MysticalGlitchy
Well-known member
Maybe you have maybe you haven't been diagnosed with GAD, but it's interesting reading which mentions twitching (along w/ other BFS symptoms).
Smiles,
Vanessa
Smiles,
Vanessa
Exploring GAD and BFS Twitching
- Thread starter MysticalGlitchy
- Start date
PrincessCinnamon
Member
Hi,
Yes, for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) for Mental Disorders says, "Associated with muscle tension, there may be trembling, twitching, feeling shaky, and muscle aches or soreness. Many individuals with GAD also experience somatic symptoms (e.g., cold clammy hands, dry mouth, sweating......trouble swallowing or lump in the throat...." Also listed is "easily fatigued."
Another interesting tid bit, is that the DSM also lists "paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)" under panic attacks. I think it's safe to say I have been in panic mode thinking about ** and ***.
I'll post this as a new post elsewhere, so others can benefit from our info.
Sue (I'm a Psychologist BTW)
Yes, for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) for Mental Disorders says, "Associated with muscle tension, there may be trembling, twitching, feeling shaky, and muscle aches or soreness. Many individuals with GAD also experience somatic symptoms (e.g., cold clammy hands, dry mouth, sweating......trouble swallowing or lump in the throat...." Also listed is "easily fatigued."
Another interesting tid bit, is that the DSM also lists "paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)" under panic attacks. I think it's safe to say I have been in panic mode thinking about ** and ***.
I'll post this as a new post elsewhere, so others can benefit from our info.
Sue (I'm a Psychologist BTW)
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
I was dx with GAD and yes it does have alot of the same symptoms listed as BFS- but we forget one thing. GAD's symptoms happen during a panic attack. When you have a panic attack you get pins and needles, clamy skin, sweat,, all the others BUT it happens during the panic attack, not 24-7 do we have panic attacks. BFS we are having all the time. As I see and feel my back with bug crawling sensations and everything else, I am not having a panic attack because this is all day long for 8 months now. I dont think that is anxiety every minute of the day for those 8 months. I have talked to Dr.'s about this and even my counselor said, "well no you probably would not have those symptoms all the time."....Yes we all have anxiety but I feel it is because of our illness(BFS)..Yes, I had anxiety all my life but not this much until the BFS started. Also I wanted to add about the shakes with GAD...these are like having the jitters, like when you have to much coffee and you feel jittery...with BFS I do not feel jittery, I just shake....Of course this is just my opinion..I do not think BFS is related to anxiety at all, I believe it can make it worse but is not anxiety....Jenn...God Bless
I get what Jenn is saying, and I used to get frustrated when folks on the board would blame all of my symptoms on anxiety.
I think both answers are correct. GAD can cause bfs symptoms 24/7, and bfs can cause obviously do likewise.
When I was in college, we would be shadowed by our professors in the hospital whenever we would do a new procedure. So, not only are you catheterizing or injecting someone for the very first time in your life, causing them severe discomfort, but you are also having an instructor watch your every move. Talk about anxiety! If we failed clinical, we would flunk out of the program. It was pass/fail, nothing in-between, no grace, just you're outta here, ya loser.
I also used to play folk music in front of huge audiences. For someone with chronic stage-fright, this can be a bit of a problem.
But...in spite of all of that, I never twitched. I never felt weak. I didn't buzz, or tremor, shimmy, or shake. I felt butterflies in my tummy, I'd get palpitations and my palms used to sweat.
Plus, I didn't start getting all the odd neurological symptoms until I caught a bizarro viral infection that totally knocked me on my ass.
In my case, the bfs seemed to come first.
But NOW, if I get anxious or stressed out, I twitch, I tremor, I feel weak, I shake. The anxiety superimposed on the bfs makes all of the bfs symptoms much worse.
So, yes...I believe GAD can cause classic-bfs symptoms, but it doesn't necessarily mean everyone with those symptoms has GAD.
Therefore, I'm always careful when telling people that anxiety is causing their symptoms, because I remember how that felt when I first started visiting here. I'd sooner tell folks that anxiety increases their symptoms, which would be true with either GAD or straight bfs.
Blessings,
Sue
I think both answers are correct. GAD can cause bfs symptoms 24/7, and bfs can cause obviously do likewise.
