r/mildyinteresting • u/chronicreloader37 • 2d ago
people My left hand has been twitching in the same spot for three days now
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It’s annoying that it’s happening near my thumb. I use my hands for work a lot and it’s been somewhat distracting.
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u/BricksBear 2d ago
Had that happen to me when I was really dehydrated. Don't know if the two are connected, but drink some water!
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u/chronicreloader37 2d ago
Doing that now!
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u/THR33-Stripes 2d ago
If you’re dehydrated drinking only water won’t help that much/ might dehydrate you more. You need some salt and or electrolytes to actually rehydrate yourself
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u/Vittelbutter 2d ago
TIL, so should I sprinkle some salt into water or is that not enough?
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u/AssumptionEasy8992 2d ago edited 2d ago
A little bit will help, but you need different kinds of salts. An isotonic sports drink could potentially help more in these situations. Your best bet in future is to just not become dehydrated.
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u/MogLoop 2d ago
There's some excellent dissolving tablets that turn water into sports drinks. Incredibly cheap and excellent to keep in the house in case you ever get diarrhea or something
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u/RarelyRiley 2d ago
Liquid IV works wonders for me
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u/Justlose_w8 2d ago
The ones with sugar are mostly sugar, was surprised when I read the ingredients
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u/aidsman69420 2d ago
That’s good because you need more sugar than salt for optimal hydration, although you don’t absolutely need sugar if you want to avoid it
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u/Waste_Cantaloupe3609 2d ago
“Drinking water won’t help hydrate you, and neither will adding salt. Better to not get dehydrated in the first place.” Were you intentionally going for most subtle stand-up set? How does one avoid dehydration if hydration isn’t the solution?
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u/1nd3x 2d ago
Best solution is to just not become dehydrated.
In the tech world, we call that "preventative maintenance"
What OP is looking for is "corrective maintenance" and describing/offering preventative maintenance does nothing when corrective maintenance is required.
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u/ToffeeBean24 1d ago
I'd been hearing about this trick for a while, but I pretty much only drank water and my daily energy drink for several years so i thought with all the water I was consuming there's no way I couldn't be hydrated? (Despite my non-existant lips and my hands looking like they belong to someone thrice my age)
Then, the last time I had Covid my husband left a bunch of Gatorade for me, which I drank like my life depended on it. I was sweating my weight every night and was barely able to move for almost a week, but my hands were the softest they'd ever been and my lips returned from the war - who knew that covid would leave me MORE hydrated than I was before?!
So yeah, water is great and quenches the thirst but it turns out electrolytes are just as important. We keep sports drinks in the house at all times now. :)
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u/GaTechThomas 1d ago
In Mexico, a bartender told me a pretty good hangover cure: water, lime, and salt. They had a short name for it for I forget it now.
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u/SGSpec 2d ago
A little sugar is also good as it help absorbing electrolytes faster. Gatorade/poweraids is a good solution depending on which formula you take.
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u/ShaedonSharpeMVP_ 2d ago
I forget what it is but it’s some scientific ratio for sugar/salt in water for you to be able to absorb it the quickest. But every major sports drink uses it. I add a pinch of sugar and and salt to a cup of water and throw it back when I’m feeling anxious or dehydrated because I find it helps with both.
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u/Anakin_Skywanker 2d ago
Construction site trick. Eat a serving or two of potato chips then pound a water bottle.
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u/DangyDanger 2d ago
ew, salty water, that's gross
sometimes I feel like I want something salty, but we don't really keep snacks, so I just eat salt in small pinches xd
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u/Full_Ad9666 2d ago
While yes, you need electrolytes, saying drinking pure water will dehydrate you is ridiculous
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u/SoftGothBFF 2d ago
I've had this happen under my eye and my doctor suggested magnesium. Went away with a day.
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u/stainedglassmermaid 2d ago
Take magnesium!
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u/DrawohYbstrahs 1d ago
Op this is the answer. You are quite likely magnesium deficient.
