How Many Have Brisk Reflexes and Clonus?
- Thread starter mommyLDN
- Start date
My reflex findings were worrying in that they were only brisk in one arm. Being a doctor myself, I know all too well that generalised brisk reflexes is generally of no concern and nearly always due to anxiety, but the same may not necessarily be true if the reflex problems are confined to one limb. So I didn't like being told that I had assymetrical reflexes. But that was during an examination performed in Aug 09 and, apart from twitching/acheing/ muscle stiffness, I seem to be perfectly well all this time later. I am sure the same will be the case for you.RegardsSimon
Thanks for responding Simon, but may I ask, what is the difference with being brisk in a limb and brisk all over, I would think I should be more worried if I'm brisk all over. It sure sounds scarier to me. Are there anymore people on here with brisk reflexes Simon? Or is it just us?
Everyone's reflexes become brisker when they worry because the worry releases adrenaline into your blood stream which makes your body work harder and faster, and this in turn makes the reflexes brisk. Because the adrenaline is in your bood stream, it circulates everywhere and makes all the reflexes brisker. This finding of generalised brisk reflexes seems to be very common amngst BFSers here - presumably because of the anxiety but maybe somehow the BFS itself causes it too. If however one particular body part has a brisker reflex than elsewhere, then this raises the possibility of a more localised (upper motor neuron) problem which is why I was a bit freaked when this was found to be the case during my check up.Hope this helps.Try not worry - it sounds as if your check up went well and you don't need to fear any horrible diagnosis.RegardsSimon
Krackersones
Well-known member
i have brisk reflexes all over. gp and second neuro said so, first neuro said they were normal.... so it depends on the person who is checking the reflexes i think. my neuro,like simon pointed out, told me that with stress and anxiety reflexes can become brisk and that brisk reflexes are not an abnormal finding in younger people ( i am 37! 
).runnergirl, i think your neuro would have told you if you had brisk reflexes.
).runnergirl, i think your neuro would have told you if you had brisk reflexes.
)I have been told multiple times that all my reflexes are brisk. Several of those doctors said, "They are brisk but no more brisk than mine." The bottom line is the finding can mean nothing so thinking about it too much gets you no where. I am glad you brought up the topic again because a lot of people worry about this issue and it is good to get an assessment of how common it is among those here.