First time here

[jek33]

Hello,
I have not visited this forum before. I am 33 years old and felt "off" this summer. We have had a few medical tragedies in my family over the past year including my dad's diagnosis of parkinsons and his brother's sudden death by brain aneurism at the age of 68 (otherwise perfectly healthy). I, myself, just had my second child almost a year ago and am certainly thinking a lot about mortality and life.
When I explained my strange physical symptoms to my dr, he asked if I had MS in my family. I said no and he said he didn't think I had it, but that he wanted me to see a neurologist, just to be checked out. When I got home and googled MS, I became obsessed with the fact that I thought I had it. And, 2.5 months later, I am still here.
The neuro did a full blood work-up and then a brain MRI. Everything looks perfect. My main symptom still to this day is almost constant tingling and sometimes numbness in both hands and both feet. I have felt this since mid-July.
I have tried to change my diet (although I eat healthy) and exercise and I went to two therapy sessions. Although everyone says this is anxiety, it is hard for me to believe that these very real physical symptoms could be anything else but the beginning of MS.
Any words of advice or thoughts? Has anyone else experienced these physical symptoms?
Thanks so much for reading.

[RubyWitch]

I can understand perfectly why you posted on the Anxiety Forum. If I had convinced myself I had MS, I'd probably post here as well. But your questions and fears deal mainly with your concerns about MS. Please copy and paste your post into the MS Forum and let the good folks there tell you why you most probably do not have MS. We know about anxiety and panic here, not so much about MS.
If you need some advice about dealing with your anxiety, please come back to us.
By the way, I meant to say "Welcome to the forum." Rude of me. Also congratulations on the new baby.
I'd also like to say how sorry I am about your dad and your uncle. Both really sad and tragic events.

All of these things you've lived through in the course of one year could have easily overwhelmed you emotionally and triggered the anxiety, which you have chosen to believe can only be MS.

(I want to clarify that I was not calling the birth of your second child a tragic event) Even a joyus and welcome event as the birth of a baby is still a bit rough on the nerves, it's a big adjustment to go from 2 people, to 3 people and now 4 people. This should have been a really good time in the life of your family, but when a tragic death and a horrible medical diagnosis all seem to be happening at the sane time......and that kind of conflict of emotions is incredibly difficult to deal with.

Your neurologist has ruled out MS. YOU DO NOT HAVE IT!
And stay off the internet health sites. If you are ever tempted to look up another symptom, pick up the phone instead and make an appt. with your doctor.

Tingly and numb extremeties can also be a symptom of a vascular problem, (inadequte blood flow) which can be controlled with medication very easily.

See a Vascular Specialist. Learn about Parkinson's and how people can live for years and years and years with few symptoms besides some hand shakiness, (think Michael J. Fox) mourn your uncle but rejoice in your new child and the miracle of the seasons of life. Talk with your doctor and see what he/she thinks about a short course of antianxiety meds to get you over this funk you're in right now and also discuss seeing a therapist to just help you deal with all this stuff in your head, all the hurt and sorrow and loss and joy.........learn how to put it all into perspective and not feel either guilt or shame that your sad about your losses and estactic about your child. You're allowed, ya know, to feel both emotions at the same time.

Be strong.
Peace
Greenlydia