When I was in college, we would be shadowed by our professors in the hospital whenever we would do a new procedure. So, not only are you catheterizing or injecting someone for the very first time in your life, causing them severe discomfort, but you are also having an instructor watch your every move. Talk about anxiety! If we failed clinical, we would flunk out of the program. It was pass/fail, nothing in-between, no grace, just you're outta here, ya loser.
I also used to play folk music in front of huge audiences. For someone with chronic stage-fright, this can be a bit of a problem.
But...in spite of all of that, I never twitched. I never felt weak. I didn't buzz, or tremor, shimmy, or shake. I felt butterflies in my tummy, I'd get palpitations and my palms used to sweat.
Plus, I didn't start getting all the odd neurological symptoms until I caught a bizarro viral infection that totally knocked me on my ass.
In my case, the bfs seemed to come first.
But NOW, if I get anxious or stressed out, I twitch, I tremor, I feel weak, I shake. The anxiety superimposed on the bfs makes all of the bfs symptoms much worse.
So, yes...I believe GAD can cause classic-bfs symptoms, but it doesn't necessarily mean everyone with those symptoms has GAD.
Therefore, I'm always careful when telling people that anxiety is causing their symptoms, because I remember how that felt when I first started visiting here. I'd sooner tell folks that anxiety increases their symptoms, which would be true with either GAD or straight bfs.
Blessings,
Sue
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
Yes I do because panic attacks last for minutes, anxiety can last but would have to be extremeeee anxiety and your adrenaline would have to be sky high to have your body be in this state. I think to many Dr.'s blame everything on anxiety because they don't have a clue or an answer.
When I was at my worst with anxiety I had a bloodtest done to see how my adrenaline was and it was normal. If GAD can produce such symptoms to are bodies, which is caused by adrenaline then why was my test negative? That is why my Dr. did the test. I do believe anxiety can cause all of these symptoms but not to this extreme where someones skin can crawl.
Now I have to say I have had much worse things in my life happen to me and never had BFS from the panic of it. If BFS is caused by anxiety then most of the world would be like us. Yes everyone is different but you would see alot more of it.
I do believe people can twitch from anxiety, sure, but it does not go on for days and months and years and usually their twitches are in the eyelids or between the thumbs. I do think their twitches would stop once the panic attack left. I know there has to be someone on this forum that completely ignores their BFS symptoms and is fully content with life once again and has no anxiety over it anymore, so why are they still twitching? Anxiety can mess the body up but come on this is a little much because I know I have had muchhhh worse things happen in my life and I didnt have BFS then. I fully believe this is from a virus or an health issue in our bodies and not anxiety. Anxiety can make BFS symptoms worse but its not the cause...Of course this is my belief...God Bless..Jenn
When I was at my worst with anxiety I had a bloodtest done to see how my adrenaline was and it was normal. If GAD can produce such symptoms to are bodies, which is caused by adrenaline then why was my test negative? That is why my Dr. did the test. I do believe anxiety can cause all of these symptoms but not to this extreme where someones skin can crawl.
Now I have to say I have had much worse things in my life happen to me and never had BFS from the panic of it. If BFS is caused by anxiety then most of the world would be like us. Yes everyone is different but you would see alot more of it.
I do believe people can twitch from anxiety, sure, but it does not go on for days and months and years and usually their twitches are in the eyelids or between the thumbs. I do think their twitches would stop once the panic attack left. I know there has to be someone on this forum that completely ignores their BFS symptoms and is fully content with life once again and has no anxiety over it anymore, so why are they still twitching? Anxiety can mess the body up but come on this is a little much because I know I have had muchhhh worse things happen in my life and I didnt have BFS then. I fully believe this is from a virus or an health issue in our bodies and not anxiety. Anxiety can make BFS symptoms worse but its not the cause...Of course this is my belief...God Bless..Jenn
MysticalGlitchy
Well-known member
It was explained to me- if you have high adrenaline pumping (caused by GAD) in you blood streams constantly, the chemical change alone will cause anxiety to manifest into real physical symptoms.
The physical symptoms being muscle twitching, etc..
My theory BFS is this...
A dormant virus reactiviated due to stress and anxiety.
Made me sore and tired for a few days.
Messed with my CNS
Left me with the twitching.
If you have ever read about shingles, it's usually activated by stress
and some people suffer a postherpetic neuralgia. I think our BFS fall along this lines
The physical symptoms being muscle twitching, etc..
