# Muscle spasms **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 7, 2000, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836 "2000-07-07T09:24:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2000, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/1 "2000-07-07T09:24:15Z")
For about three days now I have had this periodic twitch (spasm, ect.) in my right eye-lid. Aside from being annoying, (and freaking out anyone who happens to be talking to me when it happens)it doesn’t hurt or anything. Does anyone know what causes this ? I will admit to having a very stressful week - could that enter into it ? Even more importantly, does anyone know how to stop it ? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![tcburnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@tcburnett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tcburnett)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2000, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/2 "2000-07-07T09:38:47Z")
Pending input from our resident Neurologist, I will venture a guess. A twitch such as you describe is a fairly common ailment, probably related to your stressful week but not necessarily so. You could be overdosed on vitamin supplements or caffeine. If you have just changed the dosage of a medication or vitamin supplement, drop it back. The problem should resolve itself after a few drinks or a few days. If it continues, you should seek medical attention. Involuntary muscle spasms can indicate something more serious or an undiagnosed disease. ---
**Author:** ![Snark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Snark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snark)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2000, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/3 "2000-07-07T10:26:54Z")
I’d tell you all about muscle spasms and what they mean, but I’d get laughed off the board and have to leave in shame for thinking unconventionally. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/4 "2000-07-07T19:05:56Z")
I used to get muscle twitches in my eyelids from time to time. I found that taking a magnesium supplement (100% of the RDA)and vitamin B6 supplement (500% of the RDA) every day for several days seems to help. As I recall, it took only overnight to take effect, but it came back when I didn’t continue with the supplements. The effect could have been coincidence, I admit. I take magnesium about once a week now and haven’t had the problem for years. ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/5 "2000-07-10T05:14:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tcburnett \* > \*\*If it continues, you should seek medical attention. Involuntary muscle spasms can indicate something more serious or an undiagnosed disease. > > \*\* Great. Well now that I am scared to death . . . does anyone else (and thanks for the tip **Biblio** , I’ll give it a shot) have some input on this topic ? This condition is really starting to drive me nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/6 "2000-07-10T07:21:06Z")
I had something like this way back when, and it turned out to be… absolutely nothing. On the other hand, they had to do a cranial CAT scan to determine that, so presumably, it _could_ have been something. Best that you ask your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![hardcore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@hardcore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardcore)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/7 "2000-07-10T08:10:35Z")
This sort of thing happens to me if I am not getting enough quality sleep. I hate to sleep (as you can tell from the time of this post), so whenever my eyelid starts twitching, I throttle back and try to get some rest. Works every time. ---
**Author:** ![robinh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@robinh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinh)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/8 "2000-07-10T13:25:01Z")
The first time this happened to me was in high school, the morning after my first all-nighter. I get eyelid twitches (not constant, but regular, and throughout the day) anytime my sleep deprivation and/or stress levels get too high. Before running to the doctor, I would suggest doing what you can to alleviate your stress and getting a couple solid nights of sleep. If that doesn’t help matters, a visit to your doctor might be in order. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2000, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muscle-spasms/24836/9 "2000-07-10T14:30:08Z")
I get random twitches all over my body. My feet, my legs, my jaw, my arms. A sudden, individual and violent twitch. Not constantly, but several times a day. They’re minor enough that only one person has noticed: my girlfriend, and then only from when we’re in bed spooning together, with most of my body in contact with most of hers. Previous girlfriends never noticed, so I wonder if they’ve gotten worse in the past half-year. Should I be concerned? Could I have MS or lupus or something like that?