My Neurologist Visit: Anxiety or Something More?

[Natedotcom]

Hi Everyone,I just wanted to post about my experience with the neurologist and in hopes of helping others feel confidence that they do not have something more sinister going on.I've had twitches for about 5 years now. Mostly in my calves and thighs but can occur anywhere. I also have muscle tremor and shakiness... and I am extremely shaky during exercise. I also have heart palpitations! I went to the neurologist for the first time today as a request by my family doctor. They did an EMG test with needles and one where they send a very painful electric shock down my legs (I hear for some it isn't that painful but I found it HORRIBLE). However, it was FAST and down with very quickly. I also knew I would finally be finding out if anything horrible was going on so it kept me going through the test!The doctor then came in and went over the tests and asked me a lot of questions, did some strength tests, had me walk on my tiptoes around the room (that felt rather silly!), etc.He said... "You have benign fasciculations - it is not that uncommon for younger people to present with this kind of twitching and I'm seeing a lot more of it. A lot of time people also present with a job in which they are required to sit for long period of time and/or they have back pain. Don't drink anything with caffeine, try not to get stressed, enjoy life, and never look back".When I asked about the tremor/shaking at the gym he just said "Oh... that is a bit strange, but nothing to worry about... it's only a problem if you can't hold a drink anymore... or can't keep balance. Besides, lots of people have a slight tremor/shakiness."So just another Neuro/BFS story to add to the pot! 5 years going... symptoms changing all the time... periods of really bad twitching...periods where it's a bit better... and NOTHING serious is wrong with me.The only thing that has helped lower the twitching is benzo's like klonopin which I take when it gets really bad or is keeping me up. So for now, the anxiety is almost 0... I head out into the world, with my twitchy witchy body, and my bottle of klonopin on call, without worry!

 

[ShannyB63]

Thanks Nate it's really great to hear from someone with 5 years of this bfs garbage and still doing really well....thanks for sharing....shannon

 

[Gloria123]

Hi Nate,I just wanted to let you know that I thought the Nerve Conduction test where they shock you was absolutely horrible too! I cried! The EMG itself was nothing compared to it. I couldn't stand them shocking me. I hope I never have to do it again.Anyway, thanks for your wonderful post. Your symptoms (except the tremors) sound like mine, except that I'm only 6 months into this stuff. And lately I have had tightness in my throat (maybe twitching too) and a numb patch on my thigh to contend with on top of my twitching. I guess I need to learn to live with this.Mitra