Rock bottom

[Solafide3 18]

16 hours ago, Matty_G said:

I wish I had the answer to that. For me, right around October I was doing renovations on my house, had a complete falling out/dramatic situation with a family member and my work was doing a reorganization which was stressing me out pretty bad. Winters for the last few years have not been great already for mental health and As soon as everything lined up and was happening at once, all of these physical symptoms started happening. I was having dizziness, weakness, twitches non-stop everywhere, Hypnic Jerks, regular muscle jerks, shakiness, numbness in my hands, feet and face, sunburn feeling on my legs and forearms, insomnia, Dry mouth, chest palpitations, cold hands and feet, night sweats. You name it, I had it. Now all I have really is the sunburn feeling on my left leg, a bit of the jerks when resting or relaxing, my legs get a bit sore (not as bad as it was) and my hands/arms are a little shakey/feel uncoordinated. I was convinced there was something wrong with me, but I've had almost every test that can be done and seen so many doctors, including a very good psychiatrist that was pretty clear with me that my anxiety is manifesting as somatic symptom disorder. The proof of these things is that I am in fact getting better. Most of the symptoms I had 3 months ago are gone, but I had to really focus on convincing myself that I didn't have what I was convinced I had. I just kept cycling back to panic. I'm such a skeptical person normally, but this experience has really convinced me how powerful the mind really can be.

Sorry to bother you Matty, did you find that your pain was better in the morning, like it was gone when you very first woke up?

[Solafide3 18]

balls never mind I saw where you said your pain is worse in the morning.

[Matty_G 18]

2 hours ago, Solafide3 said:

balls never mind I saw where you said your pain is worse in the morning.

Nah both my anxiety and the pain in my legs is usually worse first thing in the morning and gets better/goes away through the day unless I'm overly hard on them. On a side note, did our chat yesterday make you feel a little better?

[Solafide3 18]

5 minutes ago, Matty_G said:

Nah both my anxiety and the pain in my legs is usually worse first thing in the morning and gets better/goes away through the day unless I'm overly hard on them. On a side note, did our chat yesterday make you feel a little better?

Yeah it did for about an hour lol I have the worst health anxiety I think I’ve ever heard of. Just the thought of being a burden to my family and leaving my son without a mother scares the shit out of me! Honestly I think I won’t be happy until I drive my neuro nuts as well. I’m so grateful you have talked to me so thoroughly about it though. May God bless you for being so kind to a stranger

[Matty_G 18]

Just now, Solafide3 said:

Yeah it did for about an hour lol I have the worst health anxiety I think I’ve ever heard of. Just the thought of being a burden to my family and leaving my son without a mother scares the shit out of me! Honestly I think I won’t be happy until I drive my neuro nuts as well. I’m so grateful you have talked to me so thoroughly about it though. May God bless you for being so kind to a stranger

Oh, no worries at all! Again, you've said another thing that is exactly like me. Just recently it's been determined that my anxiety comes from not wanting to burden my family or leave my two boys. Same exact fears, same exact symptoms. That's Wild!

[Madmax 5]

My ALS anxiety has gone through the roof. 

I went to see a psychologist last week about it and it was sheer bad coincidence that the psychologist himself is suffering with some sort of MND. Came out of the session worst than before😢. The more I worry about my twitches the worst they get. At some places they feel 24/7.

seeing the neuro again tomorrow. Will try to find as much as possible about my fasics. In the meantime trying my best to be present for my family. This sucks!!! Apologies @Solafide3 for hijacking your thread. Wanted to talk to someone who is going through the same.

 

[Matty_G 18]

36 minutes ago, Madmax said:

My ALS anxiety has gone through the roof. 

I went to see a psychologist last week about it and it was sheer bad coincidence that the psychologist himself is suffering with some sort of MND. Came out of the session worst than before😢. The more I worry about my twitches the worst they get. At some places they feel 24/7.

seeing the neuro again tomorrow. Will try to find as much as possible about my fasics. In the meantime trying my best to be present for my family. This sucks!!! Apologies @Solafide3 for hijacking your thread. Wanted to talk to someone who is going through the same.

