First Post: BFS and Macbeth

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watcherofthesky

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This is my first post, so let me start by saying this is a great site! When I start getting these twitches or what I like to call "Creepy Crawly Calves" I did a google search and based on some of those key words I used, it pulled up med sites that led to me to believe it was the "Macbeth" word for BFS survivors. So like a normal person, I FREAKED out and wasted too many work hours and increased twitches on searching the wrong stuff. Thanks to YouTube I saw videos of the same twitches i have going on in my calves and some of the comments said it is not *** but BFS. So after many other searches on BFS I found this site. It was truly a gift, so much great information and knowing that I am not alone with this really helped my mindset. However, this site has also put me in a belief that I have BFS and there is no reason to go to the doctor. My question is - Should I still go to the doctor? My symptoms are the same and have not changed in a month - somedays better then others, but overall I just have the creepy crawly calves. I would love to hear what other people in this community think. Thanks in advance.
 
Hey trackman,I'm no doc, so here is my subjective, unscientific opinion. If your symptoms are not bothering your day to day functioning, and if calf twitching is the only symptom you have, it is not necessary for you to go to a doctor. Calf twitching is very common and does not indicate any disease on its own. The fact that you're asking your question indicates to me that your instinct tells you that you are well and safe. I would use this wonderful positive energy of yours and put a definite end to research and investigations and see if the sxs would subside if they are given less attention. You can give this a good try, and still change your mind in the future if you see fit. So why are the rest of us hang around here then, you may ask? Well, we probably shouldn't, however, some of us here have a plethora of confusing sxs that need further investigation, some of us can't function well due to sxs, some of us can't shake the worry associated with them and some hang around to help and give back to this board. You will find stories on this board where people did not feel the need to have tests done and there are people who had a lot of tests done - I'm sure both sides had a good reason to do what they were/are doing. I think it is important to make your own desicion based on what your body/mind suggests to you. I just see an opportunity for you to nip the potential cycle of worry in the bud and would like to encourage you to do so. Continue to be well, Kat.
 
If I had found this site before I had hit Web MD I probably would not have gone to the doctor. The doctor's visits just increased my anxiety. My GP ordered some blood work and ultimately took the cautious approach and sent me to a neuro (which really made the anxiety worse). The neuro ran a bunch of tests (no EMG)and told me to come back in 6 weeks. That just caused more anxiety...I joined this forum the same afternoon I went to the neuro. At this point (7 months in), I am confident-based on the things I have learned since this all started-that I am fine. Twitching is my only symptom. The twitching is primarily in the calf muscles of both legs, but can occur pretty much anywhere else from time to time. I did not go back to the follow with neuro because I did not like or trust him, and I had a bad experience with the clinic in the hospital where his office was located. I do have an appointment next month with a different neuro at a large, metropolitan hospital that is affiliated with a prominent medical school. It's probably unnecessary and will most certainly lead to anxiety in the days leading up to the appointment.I just want some closure I guess. The downside to you waiting is that it could be something treatable that you are missing the opportunity to catch and treat early. The downside to going is the anxiety you will probably go through as a result of the conversations, tests, and the waiting you go through once you are in the health care pipeline. You could always call your GP and get his/her opinion...but he/she will probably have you take a few basic blood tests and send you on to a neurologist. That seems to be the typical course of action.I'm sure you are fine. Ultimately, you will have to decide if you want to get on the medical rollercoaster.
 
After 2 neurologists, an EMG, Brain MRI, numerous bloodtests I am exhausted from all this. However, I am glad I went for all testing. It helped rule out all the scary stuff.
 
No I wouldn't have done it differently because having those tests help rule out stuff I was really scared of. Of course, I still don't know what caused my twitching and I probably never will.~Leslie
 
Jeffrey:I hope you'll come back with a wonderful news and get the closure you need. Who knows, maybe you'll find that your rollercoaster ride has ended? ;) I would hope that after all this time they won't be expecting you back for another appointment and then you can set yourself free. Cheers, Kat.
 
I'll throw in my opinion as well for good measure. I am someone who had sudden onset bodywide twitching that caused major discomfort. I have had a million tests (only a slight exaggeration) and I still have no answer. But I was suffering and I need meds (Klonopin) to continue my normal, very active, and enjoyable life. I totally agree with hypomanicgirl's opinion: "If your symptoms are not bothering your day to day functioning, and if calf twitching is the only symptom you have, it is not necessary for you to go to a doctor." If you are physically suffering or if your symptoms progress then a doctor may be worth seeing but please be aware that you can have all the tests and still have no answers.Krackersones
 

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