Buzzing in legs/feet

[Shannon Wyatt]

Hi, quick question about anxiety symptoms.  I'm a 41yo male suffering from anxiety.  I have this constant buzzing or vibrations in my lower legs/feet (mostly left) that is just driving me crazy.  I'm thinking of all kinds of things that could be medically wrong with me -- which is causing the huge anxiety that I'm feeling.  Just was curious if anyone else has experienced this.  Also, I get slight numbness and tingling in my toes (both sides) from time-to-time, but mostly in the morning when I wake up shaking.  Thanks!

[Beat Down]

I have those symptoms also. Mostly in my upper leg though. Doesn't hurt or anything just feels really weird. I keep thinking my cell is going off when it starts. Anxiety most probable cause.C Ya

[Shannon Wyatt]

I totally had the same symptoms as yourself -- slight numbness/tingling in my toes, with a buzzing or vibration in my legs/feet (usually left).  Because of this I have totally scared myself into believing I have MS.  It is just amazing what the mind can do to your body.  I have had a MRI & bloodwork -- and awaiting results.  Dr. does not believe it is MS because I don't have any of the other symptoms.  But it will be great when I get the results.  The numbness/tingling comes and goes -- but it is usually more noticeable in the mornings when I wake up.  Mornings are just rough for me.  I wake up trembling/shaking/heart pounding/palms sweaty/feet cold -- and have to concentrate on my breathing to right myself.  I wonder if I'm having a panic attack when I'm sleeping??  Is this possible?

[dan_m]

The tingling feeling is very likely anxiety related.  The physiological explanation is that as your body progresses through a 'fight-or-flight' response (i.e. during anxiety), it draws blood from the limbs producing the tingling/numb feeling. I suffer from GAD and while the tingling feeling isn't nice, it IS harmless.  I've personally found mindfulness meditation very helpful although it takes some commitment and like anything prob doesn't work for everyone.

[shb61]

I had the same buzzing feeling and found out I was B12 deficient.  I got shots every week then every month and they don't buzz anymore.  Hope that helps.

[OneScaredBuckeye]

Count me in.  I've posted on this forum and on the neurology forum looking for answers.  

I can go to sleep feeling okay, but wake up with one or both, lately it's been both, feet just buzzing like a hive of bees.  I have no pain, no weakness, no loss of strength, or loss of range of motion.  I feel fine otherwise.  The buzzing is extremely annoying.  I've scared myself into thinking I have ALS, MS, tumors on the spinal nerves, impinged nerves, etc.

I know the quality of my sleep is awful as my family members tell me I have sleep starts, cry in my sleep, scream in my sleep, and have nightmares.  I didn't know that until they told me.

My buzzing is worse when trying to relax but goes away when I'm out of the house and relaxed or with exercise.  Tells me it's not physical.  A physical thing, like ALS, MS, a tumor on a spinal nerve would not get better with exercise.  Also, this has, to one degree or another, been going on for almost ten years for me.  Paxil helped it greatly, but I had to stop it, as it caused uterine bleeding in me. :(

[geri378]

i've had the same buzzing feeling in my feet for the past 2 years. i've had alot of test done all came back normal. still don't understand how  anxiety can cause the buzzing feeling. does anyone else know?

[geri378]

does anyone else get the buzzing feeling in feet or anywhere else?

[manuel_s]

i to have buzzing in my left leg and foot, before that i was feeling ill, tired and weak all the time, didnt know what it was, so i starting getting scared thinking i had cancer.. doctor said i had viral symptoms.. but before i went to the doc.. i was really stressing my self out thinking about all the horrible things it could be.. then my calves started twitching 24/7 along with the buzzing, i really got freaked thinking i had ALS or MS or some other neurological disorder.. but turns out that stress and anxiety can cause twitching, so im guessing it is possible for the buzzing feeling to be caused by anxiety because they started around the same time.. i havent been worrying to much about it, but its still in the back of my head... but they did calm down a bit..

[geri378]

i also thought i had ms or something else wrong. i had all kinds of test done like 2 mri "s all normal. i've had the buzzing feeling in feet for 2 years. i guess stress and anxiety can do alot to your body.can make your nerves go haywire

[OneScaredBuckeye]

I think stress and anxiety make the nerves fire much faster so we feel the strange sensations.  I think the nerves get oversensitized, but I sure don't really know.

Paxil helped me a lot, which shows me at least part of it is stress and anxiety related.  I had to stop taking Paxil, though, as it caused uterine bleeding.

I also have low estrogen and low estrogen can cause buzzing and tingling in the hands and feet.  I'm going to try Amberen.  If that doesn't help, I'm going to see and Internal Medicine specialist or a gynecologist.  My PCP says it's "just stress."  Just.  He doesn't realize how horrible we feel and how the quality of our lives can be so affected.

[staley]

Did the original poster ever indicate the results of the testing?

[reginalddawkins]

I have a longer story than this with more symptoms (see the forum under "My Story") but I wanted to respond to this thread...

One of the first things I noticed with my story was my fingers (ring and pinky, primarily) in both hands going numb. I learned that this was related to the ulnar nerve. Shortly after, I began to feel like my nerves themselves were hyper sensitive (one user mentioned this) and now, six weeks later, they are still rather tender to the touch. If I touch my arm or leg on the nerve, I can feel it through to the extremities. Muscle fatigue/twitches/etc have also been associated, but I wanted to focus on the nerve thing.

If you read my story, you'll find that a catalyst for me was using marijuana. I think it is possible that marijuana acts on the nerves, but I doubt it would last this long.

All my other symptoms nonwithstanding, I am curious if anxiety can actually physically affect the nerves. My sense of touch in my hands also seems hypersensitive. I can feel every ridge of my fingerprints if I rub the tips together. I can also notice a different sensation when I pick up a paper towel - like its rougher than normal.

I understand the fears about MS or other neuro that people have expressed. This is precisely why I am so paranoid right now. If you want to chime in on the rest of my story, feel free in that thread, but here I just wanted to say that I, too, have felt buzzing in the sense of aching/sensitive nerves and that you aren't alone in this mystery or the desire to get it cleared up.