Hypochondria, MS, Somatization disorder, or what?

[Jenny Wren]

My problems started back in 1998 with migraines (mom and granfather have them), then in 2000, I started having left sided facial tingling (headache side), of course I googled "facial tingling", MS came up, my gram was diagnosed with MS at age 60.  Of course I panicked, then started having anxiety attacks that left me with 3 months of extremem nausea.  At that time I had lots of bloodwork done, everything normal except that I had a positive reading of a reacctivated EBV infection.  Went to doc, he said that this would not cause the nausea.  It lasted 3 months and left as fast as it came one day. So decided to go to neuro about these migraines, wanted to do brain MRI, I refused, I was scared, so over the next 2 years I tried to get on with my life.  2002 I fell in a hole in our yard and hurt my back, I went to the chiro, he adjusted me and told me that he thought I had MS, Fibromyalgia, or a brain stem tumor, I totally freaked, he said this because of the lower back pain and facial tingling.  On the way home from his office, I started having a burning sensation come over my body, it started in my legs, up my back and down my arms, I was really upset.  When I got home I called his office, they told me that I needed to see a specialist, I was never burning before this, I explained to them.  The burning went away, and then the itching started.  It was on my feet, hands, back, and butt cheeks, this lasted for about 2 weeks.  This all occured right before the Thanksgiving holiday.  Needless to say, I was a basket case that year throughout the entire holiday season, I decided in Jan to start an antidepressant.  I took Prozac, and althought the side effects were awful the first two weeks, I kept taking it. Now April of this year I had to put my mind to ease and I decided to have the brain MRI done.  It was normal, was I happy at that, no, so doc sent me for cervical MRI, found a bulging disk, she said that this could be the cause of the facial tingling, and neckaches/headaches, great, so now along with these headaches, my ear started to hurt inside, ENT doc said no infection, to my surprise I noticed that when I take a 1/2 xanax it goes away.  The only problem that I have now is, now this is strange, so bear with me please, I sometimes can't stand clothes up against my skin, it feels like little bugs crawling under clothing.  I just recently started buspar for anxiety, its been a week now, only 7.5 mg at night, and it seems to have made these sensations diminish a good bit.  I'm sorry to ramble, but do you think its possible that all these sensations are a result of me having "health anxiety?" I am still scared about MS, but my doc said that it would have showed up on MRIs by now, being said its been 5 years that these weird bug crawling sensations started.  Could you please tell me what you think of my royal mess?  Is this some type of manifestation of a mental issue? Or am I truly just a HYPOCHONDRIAC? Thanks so much for the patience and thoughts!!!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I can only mirror back what you tell me so can't make a diagnosis but what you described is somatization of anxiety, and you may also have a disc problem, so keep the two separate and keep yourself sane by reminding yourself that evey time you treat your anxiety with a medication, your symptoms diminish...That tells the essential story.

[imcrazy2]

Hi!
I gotta say, this all sounds very well like it could be anxiety.  Especially the feeling you got on the way home after the doctor freaked you out.  In my experience, Anxiety and Health anxieties go hand-in-hand, and somatization definitely happens as well.  Keep taking your medication regularly, take the xanax when you feel "odd"...  If the xanax makes you feel better, there's an excellent chance that this is all anxiety related, and the buspar should start working.  If it doesn't, try prozac, paxil, or zoloft--I don't know much about buspar.  I have seen every specialist there is--cardiologist, endocrinologist, allergist, neurologist, ENT, have had MRI's, blood work, physical exams, you name it.  They told me I could have an adrenal tumor, a pituitary tumor, MS, thyroid disfunction, mitral valve prolapse, allergies, asthma....
All that comes back is slightly off blood work, slightly off reflexes, and no diagnosis.
So.....I take medication for anxiety, and it seems to help all of my symptoms....whether there is an underlying biological cause for the anxiety, I don't know, but if the anxiety medication helps, chances are, that's what was wrong.

[Jenny Wren]

What are your symptoms?

