Felt Baby Kicking After Hysterectomy

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FernFinnegan

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Hi all,First, thank you for this site! It has given me comfort and hope in the last month or two.My story: About two months ago I felt something in my abdomen that could only be described as a baby kicking. Only people who have been pregnant would know exactly what that felt like. Since I have had a hysterectomy and my husband had a vasectomy, I would jokingly tell my husband "the baby is kicking again." It happened mostly at night, but not only. I had just been relieved of another serious health scare that lasted about two months with crazy lymphedema showing up in both legs and had to have all kinds of tests and CT to rule out cancer. Within weeks of being cleared of that, this developed. I made the mistake of googling the baby kicking thing. Of course ALS came up. I also about that time started noticing twitches in my eye, chin, lip, and knee. Since then, I have them everywhere...calf, thigh, butt, bicep, tricep, back, toe. For years I have had the calf and toe spasms at night as has my mother for many many years.Because of the stress I'd been under and this site, I assumed it was BSF and didn't get too worried. I was proud of myself because I also have had some serious health anxiety over the years. I am 46. But then, I noticed what looks like muscle wasting on both wrists and lower forearms. Maybe hypothenar and finger pads also, but tough to say for certain. I work in an ER. A few docs have said it looks like muscle wasting, but also that it would be an odd place for wasting to happen since there is very little muscle at the wrist, mostly tendons, veins, and bones. About the same time I had the lymphedema in both legs I noticed my arms also were swollen looking. I had them tested for lymphedema and it was not lymphedema so that was a big relief and I just accepted them as maybe part of aging. A few docs also said my wrists don't look abnormal, but the arms look swollen above them. I have been doing vigorous body brushing for two months with great results in the legs. I am wondering if perhaps the swelling near the wrists is simply starting to recede because of the body brushing. I hope so! Dear God I hope that is all it is.I have been doing strength tests and all seems fine except my balance on one leg with eyes closed is not good. But it never was I don't think. Over the summer I walk almost every night with my husband. I started noticing after about a mile I had trouble keeping up with him. However, we walked the other night and he said he had trouble keeping up with me -- I was making an effort to keep up my pace. I also had thought I was having touble gripping the steering wheel going around curves at high speeds. I don't know if it is in my head, but I noticed these things a few months before the twitches started. I drink about 5 cups of green tea per day. I just learned that green tea binds magnesium from being absorbed and from the body. I hope this is a factor. I also "own" my health anxiety and increased anxiety in general this year with the real health things, son going off to college, graduations, parents aging, etc. I fit the criteria of hypochondriasis to a T! I worry that this bizarre presentation of lymphedema with no cause was the red herring of ALS. MY EMG is on Thursday afternoon (left arm only) but I cannot get into the neurogist specialist until 1/8 - but I am on a cancellation list. I am also making an appointment with a psychologist specializing in Health Anxiety and he's got a great reputation. I need it not matter how this turns out.Thanks for listening! Please respond if any of this seems familiarLeanne
 
My dear Leanne,I am just a bit younger, and I can tell you that in our age we may easily have fat tissue decrease (caused by hormonal decline) and first place to notice this are our hands.I have also intermittent leg swellinig issues becasue I am sedentary worker, and it always resolves after certain massage, walking etc. Also people with BFS often appeared to be prone to neuroangial edemas (I can easily have my fingers swell out as a sausages without any good reason...so unpleasant to be honest, and this year I had fascial edema kicked by severe stress, so it really might be kind of body reaction of the stressful conditions. My daughter went to far abroad colledge and I was really crazy about her...)Not only 5 cups of green tea would bind magnesium, but also they would give you a hell of caffeine as far as I remember. Dropping caffeine down resolves many issues in our clinical picture, including twitches. And I can ensure you NOBODY has good balance with the eyes closed. Especially on one leg. Usually neuros ask us close the yeyes to see if we can do coordinated activity (nose youching test), and there are alos some wery severe issues when people can not hold upright when they have their eyes closed, usually it happens in case of brain leisons but usually in that case people are quite dsiabled plus to such symptome.I also can not keep up my pace with my husband (never could, he is almost 2 m tall and his one step is 1.5 of mine :))))
 
