MS??

[BillyboyAA]

For the last couple months, I have had a weird sensation of "shaking inside".  I have minor visible tremors in my hands sometimes too.  I have been on 50mg of Zoloft for three months now.  At first, I noticed this, went to the doctor and he started me on the Zoloft.  It went away a few weeks later.  Now it is back.  I had a Cervical Spine and Brain MRI and MRA with and without contrast.  All came back completely normal.  When I first noticed these symptoms, I was tired all the time no matter how much I slept.  I also took Valium sometimes to calm me down.  What is your opinion on these tremors, could they be MS or Parkinson's.  I am very scared and don't know what else to do.  I am 34 5'9" 160#, in pretty good shape.  My arms and legs also ache sometimes.  I have asked about MS and PD to my Internal Med DR and he says no way.  The Neurologist I saw, says it's very unlikely since my MRI's came back fine.  My arms and legs ache and feel a little weaker than usual and I feel the internal tremor in my biceps today, but not very visible in my hands.  PLEASE HELP ME>  I have also suffered from panic/anxiety for about 9 years now.  I realize that's what this could be, but why all these strange symptoms.  My DR thinks I am wearing myself out with worry.  I spend years and years worried about my heart and now I am worried about neurological symptoms.  Any help or advice you can give me is greatly appreciated...Billy

[Johnny1962]

I am new to this site but was absolutley amazed at reading almost the same type of symptoms that have been posted.  I too had two normal brain MRI's and went to Johns Hopkins I have also been frustrated its true I do worry about being sick and did go to the heart doctors all the time I was always told I was very healty and fit.  I have been looking for comprehensive tests to find out what this is.  I belive its MS the doctors says take Effexor XR  I am very tired tingling in my hands and feet my legs fall asleep and now I have some pain in my muscles.

Any super good MD's in Northern Virginia or DC or should I go back to Johns Hopkins.

Thanks

[BillyboyAA]

Thanx to everyone and the doctor for all the input.  I did not ever have a lumbar puncture, nor have I been told to have one.  I am scared to death, but no one suggested I have one.  Anyone think it's necessary?  The tremors are bad today.  Don't know what else to do.  Thanx again...

[winebev]

I was convinced for many years that I had some type of heart disease, any heart disease, I had it!  No one was going to tell me differently and it didn't matter that I was 5'8" 130 lbs and my blood pressure was fabulous!  

I spent a lot of time in the ER getting EKG's and other tests.  After I was told my heart was fine for nearly 10 years I then turned to another ailment: MS.  I knew I had MS for certain!  Any time I read about the symptoms I became paralized with fear and my body reacted as if I really had MS.    

I started having strange physical symptoms, tingling in the back of my neck, my head felt particulary odd, difficulty walking, dizzy, etc.  Went to Johns Hopkins twice, had an MRI, catscans, spinal tap...they couldn't find a thing.  I was told again that it must be anxiety.  I knew that my physical symptoms were real though!  I didn't believe the doctors, they must have missed something.  

Somatization disorder is a type of anxiety where your body actually mimicks other diseases and you feel like you have the symptoms.  Once you learn to deal with your stress and cope with your anxiety the symptoms typically go away.  They can flare back up again when your anxiety is intensified by something.  In addition, it is not wise for people like us to read up on other ailments, symptoms and diseases because almost every time we are going to "take on" the diseases that we've read about.  

At any rate, I am not a doctor but what you've described that you are going through hits very close to home.  I really think if all tests have ruled out any possible disease then you should consider seeing a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorder.  Best of luck to you!

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

The normal MRI's and neurologic exams help to exclude MS as a possibility. Also your symptoms are not the typical complaints for PD. Since this responds to Valium, it may all be related to anxiety. Without abnormalities on exam, labs or MRI's, I am afraid I do not have any other thoughts. Perhaps you should discuss these symptoms with your psychiatrist and if this does not help, or the symptoms progress then obtain a second opinion at an academic center. Good luck

[chewygirl]

Billy,

Have you ever had your thyroid levels checked or a lyme test?  I had the same symptoms...the vibration like tremor and anxiety.  I am not sure which disease caused the symptoms because I had both problems.  Hyperthyroidism can cause tremors, anxiety, muscle weakness, etc. as can Lyme disease.  May be worth checking into.

Take Care:) Hope you feel better!

[Squimsy]

I've been following your posts with great interest over the last couple years.  Our stories are so similar.

Male 29 yrs old.  Problems with panic/anxiety for 9 years.  Preoccupation with symptoms particularly heart (slow pulse and pvcs).  Now entertaining the possibility that the cause may be of neurological origin.  I expect that like me you rack your brains every waking moment trying to figure out what the hells going on