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Anxiety Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to generalized anxiety, anxiety and eating, anxiety and sleeping, mood swings, and phobias.
Muscle Twitching and Perceived Weakness
by tarrigo, Dec 20, 2006 12:00AM
I am a 25 yr. old male who has been experiencing muscles twitching and perceived weakness since September 7, 2006. Three years ago I experienced the same symptoms. My fear was ALS back in 2003 and that is my fear now. In Jan. 0f 2003 I had an EMG/NCV done which was fine. I was put on paxil for a condition my doctor described as hypochondriasis. My symptoms completed dissipated and returned in September of this year. I was getting married and had just started grad school before the onset of symptoms. However, I did not feel stressed.
My fear of ALS has consumed my life. On Nov. 9th I had another EMG done, which was totally clean. My neurologist gave me a diagnosis of Benign Fasiculation Syndrome, just like in 2003. I have had an MRI of my brain and Cervical Spine, numerous blood tests. All are fine. I am still worried about ALS even though my tests were fine. I am taking Lexapro right now and supplementing it with Klonopin as needed. I have been on Lexapro for about 2 months now, and I am still worrying almost all the time. My muscles are still twitching and I do feel weak in my right arm and right leg. I still go to the gym and run and do pushups, etc. My GP and neurologist, who are both great individuals, both think it is anxiety related.
After almost 4 months of symptoms, I am sure if it was ALS that I would be in worse shape, but cannot seem to trust my doctors. Is it possible that my anxiety over the disease is causing somatic symptoms? I am thinking about changing from Lexapro to something else, because I am gaining weight and am still worrying a lot. Do you think I should change to another SSRI? One final question…Do you believe my symptoms are anxiety / somatic or is it ALS?
Thanks,
Tony
My fear of ALS has consumed my life. On Nov. 9th I had another EMG done, which was totally clean. My neurologist gave me a diagnosis of Benign Fasiculation Syndrome, just like in 2003. I have had an MRI of my brain and Cervical Spine, numerous blood tests. All are fine. I am still worried about ALS even though my tests were fine. I am taking Lexapro right now and supplementing it with Klonopin as needed. I have been on Lexapro for about 2 months now, and I am still worrying almost all the time. My muscles are still twitching and I do feel weak in my right arm and right leg. I still go to the gym and run and do pushups, etc. My GP and neurologist, who are both great individuals, both think it is anxiety related.
After almost 4 months of symptoms, I am sure if it was ALS that I would be in worse shape, but cannot seem to trust my doctors. Is it possible that my anxiety over the disease is causing somatic symptoms? I am thinking about changing from Lexapro to something else, because I am gaining weight and am still worrying a lot. Do you think I should change to another SSRI? One final question…Do you believe my symptoms are anxiety / somatic or is it ALS?
Thanks,
Tony
Post Comment
I am so scared...I don't want ALS!
I hate this! I just want this to be over.
I am going to a neurologist next thursday at the University of Pittsburgh. My neuro gave me his number because I was worrying and he is doing it for piece of mind.
Where south of Pitt do you live?
Maybe we could email!
Tony
PS: TONY...YOU DO NOT HAVE ALS!!!!
If you have not known how your symptoms are OFF the SSRIs, then I think you deserve to know. If you aren't depressed, there is no reason (in most cases) for an antidepressant Adding then can, in fact, create more problems because the patient will sometimes start having "symptoms" (side effects) they never had, or the symptoms they are complaining of can get worse on AntiDs.
I'd ask the doc to take me off the Lexapro (but do NOT stop this drug suddenly or you could experience withdraw syndrome, very unpleasant if you DO experience it.) Taper it. If the doc doesn't give you a tapering dose, then tell the doc to taper. And then go find another doc :)
Best of luck.
I am very familiar with Belle Vernon. Hope all is well down there.
Tony