[imcrazy2]

where do I start, LOL
Mild, but persistant headaches(last for days), distorted vision with some hallucinatory symptoms--flashing lights & colors, loss of balance, extreme fatigue, daytime drowsiness with nightime insomnia, excessive sweating, constant state of anxiety and agitation with waves of panic lasting weeks at a time, diarrhea, confusion, intrusive thoughts, skipped heart beats, shortness of breath, hot flashes, vertigo, tremors....the neuro exam showed that my reflexes didn't respond properly, but weren't quite enough to warrant additional testing beyond the MRI....I'm sure there's more...I'll post as I think of them.

[Jenny Wren]

I see flashing lights sometimes when I close my eyes at night, they only last for a few seconds, but I do get migraines, auras without the headaches.

[imcrazy2]

Yeah, that's what the opthamologist (yet another specialist) said it was.

[cat457]

I have been experiencing strange MS like symptoms for 2 months now. I have had tingling in legs,arms, and burning sensation in heal of hand.  I feel muscle fatigue in legs after a short walk or climbing stairs.  I have also experienced the dizziness and vertigo.  I too searched on these symptoms which brought up MS info. After driving myself crazy reacing all the MS websites I went to my Primary Doctor.  He ran all kinds of blood test which were all negative.  He gave me the neurological exam (checking peripheral vision, reflex control, wiggling toes, etc)I passed all that. So , he was reluctant to proceed with referring me to a Neurologist and suggested I stop internet surfing as he is concerned that im driving myself crazy.  He did encourage me to return if symptoms continue.  I once again returned to him last week complaining about the same symptoms and he did a more extensive neuro exam and ordered a CK and AutoImmune blood test. He called the next day to confirm that my blood work was normal and told me to check back in another couple of weeks if symptoms continue.  I am trying to relax but I get consumed with worry that I might have a neurological disorder, etc.  I have been driving my family and boyfriend crazy about this stuff.  I been pretty healthy all of my 48 years and I am still very athletic--still waterskiing, snowskiing, hiking, camping.  I can't imagine giving all that up.  I wonder too, if I these symtoms are just stress related.  My doctor said that stress and anxiety could mimic some of these symtoms.  I'm glad I found this website where I can vent with people who have been through this... any comments are greatly welcomed... thanks in advance.

[Jenny Wren]

Do you think that this could be maybe hormone related, you seem to be at that age.  I wonder all the time about me, cause my fram went through natural menopause at 39, I am now 35, and as the years go by, its seems to have gotten worse.  I so not have the typical symptoms of MS, thats not saying that I don't have it, everyone is different with this disease.  I have no numbness, weakness, fatique, vision problems (migraine vision problems), bladder or bowel problems, I can stand heat, actually it , makes me feel better.  I think after 5 years with these crazy sensations, I would have more typical symptoms, unless I have a mild form of it.  I am scared, but knowing that my brain MRI and cervical MRI was normal, helps reassure me some.  I just want to be myself again, be the way I used to be, worry free, and energetic, want to do things that I used to love to do, I just want to be ME!!!! Take care!!

[cat457]

Not sure... my brother was saying when you're under a lot of stress it releases cortisol which can cause a lot of fatigue and do a number on your body....sorry you have been suffering for 5 years... so, your Doctors have never been able to make a firm dx??

[cat457]

Hi,
Maybe it is early menopause stuff... anyway...
After running several blood and neuro test, my GP finally referred me to a Neuro.
The neurolist was very thorough.  I brought him a list of my symptoms and then he did an even more extensive 15 minute neuro exam than my general doctor which included,  reflex, muscle resistence, eye exam, equilibrium (putting one foot right in front of the other), etc.
He asked if when I bend my head over if I feel any electrical charge up and down my spine and I replied no.  
He concluded that there was no need for furture testing (i.e. MRI, EMG).
He said the symptoms could be menopause or anxiety can cause fatigue and muscle pain.

He asked me why I suspected MS and when I told him I googled on the symptoms, he said that a lot of these links are not based on reliable sources--plus my symptoms according to him were too vague, not specific enough to warrant further testing.  

He did order a more detailed Hemo blood lab which also included test for B-12 and Lipids to look at other deficiencies..  

