Stressing out over Twitching and other symptoms

9 months ago, I contracted Bell's Palsy.  It completely paralyzed the right side of my face, but I regained most the muscle movement.  About 4 months ago, I discovered sores on the right side of my ribs that I later discovered was shingles.  Sometime in between those two events, I started having occassional muscle twitches in various areas.  But about 3 months ago, the twitching all of a sudden started happening alot and all over (both arms, right hand, both legs, right eye).  After seeing a doctor, he suggested stress and caffeine may have been the culprit, and that twitching was fairly common. He gave me meds for the shingles.  A little later, other symptoms came up.  I have had odd sensations in my arms, like they were numb or I would not be able to move them, but movement and sensation were fine.  I have also had muscle pain in both biceps and triceps. It will last a couple hours then go away.  It may be one arm one day and the other the next or no pain for a couple days. I have also noticed that my legs stiffen badly sometimes while I am stationary.  I also have had some sharp pains, 3-4 times a week, in the right side of my neck the last few weeks from ordinary motions.  The pain is sharp, but does not last long.

I have told the doctor about everything but the neck pain as I have not seen him since it started. The various things come and go.  I have not had the odd feelings in my arms for a week or so now and the twitching has calmed down a lot, maybe just a couple times a day for a few minutes each.

My stress and axneity are way up and I sometimes wonder if I am imaging some of it or making a big deal out of nothing.  I asked my doctor about tranquilizers to help keep me calm, but he did not take me seriously or saw no need.  Of course, I dread the idea of ALS, but it is in my thoughts and I think I am getting depressed and obsessed with the idea that I am going to die from this.

Any information I could get on what my next step should be would be appreciated.

Thanks

[B. Dominey]

I am 32 years old and am going through some similar anxiety about nerve twitching & loss of strength in my right arm. You can read my statement titled "Motor Neuron disease or pinched nerve" to learn more about what I am going through. I think that the muscle twitches do come with stress & anxiety & when your Doctor doesn't give you any answers your mind starts wondering, especially when you read on the Internet alot about your symptoms. Whenever you put nerve twitching or muscle weakness or numbness in Google & run a search, the 1st thing that comes back is ALS. It's just a broad range of symptoms. I lie awake at night soemtimes & feel nerve twitches in several different locations while all along thinking that I have ALS & that I'm dying. That will drive you crazy. I think about the statistics. Only 1 out of 100,000 people are diagnosed with ALS. I feel like the odds are on our side. The best thing to do is to pray about it & continue being aggressive for answers with your Doctor. Have you been to a Neurologist? It sounds to me like you have a pinched nerve since you are experiencing numbness in your arm & you have pain in your neck. Don't worry about it. I know that's easier said than done, but worrying will not change anything. It will only make it worse.

[JGSchultz]

Thank you for your comments.  I am sorry to hear you are having problems also.

Yeah, a pinched nerve had occurred to me, but in some ways, I don't want to find out what it is.  I know it is best to do so and I will, but still so dang scary.  

I did forget to mention that I have also observed in the last month or so that my arms begin to shake when i flex my arm muscles with intensity.  Leaning on my elbows while laying down, holding things up high all bein to make my arms tremble.

Any other ideas woukd be very much appreciated from anyone who reads this.

Thnaks,