Struggling with Anxiety and Twitching

[TyrianLan]

Hi everyone! I wanted to check back in for those people that appreciate this stuff. My original post is here: And subsequent 2 year update here:In short I can almost guarantee you I twitch more than anyone (although a few out there might be close) . And I went through just about every symptom mostly because of the stress and anxiety we all place on ourselves through this. Once I got through that mentally and accepted I was going to be fine things got MUCH better. Not easy to do but it can be done. My 2 year update tells how I did that. Anyway, I still twitch hundreds of thousands of times a day and don't even care anymore. I Promised myself I wouldn't look at them several years ago and this only aided in my reduced obsession. In fact I feel them going crazy as a type this. I still run way too much and have really grow to appreciate my otherwise good health. In the grand scheme of things I feel lucky to have bfs cause people suffer from much worse. I know this is easier for me to say than someone fresh into this experience but I promise you that you will eventually get there. I'll check in a few times in case anyone has any questions but will eventually check out again for another year. This is a great website with some awesome veterans that are extremely smart of the subject.Thanks!

 

[SwiftStar09]

Thanks so much for update and providing us encouragement. I'm going to take your offer of questions. I read you pushed through the symptoms and continued to run. I also love running much shorter distances and prior to BFS found running very therapeutic. My mind goes into a zone that is such a great stress relief for me. I want to continue running but find the arches of my feet act up with twitches so much so I get foot cramps, pain and sometimes are even stiff in the morning. Also in the last six months I've start yoga but find that too makes my feet worse. Any suggestions on how to push through?

 

[Gracer]

Hi Donna,I am not a runner but my sworn brother is, and he noted that the footwear means alot. For example, he runs in a high boots becasue he has hypermobile ankles and can not run in sneakers properly. And furthermore he found that one pair supports him, while another causes quite a pain in calves and fatigue - supposedly due to slightly different construction in soles.Maybe you may found your previous footwear does not fit you any more, or maybe you would need orthoses to support the arch, or more rigid or, vice versa, more flexy boots or sneakers to run.Running in fact causes so called bilateral stimulation to the brain so no wonder it has a bit hypnotic and notable releiving effect on those happy people who can enjoy it. So I wish you good luck inrestoring your running experience!

 

[thulani847]

Thanks for the update! Reading your story and reassurance was timely for me. I too am a runner (although not nearly at your level) and recently have been struggling with exercise intolerance/muscle soreness. I have run several marathons and halfs, but have gotten somewhat out of shape in the past two years. I was still running 3 or 4 miles 3 or 4 times a week when all of this started in August (clear EMG in mid-October). Since then I have been trying to increase my distance and speed to prepare for a half this spring. Every time I push speed or distance I pay with severe muscled soreness and extreme twitching in my upper legs. I ran 7 miles yesterday at a decent pace, but my legs were so sore/stiff afterwards that it felt like I had raced a full marathon. I get what feels like delayed onset muscle soreness only a few minutes after finishing a run. I am debating on whether or not to run again today, as my plan was to run 5 miles this afternoon, but my legs are still fatigued and sore. Do you have any advice for working through this?

 

[SwiftStar09]

Thanks for answering my question much appreciated and it does help. Getting used to the "new normal" sucks but you're so right about answer #3. Went for a short run on Sunday and consciously tried not to focus on the feet after. Worked as I went for another run yesterday. Hopefully don't get to the point I need to consider gabapentin but good to hear it worked for almost a year for you.