Struggling with Paranoia about MS

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Spaghetti69

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I have had strange symtoms for over 2 years and unlike the majority of people here i dont worry at all about ALS mainly because if you had ALS within 6 months you wouldnt be able to walk and also the twitching in BFS is normally only in relaxed muscle whereas in ALS it is relentless. I tend to be paranoid about MS despite no real solid symtoms such as permanent numbess/weakness or eye problems. This is probably driven by me spending too long in MS forums listening to people talking about strange symtoms which dont seem too far away from the symtoms most of us suffer from such as fleeting tingling, hot & cold sensations, twitching in calfs and ankles, migraines etc etc I have had a clear MRI and several neurological exams and got the impression that my neurolgists was losing sympathy for me on my last visit which is fair enough as he probably sees lots of truely sick people everyday. Am i alone on this or does many other people worry about MS. Deep down i know i havent got it, it is just this niggling worry which hangs over me like a dark cloud!
 
Hi,I myself haven't worried about MS. I worried of the other dreadful killer. MS I can live with! BFS is even better tho and thats what we have! :sick:
 
For your information clean (normal) MRI of brain valid for years. Not one or two but at least 5-7 years. If you don't have signs or demyelination you are clean in next 5-7 years. Here I have had specification and pictures which I brought to another Neuro for a second, even for third medical opinion. They were all agree and I put my doubts ad acta.
 
Why not BFS instead of either? My neurologist said:"BFS is the most common cause of twitching"Like I said before, I'm a reluctant optomist after this experience or a reformed pessimist, but there's always room for one more. :D)PS I have/have had all the symptoms you listed.
 
I went through the same worry years ago when I first had difficulty. Didn't even know what ALS was, internet wasn't a thing yet. I think we (at least, me) make things more difficult because we read and our wonderful imaginations create all sorts of visual pictures. I am learned to COMPLETELY stay off the other sites. I relate so much to what I have read here.Just rest in what you know and allow yourself to let go of the fear and it WILL go away eventually.Cindy
 
You know, it's funny what we get worried about, and why, in our own personal cases, we tend to worry more about one thing than another. For me, I worry about als, because it seems to me to be the worst disease imaginable. I am very busy with my family, and like to do things for them, and I enjoy taking care of my kids, so for it suddenly to turn around and be all about taking care of me, would be torture for me. And, I don't worry about MS at all, because for one thing, compared to als, MS would be a blessing. Also, my Uncle, who is about 75 years old, has had MS since he was 25 years old. I've always been close to him, and he is a wonderful man. His life has been great, and I guess I just don't worry about it, because I look at him, and see that he has had his share of challenges, but generally speaking, he has lived a normal life, and been very much a part of all of his families lives, and was able to contribute to his familes lives as much as if he didn't have MS. In fact, in my family, there was almost a sense of humor about it. My Uncle used to love telling the story of how we all used to go to Lake Tahoe to vacation, and my Dad used to wheel him down to the water in his wheelchair, and basically dump him in the lake. My Uncle loved this, and it was so funny, cause one time when he was home, a lady came up to him in the store and said, "Weren't you the man that was dumped in Lake Tahoe by that other man? We just thought that was terrible!"....Well, my Uncle loves this story cause in actuality he got a kick out of hit, and he and my Dad were real close and would laugh about everything to the point of tears. So, being so close to MS, and the way my Uncle has dealt with it, makes me not afraid of it at all. I know it can affect everyone differently, but he has been a great example of someone who lives their life in the face of adversity, and just doesn't let something like MS get in the way. He would get up each day late in his disease, go to workout at a gym (he couldn't do much, but I think it was of course good for him mentally)...go have a bite to eat somewhere, and then keep busy around his house. He used what he called his "Pogo sticks" for years and years, until just recently, he now spends most of his time in a wheelchair. But, he is able to move around, breathe, it's not like als at all. Also, he has had it since he was 25, which is over 50 years. Als is terrible in that it goes so fast. And, how awful not to be able to express your emotions or thoughts to your family like in als. With my Uncle, he can do all of that. He is still doing well, and able to be a sense of support to his family. By the way, just to mention this, he is my Moms' sisters husband, so I am not related to him by blood. We've just always been close, and enjoyed lots of great family times and talks. Just thought I'd share that! Val
 
