Can this really just be anxiety?

[TightlyWound 1]

I have had health anxiety since I was a kid. Don't know what started it exactly but my only fears then were vomiting in public and getting sick while away from home. Now though, it's insane. I've diagnosed myself with everything at least once and my main fear now is neurological disease. I do have an autoimmune disease (celiac) that has me fearing developing another autoimmune disease (right now fearing MS). I know anxiety has caused convincing symptoms in me before (one sided weakness, tremors, stomach dysfunction etc), but it has never caused pain before and that is where I am now. I started having sharp pains in my left hand where the thumb meets the palm and in the webbing between the thumb and index finger that feels like there is a splinter in there and radiates a sort of numb, warm, swollen feeling into the tip of my thumb when touched. Around the same time of the carpal tunnel development I developed persistent numbness in the fingertip of the ring finger in my right hand.Doctors thought I had carpal tunnel in the left based on other concurrent symptoms and when conservative management failed to give lasting relief I got the release surgery about a month ago. Some symptoms cleared up but that prick-like pain remains. Day after the surgery I started getting shock like pains all over my body, hands, feet, torso, legs, face, you name it.Tried not to freak too much, they're fleeting after all and I told myself they never woke me from sleep so its probably anxiety related. But last night I had a dream wherein I was shocked in my right thumb and awoke to a shock like pain in the exact spot I dreamed of. Couldn't sleep the rest of the night and now the thumb registers a shock like pain when rubbed or when making contact on anything hard.

So my query is how can these symptoms be anxiety? Normally, don't people have more generalized bodyside symptoms like sweating, feeling hot or cold, dizziness, traveling numbness etc? But a single fingertip persistently numb? Shock like pains in hands and feet? These seem more serious, no? I'm looking for another perspective that I might be missing, I guess. 

Beginning of last year, with the one sided symptoms, I was concerned about the same thing (MS) so I sought an MRI from a neurologist who didn't think it was anything but ordered it for peace of mind. It was clear. Should I request another MRI since I have entirely new symptoms?

[Ironman 192]

Anxiety can play games with nerves.  Everyone has different symptoms.  I can shake and have nausea.  I can't eat if i have a major panic or anxiety attack.  

I wouldn't bother with an MRI, though.  That's a stretch.  Have you seen a doc or therapist?

[TightlyWound 1]

On 11/25/2023 at 11:11 PM, Ironman said:

Anxiety can play games with nerves.  Everyone has different symptoms.  I can shake and have nausea.  I can't eat if i have a major panic or anxiety attack.  

I wouldn't bother with an MRI, though.  That's a stretch.  Have you seen a doc or therapist?

Thanks for the reply, and sorry for being late in getting back, I get no notification of replies.

I saw a Neurologist yesterday and he couldn't explain the symptoms at all which was frustrating for me. He just said "I think you're okay." He prescribed me Cymbalta which, after reading the side effects, I am very scared to take. I'm looking into getting another therapist but as the last one didn't seem to help much I'm feeling rather demoralized at the moment. 

[Ironman 192]

2 hours ago, TightlyWound said:

Thanks for the reply, and sorry for being late in getting back, I get no notification of replies.

I saw a Neurologist yesterday and he couldn't explain the symptoms at all which was frustrating for me. He just said "I think you're okay." He prescribed me Cymbalta which, after reading the side effects, I am very scared to take. I'm looking into getting another therapist but as the last one didn't seem to help much I'm feeling rather demoralized at the moment. 

I am actually taking Cymbalta.  I switched from Paroxetine (Paxil) because of the bruxism (teeth-clenching) causing teeth problems and weight gain.  Cymbalta works pretty well for me.

You should start taking it as prescribed.  If there are any problems, you can let your doctor know and he can adjust.

When I first went to the psychiatrist, she thought I was bipolar and tested me twice.....and even put me on Lithium!  It's like eating a battery, but it only caused what little OCD I ever thought I had and made it debilitating.  I told the doc and was immediately off of it.  Lexapro didn't work for me and I was maxed on it.  Then, it was Paxil lol.  

I ended up being diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder with a broad affect.   I can be a good actor because I can practically cry on cue hahaha.

[xijof 0]

On 11/24/2023 at 6:12 PM, TightlyWound said:

I have had health anxiety since I was a kid. Don't know what started it exactly but my only fears then were vomiting in public and getting sick while away from home. Now though, it's insane. I've diagnosed myself with everything at least once and my main fear now is neurological disease. I do have an autoimmune disease (celiac) that has me fearing developing another autoimmune disease (right now fearing MS). I know anxiety has caused convincing symptoms in me before (one sided weakness, tremors, stomach dysfunction etc), but it has never caused pain before and that is where I am now. I started having sharp pains in my left hand where the thumb meets the palm and in the webbing between the thumb and index finger that feels like there is a splinter in there and radiates a sort of numb, warm, swollen feeling into the tip of my thumb when touched. Around the same time of the carpal tunnel development I developed persistent numbness in the fingertip of the ring finger in my right hand.Doctors thought I had carpal tunnel in the left based on other concurrent symptoms and when conservative management failed to give lasting relief I got the release surgery about a month ago. Some symptoms cleared up but that prick-like pain remains. Day after the surgery I started getting shock like pains all over my body Angstbehandling, hands, feet, torso, legs, face, you name it.Tried not to freak too much, they're fleeting after all and I told myself they never woke me from sleep so its probably anxiety related. But last night I had a dream wherein I was shocked in my right thumb and awoke to a shock like pain in the exact spot I dreamed of. Couldn't sleep the rest of the night and now the thumb registers a shock like pain when rubbed or when making contact on anything hard.

So my query is how can these symptoms be anxiety? Normally, don't people have more generalized bodyside symptoms like sweating, feeling hot or cold, dizziness, traveling numbness etc? But a single fingertip persistently numb? Shock like pains in hands and feet? These seem more serious, no? I'm looking for another perspective that I might be missing, I guess. 

Beginning of last year, with the one sided symptoms, I was concerned about the same thing (MS) so I sought an MRI from a neurologist who didn't think it was anything but ordered it for peace of mind. It was clear. Should I request another MRI since I have entirely new symptoms?

Hello. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed with these symptoms, especially when they’re so specific and persistent. Anxiety can cause highly localized physical sensations, including numbness, tingling, and pain, due to heightened nerve sensitivity and hyperawareness of your body. Post-surgery nerve healing might also explain the lingering sensations in your hand, as nerve recovery can take time and sometimes trigger misfires like shocks. A clear MRI last year is reassuring, and MS typically progresses visibly over time. However, if these new symptoms are significantly different, discussing them with your neurologist is a good idea. They can guide whether another MRI or additional tests are necessary.