Hi everyone this is my first post so I'll try my best. I have been suffering with anxiety (health anxiety mainly) for about 2 years. I have also picked up a drinking problem to cope with the anxious feelings. (I know that does NOT help but that's somthing I'm handling with a therapist and my doctor) Anyways, I had an MRI done for my migraines and facial numbness. I have scattered non specific white spots in the scans. My neurologist told me this is very common with migraines. But I am absolutely terrified that I have MS and my body is tricking itself into thinking I do. Examples- I feel so tired, sometimes numbness in my face, leg and arm spasms when I'm laying down, head aches, body aches, etc. was wondering if anyone has ever went thru this and if I should be worried about MS? My white spots do not fit the criteria for MS but my anxiety is saying YES THEY DO!! I posted this in the MS forums too to see if anyone has experinced these symptoms. I wonder if I am blowing this out of proportion or there is somthing actually wrong.
Please relax. The white spots DO NOT fit MS criteria. I have had th white spots since my 20s and I am in my 50s now and no MS!! My neurologist told me they are very common and if everyone had an MRI they would be seen on most people.
I had MS-like symptoms, in fact all the ones you have plus more . I also thought I had MS. But every single one of my symptoms was due to anxiety and stress.
The MRI is the test to diagnose MS and it sounds like it was normal for you.
in that case you do not have MS.
you are fine. It's not the symptoms that are the problem, it's the unmanaged anxiety. When you have unmanaged anxiety, that's when you get symptoms!
Youe body is telling you that it's under way too much stress.
Believe me, I've been through all of this!
If you are struggling with this, speak with a counselor.
Listen to meditations on you tube for anxiety and overthinking.
The more you think about your symptoms the worst they will get .
You can do this.
don't do what I did which was waste over 20 years with the same kind of worry you have. Nothing bad ever happened and I cannot get back any of those days. You will definitely regret it if you do it also.
feel better
Thank you so much for your reply. I guess I am not particularly a healthy person which I'm working on so I always think the absolute worse!! My spots did not have Dawson fingers nor where they large so my neuro told me not to worry but lovely anxiety had other plans for me. I will try my best not to worry and I am seeing a therapist for my anxiety next week!! Thank you, you made me feel much better .
I'm so glad! You will be fine and keep seeing the therapist even when you start to feel better.
The mind is a powerful thing and it will react to anything you tell it. So if you tell it that you have a certain disease, you will get symptoms even if everything is OK.
hang in there and be a fighter for yourself! You can do this.
anxiety is tough but you are tougher! ❤️😀
SO unbelievably crazy. After my MRI I literally started feeling every symptom of MS. Thank you so much for taking your time to answer me. I will be tougher. ❤️
Health anxiety concerns are not uncommon. Let your doctor handle the physical and try to focus on the positive results of your medical tests. Remember your anxiety is very real to you. I have health anxiety issues. Last night I thought I was having a heart attack. Heart attack is one of my biggest fears.
I am also new to posting on this forum. I have fears that I have a blood clot in my left leg. I don't have the same symptoms as you do, but I can relate to some of your issues. Hang in there. Try and discuss with your therapist and of course your doctor. Remember that at least in my case health concerns are usually telling at least me that I am very afraid to die especially alone. One of the posters has told me to take deep breath breaths. Please try that. I don't intend to preach, but when all else fails I lay back in my recliner and ask God to take away my fear and give me peace. This works for me.
I had a therapist once that told me to make a worry box ad to place my worries in that box and take them out when I was ready one at a time. This worked for me also. Remember that anxiety for many of us takes physical forms. I hope that this post as been some what helpful to you.
Yes my anxiety is taking physical forms. The more I read up on MS, the more symptoms I have. The mind is really pretty incredible (espically at tricking me into somthing that's not really there). I have to stay off google. Worst enemy. A worry box sounds great, I will try that. Thank you 😊