Welcome Back From Disney World

[LisaQ.]

Hi Vanessa, and welcome back!
I can relate. Returning home from Disney World could make the happiest, healthiest person on earth feel depressed. :crying: It is just so magical down there, isn't it?

I'm not sure what would give anyone (not necessarily you) the impression that bfs is only ever caused by anxiety? This came up in another thread today, and I don't know where it is coming from? Pardon my kitchen-sinking you in response to another thread, but your question is rather timely.

Yes, some (with bfs,) have been dx'ed with anxiety by physicians who don't recognize bfs as a legitimate syndrome. Some believe that anxiety somehow predisposes our immune systems to auto-immune conditions.

Then there are folks who really CAN say anxiety is responsible for all of their symptoms, like with GAD, just as there are some who can say it is strictly bfs, and nothing else.

Most of us have had a nasty case of anxiety superimposed upon our bfs, regardless. We don't know what came first, the chicken or the egg. We DO know that anxiety can really wreak havoc upon our physical bodies.

But I would never say that it is the consensus of this board that bfs is caused solely by anxiety, or IS, itself just an anxiety disorder manifesting itself in a physical sense.

In many cases, bfs is post-viral, which was my personal starting point. In other cases, it is medication or perhaps even pesticide induced, or idiopathic, having no known etiology.

That's JMO, for what it's worth. I'm sure others will be along to share their two cents.

btw-Basso can be terrifying, but he won't bite. He just likes to nibble.

Blessings,
Sue

 

[MysticalGlitchy]

Thanks LisaLM for your reply!

I have been told I have GAD by a neuro at Mayo. In fact, her and the supervising neuro stated my anxiety was producing my symptoms(twithcing, numbnes, etc..). But, when I come to this board and as time ticks away (2 1/2 years) it's hard for me to accept that diagnosis. All of you have experienced this junk- for they have not- and most everyone here seem to think it is NOT anxiety. It makes me want to scream!!!

 

[MysticalGlitchy]

Yes, I only practice white magic!
Good vibes sent your way. I hope all of us the best of health.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[massagefanrx]

Vanessa,

One thing I'd have to say is that I know there are people on this board who have been twitching etc.. for close to twenty years and I know that makes me feel better.

However, I guess the bottom line is this. As far as science can say, it is a benign syndrome. I'm a scientific person generally and believe in percentages. So, I guess that's why I haven't been to a neurologist yet for this particular set of neurological symptoms (twitching mainly)-that's not to say that I wouldn't jump at the chance to go to a doctor for something where early detection was key because I would. I did go last year for the internal vibrations I would have at night and though they couldn't tell me what they were, (even though I showed "odd" brain patterns), they told me not to worry about it. And, I didn't. That's not to say I didn't worry when the twitching started too- I worried for a good three months. The other day, I decided to stop. No matter what this twitching is, I'm still going to live my life on my terms and I'm going to be happy- benign, not-benign. whatever. Plenty of people live with all kinds of crappy illnesses everyday and still manage to put a smile on their face and other people with illnesses (even non-life threatening ones) choose to live in fear of what will happen next. If you read back in my posts you can find one I made about my husband who has very serious heart problems, including an upcoing 2nd open heart surgery to replace his aorta. He has every reason to live in fear yet he completely chooses not to. He truly believes his positive outlook has resulted many recoveries over these years that doctors didn't think possible. Life is short for all of us- whether we have 20 years, 40 years, 90 years- the joy of life is the trip. We never know where it will take us or when it's out turn to get off, but if we live, love, and are fully present for our families and friends, wouldn't we look back (regardless of our age) and think "WOW, I really lived!"

I know it's hard to put the worrying on hold when you have kids- I have two of my own and two stepkids. But, as my father always says, if I were to "get hit by the proverbial turnip truck" tomorrow, I'd want my kids to remember time spent cuddling and doing things together, not remember me in a constant state of worry...It took me quite a while to get a grip on this on this go-round as the twitching set me off pretty good. You've been at this a lot longer and I know the waxing and waning of symptoms has got to be draining. But, I guess while plenty of other people have their stuff to deal with, our twitchy, achy selves have our particular set of symptoms to deal with. [/i]

 

[PinkNinja25]

Vanessa,
Mine started after a seizure to sulfa meds. The only time I have ever had a seizure. I am not sure if the BFS is a residual anomoly from the seizure or if the meds brought it on, I am thinking the seizure. Regardless I think viruses bring on my occasional flareups and/or the stress that my body endures as a result of the virus. As I near my 9 year mark I have to admit I have just recently met a lot of people who twitch, buzz, have myclonic jerks, vibrations and they have had them for almost as long. It is strange because the one nurse I was talking to last week at a running race told me she just doesn't worry about it because she has had it so long with no ill effects. A teacher I work with has similar symptoms and hasn't seen a doc either. This leads me to think more about the possibility that BFS is more common than we think and how we deal with the symptoms naturally differs from person to person, so I do think anxiety can be both a cause and a catalyst...if you read all the posts on this forum it does play a role in some form.
Good luck to you.
Amy

 

[umplerzMrszCz]

Amy I have to agree with you. My husband get twitches as well. My sister says her lips, eyes, and mouth twitch all the time. Every time I tell someone about a symptom the reply they've had that as well. I have a hard time dealing.....period. I'm easily startled, and anything remotely stressful can trigger MAJOR anxiety in me. For the past few days I've had this area around my left ear that isn't numb per se it just feels weird!
Theres ALWAYS something bothering me! HYPOCHONDRIAS!!!!!!!

 

[SamanthaRiddle]

My twitching was definitely not brought on by anxiety but the other way around. I had a bad case of the flu and then everything started hopping.

 

[MysticalGlitchy]

Thank you each and everyone of you! I do need a kick in the rear every once in awhile.

It's very comforting to know that this board provides such wonderful support.

 

[WreckedBug25]

Hi there,

I got a BCFS dx over 2 years ago. I have always thought it was aggravated by excercise. Never had anxiety and still don't. My nuero (who I have not seen since the dx) said 70% chance it was caused by a virus, the other 30% was anyone's guess. I can say for sure that mine is worse after excercise and when I am getting a cold etc. BTW, the twitches are definitely few and far between as time goes on.

Jenn