Psychogenic Tremor and Concerns About Demyelinating Disease

[Gues]

I have been having odd "neurological" type symptoms for the past 4 mos. It started with having a constant feeling of dizziness. It isn't necessarily a vertigo, but an off-balance feeling. Within a few weeks I started having temporary numbness in my fingers and hands and weakness when trying to utilize my fingers to type, open, carry things etc. Then after a week I started to have a tremor in my (mostly right) hands. Then I noticed my legs and feet (especially around my ankles (mostly right)) starting to go numb and not responding to my brain. I would think I was doing something, like walking, and realize my feet weren't moving. My gait changed and within a few more weeks my knees started to tremor. During this whole time I have also had odd sensations, like electricity, going through different body parts. And, pain that ranged from a dull ache to feeling pain when being touched. Most of my symptoms come and go unexpectedly to a point. I may have a good day, but then they come back. Only constant is the dizziness.

I went to one neurologist and he gave me xanax and said it was anxiety. He sent me to a psychiatrist. The psychaitrist thinks it's neurological and sent me to another neurologist. This neurologist is sending me to get tests done and on the order form it says "Diagnosis: Vertigo/Dizziness, Tremor-psychogenic, paresthesia-generalized, weakness-muscle, malaise/fatigue-other, cognitive impairment-mild, memory loss, mri of brain was normal, worried about demyelinating disease." I have many other symptoms as well, such as cognitive issues that started with this.

I don't know whether this neurologist thinks I'm having psychological issues or neurological issues because of the coupling of "tremor-psychogenic" and "worried about demyelinating disease." I am afraid that if he's classifying the tremor as psychogenic, he is thinking all of my symptoms are psychogenic.

Are there demyelinating or other neurological diseases that cause a psychogenic tremor???  My anxiety level has gone up severely since all of these symptoms appeared. Could the numbness and inability to move my body have triggered a psychogenic tremor? I have an aunt with ms and obviously a 27 yr old female who suddenly lost the use of her hands is going to think the worst.

I just am concerned with being sent away, back to a therapist when I know there is something wrong with me even if tests don't show it.

[beachcomber13]

That's the way it began with my MS... Here a little, there a little. I don't see a doctor unless I'm at death's door, so I never went in. It happened for years. Then I got smacked in the face by a major attack this summer. Enough to send me to a doctor, lol.

Keep an eye on it. Maybe journal it--they have a journal function here. If you feel something new, if something goes away, if you realize it gets worse in some situations, just make a note of it. Maybe it ends up being nothing. Having some data can't hurt.

[Gues]

B levels are all normal. However, my D was low in April and my B's were in low-normal range. My gp wanted me to take increased (more than the usual person) dosage of supplements on both. Now my levels are fine, but I wonder if that was a crucial time for me because I've been reading about vitamin D and demyelinating diseases. Before then I don't think my levels had been checked in years. I do know that in November of 2009 my hands started going numb and having weakness (mostly in the cold), but I didn't see a dr for it. Heh, and the reason I went to the dr in April was merely for a little depression and anxiety. I think bringing my D up help (along with zoloft), but the more I think about it, the more I think these things have been happening for awhile. I'm just getting the first full-on effects.

[beachcomber13]

Haha, the off-balance, parasthesia forum is called the MS forum. ;) But I know what you mean. It is good that you are getting the tests done. And I know what you mean about hoping they find something, because you know that something is going on. Finding it means helping it! I hope they do find something.

(And make sure your B12 levels have been checked.)

[Gues]

Thanks for the response. I'm still going through a battery of tests. We'll see what they say... And, if nothing shows up, then I'll get a good notion as to where my neurologists stands. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt... At least I'm getting test done. It's so weird to say that "hopefully, the tests will show something," but I'd rather have an answer than be like this.

I'll check out the ms forum. It's so hard to know where to post when there are so many things without names happening. There's no "Off-Balance, Parasthesia" forum. ; )

[beachcomber13]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. You should post in the MS forum. Some people there are diagnosed with MS, but many are not (may or may not have it) and are just looking for answers.

To answer your questions... Neurological diseases do not cause psychogenic tremors. Or not directly. Psychogenic means that there is nothing physically wrong with you. That it's in your head or made up, but not on purpose. The anxiety or stress of having all of these symptoms could have influenced you to develop a psychogenic tremor. Or maybe you have a tremor that has a physical cause, despite what the doctor wrote. Doctors do not know everything.

The psychiatrist thought it was neurological... that should be a clue to the neurologist, but apparently it was not received as such. If I were in your shoes, I would see a new neurologist.

In fact, I've been in your shoes (sort of), and I did see another neurologist. And another. And another. I had so many "possible" causes of my symptoms suggested: migraines, seizures, fibromyalgia, history of sexual abuse, history of physical abuse, nervous breakdown (yes, a neurologist actually used those words), HIV, depression, anxiety, MS but symptoms exaggerated for psychological reasons, muscle enzyme problem. As my MRIs showed more lesions, the doctors believed that it was not psychogenic.

Many people do not have their lesions show up on MRIs, but their symptoms are just as real as those whose do. Please do not give up on finding answers for what is happening to you. And please join us on the MS forum! If you find that you do not have MS... well, that's always good news to share. :)