jenniferjohnson
Member
Like so many people write in their first post on this forum, I have been reading all your posts over the last couple of weeks and have taken GREAT comfort in the support and advice you all give each other.
Until April this year, I was a active and healthy 27 year old. Around Easter time, I got struck down with some dizziness and balance problems accompanied by shocking tinnitus (ringing in the ear). My GP diagnosed me with a case of labrynthitis (virus of the inner ear) and told me to 'ride it out', which I did, and it went away. I got back to full strength after this and thought all was well. About 6 week later, it hit me again. Same symptoms. At this point I was referred to an ENT who diagnosed me with Meneire's Disease...I thought he was a little hasty with this diagnosis (as did my GP and also my Naturopath...they suspected the labrynthitis was playing up again). Anyhow, he put me on some Serc (this is a histamine) and told me to come back in two months. I had no visual disturbances or movement problems (i.e. strength or coordination) during these episodes. I also had a picture perfect CT and MRI.
This ordeal left me with a severe case of anxiety. I have seen seeing a psychologist over the last few months which has helped me greatly. I had never experienced anxiety before the above ordeal and I had never imagined the effect it can have on people.
About a month ago, I began to notice I was having some muscle twitches. It started off just a couple a day, all over my body...my thighs, hamstrong, my back, my triceps, my eyelids, my fingers etc. Some of them evoked a movement (depending on which muscle it was), and others are just internal (i.e. nobody can see them but I can feel them). Like so many other people I made the BIG mistake of Googling muscle twitches...up comes the information on **S. I thought I had an anxiety problem before then...it absolutely freaked me out beyond comprehension. Naturally, I went and saw my GP. She gave me a brief exam and said she didn't see anything concerning, however muscle twitching was a significant symptom. Not exactly comforting! She ran full blood work and told me to come back in a couple of days and if I still had the muscle twitches she'd book me in to see a Neurologist. In the days following this, I had several panic attacks and became unable to function. My partner and my family were so concerned about my psychological state that we decided that when I went back to the GP to get my blood results (blood work ended up being perfect) and get booked into a Neurologist we'd ask her about medicating me for the anxiety. All this time, I am still getting the muscle twitches and their frequency is increasing. She put me on medication without hesitation as she could clearly see the state I was in, the drug she put me on is called Luvox. The first couple of days on it were rough, it can elevate anxiety symtoms in some cases and it did with me (muscle twitching like crazy!) so I also got put on some Valium to help balance everything out. The elevated symptoms only last about 2 week apparently and I have dropped back my Valium dose and am doing OK. The muscles are still twitching but not as frequently as this time last week.
I have been experiencing random numbness (well, it isn't really numbness, more feels like poor circulation) in different limbs, that comes and goes. Some minor cramping in my calves too. And, I feel pretty fatigued. I spent all weekend dozing! Could be the anxiety medication too.
I've been subjecting myself to random strength tests CONSTANTLY! Haven't noticed any 'clinical' weakness.
Neurologists in Australia have LONG waiting lists, and I was due to see a Neurologist at the end of August who specialises in muscular problems. However, I've had a phone call today and she had a cancellation for tomorrow and I am all booked in. I couldn't believe my luck. I've been told by my GP to expect and EMG and perhaps a muscle biopsy. I am hoping she can do the EMG tomorrow when I see her, I need the piece of mind! I've been imagining the most HORRIBLE things about me having **S that I really need the EMG to get on with my life.
So, that is my story. Thanks for reading it. I've found so much comfort in this forum I felt I should put myself out there like you all do.
Until April this year, I was a active and healthy 27 year old. Around Easter time, I got struck down with some dizziness and balance problems accompanied by shocking tinnitus (ringing in the ear). My GP diagnosed me with a case of labrynthitis (virus of the inner ear) and told me to 'ride it out', which I did, and it went away. I got back to full strength after this and thought all was well. About 6 week later, it hit me again. Same symptoms. At this point I was referred to an ENT who diagnosed me with Meneire's Disease...I thought he was a little hasty with this diagnosis (as did my GP and also my Naturopath...they suspected the labrynthitis was playing up again). Anyhow, he put me on some Serc (this is a histamine) and told me to come back in two months. I had no visual disturbances or movement problems (i.e. strength or coordination) during these episodes. I also had a picture perfect CT and MRI.
This ordeal left me with a severe case of anxiety. I have seen seeing a psychologist over the last few months which has helped me greatly. I had never experienced anxiety before the above ordeal and I had never imagined the effect it can have on people.
About a month ago, I began to notice I was having some muscle twitches. It started off just a couple a day, all over my body...my thighs, hamstrong, my back, my triceps, my eyelids, my fingers etc. Some of them evoked a movement (depending on which muscle it was), and others are just internal (i.e. nobody can see them but I can feel them). Like so many other people I made the BIG mistake of Googling muscle twitches...up comes the information on **S. I thought I had an anxiety problem before then...it absolutely freaked me out beyond comprehension. Naturally, I went and saw my GP. She gave me a brief exam and said she didn't see anything concerning, however muscle twitching was a significant symptom. Not exactly comforting! She ran full blood work and told me to come back in a couple of days and if I still had the muscle twitches she'd book me in to see a Neurologist. In the days following this, I had several panic attacks and became unable to function. My partner and my family were so concerned about my psychological state that we decided that when I went back to the GP to get my blood results (blood work ended up being perfect) and get booked into a Neurologist we'd ask her about medicating me for the anxiety. All this time, I am still getting the muscle twitches and their frequency is increasing. She put me on medication without hesitation as she could clearly see the state I was in, the drug she put me on is called Luvox. The first couple of days on it were rough, it can elevate anxiety symtoms in some cases and it did with me (muscle twitching like crazy!) so I also got put on some Valium to help balance everything out. The elevated symptoms only last about 2 week apparently and I have dropped back my Valium dose and am doing OK. The muscles are still twitching but not as frequently as this time last week.
I have been experiencing random numbness (well, it isn't really numbness, more feels like poor circulation) in different limbs, that comes and goes. Some minor cramping in my calves too. And, I feel pretty fatigued. I spent all weekend dozing! Could be the anxiety medication too.
I've been subjecting myself to random strength tests CONSTANTLY! Haven't noticed any 'clinical' weakness.
Neurologists in Australia have LONG waiting lists, and I was due to see a Neurologist at the end of August who specialises in muscular problems. However, I've had a phone call today and she had a cancellation for tomorrow and I am all booked in. I couldn't believe my luck. I've been told by my GP to expect and EMG and perhaps a muscle biopsy. I am hoping she can do the EMG tomorrow when I see her, I need the piece of mind! I've been imagining the most HORRIBLE things about me having **S that I really need the EMG to get on with my life.
So, that is my story. Thanks for reading it. I've found so much comfort in this forum I felt I should put myself out there like you all do.