Managing Health Anxiety: My Journey

[Frostyboy]

Hi everyone,I have found lots of good information in this forum and thought I might send a post myself. I have been dealing with general health anxiety on and off for a few years. I've had some really helpful CBT, which has helped me to calm down and snap out of it when it gets really bad. Although I have been having twitches everywhere since the beginning of the year, overall this year has been much better, I haven't been to the doctor's much and generally managed to focus on other things.Lately however, I started focussing on the twitching again and feel that it's getting to me. I am not sure why I suddenly started to get worried again, but think it was because I noticed that the twitching has changed and now seems to be mainly in my right foot, calf and knee, with only a few random twitches every now and then in other areas. In addition, my right foot has started buzzing constantly (there is a bit of buzzing in my left foot as well, but not as much). It's like a strange on/off feeling that sometimes becomes even more noticable when I stretch down to touch my toes with my fingers.I then started to feel that my right leg felt funny when I walk or stand up. I can still do all the things I did before and when I test my legs the right one seems to have as much strength as the left, but it still feels strange, like as if its a bit longer than the left one, or somehow not as stable. I have also noticed that I have a habbit of always leaning on the other (left) leg when standing up, putting all my weight on it. When I switch over and lean on the right leg instead, I can still lean on it but it somehow feels awkward and not as comfortable. I don't know if its because I have been worrying so much about it, but it's obviously a big concern. My right leg sometimes feels a bit painful too, especially around the calf and knee. Has anyone experienced something similar??

 

[jerryTwo]

Yes I have near constant left foot twitching in arches I can not get rid of. I have buzzing sensation every few days in my right foot. I also have foot pain, I have hamstring pain for 8 months. I sometimes feel my left leg is weak but it is not I am just afraid it is I guess... You sound quite similar to me, unfortunately. As many people told me here, ALS doesn't present that way with pain, buzzing... Only twitching is even remotely related to ALS nothing else. I guess you are worried of ALS, everybody here was at some point in time...

 

[Gloria123]

Do you have lower back issues at all? Just curious. I have had more issues with twitching on my right calf, and especially my right foot (along with pain in the left instep of the right foot). My chiropractor has worked on this extensively and luckily the pain in my right foot has subsided, and the twitching has definitely slowed down (this week I don't think my foot has twitched more than a few episodes, compared to it being every day). He thinks it's related to my low back pain which is more on the right side and the fact that I compromise by having my right foot pronate to the left. And, he thinks an ankle sprain I had years ago also contributes to this.Just a suggestion: see a chiropractor who can work with you (a good one, mind you - do your research). I don't think this is anything serious. I used to worry about the fact that I had more twitching on my right side, but am much less worried about it after talking to my chiropractor and the work that he has done with me.Mitra

 

[Frostyboy]

Hi,I have had back problems in the past that could explain the pain in the leg. I'll ask my doctor about it, thanks for the suggestion!!

 

[MsMaverick]

I also have this. My twitching started in my left arch, went body wide and after about 6 months or so focused on my left thigh, calf,ankle and foot. I still have occasional twitches elsewhere, but 95% is in my left leg. I also have tingling all day everyday, some days worse than others. I get tight muscles in my calf and aching in my calf and foot. I also have stiffness in my lower back which I have had for years. About 3 months ago I also started seeing a chiro. My aches have gotten much better and my twitches have decreased. I can't say of this is from the chiro or time.

 

[Frostyboy]

My back has actually always been really tight, with a bad posture etc. I am just confused because everything seems to be focusing on the right leg, the twitching, buzzing, aching and now also the strange feeling when I am walking or standing..it's quiet difficult not to get too anxious and try to forget about it, when you keep on finding more symptoms.Thanks for your opinion!

 

[bfhopeful2]

I had every symptom you mentioned...i ever would think my cell was vibrating in my pocket and my phone would be on my desk...that was about three years ago...after my anxiety died down that all went away.