 

No worries Max, let us know how you make out at the Neuro tomorrow.

[Solafide3 18]

1 hour ago, Madmax said:

My ALS anxiety has gone through the roof. 

I went to see a psychologist last week about it and it was sheer bad coincidence that the psychologist himself is suffering with some sort of MND. Came out of the session worst than before😢. The more I worry about my twitches the worst they get. At some places they feel 24/7.

seeing the neuro again tomorrow. Will try to find as much as possible about my fasics. In the meantime trying my best to be present for my family. This sucks!!! Apologies @Solafide3 for hijacking your thread. Wanted to talk to someone who is going through the same.

 

Hey, the more - the merrier! I cannot imagine what going to that psychologist what like. I would have came out 10 times worse as well. If you're anything like me (or most health anxiety sufferers) if we are worried about something and say we happen to just randomly see a sign for a fundraiser for whatever we are worried about, we take it as a sign the universe is trying to tell us that we have it. What other symptoms are you having?

[Solafide3 18]

1 hour ago, Matty_G said:

Oh, no worries at all! Again, you've said another thing that is exactly like me. Just recently it's been determined that my anxiety comes from not wanting to burden my family or leave my two boys. Same exact fears, same exact symptoms. That's Wild!

Geez, Louise. Are you married? I can see my husband's eyes start to glaze over when I talk about it. Can't say that I blame him, I've been hysterical. Every day I make him promise he will take care of my son. He's never been worried or depressed a day in his life so when someone is upset he's just kinda like durrrrrrrr

[Madmax 5]

24/7 twitching with both the calves, right deltoids, left thenar, left toe pinky, soles, perceived weakness, eventhough I am able to do everything.

the worst is the strength tests as I always  doubt I will not be able to do something I was able to do previously. And this is causing more anxiety than ever. 

Wife is so frustrated with me but I am anot able to control the anxiety.

[Solafide3 18]

2 minutes ago, Madmax said:

24/7 twitching with both the calves, right deltoids, left thenar, left toe pinky, soles, perceived weakness, eventhough I am able to do everything.

the worst is the strength tests as I always  doubt I will not be able to do something I was able to do previously. And this is causing more anxiety than ever. 

Wife is so frustrated with me but I am anot able to control the anxiety.

Have you had an EMG yet?

[Madmax 5]

7 minutes ago, Solafide3 said:

Have you had an EMG yet?

12 years ago😂.Twice. Went to 4 different Neuro. Had been under a lot of stress/anxiety a month ago and the twitching started . And I had never twitched so bad ever. Hence was very worried and ran to the neuro (see my other thread). Seeing him again tomorrow..

[Solafide3 18]

3 minutes ago, Madmax said:

12 years ago😂.Twice. Went to 4 different Neuro. Had been under a lot of stress/anxiety a month ago and the twitching started . And I had never twitched so bad ever. Hence was very worried and ran to the neuro (see my other thread). Seeing him again tomorrow..

You've been twitching 12 years?!?!?! You must just be worried that you are going to develop it at some point? Cause not even Stephen Hawking got away with 12 years after onset without weakness. I wish I was at the point in my terrifying journey that you are, cause I feel like I def wouldn't be worried anymore. Good you're going to the neurologist tomorrow though. Definitely let us know what they say. In the meantime, I know how it is just needing to talk to somebody and not being able to help but ask a million questions. Here if you need me.

P.S. My spouse is very frustrated as well and I also struggle to be present!