My theory BFS is this...
A dormant virus reactiviated due to stress and anxiety.
Made me sore and tired for a few days.
Messed with my CNS
Left me with the twitching.
If you have ever read about shingles, it's usually activated by stress
and some people suffer a postherpetic neuralgia. I think our BFS fall along this lines
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
If you have that much adrenaline pumping into your bloodstream eventually it would move out of your bloodstream, it would not stay in your bloodstream for years. No different then an infection in your bloodstream it would eventually move out. Also if I had that much adrenaline in my bloodstream that bloodtest would deff. of showed then. Like you said you had a virus and stress made it come out more.. Stress just makes the BFS worse, I dont think it causes it, to many of us would be cured in so many years if that was the case...Jenn
MysticalGlitchy
Well-known member
Well...
each body is different. My mother-in-law has RA and her RA factor is normal, but if you see her and her symptoms she would instantly know she has RA. She was evaluated in a clinical team approach at Mayo Clinic. They say 20% (I think) of RA patients do not show an RA factor via blood test. Same way with Mg. My doctor said you blood test could be normal, but your intercellular Mg could be low.
each body is different. My mother-in-law has RA and her RA factor is normal, but if you see her and her symptoms she would instantly know she has RA. She was evaluated in a clinical team approach at Mayo Clinic. They say 20% (I think) of RA patients do not show an RA factor via blood test. Same way with Mg. My doctor said you blood test could be normal, but your intercellular Mg could be low.
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
Yes that is true but vast majority is not. I am not disputing that anxiety cannot cause symptoms nor am I disputing that it can make BFS worse but even yourself said you had a virus first. Anxiety can do many things to the body but everyday, 24-7? I just think it is very far fetched to literally see your skin crawl when you are laughing and having a good time and not having any anxiety. All I am saying is if this is the cause of BFS eventually our Parasympathetic System would -eventually kick in in to our bodies and give us some kind of relief..I would hope..or dang are bodies are really messed up.. 
..Jenn
..JennThe internet fuels my fears also. I cannot agree wit you more. I am also one of those types of people. But I have not googled any disease information for months and I will not.
Since there is no cure for BFS what is the best way to treat it? I say don't think about it or at the very least don't fret over it. The more you do, the more it will bother you.
I have so much going on in my life, I barley think about it anymore. It's funny. When I took the time to think about it, it really bothered me. When I started focusing on other things in life, it is something I rarley even think about anymore. I know I still twitch, but when I do, I don't even give it much thought except for something like "Oh, I just twitched in my leg" and then I move on. Because i still do notice my twitching, I just don't focus on it. I'm sure MANY people out there twitch, it is just that the vast majority of them don't focus on them.
Since there is no cure for BFS what is the best way to treat it? I say don't think about it or at the very least don't fret over it. The more you do, the more it will bother you.
I have so much going on in my life, I barley think about it anymore. It's funny. When I took the time to think about it, it really bothered me. When I started focusing on other things in life, it is something I rarley even think about anymore. I know I still twitch, but when I do, I don't even give it much thought except for something like "Oh, I just twitched in my leg" and then I move on. Because i still do notice my twitching, I just don't focus on it. I'm sure MANY people out there twitch, it is just that the vast majority of them don't focus on them.
MysticalGlitchy
Well-known member
Sue:
On my good days, I really do believe that my GAD causes chemicals in my body to react/manifest into physical symptoms. Whether it is a lowering of a chemical or too much of one I don't know. But, usually when people get the annoying eye twitch (which goes away for them) they are under stress, too much caffine and have lack of sleep. Why couldn't it manifest more and elsewhere??? Why do we have such a problem accepting this?
Thanks for you educated point of view. I really do appreciate your support.
On my good days, I really do believe that my GAD causes chemicals in my body to react/manifest into physical symptoms. Whether it is a lowering of a chemical or too much of one I don't know. But, usually when people get the annoying eye twitch (which goes away for them) they are under stress, too much caffine and have lack of sleep. Why couldn't it manifest more and elsewhere??? Why do we have such a problem accepting this?
Thanks for you educated point of view. I really do appreciate your support.
