Returning After 4 Years: MS Fears

[bloodynightguru]

Hi,

I haven't visited this site in over 4 years. Back then it was my life-line. I too had many of the symptons posted here and I too thought the absolute worst. I went to 2 neuroglogists....I went on sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medication...nothing seemed to help......Oh the twitching had lessened, but the thoughts about MS or Lou Gehrig's disease never went away.

Like I said, I haven't been on this site in over 4 years......one reason....I finally felt like myself again and didn't want to open old wounds. But I decided to visit today in hopes of helping just one person. So many people helped me back then.

Please hang in there.......if the doctor says you're fine....believe him/her...stay off the Internet....don't look up any medical ailments because if you do, it's safe to say you'll have every sympton they have listed.

Again, listen to your doctor.....eat right, exercise and keep your mind active......The worst thing you can do it sit home dwelling on your symptons. I did it, it was deadly and I lost a whole year out of my life because of it. If anyone needs to talk......just email me. There was a guy who helped me 4 years ago........I even called him and we spoke on the phone and he literally helped save my life.

Be well! )

 

[Alonzo]

He has recovered as much as anyone can with BFS (myself included). Time and understanding that BFS will not kill you, cripple you or make you go crazy are the key factors in "curing" yourself.

There is no miracle med or remedy that really works other than your own self, and what I just mentioned above. Once you conquer your own thoughts and anxiety over this stuff and move-on with life, you too will have "the cure" for BFS. It does get better... trust me

 

[Alonzo]

That's exactly what I figured and what I have said many times on here. I am the same way and that's about as "cured" as anyone typically gets from BFS. It mostly goes away, but you will get hot spots from time to time and you will still have some random twitches here and there BUT... the unfounded, overwhelming fear of having something we certainly don't have (ALS), is long gone and your life does back to being "normal" again.

I have only heard about 2 people that have had their twitches completely go away, out of the thousands of people with BFS I have talked with. The "cure" of time and getting over the unfouned fear of this stuff is they key, but only YOU can do that once you overcome your fears and start to relax again. The "cure" to this stuff is within each and every one of us, the trick is to set your fears aside and move-on. Sometimes that takes the help of some mild meds. Most people that I know that have been "cured" have had the help of temporary meds such as Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, etc. to help give them the calmness to get through the day and then realize in time that: "Hey, I am still here and not any weaker and not crippled. I guess everyone was right about it just being BFS." Once people tell themselves that, they are well on their way to a cure , just like you, and I, and many other's that have moved-on

 

[Grigoli]

It is so hard to stay positive when you are having a "bad day" or days. Some days I am convinced I am fine, others I am very worried. I still can't wake up without the first thought being about how my body feels. Yesterday my left leg ached all day the muscles hurt from my groin down to my calf. So yesterday I was very worried. Today it feels better, but is twitching a lot. I also can't help but worry everytime my foot slightly touches the ground in mid-stride. It would be something I would never even notice before. Last year I bought new pair of rubber soled shoes and was tripping all over the place. (didn't know about *** then), and never gave it a second thought. Now if something like that happens I freak out! I have an appointment next month with a Neuro. My GP recommended it for peace of mind more than anything else. I am so scared and I know if they order any tests it will freak me out and if they don't I will worry that they missed something. How do you get through that? How do you get your mind of yourself and over the fear of moving?[/color]

I just went to New York last week, must have walked 10 miles in two days, I was so worried I would not be able to do it. The only thing that bothered me was the back of my knees hurt, probably from sitting so much. Then I told myself if I had *** or ** I would not have been able to do that, right?

I am babbling, sorry. I guess I need some encouragement and to be talked down. :crying:

 

[bloodynightguru]

I know exactly how you feel.....I did the same exact things to myself. It took over a year to get myself back to being "normal." The only thing I can suggest is.....see the doctor....have the tests taken.....if everything is fine with the testing......believe it.......STAY OFF THE INTERENT except for this site....You will drive yourself crazy if you go into MS or ALS sites.....you will have every symptom they suggest......Part of this is mind over matter........What happens to us, is we become overly sensitive to every body twitch, pinch, tingle, etc......I found that I noticed numbness in my pinky finger, my feet felt tingly in the morning, etc........but once I stopped looking for it or concentrating on those things, the symptoms went away.

This site really helped get me thru this and I would encourage you to check in daily and listen to everyone's advise, because we all do understand how you feel.

 

[Grigoli]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am sure you know how much they help.

The people on this site are wonderful! How great it must feel to be the ones who are offering the kind words of encouragement and positive feedback. I don't know where I would be now without it. Someday I hope to be someone who can give back as much as I have received from this site.

 

[Grigoli]

Me again! I did want to comment about your statement of staying off the internet. I saw something yesterday posted on the net asking "Is the internet turning you into a hypochondriac". They went on to give some very simple yet sobering information, which went something like this.

A doctor goes through 8 years of medical school and 4 years of residence before they are qualified to practice medicine. Not to mention if they go on to specialize in a specific field. How is anyone able to diagnose themselves over the internet with limited information and nowhere near the knowledge they need to have!

So yes, it makes total sense to stay off the internet and although it is very tempting at times, from now on this is the only site I plan on visiting!

 

[bloodynightguru]

Good for you!

The problem with the Internet is there is a lot of information....but when you type in a symptom, it links you a million different sites all of which have the exact symptons you're describing..So you may have thought you had arthritis...but then it links you to MS, ALS, Parkinson, Cancer etc....This site really got me thru...I was on it constantly...my husband would get so annoyed because he thought I was looking up more info. and I finally told him, this is my only salvation, because everyone on here is like me, they understand what I'm going thru. No one says, stop it you hypochondriac....you're being ridiculous. They said, I know, I understand, I feel the same way you do...and sometimes that's all it takes. Just knowing you're not alone and not CRAZY!!!

I don't know what got me over the hump.....I can tell you this site was a God send! If I can be of any help to you, please just let me know.....

 

[Maveric007]

This site really got me thru...I was on it constantly...my husband would get so annoyed because he thought I was looking up more info. and I finally told him, this is my only salvation, because everyone on here is like me, they understand what I'm going thru. No one says, stop it you hypochondriac....you're being ridiculous. They said, I know, I understand, I feel the same way you do...and sometimes that's all it takes. Just knowing you're not alone and not CRAZY!!!

that is exactly what i am going through with my husband now.