMP will pull your general labs like your Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium levels. These are the primary labs anyone should run first, and generally, one or a combination of these nutrients are deficient and are the issue. B Vitamins can also play a role if those primary minerals or Vit D not the issue and should be checked as well. These Vitamins/Minerals can lead to more dangerous symptoms if left unchecked and so ruling these out are a nice start to confirming a truly benign ruling rather than just an assumption, regardless if from a medical professional or not).

Keep in mind, it hasn't always been there. The body doesn't just start doing things for no reason. It is trying to tell us something. What is the bigger question. Often times it's not a concerning condition, but that's no reason to ignore, since doing so only creates bigger issues, eventually. Best of Health to Everyone Reading This. May You Live, Long, Healthily, and Prosper.

[eddyv]

Ive had this for a year now its not dehydration . Had serious health issues and stress may be culprit . Its mostly in calves and at night when i lay down . No pain just irratating . Also getting restless leg syndrome at same time

[albertob.c]

Do they only appear during the exercise or do you always have them?

[marcosmoreno]

I have it all over my body my legs back arm even my tongue sometimes I can feel them in my ear even on my head.. it's bfs .. As long as you don't experience lost of muscle weekness don't stress over it you will learn to live with them I did been with them for 12 yrs .. Enjoy life don't stress over it the more you read about it the more you get scared .. Remember if u do see muscle decline do go get check with a neurologist .. My neurologist said I had nothing wrong but I researched my self made a conclusion of bfs..

[Nonkjjjjj]

So I have this 24/7, stops when I'm flexing my legs or moving around

[lauraperez-wbqh]

My husband has the exact same thing and has had it for years before covid, to this day we still haven't figured out what it is and doctors haven't told them nothing they claimed it may be neuropathy but we're not sure