I wouldn't worry about MS. You've had a clean MRI so it's not MS. These neuros know what they are looking for. I think the biggest problem is the fear/anxiety associated with our symptoms. I know speaking for myself personally I definitely need professional help. I now go to a psychiatrist to help me with anxiety. I pray that perhaps one day these twitches will go away but in the mean time I need the anxiety addressed. If you've got the all clear from your doctors start working on your anxiety.Maria
 
I actually thought that I had MS until just recently when I found out about BFS, (have had symptoms for over 30 years & thought that a "mild, benign sensory" case of MS was all that could possibly explain my symptoms.) My ordeal started 30 years ago, long before the internet or MRI's. A clean neuro exam and a clean MRI rule out MS and I have had both, but thought "I'm the exception--my tests are negative, but...." and I just decided to live a full life & ignore the symptoms to the best of my ability---they never really kept me from doing anything. There was discomfort and fear, but, physically I could function normally. Over the past several years they've come up with many new meds for MS & also we now know that many cases never cause disability. I was EXTREMELY afraid the 1st couple of years when I thought I had it since the only MS patients I heard of "way back then" were totally and severely disabled, (bedridden). However, over the past couple of decades I've met many MS sufferers who if they didn't tell me, I would never know they have MS. Hopefully even more medications are in the pike to treat MS as well as other serious neuro diseases. I'm so glad that my new neuro explained BFS to me and that I found this Board & learned that my symptoms fit BFS. We're really blessed that we have a benign condition, frightening at times and uncomfortable at times, but I'm living proof (30 plus years) that it's not disabling. Best Wishes, Denise
 
I have had many of the same symptoms as you have. My MRI though was 10 years ago - it was clear at the time and I was dx'd with benign vertigo. The vertigo has gotten more persistent recently, along with sensory symptoms (tingling/possible diminished sensation/strange "chills") in my right leg, flashers and floaters in my vision and migraines. MY GP and an opthamologist pronounced me OK so I am trying to hold on to that. There are worse things to fear than MS, however with the accompanying twitching it's more likely to explain the symptoms as BFS. Your MRI was clear and it was more recent than mine, and you've seen more than one neurologist recently - in fact you said they are "losing patience" with you. You need to listen to your doctors. I've researched a lot about hypochondria lately and it doesn't mean "faking" or symptoms that aren't real. Hypochondriacs have real symptoms however they refuse to believe medical opinions (often multiple opinions) that their symptoms don't point to serious disease. I am not throwing stones at you - I am a serious, bona fide hypochondriac - I fit the definition to a "T." In fact, I've seen definitions that have mentioned MS (along with cancer and ALS) as favorite concerns of hypochondriacs b/c of the vague nature of the symptoms and the low/zero cure rates. I guess many of us think it's almost too good to be true that a benign condition can share some symptoms with serious, debilitating or life-threatening diseases. Hypochondriacs also need to accept that a healthy life is not symptom-free - you will have pains, strange sensations, etc, that come along with living and they are not always indicative of serious disease.This is something I'm still struggling with, so while I may sound mentally healthy, I am right there with you. :) As I type, I am seeing strange floaters/flashers that I am trying not to worry about!! As an observer, however, it is easy for me to say that you are worrying yourself needlessly and that you need to trust in your doctors. You've had multiple medical opinions that have found no cause for alarm. Believe them and stop borrowing worry. And limit your web searching to "hypochondria" - I think you will see some interesting information in there and some behaviors that you are likely engaging in, and that it will make you feel a little better.Good luck -Joanne
 
RIGHT ON JELIOTA! Been seeing my psychiatrist and psychologist since last week and I HAVE SLOWLY GOT A HOLD ON THIS...Congnitive behavior and rationality OCD issue..Pls Panic Anxiety!!! You are right J! Oh yea and I placed 2nd out of 68 in my HOLD EM Tourney last night :p I GOT SOME MONEY!!!!!
 

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