Anxiety vs Real Symptoms

[crswin]

I am writing this as a repost to some pieces of lengthy threads that I have read on here.

I have no diagnosis, but here is a synopsis of my history.  I have posted before, so this may sound a bit familiar to the veterans on here.

Like you some of you, I was diagnosed with a possible TIA (ministroke) 6 years ago- later undiagnosed of the TIA by the same neuro- he forgot that he made the diagnosis and told me that it was ****- good thing I keep my med reports.  I had right side facial numbness, difficult and slurred speech, and right side arm and leg weakness and numbness for 1 month and was hospitalized for 1 week.  I also had a bout of optic neuritis 4 years ago.  The MRI (brain and c-spine only), LP (lumbar puncture), and blood work (rheumatoid panel, thyroid, SED rate, Lyme test) showed nothing more than slightly elevated proteins in my LP, which the neuro attributed to aspirin.

This past summer, I had pain, weakness, and tremors in both legs, accompanied by confusion, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue.  My MRI, VEP, spinal Xray and blood work showed only slight c- spine bulges (consistent for a 31 y/o)- everything else was normal.

Since then I have felt like I get the most random symptoms that come and go.  They really baffle me.  I have had bouts with leg and arm numbness (mostly at night).  I have had leg numbness and heaviness with trouble walking during the day- not a good symptom for a high school teacher and mom of a toddler.  I have also had spotty bouts of alarming forgetfulness.  Blurred vision and eye pain, behind the eyes, but usually only one at a time.

For the past few days, I have had softball size numb spots on my right cheek and left outer leg- above my knee.  These numb patches come and go.

In the past few months, I had one blackout episode while driving.  For a split second, my vision and hearing blacked out.  Understandably, my heart was racing after the event.  I have also had episodes of racing heart (210 bpm for 10- 15 min. post shower- but no other times).

I have seen the mice and deer (not moose) that many of you 'see'- at least we are honest enough to admit it!  ;)

My issue is that my doctor (GP) seems to want to call this anxiety and put me on meds, since all of my tests are clear.  Can the symptoms above be attributed to anxiety only?   Does he have a valid point that I cannot see? I have been told by 5 docs from varying areas that this looks like possible MS, but since the tests show nothing, they want to call me anxious and medicate me.  I am a rather calm person and only become anxious when doctors do not believe me.  I am sure that many of you can relate.  After a break from doctors, I have decided to schedule a meeting with my GP for after Christmas to go over the 'Weird Symptom' journal that I have been keeping since I last put myself through the torture of seeing a doc in August.

I would greatly value any input, suggestions, or similar experiences that any of you can arm me with as I go into this appointment.  Like many of you, I know that this is not all in my head and fear that the longer this goes undiagnosed, the more damage will not be able to be reversed or prevented.

Thank you in advance for sharing.

Crystal

[OperaMBA]

Furthermore, I think that the anxiety/depression scapegoat is an easy crutch for neurology as a profession, when they cannot divine the real answer.

"Round up the usual suspects."

[OperaMBA]

I have had a lot of weird things over my 7 year mystery tour.

I pray that you find the answer to what is causing your problems.

Most of the neuros are lesion-counters and ignore physical symptoms completely.  The God-like powers they employ, they wield at their own discretion.   Without a slam dunk MRI or positive LP, they can range from rude to cruel, depending on their prediliction.

So, make sure that you are cautious in setting your expectations regarding deterimining the cause of your condition.    I believe, that for most of us limbolanders, the truth will ultimately be revealed.   We just don't know when.

I am sorry for the bitter tone.   I set my expections too high with the MS Specialist appointment that I had on Nov. 5, and I am only partially recovered from the smack down that I received.

Opera

[Quixotic1]

I, too, believe that people with enough anxiety (or depression) to cause disabling symptoms, KNOW they have it, especially anxiety.  They know they are worried, have a sense of impending doom, have racing thoughts, muscle tension, quick to cry or anger, or feel "tied in a knot."  Depression can be a little more elusive to see in oneself, but those around us can see it.

I also feel that very definite symptoms of pain, numbness which are fixed for a while in their location are less likely to be due to anxiety.  I have found that people here with MS can describe exactly where they are numb or where they hurt.  When you read the literature on the pain of anxiety or depression the people complain of real pain, but describe it vaguely and it often moves around within the same short period of time (in one day).