Gracely, you're a doll! I know I just have to go and get this EMG, and from what I've read, one limb should do it (it is the limb where the wasting *might* be most present). Once that is behind me, if it is clean, I think I can move forward with some better functionality. Each twitch might make me glance back for a second until I pass some big milestone of time, 6 or 12 months. Why is it that those of us with health anxiety get these twitches of all things? Couldn't happen to anyone who would freak out about it more! My husband twitches, but I blame all his caffiene on that. Another friend twitches all night long for years, his wife cannot sleep in the same bed with him. They started after one lone seizure. I have also had what seemed like an inner tremor at night in recent months. I keep having flashbacks of asking my son to open a jar I couldn't get open a few months ago and him saying "mom!" Like he couldn't believe I couldn't get it. But I've opened many a jar since then and I probably had loosened it for him and he is much stronger than me to begin with anyway. Obviously, I could go on and on. I do believe so many of you can relate. Your stories have helped me a bunch and I hope mine can help you in some way. Thinking maybe I should get Magnesium level checked...
 
yeee, that night vibration are also reported by many people here and i feel them sometimes when I am awakened by my nasty Blacky cat meowing in the middle of the night to get out... I think it is becasue of rapid injection of adrenaline...Wish you good results of EMG and hope you would be OK soon :)
 
I'm 46, too, with a son going off to a college and a baby, so I understand the stress you're under. I can sympathize. I've had so many strange symptoms since this all started six months ago - twitching, tingling, tremors -- even the odd stomach sensation you describe! My doctor thinks it may be tied to hormonal changes, but who knows for sure...I had normal EMG in June and just went back to the neuro recently, and he said my strength was perfectly fine (even though my left arm *feels* weaker at times). All of this is to say -- BFS can present with many crazy symptoms, so don't be alarmed. I'm sure your EMG tomorrow will ease your mind. Good luck and God bless!Michele
 
Why do so many people with health anxiety twitch ? Good question and here's my answer ! My personal opinion is that loads of people twitch but don't even notice half the twitches and don't care either so no doctor etc, some people check with a doctor and the doctor says your ok its BFS and that's were their story ends ... A person with health anxiety sees a doctor then a neuro then EMG/NCS and is told everything is normal but they still worry and still have anxiety !! We search for answers and end up on this forum lol Our health anxiety magnifies the sensations and twitches that a regular person wouldn't register and the more anxious we are the more we will twitch ! That's my personal opinion but I think a good few people may agree..
 
I have no doubt the twitching is a stress reaction, but really? of all things! This is really the Queen Mother/Grand Daddy of all things related to any health anxiety I have ever seen! It seems everyone on here started with a little or a lot of stress, then twitches, then Dr. Google, then EXPLOSION of twitches and anxiety accompanied by body examining and strength testing. The pattern I noticed is it starts sometimes after a prolonged period of stress, like months. Then just after the stressor is somewhat removed or over and you just begin to RELAX again, the twitches start. Cruel trick. BFS seems to follow some big long adrenaline or cortisol rush.The health anxiety I experienced with the mysterious lymphedema over the summer was no small thing - many appointments, waiting lists, big questions and few answers. There is not one medical school in the entire USA with a specialty in lymphatics. Unbelievable considering it is a whole body system like the circulatory or digestive system. Even circulatory specialists are pretty ignorant and uninformed about the lymphatic system. That was one huge health scare, and this one following right on its heels. This new thing seems worse (though the memory of the last scare fades with time). Could really use a break. Next project will be to conquer this debilitating anxiety.
 
Your bang on about this hitting people with health anxiety and after periods of stress etc ... A lot of its down to what you as a person makes of your twitching symptoms ! When you get assessed and all is ok at that point you should start to put it all behind you but for myself little things change or new things appear and I ask why, that must keep the anxiety constant at a low level but enough to help perpetuate the twitches and other symptoms ! I still feel like my mouth ain't moving right when I talk like it's slightly frozen :-s but speech things like that are anxiety related, I had that feeling briefly before years ago but it's stuck around a few months on and off now!
 
When I really think about it, if I hadn't googled the twitching at all, if this was 1992 and we had no internet...I would not be going to get an EMG on Thursday. I do think I may be cured of going to google any symptoms. And if that is something positive that comes from this ordeal, it might be worth it. If I can kick anxiety because of this, it will be worth it. I don't think of myself as an anxious person at all except when it comes to health. And I can see it so well in others when they are having a psychogenic/somatic response. Been reflecting a lot on how this health anxiety came to be...early experiences related to health etc. Very motivated to get well and move on from this.
 
