I have questions?

[german41274]

I'm 36 and have had right leg and hand shakiness, muscle & finger twitches all over for about 4 months. My hands and feet fall asleep easier than in the past but really seemed to have started years ago and I asssumed I was just getting old . I also have muscle tightness in arms legs shoulders and jaw. 3-4 months before these symptoms I noticed soreness in my back and a pain that would seem to radiate from the top of my butt to just above behind my knee. I have had little shooting pains throughout my body since I was young. never all the time but enough to wonder why I always had them. Now that I'm thinking of it they happened a lot the first time I had sex and was scared I had contracted AIDS.I have been checked by a neuro who just finished my second emg of my entire right side. He said everything looked okay on both and what he saw was consistant with my bulging disks in my back and some carpal tunnel. I have also had a nerve conduction study, 2 mri's and tons of blood work which came back with low vitamin D and positive ana.
My neuro says definetly not MS, definatly not ALS, and says he wants me to se a psychiatrist after a less sensative ana test result comes back. he ordered this due to false posatives with ana. He suggested a psychiatrist because I have been having major anxiety for a while, probably about 2 years before my symptoms.While I'm all for this if it is stress and anxiety, does this sound like fibro or could it be stress related. I will admit, until I read about muscle twitches with ALS I only had an ocasional upper lip twitch that i've noticed in the past. Once I read about the twitches and muscle tightness I started getting them all over within days, maybe even within 12 hours and my anxiety shot through the roof. I was constantly monitoring everything my body did.

In a nutshell. My neuro thinks I have some back issues and extreme anxiety/ stress.

Can anyone relate or have any ideas. For the record I am a medic and have a pretty good understanding of the body and the way it works( as far as what is taught anyway). I also have a high standard when it comes to Dr's, good bedside maner doesn't cut it for me. I do think my neuro is pretty decent. He never wrote me off but instead said from the beginning he wanted to test me for any and everything before jumping on the anxiety band wagon and he has tested me for everything I've been concerned about.. I'd love to hear some feedback, thanks.

[Alisonj29]

Part of my anxiety is twitching. My legs twitch, my hands, my eyelids, my lip. Not even when I am anxious at the time. I was very worried when mine started as well and thought the worst. The best thing is you have had the testing and have been ruled out of major diseases. The next step is working with your doctor on ways to control your anxiety which in turn should help control the twitching.
So I can completely relate, it ***** to be honest. But once you can get a handle on your anxiety through meds, or counseling etc things should settle. I find that daily exercise also helps reducing the amount of twitches I experience.
Good Luck I hope that you are able to get answers and relief soon

[jlroesner]

Hi German!
While most of my anxiety presents gastrointestinally, I know how baffling all this can be.  Your logical mind thinks there has to be something physically wrong because your body is reacting in a physical way.  The hard part of this battle, at least for me,  is convincing our minds that our body is wrong.  Simple acknowledgement that it is anxiety was never enough for me to get the physical symptoms to stop.  Heck, they are still here 20 years later.  But, they are not half as bad as what they used to be.  Don't get me wrong, I still have bad days, but I have more good days.  Here's the good news, you are among friends here who are fighting this battle daily and who can totally understand just how baffling and miserable it can be.  Anxiety just doesn't make sense, the physical symptoms are real, and you are not alone.  And there is hope, there is a brighter future out there for all of us.  Now, with that being said, I agree completely with Alison.  Once you finish up this last test with the nuerologist and if he recommends you see a psychiatrist, then definitely make that a priority.  Medication, counseling and meditation are the things that have helped me the most.  Until then, know you are not alone, we can all relate to how you feel.  Do let us know how you are from time to time.  Jen

[german41274]

Do you know of others with symptoms like mine? That is the biggest thing for me. I just want to hear if others have experienced similar stuff. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so alone. I have to say, I don't just want lip service either. All in all, I want to start in a direction that will help me to deal and recover.

[jlroesner]

Hmmm, well I've heard of trembling.  Maybe start a new thread with a title of "Anxiety and Twitching" asking for anyone who has this symptom to respond to you?  I'm sorry you feel so alone.  It is an awful feeling, isolation.  I am proud that you want to deal and recover.  Good for you!  We will be here to support you on your road to recovery.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  Jen

[jlroesner]

On another note, something I've heard many, many, times and have found to be true myself is that as anxiety sufferers, if we focus on the physical complaint that is bothering us, it gets much much worse.  Maybe that is why you started twitching more after you read up on ALS?  Just a thought...