You have a definite history of neurologic disease:  whatever the neurologic event was 6 years ago, the optic neuritis 4 years ago, and the event this summer.  This would be an extraordinary case of anxiety.  I think the doctors are turning the tables on you to mask their frustration with not finding the cause.  If they don't know, it must be somatic complaints.

If you know that you do not have "underlying" anxiety then there is no reason to go on meds.  I agree with Bio, in that, if someone knows they have a problem with anxiety, even if they don't think it is in play, it can be useful to treat it while sorting out symptoms.  Alternatively you can seek the opinion of a professional.  Get a psychiatrist to evaluate you for anxiety.  Several of our members have done that.  In each case, the doc has stated emphatically that they do not suffer from anxiety and sent them back for neurologic care.  A psychiatrist has a deep background in neurology.  Momzilla did this and thereafter could use that evaluation to head off the whole anxiety issue.

I think it is fascinating that 5 doctors believe this is MS until the workup comes back.  This is an ongoing problem.  Without lesions on MRI (which can be white matter lesions, gray atter lesions, brain atrophy, black holes) it is going to be hard to get a diagnosis of MS.  That is the reality we are seeing.  Note that I am not saying that a person doesn't "have" MS, just that the diagnosis will be elusive.

What we want to see is the neurologist that says, "I believe that this may very well turn out to be MS.  But, until there is some more tangible evidence I will follow you and we will re-evaluate on a regular basis."

There is nothing constructive, or even rational, about saying, "Well, I believe you and believe that you have MS.  But, I believe my tests to be infallible and they supercede my ability to reason.  So I am doing a pretty pirouette, here, and declaring you anxious.  Let's give you meds for anxiety and send you away."

Personally, I believe with all my heart that if a person has had two or more events of the type seen in MS, and has had two or more abnormalities on exam of the kind that show damage like is seen in MS, and is accruing real disability, then meds should be started.  This is presuming all the mimics have been ruled out.  But, the minds in neurology are not generally in agreement with me.

Do you know what the quality of the MRI machines was from any of your testing?

Answer to your nighttime numbness question:  Yes, I believe that numbness can develop while asleep and still be due to anxiety.  Chronic anxiety (the kind that might produce chronic neurologic symptoms) is a state of neurotransmitter imbalance that exists even during sleep.  We think of sleep as a state of pure relaxation, but this is not entirely accurate.

Does it apply to you?  I don't think you sound like an anxious person.  I think the docs are off track.

In optic neuritis one would expect the VEP to be positive.  The MRI is less dependable.  Is your optic nerve still pale?

Quix

[biowham]

P.S.
Mine's a mouse or ferret or something.

[biowham]

I guess one big question I'd have is, Can nighttime numbness (i.e., onset in sleep) be attributable to anxiety? Seems like that'd be something that doesn't arise from being anxious.

Bio

[jensequitur]

Personally, I think that unless you're having a problem with anxiety - unable to live your life normally - then you should not try to medicate yourself for it.  I would pursue your neurological symptoms, perhaps with somebody that's an MS specialist.

[crswin]

Thank you for your support.  I too find my self asking others if I am as level headed as I think I am, since the doctors have me second guessing my own personality.

Until I read the thread on here, I thought that my house was infested with mice and wondered why none of the traps that I set could manage to catch them.  I guess that it is hard to catch an invisible mouse.

The optic neuritis that I had was diagnosed during an eye exam.  That eye doc sent me for an MRI, which showed nothing- so I am not sure of the status on that diagnosis.

I hope that you have luck in capturing your batty bird!

Hugs,
Crystal

[mokibear]

I share a lot of the same symptoms as you and no I don't believe that it is anxiety. I do know that anxiety can cause a lot of things but as far as I understand it one has to be anxious first. Yes, I get anxious too when I get no where with the docs but that is to be expected.

As like you, I am sure we would know if we had anxiety issues or not. I even asked my hubby one day just in case I was biased. He said no way, you are one of the calmest level headed people I know. Now, yes he may be biased as well but he is usually the first to be totally honest with me.

You also have had a documented case of optic neuritis which IS NOT a part of any anxiety issues. So I just don't see it. But that is just my humble opinion.

Oh I too have seen the mouse but no deer, my other one is a bat or bird (not sure which) or maybe it's a batty bird.lol

I wish I had something of value to say that would help you through this but alas I don't. I just want you to know that you aren't alone in this.

Hugs
Moki