Cloker 0 Posted December 14, 2018 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobnnat 496 Posted December 14, 2018 Hi Cloker, Join the party! There have been so many ALS fear posts lately. I suggest rather than googling you search this site for ALS postings. I'm not going to repeat all of the excellent information already put out there by site members, but suffice it to say it is virtually impossible you have ALS. Why? - You're 22 - Your complaints are twitching and "perceived" weakness; twitching is caused by either anxiety or...no reason. ALS in a 22 yaer old is absolutely unheard of. We're talking literally 1-10,000,000 chance. And no, you are not that "1". Perceived weakness is not actual weakness. If you had actual weakness, you'd know. You'd not be able to do things you take for granted every day: hold a cup, walk up stairs, open a lock, turn a sterring wheel, etc. Your doc's referral must be only to soothe your mind. He knows you don't have ALS. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stef 1 Posted December 14, 2018 Hi Cloker, welcome to the forum. Rather than than convincing you that it's not ALS, which it it's not, it's better to understand the physical symptoms of Anxiety. Why? Because, that's what you are suffering from. The weakness, tremors and twitches, amongst others, are classic anxiety symptoms. I have had them in all severity and combinations for over 4 years - on and off. It's never been ALS because it's Anxiety. The hard truth is, it's intrusive thoughts that elevates your anxiety and further agitates the "ALS" symptoms. Rather than finding peace in CT scans and MRI's you must try and break the anxiety pattern. Because today it's ALS - 2 weeks from now it's something different. However, I will leave you with a bit of soothing news, short lived as it might be in a Health Anxiety suffers mind - trust me I've been there - I live with a neurosurgeon and showed him your post ----- he started laughing not ALS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
