Lorgirl,
Have you looked anymore into the possibility of Fibromyalgia and /or Myofascial Pain Syndrome? As I have stated in other posts, I have both of these and they cause a great deal of aches/pains & plain ol' WEIRD sensations. I also have GAD and notice that many of my sensations (as my therapist asks me to call them, not symptoms) are heightened and worsened with my anxiety. The following information is simply to help anyone else out who may suffer from the same thing. I know for me, the twitching causes my GAD to explode!
If you look up the symptoms of GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) you will find that most, if not all of your symptoms fit that profile:
"Generalized anxiety disorder is different from normal anxiety because the anxiety persists over a long period of time and it impairs normal daily functions. An overanxious mind causes worrying, dreading and dwelling, but often prevents action. With generalized anxiety disorder, living a normal life becomes difficult because the mind will not turn off, and the worrisome and anxious thoughts take over. Typical symptoms and behaviors associated with generalized anxiety disorder are: Emotional chronic worry and anxiousness about events that are unlikely to occur !!!!!inability to shut off constant anxious thoughts !!!!!feelings of dread !!!!!restlessness and inability to relax Physical anxiety or panic attacks (see section below) lack of energy muscular tension, aches or soreness !!!!!stomach problems (nausea or diarrhea) headaches sweating or hot flashes dizziness or lightheadedness insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep) shakiness or trembling !!!!!Behavioral concentration problems irritability or easy to startle avoidance procrastination unrealistic assessment of problems !!!!!If you have generalized anxiety disorder, you may have better and worse times of the day, or better and worse days. As with other anxiety disorders, you may also suffer symptoms of other disorders as well, such as depression, social anxiety, or panic disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder can be treated though, and learning ways of dealing with your sources of anxiety can give you a stronger and more resilient attitude toward future trials." - www.helpguide.com "Generalized anxiety disorder is a relatively common anxiety problem, affecting 3-4% of the population, that turns daily life into a state of worry, anxiety, and fear. Excessive thinking and dwelling on the "what ifs" characterizes this anxiety disorder. As a result, the person feels there’s no way out of the vicious cycle of anxiety and worry, and then becomes depressed about life and the state of anxiety they find themselves in.Generalized anxiety usually does not cause people to avoid situations, and there isn’t an element of a "panic attack" involved in the prognosis, either. It’s the thinking, thinking, thinking, dwelling, dwelling, ruminating, ruminating, and inability to shut the mind off that so incapacitates the person. At other times, thoughts seem almost non-existent because the anxious feelings are so dominant. Feelings of worry, dread, lack of energy, and a loss of interest in life are common. Many times there is no "trigger" or "cause" for these feelings and the person realizes these feelings are irrational. Nevertheless, the feelings are very real. At this point, there is no "energy" or "zest" in life and no desire to want to do much.This emotional fear and worry can be quite strong. If a loved one is ten minutes late, the person with generalized anxiety fears the very worst -- something’s dreadfully wrong (after all, they’re ten minutes late!), there’s been an accident, the paramedics are taking the person to the hospital and his injuries are just too critical to resuscitate him....."Oh, my God!.....WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?" Feelings of fear and anxiety rush in from these thoughts, and the vicious cycle of anxiety and depression runs wild. Some people with generalized anxiety have fluctuations in mood from hour to hour, whereas others have "good days" and "bad days". Others do better in the morning, and others find it easier at the end of the day. These anxiety feelings and moods feed on themselves, leading the person to continue in the pattern of worry and anxiety -- unless something powerful breaks it up.Physical manifestations of generalized anxiety may include:headachestremblingtwitching !!!!!irritabilityfrustrationand inability to concentrateSleep disturbances may also occur." - www.anxietynetwork.com
This obviously doesn't mean that you absolutely have GAD, but isn't it interesting how we go to the self-diagnosis that seems to be most impossible or unlikely and deadly, rather than the more likely and benign, such as BFS and GAD?