So, I guess the good news is I don't have according to the doctor even early signs of MS.

If it helps any hypochrondriacs (myself included) out there, be careful when googling symptoms. Because if you start to worry too much it can really do a number on your body. Not only am I psychologically relieved but physically I am feeling better.
I know we live in the information age where we can research anything at the snap of our fingers but be carefull and report symptoms to the doctor for futher evaluation and try to trust there diagnosis.  Take a deep breath, meditate or do yoga-- it helps.  My best to everyone's mental and physical health.

[Soap]

Google is Not Your Friend if you're a hypochondriac.  I have to fight very hard to resist using Google to look stuff up, because I *know* that it will make me panic; I'll see a mention of something really awful and become convinced that I have it and am dying and will - almost invariably - start to demonstrate the symptoms I've just read about [does anyone else get this?].  I have serious trust issues and have difficulty believing what my doctor tells me, but have no problems believing what I see in Google rsults.

Steer clear; it makes your anxiety worse.  Only use it if you want further info on a particular drug that you've been recommended, or something like that.

[golden957]

My Doctor wants to test for Lupus,because of ALL of these same symptoms.  Just an FYI.  My thumb, pointer and middle fingers on each hand now have become totally numb.  Along with all the other mental and physical symptoms discussed in this thread.

[cat457]

I had all the auto-immune blood test - negative... no lupus, no rheumatoid arthritis, no nothing... good luck on your test

[cat457]

I had all the auto-immune blood test - negative... no lupus, no rheumatoid arthritis, no nothing... good luck on your test

[cat457]

Hi,Soap!
Thanks for your advice... yeah, googling can cause a lot of needless worrying.

[cat457]

Finally had an MRI to confirm and rule out MS... no MS, no nothing.  Now I can get back to living.  Hope all is well with all of you

Results-
FINDINGS:
Diffuse subcortical white matter signal hyperintensities are noted bilaterally.  No significant deep white matter abnormality.  No brain stem or upper cervical cord abnormality identified.  No evidence to suggest infarct, hemorrhage or mass.  No midline shift.  No intra or extra-axial fluid collection.  Ventricular system within normal limits.  Appropriate vascular flow voids demonstrated.

**IMPRESSION**
Minimal subcortical white matter signal hyperintensities of probable little clinical significance.  Findings do not suggest demyelinating disease process (multiple sclerosis).

[Tendera]

I'm reading all of these posts and thinking WOW, I'm HOME! I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder with panic attacks and for a few years I was agoraphobic and I do still fight those feelings but I try and get out even if its just for a ride around the block.

I also have chronic sinus problems and I smoke so that doesn't help matters but I suffer from dizziness, vertigo, almost chronically, as well. I know that my ears sometimes are the culprit but I think I make more out of it than what I should. And I think this just makes things worse.

I too, suffer from migraines. I sometimes get the classic type migraine but most times it is what's called a acephalgic migraine where I get the aura (flashing lights and zigzigs) but no head pain. I'm relieved about that. However, I've been reading (which is not good) that there is a migraine syndrome that can have vertigo as a symptom and sometimes the only symptom. I wonder if that's what it could be. I don't go to the dr's because I have trust issues and for some reason I never believe what they tell me. My dr. told me it was my sinuses and eustachian tube dysfunction (which makes sense) but that just seems unreal. I know lots of people with sinus trouble and rarely have I heard a mention of dizziness, vertigo or balance problems.

However, I believe everything negative that I read online. Isn't that weird. I won't trust a doctor I've seen for many years and I tend to dismiss everything I read online that could positive...but if something negative comes up in a search...I'm hawking in on it and believing everything I read.

I wonder if dizziness and vertigo, especially since I'm phobic about it, could be imagined....a psychological problem.

I know that was long and for those of you that got this far, I appreciate that you read this. I would love to hear more of what your day to day battles with symptoms are. It makes me feel better and not alone. Thanks.

