Grateful for this Support Space

[GonnaBeAnEmoKid]

To start, I am incredibly grateful that this space exists. I have been reading your posts for the last 4 months and more often than not, it helps to calm me down and make me realize that I am not the only one going through this.My story starts like most, started 4 months ago with a finger and eye twitch that wouldn't go away. I googled, fell down the WebMD black hole and diagnosed myself with a combination of ALS/MS/PD. It's amazing I could even function I went to my GP where she ran blood work, and said despite my previously diagnosed GAD and OCD, I am the picture of health.That wasn't enough for me, so I went to see a neurologist, who within two minutes, guessed that I had googled my symptoms and panicked. He humored me and did the clinical examination and EMG, both which came back as normal. He said point blank, you do not have MS or ALS, you're 26 years old, relax and learn to manage your anxiety.But I can't. 4 months later, and frequent eye twitches, combined with my fingers, forearms and calves. I'm still anxious about having some terrible disease. Because he never said "you have BFS," I now question whether if there is more I should do. Should I ask for an MRI? Follow up with another neuro or just take his word for it and try to relax? Want to make sure I am being diligent. Any advice would be great. Thank you!

 

[ftheatre]

Hello Lanek, welcome on board !Like you said, you started just like many of us (including me). You have everything needed : Google + GAD + OCD + twitches.You were cleared by your neuro so I suppose you should just need to relax now, even if I know that's easier said that done !If your neuro didn't ask for an MRI then I dont think you need one. I know how hard it is but as far as your symptoms do not get worse the best thing to do is to try to focus on something else, to keep going on !

 

[twitchplaysp]

Hi!There's even a paper about this:"Our study suggests that, in addition to the lack of neurological deficits and the absence of abnormalities on electromyography, a history of psychiatric disorders and psychosomatic illnesses in persons experiencing increased burden of life stressors could be viewed as evidence supporting the diagnosis of BFS"

 

[Gracer]

And another good note from the cited articel: "These patients are more likely to both develop physical symptoms in response to psychological stress and to report them, and are less likely to recognize and report psychological distress." That is regarding our frequent complain saying: I am NOT ANXIOUS, why doctors say this is anxiety!"just because we often easily somatize and reluctantly recognize our stress.

 

[GonnaBeAnEmoKid]

Thanks so much for your feedback! Makes me feel so much better hearing back from others going through the same thing. I can see a direct correlation between my anxiety and twitching. When I am distracted, no twitches! But when I get home, sit down and allow myself to think/worry/ruminate on the twitching, I twitch. I just need to let some time pass and have my body settle down and hopefully, the twitches will slow down or even, fingers crossed, GO AWAY!