[anxietyprince 4]

On 3/8/2019 at 11:53 AM, Matty_G said:

That's so crazy! I thought I was the only one with the dizziness too! I was doing stupid balance tests every day like a weirdo cause something felt just "off". Good news is, is that it sure was anxiety causing it, because when I got good news, that symptom nuked it self pretty quick. Interesting that you mention the gluten thing because it's been brought up to me before. I've always had these little red bumps on the back of my arms (not very noticeable but they're there) and my doc said that's a good indicator of a gluten intolerance/allergy. I'm up in Ontario Canada and most of our restaurants do have Gluten free options. Fuck, now I'm thinking I should just eat salad for a few weeks as a test...God I hate Salad.

Has anyone here had daily twitches? Started in my hand and moved towards the whole body but is still present in my fingers & toes mainly. Just trying to confirm it’s anxiety - I feel weaker in my left hand as well which is why I am scared - mostly of MS, Parkinson’s as I went through my ALS freakout last week pretty heavy. It’s almost been a month of twitching - just curious as to if anxiety can cause this 24/7

[Solafide3 18]

5 minutes ago, anxietyprince said:

Has anyone here had daily twitches? Started in my hand and moved towards the whole body but is still present in my fingers & toes mainly. Just trying to confirm it’s anxiety - I feel weaker in my left hand as well which is why I am scared - mostly of MS, Parkinson’s as I went through my ALS freakout last week pretty heavy. It’s almost been a month of twitching - just curious as to if anxiety can cause this 24/7

Yes, I have them daily. I had an EMG yesterday. I’ve had an MRI and other bloodwork. They have found nothing. She thinks mine is because of a food allergy and there is actually a scientific study on it. The lab tech was telling me she has known lots of people with frequent twitches. 

Twitches aren’t really an MS symptom. Neither is Parkinson’s. My dad has Parkinson’s. 

Most of the people who worry about twitching are medical students and people who google.

i worried so much I sent myself into chronic dehydration and only made things worse. If you can’t stop worrying, go to a neurologist. Other than that, stay off Google and focus on your health. Get on your knees and pray. This twitch worrying cycle never ends. There are people here that have been twitching for 12 years and can hardly function to take care of their family because they are so worried. God is the only one who can truly give you peace.

 

[Matty_G 18]

55 minutes ago, Solafide3 said:

Yes, I have them daily. I had an EMG yesterday. I’ve had an MRI and other bloodwork. They have found nothing. She thinks mine is because of a food allergy and there is actually a scientific study on it. The lab tech was telling me she has known lots of people with frequent twitches. 

Twitches aren’t really an MS symptom. Neither is Parkinson’s. My dad has Parkinson’s. 

Most of the people who worry about twitching are medical students and people who google.

i worried so much I sent myself into chronic dehydration and only made things worse. If you can’t stop worrying, go to a neurologist. Other than that, stay off Google and focus on your health. Get on your knees and pray. This twitch worrying cycle never ends. There are people here that have been twitching for 12 years and can hardly function to take care of their family because they are so worried. God is the only one who can truly give you peace.

 

Hey Solafide, one of my only symptoms left from my rough anxiety bout has been a weak feeling in my arms and shakiness in my arms/hands (twitching has been getting better actually) usually when I'm doing something with them..they've ruled out ALS and MS through various testing.  I'm worried it could be Parkinson's, but it doesn't sound like it. What do you think as it sounds like you might have some experience with this?

[Solafide3 18]

14 minutes ago, Matty_G said:

Hey Solafide, one of my only symptoms left from my rough anxiety bout has been a weak feeling in my arms and shakiness in my arms/hands (twitching has been getting better actually) usually when I'm doing something with them..they've ruled out ALS and MS through various testing.  I'm worried it could be Parkinson's, but it doesn't sound like it. What do you think as it sounds like you might have some experience with this?

Have you been neglecting your water intake because of your worry?

[Matty_G 18]

5 minutes ago, Solafide3 said:

Have you been neglecting your water intake because of your worry?

Nah Ive been drinking at least 2 bottles a day.

[Solafide3 18]

4 minutes ago, Matty_G said:

Nah Ive been drinking at least 2 bottles a day.

