Severe Sinus Infection and BFCS?

[sociopath1337]

Please read what happened to me on Tuesday and (PLS READ BACKGROUND BELOW ) - should I run to a doctor or can anyone tell me if this is “part and parcel” of BFCS ?

Tuesday, (run down with severe sinus infection and no sleep at work for a full day), the left, (historically my “bad side”, cramping was ten times worse!). Three Vicoden would not help. When I got out of the car to get to a store I could not walk the left leg 300 feet. Leg was pained, cramped and so week. I needed assistance to keep moving. (Yes, this was aggravated by fear) Got home, I took two klonopins and put the leg up to rest and in hours it came back to its “old self “ which is partial constant outer gait cramping, but finally, useable. I took yesterday off from work and slept 20 hours, and today again NOT good, but about 50 % as bad as Tuesday. My hope remains from what I read here… you “don’t get better episodically with the “bad ‘stuff. . . You can understand that Tuesday’s episode has left me “shot”
HISTORY- Overall body twitches, 2 EMG s and diagnosed with BFS April 2005.
Klonopin cuts down twitches including the worst - the Left hand’s index and thumb twitches. These particular finger / thumb twitches were successfully countered by an elastic “HAND EASE GLOVE” that I have taken off due to suggestions from the BFS board. The glove is what I attribute the 20 – 25 % muscle loss in the left hand to.

Continued LEFT SIDE cramping and of hand arm and outer leg. The leg and foot cramp and can throw me off balance is my normal for about 30% of each day.

I was doing relatively well, and now I am out of my mind again. Any comments suggestions are appreciated

 

[LisaQ.]

Hi Henry,
A sinus infection was what made my legs feel so weak at the outset of my bfs journey. All of a sudden, I could barely walk.

If your perceived weakness waxes and wanes and improves with rest, that is typical of bfs.

In my case however, I had such severe perceived weakness (and resultant anxiety) that my weakness never improved for months. I woke up weak, felt weak all day, and didn't ever feel "normal" for about four months.

Have you recovered any of the muscle mass on your hand now that you aren't using the glove?

Only you can decide whether you want to go see your doctor again, but if your functional mobility is impaired as a result of this, I would say it is time for a check-up. Personally, when you are on so much medication it is always a good idea to be following up with someone. Perhaps the meds are causing adverse effects, or need to be adjusted or changed.

I hope this helps, let us know how things go.
Blessings,
Sue

 

[sociopath1337]

You make such sense> Naturally I 'm scared and tried to think these things "out" before posting - ( # of drugs , poor sleep, diet, and sinus infection).

I am 2 plus years on this and it has recently gotten worse - the newly gloveless hand is excercised daily with one of those "grippers" and no luck so far, but no further loss, ( others, ( excpet one person), tell me I am nuts on that topic ) :

the leg is certainly midly better since Tuesday but at a more frequent level of cramping and weakness. I am giving myself a week and then getting back to a doc.

Thanks for your postivity and practicality - I wish I could repay you somehow - you have help me before - NOT with just direct replies but reading you replies to other people. I just wish the average person could understand this -everyone thinks I am nuts, so I've learned to say nothing.

with thanks,
Henry

 

[LisaQ.]

Hi again Henry,
Two years into this is, as you know, a positive sign that it isn't you-know-what.

It is good to try to get a grip on our internal thought-life, however, being a recovering obsessive compulsive person myself, there is also great value to getting one's fears out in the open and not always trying to go it alone.

In other words, it's okay if you don't think things "out" before posting, because in this instance, you needed validation and support from an external source. That's what we're here for. Eventually, over time and with experience, you'll be able to challenge the anxious thoughts you have, because you'll have history and truth to back you up.

Until then, (and for as long as you need us,) we are more than happy to offer help and advice. This condition can be mighty terrifying when it flares up.

I'm glad to hear that your leg is feeling better. I know what used to help in my case was to try and get up and walking on a regular basis. It proved that I was strong, indeed. In the beginning I couldn't go as far without feeling exhausted, but eventually I got better.

Blessings,
Sue