Newbie Struggling with Anxiety

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angusglover

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Just a quick Hi top everyone as I am a newbie here. Fotr the last few weeks, I have been in a state of absolute distress. My dad died of *** in March and in November I got some numbness and tingling in my left pinkie. I started getting some twitching in left hand also. I woke up one night with a start as I had had a dream and I saw a board with *** flashing on it...Ever since then my anxiety levels have been as high as I can imagine.I used to take Benadryl tablets (just now and again) to help me sleep and now I note that it is know to cause BFS, or at least fasiculations. Can anyone corroborate this?In the last couple of weeks, my twitching has moved to all over my body. I get deep muscle pain in backs of legs and calfs. They feel like I have been running, but I have not.I also get pain in my hand, and a kind of buzzing sensation. Also a hot feeling in my toes...I do not seem to have any loss of strength in any muscles. My grip is still strong, can run up stairs, squats etc.My neuro does not think it is *** and I am going for Nerve Conduction tests on Tuesday and a re-referral to Neuro on Wed.What can I do to reduce these fasics? They keep me awake all night and with the panic over ***, I am not eating, or sleeping etc.If all of this is caused by anxiety, then I can deal with it.And while I am here, can I just say how remarkable you guys are for staying positive...All the best.Angus
 
I remember reading in Adam and Victor's Principles of Neurology that Benadryl 50mg is useful for the cramping associated with benign cramp fasiculation syndrome.Swift_TaySwift20
 
I don't know if Benadryl causes BFS but I do know, for a fact, that I took it every single day for years and then developed twitching. I have a very strong suspicion that it may have had something to do with it. Then again...who knows. :)
 
Hi Angus,Your situation is a mirror image of mine except my mum,who has ALS, is still alive. Most distressing for me. She was diagnosed last year and I found myself becoming extremely anxious over her. Needless to say I then developed twitching, mainly in my right leg. I get the buzzing sensation as well, cramping etc. I've been to 2 neuros and both have assured me that it is not ALS. I've had all the appropriate tests and there all ok. I feel that anxiety has done this to me. Once anxiety kicks in then it exacerbates the symptoms.You must have weakness and atrophy to have ALS. The other thing is that we have sensory symptoms and with ALS you don't really get that. My mum doesn't notice her fasciculations however I believe other patients are aware of them to a mild degree. You have BFS and for your peace of mind make sure you get all the appropriate tests done to eliminate any doubt. The neuro may say it's not necessary but don't let him talk you into that. I made sure my neuro performed all the appropriate tests. You need to have them done for therapeutic reasons. My neuro said some of the test he peformed were not necessary however he did them anyway for my peace of mind. I've been to 2 neuros and I'm convinced they think I'm a hypochondriac.I know what you mean about not eating and sleeping! It's amazing what sort of state anxiety can put you in. All I can say is make sure you tell your GP or neuro about that, perhaps they can give you something to help you. I've been put on an anti depressant that has a sedative effect to help me through this. It also helps with the cramps. I'm using Endep (also known as Elavil) at a fairly low dose. Only been on it for just under 2 weeks. Helps with the sleeping. Unfortunately the wretched twitching is still there. Others use different meds. I guess you need to speak with your neuro and see what he suggests.Welcome to the BFS club. You do get wonderful support here.Maria
 
Hey MariaThanks for the reply. I am not a worrying person really but one thing has really struck me...it is absolutely amazing how this little 3 letter word can get in your head...and it is a right b*****d to get it out again!!!Your common sense tells you it is unlikely to be ***, but the fact that you know about it, and you know how dreadful a disease it is, increases your anxiety and you begin to question every little symptom. I am sure my girlfriend thinks I am mad, but to be honest, I have not really spoken to her much about it. I kept thinking how I was going to make sure she was looked after once I was gone etc...Thankfully now I have almost convinced myself that is is anxiety related and that it is something that will run it's course etc...Thanks guys...
 
I find that Benadryl is one of the few things that, if I have not taken it for awhile, seems to help with my BFS for a short time until it becomes ineffective again.That said, Benadryl is a weak anti-depressant working on serotonin reuptake (in fact it was the prototype drug from which many other SSRIs were developed), and serotonin ADs for me have been a twitching nightmare.-Dave
 

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