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
Sue writes: I also think that when the anxiety (whether chronic or acute, whether realized or suppressed) is treated, the BFS-like symptoms disappear. And, this of course, would not be BFS...This I believe - and mine did not and I believe alot of people on this forum it did not help either and still does not.
Wolv- sweetie I know you are not personally attacking me, I want to hear what your opinions are...However..lol..I do understand what you meant by saying we still have anxiety even though we laugh, of course but my point was we can't be that anxiety ridden to have these physical symptoms we go through, especially if we are enjoying our lives and just have some regular ole stress that most people go through...although living with in-laws..yikess.lol....
Someone wrote that anxiety can cause symptoms 24-7, well then- I am having some pretty d*** bad anxiety looking at my symptoms but I am honestly very happy, yes things about health are on my mind -BUT- not that bad, seriously I am not that bad anxiety wise. I just feel that someone would really have to have some major anxiety to have symptoms like this but if I have a little bit, I do not think it can manifest to a point of BFS if it is just minor anxiety.
Honestly I could care less what a Dr. says about BFS and what they think because most don't have a clue about it. I know that when I go to workout or move my hands a certain way and there is pain and the muscles make all crazy movements, that is not anxiety..or when my leg falls asleep easier or my foot buzzes, or I shudder, oh and those vibrations, etc., that is something attacking my body. If anxiety 24-7 manifested to BFS, sh** we are in trouble then because we will eventually have a complete melt down. I mean come onnn guyssss..the symptoms we have are way to extreme for this to be anxiety. I don't believe that are bodies have held on to so many wounds and this and that and now it only can deal by giving us BFS...Like I said before then most of the world would be walking around with BFS. AND again yes, everyone is different and we all handle things in different ways, but this is such a typical and easy thing to say. If we are so different in how we manifest anxiety then why do we all have the same symptoms? If are mind is this strong to do damage to our bodies then why can't we heal ourselves then? I know this may sound like my tone is harsh,,it isn't. I am actually laughing my a** off that people really think that this can be caused by anxiety, even a little anxiety, normal everyday anxiety. So are all the other diseases in this world that have the same symptoms of GAD anxiety too?...I am going to say something here and please dont be upset with what I say but it's me, I have to say it...I think alot of people want to believe this is anxiety because they are scared shi*less to believe it is a disease, especially because of the symptoms..I could be wrong and sorry if I am but just a thought...Jenn..Anyway big hugs everyone..
Wolv- sweetie I know you are not personally attacking me, I want to hear what your opinions are...However..lol..I do understand what you meant by saying we still have anxiety even though we laugh, of course but my point was we can't be that anxiety ridden to have these physical symptoms we go through, especially if we are enjoying our lives and just have some regular ole stress that most people go through...although living with in-laws..yikess.lol....
Someone wrote that anxiety can cause symptoms 24-7, well then- I am having some pretty d*** bad anxiety looking at my symptoms but I am honestly very happy, yes things about health are on my mind -BUT- not that bad, seriously I am not that bad anxiety wise. I just feel that someone would really have to have some major anxiety to have symptoms like this but if I have a little bit, I do not think it can manifest to a point of BFS if it is just minor anxiety.
Honestly I could care less what a Dr. says about BFS and what they think because most don't have a clue about it. I know that when I go to workout or move my hands a certain way and there is pain and the muscles make all crazy movements, that is not anxiety..or when my leg falls asleep easier or my foot buzzes, or I shudder, oh and those vibrations, etc., that is something attacking my body. If anxiety 24-7 manifested to BFS, sh** we are in trouble then because we will eventually have a complete melt down. I mean come onnn guyssss..the symptoms we have are way to extreme for this to be anxiety. I don't believe that are bodies have held on to so many wounds and this and that and now it only can deal by giving us BFS...Like I said before then most of the world would be walking around with BFS. AND again yes, everyone is different and we all handle things in different ways, but this is such a typical and easy thing to say. If we are so different in how we manifest anxiety then why do we all have the same symptoms? If are mind is this strong to do damage to our bodies then why can't we heal ourselves then? I know this may sound like my tone is harsh,,it isn't. I am actually laughing my a** off that people really think that this can be caused by anxiety, even a little anxiety, normal everyday anxiety. So are all the other diseases in this world that have the same symptoms of GAD anxiety too?...I am going to say something here and please dont be upset with what I say but it's me, I have to say it...I think alot of people want to believe this is anxiety because they are scared shi*less to believe it is a disease, especially because of the symptoms..I could be wrong and sorry if I am but just a thought...Jenn..Anyway big hugs everyone..
bluestarman
Well-known member
I'm a believer that GAD can cause twitching, from my own case. There is a lot that goes on neurochemically under an anxiety state that does not even have to be severe, to modulate sensitivity of your nervous system. Receptors can up or downregulate leading to inhibition or excitement of varioous systems, neurotransmitter balances can change, regulatory chemicals like Substance P can change, and a lot of other things.