) Ali
Have you looked anymore into the possibility of Fibromyalgia and /or Myofascial Pain Syndrome? As I have stated in other posts, I have both of these and they cause a great deal of aches/pains & plain ol' WEIRD sensations. I also have GAD and notice that many of my sensations (as my therapist asks me to call them, not symptoms) are heightened and worsened with my anxiety. The following information is simply to help anyone else out who may suffer from the same thing. I know for me, the twitching causes my GAD to explode!
If you look up the symptoms of GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) you will find that most, if not all of your symptoms fit that profile:
"Generalized anxiety disorder is different from normal anxiety because the anxiety persists over a long period of time and it impairs normal daily functions. An overanxious mind causes worrying, dreading and dwelling, but often prevents action. With generalized anxiety disorder, living a normal life becomes difficult because the mind will not turn off, and the worrisome and anxious thoughts take over. Typical symptoms and behaviors associated with generalized anxiety disorder are: Emotional chronic worry and anxiousness about events that are unlikely to occur !!!!!inability to shut off constant anxious thoughts !!!!!feelings of dread !!!!!restlessness and inability to relax Physical anxiety or panic attacks (see section below) lack of energy muscular tension, aches or soreness !!!!!stomach problems (nausea or diarrhea) headaches sweating or hot flashes dizziness or lightheadedness insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep) shakiness or trembling !!!!!Behavioral concentration problems irritability or easy to startle avoidance procrastination unrealistic assessment of problems !!!!!If you have generalized anxiety disorder, you may have better and worse times of the day, or better and worse days. As with other anxiety disorders, you may also suffer symptoms of other disorders as well, such as depression, social anxiety, or panic disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder can be treated though, and learning ways of dealing with your sources of anxiety can give you a stronger and more resilient attitude toward future trials." - www.helpguide.com "Generalized anxiety disorder is a relatively common anxiety problem, affecting 3-4% of the population, that turns daily life into a state of worry, anxiety, and fear. Excessive thinking and dwelling on the "what ifs" characterizes this anxiety disorder. As a result, the person feels there’s no way out of the vicious cycle of anxiety and worry, and then becomes depressed about life and the state of anxiety they find themselves in.Generalized anxiety usually does not cause people to avoid situations, and there isn’t an element of a "panic attack" involved in the prognosis, either. It’s the thinking, thinking, thinking, dwelling, dwelling, ruminating, ruminating, and inability to shut the mind off that so incapacitates the person. At other times, thoughts seem almost non-existent because the anxious feelings are so dominant. Feelings of worry, dread, lack of energy, and a loss of interest in life are common. Many times there is no "trigger" or "cause" for these feelings and the person realizes these feelings are irrational. Nevertheless, the feelings are very real. At this point, there is no "energy" or "zest" in life and no desire to want to do much.This emotional fear and worry can be quite strong. If a loved one is ten minutes late, the person with generalized anxiety fears the very worst -- something’s dreadfully wrong (after all, they’re ten minutes late!), there’s been an accident, the paramedics are taking the person to the hospital and his injuries are just too critical to resuscitate him....."Oh, my God!.....WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?" Feelings of fear and anxiety rush in from these thoughts, and the vicious cycle of anxiety and depression runs wild. Some people with generalized anxiety have fluctuations in mood from hour to hour, whereas others have "good days" and "bad days". Others do better in the morning, and others find it easier at the end of the day. These anxiety feelings and moods feed on themselves, leading the person to continue in the pattern of worry and anxiety -- unless something powerful breaks it up.Physical manifestations of generalized anxiety may include:headachestremblingtwitching !!!!!irritabilityfrustrationand inability to concentrateSleep disturbances may also occur." - www.anxietynetwork.com
This obviously doesn't mean that you absolutely have GAD, but isn't it interesting how we go to the self-diagnosis that seems to be most impossible or unlikely and deadly, rather than the more likely and benign, such as BFS and GAD?
) Ali