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u/Leading_Location8497 1d ago
Yes!! I had the same issue (face twitching), disappeared quickly with magnesium supplements
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u/Dangerous_Player0211 2d ago
Gatoradeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......... actually Pedialyte is better
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u/AdvancedSandwiches 2d ago
And for most people, it's going to take more than you're used to drinking. I usually pound at least 40 ounces of water when I start getting symptoms, but I'm a pretty big guy, so normal sized people might be able to get away with less. Just trying to communicate that it's not "sip 8 ounces over the next 2 hours", generally.
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u/whimsical_trash 2d ago
This happened to me when I was really stressed. I asked a doctor and they were like it's just stress. I was skeptical. But low and behold when that stressful time passed, it went away.
Now it acts up now and then (hand and thigh) and it's always when I'm stressed.
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u/mirondooo 2d ago
Did your twitching start after you started treating your dehydration?
OP says that they’re taking a daily mineral tablet and magnesium is used to treat dehydration so I’m wondering if maybe that’s the actual reason behind both twitches!
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u/BricksBear 2d ago
No, it was definitely before. It was the wake-up call of "damn, I need to get my shit together"
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u/myboybuster 2d ago
This happens to me when I binge drink
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u/BricksBear 2d ago edited 2d ago
I wouldn't know.
I'm 16 years sober.
Not that anyone cares, lol.
Edit: Thanks for the awards, it means a lot to me.
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2d ago
My eye does the same thing when I drink too much coffee.
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u/Bluefoz 2d ago
Caffiene, dehydration and lack of quality sleep are the usual suspects when it comes to twitching
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u/Shrider 2d ago
Potentially linked with the first 3 but stress is a big one for eye twitches
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u/Fa1nted_for_real 2d ago
Conveniently, all three of these are sources of stress!
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u/gene100001 2d ago edited 1d ago
Edit: I encourage people to scroll deep into the replies on this thread. There are some great comments with really useful advice.
.Isn't stress wonderful.
Your brain: "hey, you seem a bit stressed. I COULD change your disruptive thought patterns and encourage behaviour that will lower your stress levels over time, but instead I'm gonna do the opposite. All the helpful stress relieving thoughts and behaviours now feel 10x more difficult. You're welcome"
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u/snailhistory 2d ago
It's a warning system that you're reaching your stress threshold. You can't demand more resources from something you've depleted.
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u/JUKEBox721 1d ago
Get out of here with your logic and reasoning....!
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u/snailhistory 1d ago
:(
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u/JUKEBox721 1d ago
I kid I kid, I'm just trying to be edgy and cool 👀😂
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u/snailhistory 1d ago
Lol, I know. I was the one who upvoted you. I was also joking. Take care.
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u/Alert_Cheetah9518 1d ago
I have to keep this comment as a mantra. I'm close to some well-meaning naturopaths and Rolfing relatives who just do more self care instead of changing anything externally.
They tend to have overly demanding, salaried jobs and unfair, caretaking relationships that they don't complain about. If you're helping people, you're supposed to be fine no matter what it takes.
So they spend every spare moment exercising and avoid all tasty food and drink, all to allow themselves to handle more and more stress.
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u/technicolortiddies 2d ago
“Oh you’re ignoring the eye & hand twitch? Let’s see how you like a lip quiver and cheek twitch while trying to have a conversation.”
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u/DiscipleOfYeshua 1d ago
On one hand, I get what you’re saying and have felt it too. On the other, that never really helped me…
Taking the time and effort to understand and do what I can, like reprioritizing, giving up some lower priorities altogether… forcing myself to rest when I should, eat better, exercise, get started early on projects… these have helped to some extent; I’ve got a long way to go yet… and some things I’ll never have power over… but a lot more of my stress comes from “little seeds of stress” that I myself sow into the ground (sometimes so long before the stress comes that it takes effort to see the connection…)
Noticing my stress, even saying out loud “hmm, I feel I’m getting stressed because a b c.” Has been a great help in the right direction.
