Scared of ALS

[mjh82]

Since June of 2015 I've had a myriad of weird symptoms. My very first symptom was a brain zap sensation. Of course I thought I had a brain tumor so I got a brain MRI which my doctor said no tumor but non specific white spotting was noted on the MRI. My PCP referred me to a neurologist which at the time I thought oh no I have MS. Turns out the spotting was non specific and neurologist didn't believe it was the type of spotting as seen with MS so then I googled symptoms and of course ALS came up. At that point on all hell has broken loose on my body. I have dry mouth, full body muscle twitches, throat clicking, random sharp stabbing pains throughout the body, tightness in both leg muscles, fingers and wrists ache, tight throat feeling in the upper back part of mouth, at times speech feels bizarre like I'm having trouble speaking or it's taking more effort. I have no weakness or loss of functionality. No one has commented to me about my speech or appearance.

To date I've had two clean EMG's, C spine MRI (bulging discs noted in C Spine), extensive bloodwork which mainly has been normal (except for low vitamin D and high B6). I've seen neurologists including neuromuscular specialist, ENT, Rheumatologist, Chiropractor, you name it. Clean clinical exams for the most part except last two exams reflexes were jumpy but symmetrical. Just when I was trying to let go of the fear the brisk reflexes have sent me back into a tailspin. None of the neurologists I've seen to date have even put ALS on the table. Right now I don't know what to do since I've had every test imaginable with no answers. I feel like I'm at a crossroads.

Can anxiety cause all of these bizarre symptoms? Anyone with similar experience? I'm struggling so bad right now and feel like every time I'm about to say move on a new symptom pops up. I feel so scared right now about my future.

[SLA]

Yes, anxiety can cause these things.

You had a panic attack when you read some ALS symptoms, and then your brain went into overdrive trying to find evidence for all of the other symptoms that you never had before.

Your focus became switched onto all of your bodily sensations, which you then convinced yourself was ALS.

You then got stuck in a downward spiral of anxiety, continually checking for symptoms. A self-perpetuating cycle of convincing yourself you have ALS.


I've been there before with mutiple HA concerns. They all blow over.

You have had multiple tests, and no sign of ALS.

So give yourself permission to relax now. You don't have ALS.

Punch the air, and tell yourself all is well.

[Colicab85]

Since June of 2015 I've had a myriad of weird symptoms. My very first symptom was a brain zap sensation. Of course I thought I had a brain tumor so I got a brain MRI which my doctor said no tumor but non specific white spotting was noted on the MRI. My PCP referred me to a neurologist which at the time I thought oh no I have MS. Turns out the spotting was non specific and neurologist didn't believe it was the type of spotting as seen with MS so then I googled symptoms and of course ALS came up. At that point on all hell has broken loose on my body. I have dry mouth, full body muscle twitches, throat clicking, random sharp stabbing pains throughout the body, tightness in both leg muscles, fingers and wrists ache, tight throat feeling in the upper back part of mouth, at times speech feels bizarre like I'm having trouble speaking or it's taking more effort. I have no weakness or loss of functionality. No one has commented to me about my speech or appearance.

To date I've had two clean EMG's, C spine MRI (bulging discs noted in C Spine), extensive bloodwork which mainly has been normal (except for low vitamin D and high B6). I've seen neurologists including neuromuscular specialist, ENT, Rheumatologist, Chiropractor, you name it. Clean clinical exams for the most part except last two exams reflexes were jumpy but symmetrical. Just when I was trying to let go of the fear the brisk reflexes have sent me back into a tailspin. None of the neurologists I've seen to date have even put ALS on the table. Right now I don't know what to do since I've had every test imaginable with no answers. I feel like I'm at a crossroads.

Can anxiety cause all of these bizarre symptoms? Anyone with similar experience? I'm struggling so bad right now and feel like every time I'm about to say move on a new symptom pops up. I feel so scared right now about my future.


Hey man,

This entire post is identical to my onset of symptoms and progression.

I too started with a "brain zap" (strange electrical sensation in head with a tingly feeling in arms?) and immediately went into a spiral of strokes, aneurysms and tumours.

Had an MRI on my head and private neurology appointments, nothing was found. Tumour scares went away, even though my headaches have persisted. Then my fear then migrated over to ALS and has been stuck there since.

I have twitching in my legs mainly and sporadic ones elsewhere. Plus constant shakes in mouth and hands. Had multiple GP appointments and he is 100% I've created the symptoms myself. I have no weakness, that I and he are aware of at least.

But yes, it seems as though Anxiety (and depression in my case) can definitely cause the symptoms we are experiencing.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Fishmanpa]

You have had multiple tests, and no sign of ALS.

So give yourself permission to relax now. You don't have ALS.

Punch the air, and tell yourself all is well.

But wait... The member "SLA" spelled backwards is..... :scared15: Is that a sign? :unsure: (J/K here).

Positive thoughts

[SLA]

But wait... The member "SLA" spelled backwards is..... :scared15: Is that a sign? :unsure: (J/K here).

Positive thoughts

LMFAO!

I never realised that fishmanpa!

Just so the original poster knows, it stands for Starting Life Again. I write a blog with that name.

[mjh82]

Thank you all for the responses.

Lol unfortunately I've played into the whole looking for signs thing during this past year and a half. Bumper sticker on a car or just even hearing the words on TV triggered immense fear.

The onset of my symptoms in June 2015 seem like they are classic panic attack (brain zaps, headaches, dry mouth, fuzzy vision, throat closed up, fully body sharp aches and pains, fully body twitches) symptoms. Ironically, once I convinced myself I had ALS most of those initial symptoms went away and now I'm dealing with the ones I previously mentioned in the initial post. Hasn't been a minute during each day that goes by in the past year plus were I don't think about how I'm swallowing, how I'm forming words coming out of my mouth, how I'm moving my feet when I'm walking, how I'm using my fingers when I'm typing. It's so f'd up.

The onset of my symptoms definitely followed an extremely stressful period in my life personally and professionally. My father passed away when I was a child and never got a chance to know who he was or have any memories. That's something I've struggled with my entire life. I have a four year old and my wife is pregnant due in a month so when this all started it was the first time in my life I thought about my mortality and not being around to see my kids grow up.

I always thought anxiety was just mental distress and never knew it could manifest itself into the onslaught of physical symptoms. Are there mental health disorders which can physically mimic actual illnesses?

I'm not sure where to go from here. See a psychiatrist? Continue to see medical doctors although I'm not sure if that is just playing into the fears and not allowing me to recover. Any advice on tips or avenues I should pursue?

Thank you all for the encouraging words and replies.

[Colicab85]

Although I can't offer the best advice as I am seeing my GP roughly every 2 weeks.

I'm all likelihood it isn't helping us, we need to accept their diagnosis of Anxiety and seek medical help for that. I started CBT last week, and whether it's purely a coincidence I've felt better since.

I really hope you can fight through this as it is truly debilitating.