Seeking Equanimity: Treating or Knowing?

[Krackersones]

How many people are equally motivated to find a treatment or cure for their condition because of physical discomfort as they are to just know that what they have is benign so they don't worry? Of course, I would like conclusive info that my condition is benign but my symptoms also cause me a great deal of discomfort from the actual twitching sensations to this odd muscle tension all over my body. If I didn't take Klonopin for the symptoms, I would not be functioning well despite no loss of strength. Krackersones

 

[twinTwosome]

I'm with you. I would love to find a way to feel normal again. I would also like someone to recognize that this is not all in my head. The symptoms came on hard and strong with no anxiety whatsoever (at the time anyway, now I've got anxiety to spare!) I simply thought I had a vitamin deficiency. I would also like to figure out a cure so that I can be sure that this isn't leading to something more serious. I've only been going through this for a little less than 3 months. I certainly don't feel like I'm out of the woods, even with a clean EMG. I am functioning at least 80% better than I was before being labeled "benign," but I still would like someone to take this seriously and FIX IT!! I'm sure that is asking too much, so for now I am working on my own mental and physical health.Becky

 

[RainCat]

I dont take anything Krackersones but somedays i have such awfull migrating neurapathy chill then burning pain in both lower legs i could scream ...1 take some Neurophen when it gets bad and it seems to help .

 

[Krackersones]

Thanks for sharing your success with a medication. Klonopin works for me but I have been keeping to a 1 mg per day dose even though more would probably be better. The meds come with their own issues and it's better to only go there when the quality of life improvement warrants it. This is a very individual decision.

 

[Outlook1958]

I think it really depends on how bad your symptoms are. Some medication is okay if the twitches don't let you sleep properly or if the burning pain gets really bad... However, I would just let it be the way it is in my case, I just have my bodywide twitches now and then, and I actually don't even notice them when I don't concentrate on them.In my opinion, anxiety meds are a more controversial issue to discuss. Several months ago I might have even needed anxiety meds, but I didn't ask for any and decided just to wait. By now, the anxiety got better. It's not quite gone yet, but it's getting better without any meds, except Valerian root now and then.

 

[Krackersones]

If I hadn't experience this myself, I would assume that since I get relief from an anxiety drug, Klonopin, my symptoms must be caused by anxiety. This really is not the case for me. Klonopin is prescribed for muscle cramping (which I don't have really) so it is known to be a muscle relaxant in addition to addressing anxiety. My suffering is more from this extremely uncomfortable muscle tension feeling that makes it impossible to focus on anything but the discomfort. When the meds kick it, it is a very noticable difference. The twitches still happen but are less intense and frequent. However, if it was just the twitches, I could go without any meds. I don't know how the muscle tension connects with the twitches but I'm guessing that the nerve irritation causing my twitching also causes my muscles to feel tense and agitated. I would not wish the feeling on anyone as it is truly miserable. The feelings under my arms and behind my knees are the worst. Nerve issues are so mysterious it is so hard to draw straight line conclusions about anything.

 

[nameDissin]

I totally agree with the concept of this post. The one most major thing that I have been unable to identify with on this board is all of the fear surrounding ALS and MS. Though MS did cross my mind in the beginning stages of this; I was not gripped with paralyzing fear or endless anxiety over the matter. For me, the most upsetting part of this whole ordeal is that there has been no real diagnosis and therefore no treatment. The sensations and twitching have been horribly depressing due to the physical discomfort and disruption of sleep. I've taken multiple meds and homeopathic remedies with no success. The only thing that I have found to help to some extent is Xanax; but it doesn't take away the sensations...just knocks me out so I can sleep. When the sensations are bad the anxiety over the physical discomfort is truly overwhelming.