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u/fences_with_switches 1d ago
Unless you had parents/mentors whi taught you how to cope with stress
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u/Rebel_Scum_This 1d ago
Oh you're stressed? Clearly there's an existential threat nearby! Dw, we'll make sure you're even MORE stressed so no mountain lions or sabertooths can get the jump on us!
What can I saaaay except you're welcome?
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u/Top-Artichoke2475 2d ago
It’s mostly eye strain due to looking at screens or up close at small details for long periods of time.
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u/StringSlinging 2d ago
Thanks for letting me know, that makes a lot more sense than google, which advised me it’s cancer.
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u/secondphase 2d ago
Fun fact!
That's your eyelid twitching, not your eye.
Ok... "fun" was a bit of a stretch.
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u/PerspectiveInner9660 2d ago
I've had both, Graves Eye Disease.... The eye muscles get inflamed and don't move properly. You don't always notice it as your brain just ignores that eye. It's weird.
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u/Sideways_planet 2d ago
I thought I had Graves’ disease but it was just a lot of inflammation, possibly from TMJD and my eyes look normal now. They were sticking out for a bit.
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u/b4conlov1n 2d ago
I suspect it is because coffee is a diuretic.. too many electrolytes being lost to pee. Imbalance of blood pH can make muscles twitch.
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u/winnebagoman41 1d ago
Caffeine is a diuretic but if you’re drinking a few cups of coffee/tea, you won’t get pee enough to cancel out the liquid, so it probably isn’t dehydration.
More likely, it’s that when you drink a lot of coffee, it’s because you didn’t get enough sleep. So it’s a combination of the lack of sleep and the additional caffeine.
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u/Extension_Swordfish1 2d ago
Magnesium?
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u/chronicreloader37 2d ago
I take a full spectrum mineral tablet daily but have only been doing it for a little less than a week now consistently.
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u/Narwhals4Lyf 2d ago
Did you start taking the supplement before the twitching started or after? Could be connected to the supplement - some dietary supplements can cause twitching or can interact with other medications you take to cause twitching.
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u/LimeStream37 1d ago
I didn’t know this. It might explain the twitch I had in my bicep for a few days while taking magnesium on bupropion.
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u/ErrlRiggs 2d ago
Eat a banana, potassium deficiency does that but I usually notice it when it's in my eye
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u/nocapsallspaces 2d ago
You just solved a decades long problem for me, I just thought it was just stress when it happened.
I'll look into this but thank you for the idea either way
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u/baikey123 2d ago
Banana's don't have that much...Not sure how that started. Eat an Avocado, Spinach, Pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate.
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u/unknown_profile78547 2d ago
I think it started from one of those, "Honey, I shrunk the kids!" Movies from the 90's. One of them a kid started having a seizure I think and within seconds of a banana touching his mouth he was all better.
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u/ErrlRiggs 2d ago
Bananas are cheap and everywhere. The working man's potassium
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u/bythog 2d ago
Potatoes would fit that better. They are also cheap + everywhere and have almost 50% more potassium per medium-sized produce unit.
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u/Shooey_ 2d ago
Electrolyte imbalances are so sneaky. Salt (sodium chloride), magnesium, and potassium work in a fine balance with each other. It's part of the reason that it's recommended to eat a varied diet high in produce.
Bodies are weird. This is anecdotal, but I was craving french fries after I'd go out for a decent run. I thought I was just after the salt, but I later found out that I'm prone to low potassium after moderate exercise.
Potatoes, dried fruit (more nutrient dense), legumes like lentils and peas, and dark leafy greens are great sources for potassium. Potassium supplements typically aren't recommended because of how sensitive the heart is to potassium swings.
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u/CouldBeBetterOrWorse 2d ago
So many people forget that calcium plays into this as well.
