Welcome to Newbies With BFS

[AussieSurvivor]

Hi all, yep a newby. Not formally diagnosed, but reading all the stuff on this site, pretty sure I have BFS. Chronic anxiety, stress issues over many years, I think has ultimatley bought this on, along with IBS and high BP. Symptoms started about 4-6 weeks ago in feet and calves and them progressed. Have good and bad days. Twitches ( I originally thought it was tingling, as a result of an adverse reaction to deptran, but has since realised, it is most likely BFS). No muscle weakness I am aware of but regular twitching especially in calves, but also arms,lips, stomach and back.Worse when I get anxiuos. Notice it more at night ( when relaxed). On lexapro for anxiety, seems to help ( not getting anxious over rubbish helps as well!). Any suggestions on how to help deal with all this appreciated. I am 'sort of' of getting used to twitches (ha ha) and try to ignore them (by keeping busy!) . freake me out to start (still does when they get bad)) To think about them just gets me anxious and I just get worse! I play squash, does not appear to make them any worse. Compared to some of you guys, I dont think I am too bad. I guess I just have to deal with it like everyone else. Cant see any need for furthur investigation at the moment, as dont appear to be displaying symptons of the 'nasties'cheers...any advice greatly received.

 

[simonw00]

G'day Aussie SuffererNow, had you been "Kiwi Sufferer" I would have had a lot more sympathy for you!!!! No but seriously, you are describing symptoms that are completely identical to many other BFS sufferers and have, like many on this site, identifed a link with stress/ anxiety (being Australian must be anxiety-provoking and stressful, I'm sure!!!!) which you are attempting to manage. All I can say is keep up with more of the same - I am sure you will be able to reduce the severity of your symptoms further if you can master the anxiety. I have been New Zealand's worst worrier as regards twitching for 15 months so I speak from bitter experience. I twitched more after the Bledisloe Cup too but that's a different story!All the bestSimon

 

[AussieSurvivor]

Thanks Simon. response appreciated. Hopefully I'll get on top of all this. Anxiety/stress/worry are not easy thing to deal with....as you probably well know, especially if it is in your nature to worry. The twitches..mostly always there, just worse at some times than others. Worrying about them just makes them worse and you worry more! Sounds like you are coping OK.. am looking forward to the summer of cricket, when kiwis meet the aussies..hopefully not a stressful event!keep on thinking positive...that is what I am trying to do. One thing that did annoy me was the GP, didn't seem to give a rats. Think he thought I was imagining things-yeh right!cheersAS

 

[MarioMasher]

The fact that your doctor didn't give a rats should tell you everything you need to know about your twitching. To a trained doctor, what you did is effectively come into his office and say, "I have a cold." If he didn't care about it, neither should you. Worrying about twitching is a waste of everyone's time.The best things to focus on in the early stages of BFS twitching are A) more sleep, B) healthier eating, and C) lower stress. That's it. Obsessing over anything besides those three things is pretty much a recipe for developing an anxiety disorder. Best of luck!

 

[BetteDavisGretchen]

DownUnder....I have anxiety, IBS and high BP as well, and the twitching I have been living with for almost 3 years doesn't even really bother me any more. When I stopped focusing on the twitches I didn't feel them as much...not to say they aren't there, but I don't notice them as much. Its like breathing to me now, I know my body is doing it, but its just part of me. The mind and body connection is very powerful and stress harms our bodies more than we realize. I believe that if you don't deal with the anxious thoughts and worry going on in your head, your body has no choice but to do it for you.One day at a time and you will be fine Cheers

 

[Krackersones]

You seem to have the right attitude (better than many of us). I would add that I was told by a very experienced neuromuscular specialist that twitching that comes on in weeks and spreads to head, trunk, arms, and legs is not consistent with any case of the nasties he has ever seen and he has been seeing the nasties since the 1950s. I have the same symptoms as you and them some and have had no weakness in 17 months. I feel I am a bit better than I was a year ago. If I had to guess what might be the cause of the bit of improvement it would be the vitamin B-12 shots I take (along with other B vitamin pills) and Carnitor (brand name for the amino acid l-carnitine). It is just a guess but if you are ever looking to try something low risk for help you might ask a doctor about these.