Spasticity Scare

[Serenity1990]

When I type for more than a few minutes the whole of my arm sort of becomes really stiff to the extent that I can't move it very easily. Then when I rest it I get violent spasms in my fingers. This has happened quite a few times over the past year.

I'm really scared. I'm pretty sure this confirms there's something going on over and above anxiety. :(

[Fishmanpa]

Ok... so another one I've never heard of and had to look up ;) Unless you've had some kind of trauma or injury to your central nervous system, it's unlikely you have this. Knowing your fear of MS, you can rest assured it's not that either as this symptom typically doesn't manifest itself in one arm nor come and go.

Positive thoughts

[Serenity1990]

Thank you for the reply Fishmanpa.

Unfotunately I saw a video on YouTube a few months back of a MS patient being treated for this and it was exactly as I describe: they seize up with repeated activity. And before you say it I've had this symptom every now and then far before my health anxiety started!

The other thing that's worrying me is typing the symptom into google literally nothing comes up! Nobody saying they've got a similar thing, which given the prominence of computer-related jobs and RSI-type injuries (which is what I had assumed it was before my HA) is surprising.

[Fishmanpa]

Being that you've had similar issues for quite some time, you would think that one of the tests or doctors would have found a physiological reason for the symptoms. Well... eventually, you'll get to the bottom of things.

Positive thoughts

[Serenity1990]

Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

My physio has diagnosed me with a pinched nerve in the cervical spine, which can cause symptoms similar to this though it's relatively unusual for it to be this severe. This diagnosis was without imaging though so is far from beyond doubt, and I've been getting other symptoms throughout my body which wouldn't be caused by that.

That said, I know I have somatic anxiety. The proof of this for me came one day a few months ago. I was really worried about a similar instance in my right hand, and I became convinced (for the one and only time) that I had ALS. Immediately the entire affected hand came out in severe hives, which initially freaked me out but when I remembered that this couldn't be caused by any neuro nasties and could be caused by anxiety I realised just how powerful anxiety was. However this leaves me with a new dilemma: of my other symptoms elsewhere in the body, which are real and which aren't? If none are this all could be from one pinched nerve.

[Catherine S]

Hi Serenity, I was just wondering why you didn't mention the physio' and the cervical spine pinched nerve in your opening post? Most people would be happy to have a diagnosis rather than no answers, but do you feel you have been misdiagnosed? What makes you think of spasticity and not a pinched nerve as has been suggested?

[Serenity1990]

Hi Serenity, I was just wondering why you didn't mention the physio' and the cervical spine pinched nerve in your opening post? Most people would be happy to have a diagnosis rather than no answers, but do you feel you have been misdiagnosed?

I don't know why I didn't mention it, I suspect it was probably just because I was in a panic.

As I say I was over the moon with that diagnosis, however I'm also very aware that many, even perhaps a majority, of MS patients are misdiagnosed with a pinched nerve at first. And of course my other symptoms over the past year that have nothing to do with the cervical spine at all.

I don't necessarily feel I've been misdiagnosed, but I'm certainly aware of the awful possibility. What I can say is that I'm yet to come across a story of anyone with a pinched nerve who has symptoms in the arm and hand like mine.

P.S. Thanks for the reply. :)

[RoseEve]

I've thought I've had MS at least 10 times. It's a favorite.

[Catherine S]

No problem re replies. But I'm quite surprised that you don't make the connection between a trapped or pinched nerve in the cervical spine being connected to your arms and hands, as the cervical spine is the top part..which would affect the nerves of your neck, shoulders, arms and hands, with the thoracic spine being the middle part and lumbar being the lower part....so for example a pinched or damaged nerve in the lumbar part would result in sciatica which is pain in your lower back running down into your bum cheek and down into your thigh.

[Serenity1990]

I'm aware of that, but because the diagnosis isn't backed up with imaging it's not absolutely certain that it is a pinched nerve there - as I say so many MS patients are misdiagnosed with this initially. Also this wouldn't explain the other neuro sensations I've had elsewhere. Anxiety would, though how likely is it anxiety and this would kick off at the same time?

I can't live with all this worry and uncertainty any more. Six months ago I was a university tutor and postgrad student just months away from my dream job in the financial sector and an amazing career. Now I'm a mess and I don't know if I'll ever get better. :(

[Catherine S]

You will Serenity. I believe your anxiety makes it bigger and that's not dismissing what you experience because I do believe its physical rather than just anxiety, but obviously anxiety comes into it because you're worried about it. Can you not get a more positive diagnosis about this somewhere, instead of a physiotherapist only guessing?

[Serenity1990]

I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and I'm going to try and get a neuro appointment. I paid for one myself when this all kicked off and the leading MS specialist in the UK didn't think it was a likely possibility, but a lot has happened since then. I've had a clear brain MRI but not spine or cervical spine, which is where the doubt arises from. Maybe if I can get an all-clear from those I can put these fears to bed.

I suppose I'm especially scared of MS because of what it did to my grandmother. She went from healthy to the bed she spent the ensuing forty years in within the space of about a year. I'm not scared of death, not of pain, but I'm terrified of years of suffering like that: nothing seems crueler to me.

But equally my symptoms would be quite atypical of MS, though far from impossible. The trouble is they're atypical of a pinched nerve too!

Thanks again for the reply. :)

[Catherine S]

Ahh, becomes a little clearer when you talk about your grandmother, a lot of us here talk about family members who have suffered with true illnesses, myself included as members of my family have had heart problems in the past...some died and others didn't but has created an inbuilt anxiety about my heart. MS is not hereditary but its easy to see where your fear comes from.

[Serenity1990]

Perhaps, though if that fear existed before now it was subconscious. Unfortunately my grandmother's illness prevented us from ever becoming close, as I only knew her when she was very ill indeed.

It brings me some solace that this week scientists have cured MS in mice, and most of what I've read seems to indicate a very effective treatment or even a cure will be available within the next five to ten years. I don't really think I've got it (though I have my moments, such as my first post in this thread), but that brings me some comfort. I think it's less the illness that scares me than not being able to do what I wanted to do with my life. That and the effect such a diagnosis would have on my family.

Thank you for your kind words this evening, it's helped. :)

[RoseEve]

I was going to say serenity there is a lot more treatment options for people with MS then there was in the past.

[Trueman]

Hi Serenity. I'm sorry I've not got back to you re: my experiences. Been set a bit off kilter with kidney issues. But I will. And soon. Hope today is ending a little better for you :)

[Serenity1990]

Hi trueman, my equal apologies for not doing this as promised, the last couple of days have to been great. I'll try and put something together tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks again. :)