While I'm not a researcher and have no proof, I see BFS as having two predominant causes--the autoimmune mechanism suggested my Dr. Hart and others, and the nervous system hypersensitivity like I experience. In the end, we all share the same outcome and need the same support and realizations of living in the present like Basso promotes.
-Dave
While I'm not a researcher and have no proof, I see BFS as having two predominant causes--the autoimmune mechanism suggested my Dr. Hart and others, and the nervous system hypersensitivity like I experience. In the end, we all share the same outcome and need the same support and realizations of living in the present like Basso promotes.
-Dave
MysticalGlitchy
Well-known member
This is for Jenn...
What do you think this BFS is all about? Why, when and where?? I'd like to hear your "in a nutshell" since we've talked about the antihistimines.
By the way... you didn't sound harsh at all.
What do you think this BFS is all about? Why, when and where?? I'd like to hear your "in a nutshell" since we've talked about the antihistimines.
By the way... you didn't sound harsh at all.
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
What do you mean, why, when and where? MY BFS in a nutshell is just what that post says the symptoms are. What does that have to do with the antihistimines? I said when I took zyrtec I think it could of done something to me because of what happened so many hours later, that has nothing to do with anxiety causing BFS...Jenn
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
is my BFS in a nutshell...I also have a heart condition that is caused by Potassium channels....Jenn
eyennyGlimmer
Well-known member
You know what is really messed up about all of this....As we all have twitches and all the other symptoms, we looked it up on the internet and saw ALS BUT we also saw BFS, at least I did.. Now we have all the symptoms of BFS and most have been dx with it and we do not have all the symptoms of ALS like weakness but scared that is what we have...
Everytime I went to the ER I could tell the Dr.'s what test they should run and they were going to test me for the things that I thought I might have...lol They knew of course what I was doing, this hurt me very much because this is why the Dr.'s did not think my symptoms were real, of course until I got dx. I will not go searching on the internet anymore, the only thing I search about now is BFS, PHN. I think alot of the reason why I started to search was because no Dr. would help me, they all thought I had anxiety, well duhhh of course I did, I had some pretty darn strange things happening to my body. I figured no Dr. is going to dx me or listen then I will do it..that is when I saw all I saw. Either way you are feeling what you are feeling, it is real but if you don't stop now you will and can go so far that you will never pull your mind from it. Meaning say you finally come to terms that all you have is BFS but the next time some other illness comes up, whether it just be the flu or cold you will go running to the internet, start checking your body, etc..etc..I am glad I quit doing that because I still have problems thinking about other diseases that may have caused my BFS, so I try everyday to fight this mentally. I know this is hard, very hard but try to make a start somewhere....God Bless, you all are in my prayers...Jenn
Everytime I went to the ER I could tell the Dr.'s what test they should run and they were going to test me for the things that I thought I might have...lol They knew of course what I was doing, this hurt me very much because this is why the Dr.'s did not think my symptoms were real, of course until I got dx. I will not go searching on the internet anymore, the only thing I search about now is BFS, PHN. I think alot of the reason why I started to search was because no Dr. would help me, they all thought I had anxiety, well duhhh of course I did, I had some pretty darn strange things happening to my body. I figured no Dr. is going to dx me or listen then I will do it..that is when I saw all I saw. Either way you are feeling what you are feeling, it is real but if you don't stop now you will and can go so far that you will never pull your mind from it. Meaning say you finally come to terms that all you have is BFS but the next time some other illness comes up, whether it just be the flu or cold you will go running to the internet, start checking your body, etc..etc..I am glad I quit doing that because I still have problems thinking about other diseases that may have caused my BFS, so I try everyday to fight this mentally. I know this is hard, very hard but try to make a start somewhere....God Bless, you all are in my prayers...Jenn