Symptoms for two years.

[unknown1988]

I'll be very thankful if I get someone to actually read this...I'll try to sum everything up but I will have to explain a little.

Now you can call it anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety...whatever but the reason why i have all these types of anxiety issues starts off not mental but physical.

When I was of the age of 16 I remember I started getting twitches. I was pretty scared and the more I thought about it the more it spread through out my whole body. Having this problem has caused me so much emotional pain and frustration I can't even begin to explain all the mental problems I have now from this.

I believe it to be nerve damage. If I strum my guitar my right hand is SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY as my left hand is at rest. I get tremors espeically when stressed and honestly sometimes want to punch the wall of how my body is. If I didn't have these physical problems....I would be mentally alright.

I have tried benzos. I have tried every type of ssri. and I don't believe those medicines help. This is deep and not mental. When I get out of the shower I am shaky and I just feel as if I'm wearing my nerves on my sleeves.

When nervous are stressed I am shaking and can't just use breathing techniques. If I put pressure on my right or left hand they will shake and I feel weak.

I want to see a neurologist because I know my body and how it feels I am just losing all hope though because I have tried for almost 3 years to solve this problem.

I'm afraid the neurologist will honestly just think It's anxiety...welll I have anxiety but due to something that started out physical. What tests can I have done so these doctors KNOW i have nerve damage ?

[patsy10]

You seem to be an excellent and caring physician. A definite asset to the medical profession.  I was surprised to find you were a neuro- psych.  I knew you were a neurologist.  Maybe you could move to the USA.  A lot of people could use your help here!  You're helping a lot by answering questions here.  Thanks.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello again.

This discussion has brought forward a sad scene in the medical profession these days. More and more professionals are using investigations as the primary tools for diagnosis. And patsy10 is absolutely right. There's nothing wrong with the doctor, but some of them (should I say some of us ?!!) have been through a training where psychiatric symptoms are seen as "not serious or life threatening". And it becomes a habit to ignore the patient's complaints and dismiss them as being made up. Very few doctors keep themselves alert and aware of the big picture when the patient comes.

You would be surprised to know that this is a neuro-psychiatrist speaking.

Regards

[patsy10]

I agree with you.  It's not mental.  There's nothing anxiety producing or scary about taking a shower!!   I think the warm water is affecting your nerves (not mental nerves, physical ones).  People who have nerve problems often have worsening of symptoms when exposed to heat.  If your neuro doesn't help you, I would go see another one.  I would not even mention the word anxiety or say you have been diagnosed with it.  If you take benzo's or antidepressants I would not mention this either.  Not to be dishonest but seeing those as  medications you are taking is the same as saying anxiety.  As soon as they hear that they stop taking you seriously.  I would just state your symptoms and let the doctor examine you and make a decision.  I do think you need an EMG at the least.  Neurological symptoms are very scary and hard to cope with.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

I would like to comment upon your idea of being able to show your symptoms to the doctor.

One, you may not get the twitches at his office, even if you wish to. Second, please also keep in mind that you can't say what the doctor will think. I have seen doctors dismissing symptoms shown by the patients in the OPD as "deliberate", when in fact, they were real. I won't say your doctor could be one of them. Please do consider this when you go to him.

Keeping a 'symptom diary' is an excellent idea. In fact, the diary will have a better impact than a visible twitch in the neurologist's office.

Regards

[Sonaya]

I agree with ampky,

Definately write down when you think these twitches and spams etc started occuring.
I strongly agree you need to see a neurologist.  IF you can show him what happens thats great they can then see for themselves and will have clinical proof rather than just explaining what happens you can show them.

I cant answer your question about the shakes and stuff showing up on an emg but the response you got from the dr here is a very good one.
All the best

[unknown1988]

Thanks alot. I wish there was a long term cure for that but than again It is harmless...just annoying...VERY annoying

[ampky]

Something I do no matter what type of doc I'm seeing is: write-down (or type) all of the meds I'm taking (incl. OTC) and a small list of the symptoms I'm experiencing.  This not only helps me to include things I might forget, but helps the doc in knowing what is really going-on (and keeps eveyone calm).

I wish you the best!.

[unknown1988]

Thanks alot. I'm hoping just because the neuroligist sees me calm doesn't try to tell me nothing is wrong with me. I'll google that syndrome because I've never heard of it.

Since I do have tremors and twitches and the shakes( when nervous ) they have to show up on a emg right?

I don't believe he will see symptoms but maybe if I bring something that is heavy I can show him that the pressure on my nerves is horrible.

Thanks

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Have you heard of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome ?  Your symptoms are indicating this condition. The fasciculations (twitches) are brought on by increased stress.

Please do not hesitate to consult the neurologist. But at the same time, you have to avoid pressing for detecting for a neurological cause. A neurologist always looks for neurological causes himself. You could get EMG and nerve conduction study.

Regards