Anxiety bring on symptoms?

One morning I woke up and had tingling sensations down both lower legs and lower arms.  I didnt give it much thought at first so I put off going to the doctor. When I finally saw the doctor, she ordered up some blood work, ran me through a neurological exam and said everything looked fine but refered me to neurology.  Since then, I have developed back tingles, burning tinglings on my head and some partial numbness on the right side of my face.  These last symptoms started when I read an article on muscular sclerosis and I then decided that that had to be what I had.  Ive been having terrible anxiety attacks and have found it very hard to concentrate on my family.  I was given a prescription for anxiety (cant remember the name off hand).  Ive also started shaking at times in my arms.  I dont see the neuroligst for 2 more weeks!  Could my anxiety be bringing on some of these symptoms?  If so, does anyone have any ideas on how to relieve the anxiety?  Thank you

[HFHS-M.D.-HG]

Dear Nancy

It is possible that the tingling and numbness that you are suffering from could be from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders may  present with multiple symptoms - sweating, palpitations, trembling, tingling, numbness, chest pains, shortness of breath, fear of losing control etc.  Excluding any physical causes that may cause these symptoms is necessary before diagnosing an anxiety disorder. I am not sure what type of medications you are taking for anxiety. But the reality is that medications and cognitive behavioral therapy / relaxation techniques are effective in controlling anxiety. It appears that the fear of having multiple sclerosis is adding to your anxiety. The fact that you read an article on multiple sclerosis and then developed  symptoms sounds as though some of your symptoms are anxiety based. Your neurology evaluation should help evaluate the possibility of  multiple sclerosis or other neurological diseases.

For professional advice, you may want to consider contacting a trained mental health professional. For an appointment at Henry Ford Hospital Behavioral Services, you may call  [phone]. This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not replace evaluation by a physician.

[phil rickards]

you sound like you have the same symptoms which i have and i'm afraid that i have a syrinx in my spinal cord,i do hope that you don't have this but ask your neurologist for an mri scan to be sure,the illness has a proper name; syringomyelia.good luck and check out the asap site which is very informative.

[Melissa J. Woycechowsky]

Many many people with anxiety symptoms think they have multiple sclerosis.  Anxiety causes tingling and burning and odd sensations.  This makes people worried that they have a serious disease and they get more anxious.  It's a circular problem.

I have had the SAME problem.  Please visit my site at www.healthanxiety.com for more information.  I think it might be very reassuring for you.

Melissa