Panicking Over Numbness in Foot

[anvibela78]

I had two good days. On Friday the gripping pain stopped on my legs for a full day. Wonderful. Today though my right foot feels very odd while I'm driving. AlAlmost numb. I'm able to move my foot back and forth between pedals but I'm terrified this is weakness. I'm twitching all over and scared this is true rather than perceived. Totally panicked today

 

[DesertKnight]

Okay, first off, you have to breathe. I go numb and tingly in my extremities all the time, especially when my anxiety is high. You don't have to be having a panic attack to have high anxiety...sometimes I wake up and I'm more tense and edgy for no reason at all. Seems I breathe very fast and shallow those days, especially when doing things that require concentration. (ie. driving, reading, paying bills) I also tend to hold my breath when I'm like this. The two most common places I lose feeling is in my hands and feet, although occasionally my face and neck will go numb. Weakness isn't a sensory feeling, like a numbness or tingling, weakness is obvious. If you were having foot weakness you wouldn't be able to move your foot properly between pedals. That would be a true weakness. What you are experiencing, whatever the cause, is a sensory issue...not a weakness issue.Frances

 

[anvibela78]

Thank you for responding Frances. I'm trying to breathe. Of course I was telling myself that I "was" driving while feeling all this. Have now been walking around on my toes. I have had twitching buzzing etc for years. This time I am feeling far more anxious. It's just so effing scary. Cynthia

 

[DesertKnight]

Cynthia,I've been right where you are with the fear. I was questioning every single feeling in my body, and anything new scared me to death. Any new sensation meant in my mind "the beginning of the end." I received some comfort from the words of everyone here, from my doctors, but the only way I found true relief was when I realized the root of the problem was the way I was thinking. Right now, and I can't tell you why, your mind is filling you full of doubt and second guessing. Even though you've had this for years to one degree or another and factually you know this isn't the way nasty disease processes present...you still feel a nagging doubt and the old fear welling up inside of you again.Right now, you have to focus on the fact that weakness isn't something you think or feel is "coming on". Sensory issues are things we say "I think" or "I feel". Weakness is something we would say "I can't" or "it won't". There are days when I go to lift my laundry detergent and it feels like I don't have the strength to hold it up. I think I may drop it if I hold it for too long. On the other hand, I do have true weakness in my right foot from nerve damage due to a large cyst in my sacrum. I can't hold my big toe up against pressure. It just won't stay up. See the difference?This is a storm in your mind you have to weather. As time goes by this time you will realize yet again that this the same old stuff.Frances

 

[anvibela78]

Thanks again. I have been twitching and rumbling all day on that side. I'm wondering if the car vibratIon just sent it into overdrive. No pun. It is a "feeling" of weakness I think and your explanation makes sense. I've just never had that feeling before. At the same time I'm twitching in my elbow and scalp. My right leg feels like there is an interior twitch which scares me. Bless you and us all.