Hello. I Have Had All Day Today Involuntary Muscle Tics

Brief Answer:
Some more information might help us better determine the cause but most of the times they are not serious

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.

I understand your concern with multiple sclerosis and the neurological signs it might produce. On the other hand multiple sclerosis causes a variety of symptoms and tremor (shakiness) is a possible one but not the most common one (not typically tics).

Multiple sclerosis causes numbness and weakness in certain areas, it might cause problem with the sight or eye movement and also sometimes problems with speech, muscle tics are not a typical way it shows up and symptoms due to multiple sclerosis are expected to last for days to weeks (it is generally not better within a few hours)

If you had tics it is very likely it is not due to multiple sclerosis and if they lasted for only a few minutes to less than an hour it is very likely this is another clue that goes against MS. There are other possible causes of tics with anxiety being a very common possible one (nervous tics). If you have been sick recently, if you have had fever, if you have not been sleeping well this might contribute to precipitate a tic.

To conclude I would say:
- knowing the other symptoms you have had might help better understand the cause of the tics so please feel free to reply and tell me what other symptoms you had that you relate to multiple sclerosis
- please let me know how long did the tic last
- was it several tics at a time or only one movement repeated in a period of time (difference between tick and twitch)
- if you have weakness or numbness in your body that lasts for days to weeks or you get problems with vision or speech these are all important symptoms, it is very important to let us know
- this is the first episode so it is important to watch how symptoms will behave in the coming days. If tics do not come back, very likely this was an isolated episode and nothing to worry
- meanwhile make sure you avoid coffee, energy drinks as these can aggravate movement disorders and also make sure you do rest and sleep well.

Waiting to hear from you related to the above information.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

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Brief Answer:
Further advice given below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thank you for the above information.

It is uncommon for the tics to last for so long and also because you are having them for so long you will need to have some treatment to control them.

Are you able to control the movement temporarily (for a short time)? If you are able to control the movement temporarily (this followed by discomfort and urge to do the movement) very likely these are tics. If you have no control at all on the movements than these are not tics and other conditions should be considered.

To conclude:
- if you can have some control on the movements temporarily these are tics and because they are lasting so long you might need to get some treatment to have them under control (generally the drugs for this are controlled drugs and not over the counter so you will not be able to get them unless you see a doctor)
- if you do not have some control on the movements at all then very likely these movements are not tics and you will need to see a doctor soon and have some examinations to find the cause of them (a good neurological examination, EEG and probably a brain MRI)

I hope this answers to your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

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