From what I understand shakiness is part of benign fasciculation syndrome. Nothing I tell you is going to take your worry away forever. You’re gonna keep coming back to it. This is something you have got to fix in your head and I know because I’m currently trying to do that myself

[Matty_G 18]

17 minutes ago, Solafide3 said:

From what I understand shakiness is part of benign fasciculation syndrome. Nothing I tell you is going to take your worry away forever. You’re gonna keep coming back to it. This is something you have got to fix in your head and I know because I’m currently trying to do that myself

Once again, we're alot alike lol. I was told most likely BFS. Glad you chimed in though as always

[Matty_G 18]

2 hours ago, Solafide3 said:

From what I understand shakiness is part of benign fasciculation syndrome. Nothing I tell you is going to take your worry away forever. You’re gonna keep coming back to it. This is something you have got to fix in your head and I know because I’m currently trying to do that myself

Well good news, I forgot I had a doc appointment this afternoon for a follow up, so I brought the shakiness up. She examined me, and had me replicate the movement that causes it. She said with a 100% certainty that it's BFS plus the medication increase. Quite common for this to happen apparently. Not PD either because of the way it takes form.

[anxietyprince 4]

1 minute ago, Matty_G said:

Well good news, I forgot I had a doc appointment this afternoon for a follow up, so I brought the shakiness up. She examined me, and had me replicate the movement that causes it. She said with a 100% certainty that it's BFS plus the medication increase. Quite common for this to happen apparently. Not PD either because of the way it takes form.

That’s awesome! Happy to are getting reassurance. Did she say anything about anxiety causing symptoms? Like the twitching or weakness? 

[BrightPhoenix 78]

On 3/8/2019 at 2:27 AM, Solafide3 said:

I’ve had the twitching since December. 

At first I thought my weakness was just perceived. But every day it gets worse. I can’t lift things like I used to. Every thing I do I shake uncontrollably. When I wake up to go the bathroom my legs and arms are quivering and I feel as though I will collapse.

The doctor confirmed it’s not just anxiety. I had an emg maybe 20 days after twitches started. I don’t feel like it was long enough to catch anything. Doc wants to do a Repetitive Nerve Stimulation test. 

Ive read tons of stories where a person loses gradual strength like me. For example: http://www.alsa.org/about-als/2013-aam/stories/2013-aam-stories-427937571.html

Im about to lose my family over this. 

 

What did the EMG read?  If it didn't find anything then most likely you have something else causing it.  I can lift things fine but I have similar problems to you.  Which doc is this?  A neurologist?  Make sure to get second opinions.

Edit: By the way, I know this will only help a LITTLE bit, but I was diagnosed with this condition called essential tremor back in 2016-early 2017.  It's a condition you do have to live with, but it's not fatal and is very treatable.  I AM NOT A DOCTOR SO DO NOT ASSUME YOU HAVE IT, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTORS.  Essential tremor is what is known as an "action tremor".  i.e. you get it when you do stuff,.  NO, it's not fatal.  You can live with it and it can be treated and put under control, but not necessarily cured.  Seeing how you said you had BFS, there is a bit of an overlap with ET in that they mimic scary stuff, but can actually be managed on their own.

Essential tremor causes you to shake when you reach out for things or squat or try to grab onto stuff.  This ONLY happens when you're DOING things.  If you're doing nothing and you're fine then yeah, you do not have Parkinson's or anything scary like that.

But even with the ET diagnosis, I noticed my tremors also got worse just like yours over the past few months, and my muscles are fatiguing rather quick (but no weakness).  I'm going to see my neurologist soon to see what his opinion is, but just be rest assured if you have a clear EMG it is NOT ALS.  If it is ET, it can be treated, and the "first line" treatment is a blood pressure medication (propranolol) that has been tested by a lot of people and very easy to take and easily tolerated.

Matty_G seems to be a huge help to relieving you too.  Great on him to help you out.