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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Weakness, Body Twitching And Heaviness On Chest Area?

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Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2015
Twitter Sat, 31 Jan 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 27 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : Good evening!

I would like you to give me a second opinion on the health problem that I encountered over a year ago. I should first state that I presented myself in hospital (A&E department) under highly suspicious circumstances. I arrived there with numerous symptoms that persisted for about a week. My symptoms were the following: overall body weakness, heavy chest area, severe twitching in my body, waking up feeling cold in the mornings (my hands were extremely cold). One night when I fell asleep in hospital (I was not given any medication at that point), everything appeared dark and black, I did not have any dreams, I was aware that I wanted to fall into deeper sleep, and then all of a sudden overall body contraction/spasm woke me up. I found myself absolutely soaked in my sweat (I was asleep only for some 45 mins that night), my hands were numb and cold, and my body felt cold too. I noticed that my body temperature for some reason would drop more than usual at night. The doctors prescribed Olanzapine, the only effect that it had on me was that it stopped that severe body twitching. I stopped the medication myself, I took it for about 5 weeks. What I found out later, was that the body weakness would persist before my menstruation, I would also encounter severe abdominal pain just before my period and feel sleepy, drowsy, weak (that had never happened before). I sometimes feel chest pain.

Was there anything I may have ingested that could have caused all of this?
All of the symptoms appeared at once and all of a sudden. I had never had any mental issues in my life.
The doctors did not perform any tests when i was in hospital and never told me why it was severely twitching in my body.

Thank you very much!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Krishna Dubey (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
These symptoms are likely due to acute psychotic attack.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to H.C.M.

Thanks for giving a detailed history.

After going through your explained symptoms and sign, I think it may be due to acute psychotic attack.

Due to ingestion of toxic substances , there would be a history of nausea, vomiting and other symptoms related to those substances.

Your doctor also suspected acute psychotic attack with mild symptoms and gave you olanzapine.

This is very common problem and very well curable.

Removing the provoking factor is very much helpful.

I advise you to live stress free life with the help of meditation, yoga and exercise.

Do not think about this episode and live a healthy life.

Whenever you feel any problem , you may consult with your treating doctor.


Hope this answers your question.

Please do not hesitate for any query.

I will be happy to answer your questions.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-krishna-dubey/67560


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Krishna Dubey (5 hours later)
Hi Doctor,

I would like to thank you for your answer.
That's what my doctors told me as well.
But could it be that it was Pentobarbital (taken with food) that caused havoc in my body, and then Olanzapine reversed Pentobarbital's effects in my body?
Up until these symptoms happened I led a happy, stress-free life. And all of these symptoms developed gradually over a very short period of time.
Is pentobarbital easily detected in blood tests?
My blood test was performed only a few days after I started taking Olanzapine. My inorganic phosphate was lower than it should have been at that point (according to lab norms).
Also, body twitching still occurs sometimes (happens more frequently if I take Zentrum vitamins). And sometimes before falling asleep I have a severe whole body contraction/spasm. Does that indicate a nerve damage?

Thank you for your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Krishna Dubey (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Phenobarbitone can cause but in higher dose .

Detailed Answer:
Thanx for follow up.

Phenobarbitone can cause but in higher dose than the prescribed dose.


Yes , pentobarbital can easily detected in blood tests.

Olanzapine do not reverse Pentobarbital's symptoms even it can increase its side effects.

No , its not nerve damage.

Hope this answers your question.

Remember my advise to live stress free life with the help of meditation, yoga and exercise.

You can live your stress-free life as you did earlier.

All the best for future.

Please do not hesitate for any query.
I will be happy to answer your questions.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-krishna-dubey/67560

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Krishna Dubey (2 days later)
Hi Doctor,

I've just had another look at my medical report and what I've found is that my urinalysis came back positive with ketones, protein and blood present. Urinalysis was done while I was in hospital and doctors were trying to diagnose my condition. I was not receiving any medication at that time.
Does my urinalysis confirm that phenobarbitone may have been present in my system?
Is phenobarbitone the same as phenobarbital? What is phenobarbitone used for?
Will it stop twitching in my body? Is there medication for it? Would vitamins help me or do worse? Would there be health problems for me in the future? and will I be able to conceive/have children even though it twitches in my body? Would you suggest any test to find the exact cause of twitching? Is it brain damage then?

Thank you very much for your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Krishna Dubey (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No,urinalysis does not confirm the phenobarbitone presence in your system

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to H.C.M.

I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.


1) No, urinalysis does not confirm the phenobarbitone presence in your system .


2) Phenobarbitone is same as phenobarbital.
Phenobarbitone is the old British name (BAN) for phenobarbital.


3) Phenobarbitone is usually used to control repeated seizures when consciousness is not regained between seizures.
This condition is called status epilepticus.


4) You need to consult with Neurophysician to rule out the cause for Twitching in your body.


5) After seeing your past history and your present symptoms , i think this twitching will not be a cause for health problems in future.

6) This twitching will not affect your pregnancy but the medicine that your neurophysician will prescribe can affect.

So i advise you to keep in touch with your neurophysician and also tell regarding planning of pregnancy.

This twitching is not due to brain damage so please do not think such things.

Do meditate , yoga and regular exercise for relaxing your mind and stress free life.

This will also helpful for decreasing twitching in your body.

Hope this answers your question.

Please do not hesitate for any query.

I will be happy to answer your questions.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-krishna-dubey/67560.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Krishna Dubey

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 197 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Weakness, Body Twitching And Heaviness On Chest Area?

Brief Answer: These symptoms are likely due to acute psychotic attack. Detailed Answer: Welcome to H.C.M. Thanks for giving a detailed history. After going through your explained symptoms and sign, I think it may be due to acute psychotic attack. Due to ingestion of toxic substances , there would be a history of nausea, vomiting and other symptoms related to those substances. Your doctor also suspected acute psychotic attack with mild symptoms and gave you olanzapine. This is very common problem and very well curable. Removing the provoking factor is very much helpful. I advise you to live stress free life with the help of meditation, yoga and exercise. Do not think about this episode and live a healthy life. Whenever you feel any problem , you may consult with your treating doctor. Hope this answers your question. Please do not hesitate for any query. I will be happy to answer your questions. http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-krishna-dubey/67560