DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing to you in regard to my husband. He is 44 years old and was recently diagnosed by one neuromuscular physician with a rare disorder called Isaac’s syndrome or neuromyotonia. A second neuromuscular physician diagnosed him with benign fasciculation syndrome.
His symptoms are persistent spasms of one muscle or a group of muscles, joint pain, muscle weakness and trembling hands. All of this has led to sleeplessness and a lack of concentration. He has a past medical history of degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, but is otherwise in good health.
Could you supply us with any information on these rarely diagnosed disorders? Is there any help for my husband?
DEAR READER:
Your husband has been given two separate diagnoses by two separate physicians. Both are rare and both involve muscle twitching as a primary symptom.
From your very brief note, I do not know what testing your husband has had, how long his symptoms have persisted, their frequency and what possible treatments he has tried.
Unfortunately, with so little information, I cannot answer your question satisfactorily . My best recommendation would be to consult another neuromuscular specialist or a neurologist for a third opinion. Your husband needs thorough testing to include blood work, possible imaging studies and nerve conduction tests. Muscle twitching can have many causes, both benign and serious.
He needs a definitive diagnosis so that treatment can begin. While awaiting a third opinion, I urge your husband to try to relax as much as possible because stress and tension caused by worrying, can lead to worsening symptoms for any condition.
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