Update for anyone who is interested:Had the EMG today! Not comfortable, but not awful. Left arm only which is fine by me...as much/plenty of twitching/buzzing/vibration there as well as everywhere else, plus that is the wrist that shows the most "wasting." It was done by a tech who was trained by several top notch neurologists. She did tell me at the end that she did not see any indication of ALS (!), told me to sleep better while waiting for the official report from the neurologist who will review it today or tomorrow. She said she could not give me any more detail than that. I used to work at this very reputable neurology clinic (yes, another person with probable BFS from the medical field). I went to find my old boss who is a gem of a guy and he is going to ask the neurologist to put my report on the top of the pile and expedite it.I sincerely hope anyone might find some hope and comfort in this. The EMG tech said she sees WAY more BFS than **S, but did not give me more information than that and told me this before the test. I was at least 50% sure I had **s. I had twitching after making mental notes of some feeling my limbs weren't working quite right in driving and walking and becoming even more certain of it in hindsight with flashbacks of particular happenings. I had had some swallowing issues last Spring that seem to have subsided. My speech started feeling thick. The fasciculations in my abdomen were visible across the room! (and I read just this morning that was a particularly ominous sign). I'd have a yet unexplained medical condition (lymphedema and odd swelling in my arms). So if my EMG is clean, anyone's can be. Once you know of this disease possibility though, the only real reassurance is to get the EMG. Once you get a clean one, move on! I will go to my neuro appointment on 1/8 and report back after that also.I am now really thinking I am probably magnesium deficient as it can be caused by drinking lots of green tea and prolonged periods of stress. Muscle wasting can even be a symptom of magnesium deficiency and magnesium deficiency causes anxiety and twitches. SO...my BFS care plan1. get serious about replenishing my magnesium (I am going to have my level tested out of curiousity, though it seems those results are not the most reliable)2. get serious about conquering this health anxiety. It is a miserable way to live. I have wasted enough precious time worrying about diseases I have never had. This one was the worst in a long line of FOUR already this year (I do have some mysterious health things, but all things ominous were ruled out).Peace Out
 
That's awesome FernFinnegan!! Once I had my EMG I started to settle but Even though it was 3 weeks ago I am still slowly getting back to normal mentally ... I have always had health anxiety too, ever since I was a kid but like you this was my worst ever experience, I had never had so much anxiety and I guess it takes time to completely dissapear !Welcome to the normal Clinical, EMG & NCS club :) My calves have been twitching so much they feel like they see buzzing / vibrating at times but hey everything I indicates BFS !Work on reducing your stress and anxiety and keep us posted on how your are doing !
 
My husband thought my twitching would automatically stop with the decreased stress of a normal EMG last night...Not So Fast...Still twitching and buzzing like crazy. Somtimes feels not only like worms under my skin, but termites. I will keep you posted about my aggressive magnesium replacement plans (high quality topical and oral) as well as project Overcome Health Anxiety.
 
nope twitching never stops after reassurance r EMG or diagnosis.it is like running nose - you may say "it is a flu' but it would not stop sneezing :)you have (most ptobably due to stress) several systems damaged in your body, and it takes months or even years to get them recovered and twitches decreased significantly.
 
Well, I will finally see a neurologist in 36 hors after 8 week wait. Just reviewed this, my first post. I had clean EMG one month ago. Since then I have faithfully taken Magnesium. I think it's helping at least a little. I will continue to take as I've read it can take 4-6 months to replenish. I haven't had any meltdowns though still have some fear. My left hand feels somehow strangely detached and awkward sometimes. My neurological was trained India and is the resident expert in ALS in a relatively large and reputable clinic, though not an ALS clinic. I am on vacation. Weather has caused many flight cancellations so I just hope I get home okay tomorrow night!Have good days and bad with twitches. Generally but slowly improving I think. One of my favorite things about this site is seeing transformation in people from petrified people to confident and helping others. Oh, and finally have an appointment with a shrink (waiting list for him too) who specializes in health anxiety on the 14th. Cognitive behavioral I'm sure. H does not prescribe mess though I'm thinking I should maybe consider some. But what? Afraid many things hurt more than help.
 
I am two hours away from my appointment and cannot believe how incredibly anxious I am! I have been maintaining farily well until yesterday. I so want him to say "get out of here, I don't ever want to see you darken my door and waste my time again!" but I am afraid he will say something like "hm. this is interesting, come back and see me in three months." I am writing down all kinds of questions and my history hoping he can piece something together and I won't have regrets about not asking something or having something answered to my satisfaction. If you are a praying person and you see this, please shout out some prayers around 1:00 Central Time USA. Thanks so much!
 
I went and he said no ALS! I am so happy. I was aftraid what he might say about my wrists, thenar, and hands and he said there is no weakness, no atrophy and I passed my reflexes and strength with flying colors. Od course, I had no fasciculations while I was with him. I feel really relieved tonight and want to celebrate! Of course I did not ask him about what in the world really is meant by "neuromuscular hyperexcitability." He said I ONLY need to come back if there are new symptoms and he gave me a bunch of labs to have done including Lyme's and vitamin D etc. I'll post more if I can remember.
 

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