Crippling anxiety taking over my life.

[Cloker 0]

I am 22 years old, and the past couple years for me have been some of the most difficult times of my life, from a mental standpoint. Health anxiety is something that has affected my sister, and I never understood her pain, until recently I have realized I am going through the same thing. These past 2 years have been extremely difficult, and it actually caused me to quit a very good job and move back to my hometown, which was something I never thought I would do. The more frequent it is becoming, the worse the incidents are. Lately, the past 3 months to be exact, I have completely convinced myself that I have ALS. I started working 68 hour weeks on nights, and started twitching in my eyes constantly. I tried to ignore it to the best of my ability, but never could completely block it out. Then one night, I started to twitch right above the knee on both legs, along with a feeling that I just ran a mile. Dr. Google had come up with ALS, and of course that is what I set my mind on. The constant twitching and weakness went away, but my worry of ALS just got worse. Now, I have random twitches all over my body, and a perceived weakness in both shoulders and my right hand. I went to the doctor, and he referred me to a nuerologist, but the appointment is 3 months away. When I can keep occupied, the twitching and perceived weakness seems to go away. But once it crosses my mind, it’s there again. I can’t help myself from reading every google article that comes up about ALS, as well as patient stories. It’s getting way out of control, and it is affecting my social, work, and everyday activities. Any help, comments, tips, and just a conversation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

[jen79 0]

i have the same issue its horrible

 

[Bobnnat 496]

I hope the two of you see this. First, rather than read Google, read the posts and their responses on this site. I could write a novel, but suffice it to say Google's logarithms are such, for whatever reason, that most times you get zero perspective. For example, got a headache? Google will give you the impression it could be muscle tension....or a tumor. 50-50. Of course, in reality the odds are more like 10,000-1 against the tumor. Perhaps it has to do with money in some fashion. Perhaps a fear of being sued, especially since most of these medical sites (and Google) are in the USA where people sue at the drop of a hat.  

Next, the epidemiology of ALS (stats) show that 1 person in about 30,000 get it per year. The typical person is 60+ and more likely to be male.  For a 22 year old you would have more chance of being struck by lightning, while bending down to pick up a bag of money that's sitting on the sidewalk for some reason.

There is perceived weakness and actual weakness. Perceived means nothing..you "feel" like you're weak. Actual, or clinical weakness is only diagnosed by a doctor. Even then, it is highly more likely to be caused by something minor, like carpal tunnel than anything bad.

Finally, muscles twitch only after the associated muscle dies. The death of any given muscle would be obvious, like you'd fall down, couldn't hold a cup, turn a lock, or maybe rise from a chair. Working 68 hour weeks?  No way in a million years a person with ALS could work 68 seconds, let alone hours.

Cloker, my guess is that your GP referred you only to placate you. Perhaps he or she doesn't deal well with health anxiety patients and just gets rid of them by referrals to specialists.

Bottom line, neither of you have it. I'd bet every penny to my name and would borrow more to place that bet.