Dealing With Anxiety and Twitches

[TomTraubertsBros]

A few weeks ago I found this forum after going through a period where I had a lot of anxiety. This may have brought on my symptoms, or simply made them worse. Just to quickly recap, in the last month or so I've been having a few, although not a lot, of twitches in my fingers and toes, as well as the fasiculations in various parts of my body (which I have experienced in the past as well during a separate period of anxiety). I've also had several sensory symptoms as well. What drove me here was not so much a fear of ALS, although I have been through a long period where I was terrified of getting that. Not that I was having symptoms, just that I was terrified I might get it. No, this time I was concerned about Parkinson's.Anyway, after finding this forum, my anxiety improved a LOT, and I have had very few twitches in my fingers and toes since. The twitches I've had are probably minor compared to what I've read on this forum. My doctor did write a referral for me because I asked for it, but so far I haven't made an appt with a neuro. The lessening of my symptoms has me thinking it would be a waste of his time, but there is also a hint of fear that he might find something. That fear was reinforced when I saw DougO's post tonight. Now I really don't think I want to see one. I guess I'm afraid he will find some slight weakness that I haven't noticed myself. Do you guys think I should go just to ease my mind?Recap of my symptoms - some twitching, some fasiculations (mostly not visible, but sometimes they are), warm sensation in left hand below pinky that only lasts a couple seconds, odd quivering feeling in my chin, although it doesn't quiver. Same with my lips. Sporadic tingly sensations in different areas. I believe I've also had that feeling that some liquid is running down your skin when it's not (but not very often). Lastly, I've had foot cramps for many, many years (don't remember when they started but it's probably been 15 yrs or so). They come and go. Basically, I don't seem to experience symptoms nearly as much as most people here do, leading me to think maybe they were from anxiety.

 

[christinasgirl123]

No, I think you should not. If you had any nasty disease, your twitching would not have got better but worse. And for the sensory stuff, it is not common to present with sensory issues in ALS at all. I only see my neuro for medication and talking ( also prychologist), no more tests for me. I know I don't have anything else but BFS/Fibro and that is benign. But I still fear that any detection of something not 100% super-strong in a test could maybe cause a major relapse for my anxiety and I NEVER EVER want to be in the state I have been in when this started. Then, my body was a mess. Now, about 99% of the time I can care for my kids, do all the housework, care for the garden, do my counseling jobs and handle my self-employment. I am back, not 100% yet, but with some Ibuprofene once in awhile and more pauses for myself I am really OK. And I really fear going back there by falling again into this "diagnosis-circle". I have quite weak finger flexors and so has my hubby and other people on the board....so if you go there and they just say "oohh..these are not soooo strong"....even if this is still normal, probably due to dougs story now, this might send you completely over the edge, don't you agree?

 

[Gloria123]

This is just my personal opinion. No reason to see neuro. You don't seem to have any symptoms that are consistent enough to send you to a doctor. You don't twitch all the time (like most of us do) and just have sporadic sensory issues. And, you have experienced them all during anxiety.My advice: see a neuro if anything changes for the worse, but I don't see a need now. I have twitched my whole life, sporadically and not once did I think to see a doctor about it, until I twitched ALL the time.

 

[yodaiguy]

Go see a Doctor. DO NOT listen to online Dr's who graduated from Google University. When it comes to your health, it's better to be safe than sorry. Twitching, and sensations could be BFS but it could be many other things, only a qualified Dr. can diagnose you.