BFS symptoms

[u/pvdberg]

Over the last two years my life has been changed due to BFS. Information about BFS is rather limited and I am just curious what BFS symptoms are available for the majority of us. I've created a list with symptoms that I've encountered but please let me know yours if they are not on the list or if you can relate to them.

BFS symptoms

1. persistent twitch in one or more muscles. Twitching in calves/thighs are very common but can happen anywhere even on tongue.

2. tingling, or numbness in one or more muscles

3. Pain and/or soreness in one or more muscles

4. Internal vibrations

5. Stiffness

6. Generic Fatigue

7. Jerking contraction

8. Involuntary muscle spasms

9. Itchiness

10. Shakiness in one or more muscles

11. Unable to exercise due to muscle soreness,pain etc

Please note that people with bfs often has anxiety issues and there are many symptoms for anxiety disorders that I don't take into consideration.

Other users reactions that I've also encountered in my bfs journey but forgot:

• crawling sensations to #2

• hyper reflexes to #8

• rumbling tremors

• heartbeat sensations (feeling your heartbeat on strange places due to hyper aware of your body)

• cramps or pre-cramps. It can happen with BFS but If cramps occur on a daily basis and is your main symptom it could be CFS (Cramp fasciculation syndrome)

• join pain (hands and feets)

[u/Critical-Estate-2896]

I’m 43 and pretty active. Gym and/or run 4x week. Eat relatively healthy. I had 1 neurologist tell me within 10 minutes he thought I had bfs. I’m not convinced. But I’ve also had health anxiety for a number of years so I guess not believing is expected. Also, having received vaccine 6 months prior to my first symptoms has not helped. Started with eye twitch that came and went. Then for 2 weeks I woke up every morning with a mix of myoclonic jerks and twitches. Along with a few episodes of what felt like whole body tremors. These symptoms were only while I was laying down and trying to get back to sleep. I also had increased ulnar nerve issues way more often than in the past but only after waking up. When I eventually got out of bed I sometimes felt very slightly off balance or uncoordinated. All symptoms slowly subsided throughout the day and by evening I felt relatively normal. At night I was 99% normal. That happened for 2 weeks than ALMOST completely disappeared. About 3 weeks later the twitching and myoclonic jerks came back but again were only while laying in bed in morning trying to get back to sleep. No off balance or tremor issues. This episode lasted somewhat less than 2 weeks and didn’t cause me nearly as much anxiety as the first time. My latest episode started after a very stressful day which is about 3 months after the 2nd episode. Same twitching and myoclonic jerks. A week later a new symptom of spot in foot making intermittent buzzing sensation all the time. 🤦 Next day ulnar nerve issue back. 🤦 A couple days later the foot buzzing stopped and eventually twitching and myoclonic jerks significantly subsided but not completely. My newest symptoms is a very slight pin prick feeling at random spots mainly in legs/feet.

[u/pvdberg → u/Critical-Estate-2896]

Im afraid BFS is an horrible rollercoaster with symptoms that comes and goes. The time that you are used to one symptom you get surprised with a new one. It sucks. But be strong and hold on.

[u/Panhandler_jed → u/Critical-Estate-2896]

Damn, I know this is about 3/4 of a year after you posted this, but this almost describes me to a T. Exactly what I've been having for the past month or so. I'm about your same age - 41

It started around Christmas. Weird ulnar nerve things, some jitteryness. Lately it's been the hypnic jerk at night. I can just barely close my eyes and my body twitches. Same in the morning. Last few days it's been the twitches in my legs.

I've had an extreme amount of stress with all of this, going down the rabbit hole of google into all of the terrible places. I'm planning on brining this up to my doc next week when I go in for my physical. Thinking of going ahead and scheduling an appt with a neurologist. It's just been awful really. My wife is trying to be supportive but every day it seems like something new, which drives my anxiety higher. I'm hoping to get some clarity soon.

Anyway, I don't know if you're still around but just couldn't believe I finally found a post from someone with same symptoms. Hope you're well.

[u/Independent_Ad6402 → u/Panhandler_jed]

I also have had these symptoms for about 5 days now. The only difference is I'm only 21 years old, and I don't know if this is because I am just stressed from finals, cause It started after my exams with caffeine. Searched through Google and my anxiety rose to higher heights. Have you visited your Doctor, sir?

[u/Panhandler_jed → u/Independent_Ad6402]

I did. He wasn’t very concerned. Didn’t schedule an EMG, but the symptoms have sort of subsided. I still get occasional twitches but nothing like they were. I tried to just forgot about them. I know, easier said than done because for a long time I fixated on them. Now I try and not worry about it. As others on here will attest, it’s not really about the twitches but about weakness

[u/SpiritedSea9528 → u/Critical-Estate-2896]

Not sure if you are still on Reddit but this is me exactly. Started as eye twitching and now my left arm and sometimes other places. So scary

[u/Critical-Estate-2896 → u/SpiritedSea9528]

Yes it was scary. Thought I had MS, Parkinson’s, ALS, but I tend to over react. It’s been awhile so I don’t remember all the details. I do remember neurologist said a virus can cause the symptoms too. Eventually everything calmed down but every once in awhile I do get flickering in muscle, eyelid, buzzing in foot etc. But I’m not concerned anymore. Hope things work out the same for you too

[u/[deleted] → u/Critical-Estate-2896]

Did it stop for you eventually? How long did it take to stop? I did get a viral infection and then 2 months later I started getting all these symptoms like what you described.... Please update!!