MS, neurological problem, or just anxiety?

Hello there,

My name is Michael. Lately I have become concerned with some health problems that have arisen. About two months ago, I experienced my first "panic attack" (this is what 3 doctors told me I am experiencing).

These episodes (which I still experience today) include symptoms such as disconnection with reality, feeling like I'm going to pass out or die (which never happens), racing pulse, etc. For about a week after the first attack, I had a horribly irritating tingling in my left hand. It finally ceased after about a week.

Anyway, after the first attack, for the next two weeks, I hadn't felt like myself and continued having these episodes. After all this, for a week straight, my bowel movements changed drastically. I could barely go to the bathroom and when I managed to go, only a little came out and it usually had blood in and around it. The color, size, shape and smell was odd. After developing pretty bad intestinal pain because of this, I went to the ER, they admitted me to the hospital, took tons of blood (sugar levels, sodium, protein, blood cell count, thyroid test, kidney test, liver test, etc.) and gave me a CT scan of my entire abdomen and a full colonoscopy. Everything came back fine and they told me that all of this was most likely due to my "anxiety". After being discharged, my BM's finally went back to normal.

About two weeks after discharge, the tingling sensation in my left hand returned. I also developed a vibrating sensation in my left foot. Neither of these sensations are constant, they just come and go. I have not experienced any numbness, but if I rest any of my extremities for too long, it almost feels as if they're not there anymore (though I can still feel them and control them). It's a very odd, scary feeling. I also experience these tingling feelings on my right-side extremities occasionally but not as much as on the left. A few days ago, on top of all this strange tingling, I developed random stinging pains that occasionally occur in my hands, fingers, feet and toes. Lately its been in my left leg as well, but only comes and goes. None of the pain is really bad, just irritating. I'll also have random stinging pains in various locations in my torso, but these torso pains are much less common than the ones in my extremities.

On top of all these feelings, I still have these "panic attacks", though they're easier to control now because I realize I will not die from them. But the tingling and pains don't seem to be going away. They don't seem to be getting worse, but they're just there and are terrifying. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac and think in the back of my mind that I may be developing a serious nervous disorder such as MS or ALS or something, but the only thing keeping me sane is that chances of this developing RIGHT after I go through a mess of health problems that are all anxiety-related are pretty low. I have not experienced any numbness or weakness in any limbs or any part of my body for that matter.

It's been about a week and a half to two weeks since all the neurological symptoms have begun, and I'm just seeking any recommendations or opinions I may find alone the way. I'm trying to get registered at my local community hospital to dig deeper into this, but it's taking a very long time because the hospital (Jackson Memorial) is very backed up with appointments.

My cognitive functioning is fine. So is my strength, as well as my vision. I've felt no fatigue whatsoever and no changes in walking or balance. Would you maybe be able to provide some peace of mind or just come answers?

I am a 21 year old college student. A bit overweight, but relatively health other than that. No family history of any neurological disorders or any serious health problems for that matter..

Please help if possible, and thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

-Michael Muller

[jotillotson]

Hi Michael I know how you must be feeling there is nothing worst then thinking you are ALS.  In doing so I discovered the name of a disease which does fit some or your symptoms and my fried has been diagnosed with it also.  I am the furthest thing from a doctor but try looking up the symptoms of Fibromyalgia I think you will be supprised at how many of your symptoms are listed.  good luck and I hope there is absoloutely nothing at all wrong with you except symptons brought on by worrying. regards jo

[nataliean1982]

i have had many of the same symptoms as you. i think worrying and obesessing about it caused me more symptoms and now i am not sure what the real ones are or what the stress caused. good luck.