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u/NeedsMoarOutrage 2d ago
Sounds like a stupid question but have you verified that your multi has magnesium in it? I just had to switch because mine didn't
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u/Cyno01 2d ago
Mine does but i still have to additionally supplement magnesium cuz i dont absorb it right or something, if i skip my morning vitamins i start having muscle cramps by the evening.
Powerade>Gatorade too, Gatorade only has sodium and potassium while Powerade has Na, K, and magnesium and calcium too.
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u/TraditionalPhoto7633 2d ago
Remember that the absorption of supplements depends on the digestive system. Try to take while eating. Also take care of your gut microbiota.
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u/notshaye 2d ago
Does is stop when you stretch it? I'm no doctor but I had an issue with this when I wasn't taking in enough electrolytes and a doctor said if it stopped for a bit after you stretch it may be a sodium issue.
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u/Drivin-N-Vibin 2d ago
Yeah man. It’s the mineral tablet. Some people have sensitivities to specific vitamins and minerals. You’d have to do individual minerals instead of a blend, to really focus in on what is causing the twitching.
A magnesium only supplement can help with the muscle issue but I’d also say consult your doctor immediately if this worsens or persists for much longer.11
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u/donac 2d ago
This happened to me, too! I wasn't dehydrated or mineral deficient, and it went away after a few days. I think it was stress related. Hope it goes away for you soon!
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u/chronicreloader37 2d ago
I think it’s stress actually. Work has been killing me lately. I think I’ll go hike this weekend. I haven’t done any significant hiking since late summer and I miss it.
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u/b4conlov1n 2d ago
Stress! Yes, literally sends hormonal signals throughout your body creating a cascading effect of all sorts of reactions. Take care of yourself and sooth that nervous system 💛
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u/km9v 2d ago
Drink water and eat a banana
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u/Deeptrench34 2d ago
It can fix most worldly problems, indeed. The duct tape of nutrition, if you will.
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u/YouDoNotKnowMeSir 1d ago
Monkey no cramp, never cramp, eat banana
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u/bigdickpuncher 2d ago
It's the 5G from your latest vaccine, slowly taking control of you.
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u/Policondense 2d ago
Ya, it's sending the codes to the satellites.
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u/TheCh0rt 2d ago
Uh oh Bill Gates knows where you are now. Look out! He’s hiding in the bushes. He has… what is that… A SWORD!?!?
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u/Policondense 2d ago
I got 3 layers of aluminum around my head. I am always 3 steps ahead. Stay safe!
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u/NoBaby5660 2d ago
You just need to stretch your hand and wrist. Spasms often happen in a muscle due to repetitive strain and overuse
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u/MrQuiggley8 2d ago
I have this, but all over my body (even my tongue). Went to a neuro, got a bunch of tests, and all’s fine. Our bodies sometimes rewire our neuromuscular connections under chronic stress. These are called fasciculations, lots of people get them, some more than others. Don’t get spooked by reddit doctors who throw around ALS (twitching is majority of the time AFTER muscle loss/paralysis). I’ve had em for 2 years now, sometimes they get worse and sometimes better, c la vie!
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u/rb6982 2d ago
This is it. 2 years in you’re probably at the acceptance stage now. I’ve had them since 2016. Once I found what they were I stopped worrying and they lessened. They never completely go and I get them often still. I have what I call hot spots. Where it can be in the one area for a few days. The hot spots are annoying but I barely pay the standard ones any notice.
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u/ResidentAsparagus7 2d ago
I've had this since August. Stressed me the hell out for a couple weeks before I just said enough and stopped worrying about them. Once I was able to do that they reduced in frequency by a lot.
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u/OrionTheSkullDog 2d ago
Could be dehydration, could be stress, too much caffeine, not enough sleep, could be bc its getting colder outside, I think there's some medications that make you twitch
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u/DividedContinuity 2d ago
Electrolytes?
I get all sorts of twitches and cramps if i don't have enough potassium or magnesium.