[fibrolady]

I hope you read this. It is important to have all the tests necessary to alleviate everything. But, I can only tell you my experience. I suffer from severe fatigue in my legs, my skin is mostly crawly, I do have a bad disc (but that is not my problem), I suffer from depression, mostly form the pain and fatigue. I have migraines and I have a sleep disorder (insomnia & RLS). I am currently on disability from work because my condition has gotten so bad. I have fibromyalgia and that is all I have. Migraines, pain, fatigue, muscle tension, crawly skin, problems sleeping, IBS (problems with stomach), problems thinking (remembering things) and depression. The depression started after the fibro. I was extremely bad when finally diagnosed. I was almost suicidal with pain and fatigue. It took a few years and a lot of tests to diagnose this (it is a process of alleviation). The doctors alleviate all the possibilities and the final diagnosis was fibromyalgia, not hypochondria. I was ecstatic because I found out that I was not crazy. The fibro was found by a rheumatologist. That is who diagnosed me and treats fibro. Many do not believe in this, but it is truly a debilitating illness. I also go to a neurologist for sleeping issues and carpal tunnel. I also have a PCP doctor for normal treatments. There are medications to treat the different symptoms, but they do not know what causes this. There is a theory that it has to do with the CNS. I now take pain meds, muscle relaxers, Cymbalta for depression and that also helps my skin, Sleep meds, and a narcoleptic medication that does give me some energy and helps with the fatigue. Exercise helps some fibro patients. It is a difficult disease to treat and sometimes takes awhile to find a combination of things that help. It is also difficult for fibros to achieve a balance in their lives. There are occasional days that I feel cured. On these days, I tend to overdue and then I flare again. The weather is quite difficult on me. Approaching weather changes effect my pain. Cold, damp weather is extremely difficult on me. I sometimes wish that there was a magic pill but there is not. Currently, a lot of research is being conducted to determine what causes this condition. It is now accepted as an illness where before was thought the person was a hypochondriac. I was once in a professional, management position with a great paying job. I did not ask for this; It is truly real.

[kat060579]

Wow! You are all describing me and my symptoms. I wonder what its is taht we have? I refuse to belive that it is strictly anxiety related, though I do have to admit I am a hypochpndriac. But its hrad not be when you spend so much time feeling "weird" for no reason that a person can explain.

Here is my story: When I was 21 (28, now), I started noticing that the blurred vision spells taht I would get were getting worse and they were being accompanied by tinglking through out my body and numbness. I started being so tired and fatigued, that the Dr admitted to the hospitla, started me on corto-steirods and did a complete neuro workup with MRI. Everything came back negative, but it took me 3-5 months before I felt "normal" again. Finally after starting to feel pressure in my head with my episodes, I believed what my original GP had told me that I was having migraines and saw a migraine specialist to confirm.

In the last years, I have beenon a calcium channel blocker which helps keep the auras/ pressure at bay, but I still regularly have the creepy-crawlies, tingling throughout my body (shoulders, back, arms legs,. face, rarely) for days at a time. I also have at times IBS issues or other gastro issues.

I also suffer from anxiery, take zoloft daily, which seems to help with some aspect of my anxiety, but not all of it. I still regularly beliecve that I am dying from cancer. Truly, I do. But I try to control my urges to go to the Dr regularly and instead wait until I really think it may be an issue.  

I am interested to know if there are any Drs who have started studying more about the acephelgic migraine's relationship to tingling and creepy crawlies. Because I have the tingling and creepy crawlies regularly. I wonder if this could be a symptom of a different disease?

[Jenny Wren]

I just stumbled upon this tonight.  I never to this day have gotten an explanantion to why I have these feelings throughout my body.  I have a neuro appt Friday.  Isn't it awful?  My creepy crawlies have now turned into a razor burn feeling.  Its painful.  I am now to the point of sending for a IGENEX test kit for Lyme disease.  I have been tested twice with the ELISA, but its useless from the research that I gather from it.  Migraines run in my family the same as MS, my maternal gram had MS, and my mother and maternal grandfather have migraines.  I believe that my anxiety is only caused by having these weird feelings, not anxiety causing the feelings.  Do you take anything like a migraine preventative, like Topomax (topamax) or Lyrica besides the calcium channel blockers?  Does migraines run in your family?  Talk again soon
Jen