So I have posted on here several times about my all-over twitching/fasiculations, as well as feeling like more recently that my hands just don't work like they used to. I wouldn't necessarily say weak, just don't feel like I can move them like I need to. I have truly been convinced that this must be ALS, even though I am only 36. All this to say, I finally made and had my appointment with the neurologist. I went on Tuesday. He did the normal neuro exam (reflexes, etc.), reviewed my history (which includes anxiety and depression), and told me that he thinks I have benign fasiculation syndrome, which is highly correlated to anxiety. Basically, I twitch and will continue to twitch, but if I obsess over it, that will only make it worse. He did agree to work it up though and ended up having a opening today. I had the nerve test, as well as the muscle test. For this procedure, a nurse or a tech does the first part, the nerve test. That came back perfect.....which I would expect as ALS is not a nerve disorder, but a muscular disorder. The doctor did the second test, the muscle one. Basically, he sticks a needle in muscles in one leg and one arm. I verified that if anything were there it would show up regardless of what side they tested.....they assured me it would. According to the doctor, that test was fine as well. He had also ordered some blood work which I had done, but did not have the results of. He wasn't too concerned though as he said the muscle test was far more definitive than the blood test. I needed lots of confirmation and reassurance that everything was ok. He said that if anything were there, the machine would have lit up like a christmas tree, and that he had just had a case yesterday that was ALS. Barely even 12 hours later and I am already doubting what he said. What if it is too early to see anything? Should he have tested another part (he mentioned that some docs will do the tongue as well, but he doesn't because if you have it, you have it)? Why is the bloodwork taking so long......there must be something wrong with it? Why do we do this?! The man literally does this for a living.....he sees it all the time. Why cannot I not take his word for it that I am fine?! This is when you know you have a sick brain!
Hi Hank, so this is all great news! I had health anxiety too, in my case triggered by palpitations, testing, stomach issues, testing, dizziness, pins and needles…, mri…etc. Menopause symptoms but docs insisted on ‘ruling out other stuff’. I got into this anxiety loop, checking my Bp and heartrate which scared me to death when it was often high! id have heart palpitations then an anxiety attack. i had a shedload of tests for stomach swelling to rule out serious stuff and told if they come back normal i can call it ibs. nothing sinister found so i was content to call it ibs…for a while til starting worrying what if they missed something? so then i got an ultrasound…no abnormalities!
i went for CBT sessions to tackle my fears which helped rationalise things better and went on antidepressants for the anxiety, which gave me time away from the over-thinking and worrying to break the habit of thinking the worst! i learnt to live more in the moment rather than worrying about what ifs! i put a lot of weight on on sertraline which was working brilliantly and swapped to prozac which is not quite doing enough for me…lately the anxiety has been creeping back, so i need to up my dose or go back on sertraline but make a concerted effort with diet and exercise.
Are you on any meds? have you tried CBT? I the key is to get on top of this rather than letting it control YOU. It’s a miserable existence otherwise…after all, life is for living.
what were your stomach symptoms you were experiencing? I’ve been having some stomach pains on and off and curious if it is anxiety related.
Hi Philly,
the stomach symptoms are swelling lower right side just before hip bone, excessive gas/burping (3yrs!) and maybe the last year heartburn and acid reflux at times. dads had colon cancer so i worried about that. blood n stool sample tests were done but all normal and ultrasound normal. i guess its down to things becoming sluggish down there. i also have certain intolerances such as wheat/gluten, sugar/certain fruit n veg. but i was on antibiotics for a long while around start of meno for bad skin - took probiotics from health food store but no improvement. 3 yrs post meno its not so bad, as long as dont eat daft things close to bedtime! at least im not constantly burping now! i also go from constipated to loose which is common with ibs, yet i dont have cramps typical of ibs. i dont smoke, rarely drink and gave up caffeine start of meno - brings on anxiety. but the prozac does give me cravings for the wrong things, sugar n carbs, i need to fight that! and yes, anxiety can play havoc with such a lot including digestion. incidently i came to note a pattern of palpitations being linked to excess gas in the diaphragm area and researched it, its recognised by some cardiologists (sanjay gupta YORK CARDIOLOGY has put some helpful videos on youtube about the link). now i rarely get palpitations and if i do, its usually when lieing on the settee after eating and is followed by burping, which is reassuring!