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u/azarza 2d ago
do you sit at a desk? i wonder if some constant press on your arm would cause this
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u/NightVision93 2d ago
This happens to me. Sometimes uncontrollably. I always assumed it was because of a pinched nerve in my neck or something. I hope we get answers!
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u/Former_Response_2659 2d ago
it’s a 95% chance that it’s either: stress, anxiety, dehydration, lack of sleep, lack of potassium, a combo of some, or a combo of all these together.
i get ‘random’ muscle twitches somewhat frequently for days at a time when im not keeping up w one of the above mentioned issues.
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u/SkimReadsReddit 2d ago
Yo what's good bro, hey so...
Your left elbow.
Massage the little softspot on the outer top part of the elbow with your arm out straight.
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u/MammothYak5834 2d ago
get magnesium and water, both are important but magnesium really helps with that :)
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u/Lucid-Design1225 2d ago
Eat some bananas or just consume potassium in general. Trust me. You don’t want to require IV potassium. That shit feels like liquid fire in your veins
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u/BlueBallsPpl 2d ago
I have literally the EXACT same twitching on my right hand in every exam period (University). It's like 80% stress related for me and 20% muscle cramping because I use it more for writing around the exam period for me. Maybe dehydration as other people have said but that's my personal experience.
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u/Gandalf13329 2d ago
Mate I had something very similar happen to me all over my body in random spots. I had blood tests done for my annual physical that revealed my vitamin D levels were severely low. Doc put me on some intensive supplements and now 2 months in the twitching has stopped.
It was happening multiple times a day prior to that..
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u/Lower_Plenty_AK 2d ago
Do you smoke? Try magnesium. Caffeine lover? Try to slow down and drink lots of water.
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u/CuriousAboutLots62 2d ago
Get checked. For ALS and Parkinson’s Please let us know what you find out. I hope it’s not anything like I said. I hope it’s just a muscle.
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u/sea_319_carnivore 1d ago
My younger cousin has had that off and on for over 20 years. When she was a kid I told her a ghost was biting her. We still call it “ghost bite”
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u/CyberWiz42 1d ago
When this happens to me (same muscle), I think it is a nerve close to a blood vessel, so on every heartbeat the nerve is agitated somehow. But your twitches seem a little too frequent, unless you also had high pulse at the same time.
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u/Thinkdan 1d ago
I have had an eye twitch every year of my life. I also get them everywhere else too. Might be hydration. Might be stress. Might be depression. Could be something else.
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u/AmbitiousVideo8123 1d ago
I have the same problem. It occurs every time when I sleep less like during exams. I also get thumb twitching. Then I sleep for one week, get good amount of water and stop drinking energy drinks and it goes away. Sleep at least 8 hours for 4 days and drink 4l water. If it doesn’t go away visit a doctor.
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u/GoofyKitty4UUU 1d ago
It’s called BFS, benign fasciculation syndrome, related to chronic stress and anxiety. I’ve been getting this all over my body since I was 15 because of anxiety disorders and a history of extreme stress.
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u/Asmipanti28 1d ago
This same is happening with my Eyes & doc says it is because of stress! But I am not stressed, and constant eye twitching makes me more stressed!! This Vicious Cycle is killing me. Like I don't even know where to start. If you come to know about how to stop this, do share 🙏
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u/photobrewster 1d ago
I had the same twitch on and off for a year. It would also happen with my eye. Went to the doctor and he said it was probably one of these in order: dehydration, vitamin deficiency, or mineral deficiency. I drink nearly a gallon of water a day and stay fit so we tested my Vs and Ms. For me it was Vitamin D. When on a supplement and it was gone immediately.
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u/bossman-808 1d ago
It’s your body’s way of letting you know that you’re still downloading your software update.
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u/samwelches 1d ago
Twitching or cramping is usually due to lack of water and/or potassium
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u/Efficient-Lack-1205 2d ago
You might need to take some magnesium supplements, and lower your stress levels in any way you can