Can you get perceived weakness or muscle fatigue from strength tests

[emanticoff73]

From one day to the next I started having muscle jerks in bed. Started with a foot jerking one way, then my wrist moving on its own, my whole torso jerking as if someone pushed me, arm jerks and even a head jerk. It's been every night since. Some nights are worse than others. If I take ativan I either am in a deep sleep.and don't notice or it helps. It's making me feel like I'm dying. It's damaging to the mind when your limbs are moving on there own. It's only in bed. Twitches during the day. Seen the title of an article for involuntary muscle movements. I dare not read it. I came here instead wondering if anyone knows about it. Geez first als and now this. Scared to death to go to the doctor. Major doctor phobia. ..
I'm so scared of leaving my babies, it's my worst fear and the basis of my ha. What would my husband do. No family to help really they all love elsewhere. He wouldn't be able to work and they would be homeless. My 8 yr old still hasn't gotten over his grandmothers death and he was 4 when she died. He would never be the same if somethi g happen to me. My 1 yr old would never know her mama. ������. So much pressure being a parent. Sorry for the rant but I have cried myself to sleep most nights. My mom is not a lot of help. She tires of my complaints and brushed me off. I won't even get in to my husband. He won't listen to me anymore. I'm very alone in this people. So alone I have a teddy bear I sleep.with at night with my mom's nightgown on it. My husband thinks I'm batty. But it's my way to cope. I need to feel safe. Hope you all don't think I'm crazy but I haven't had a really stable family growing up. Anyways, what is hungtingtons. Could I have that? Thank you to all who reply.

[Capercrohnj]

Do either of your parents have huntington's? If not than there is 0% chance you have it. It is a dominant genetic disease where you only need one copy of the gene and everyone with this one defective gene gets it so if your patents don't have it you can't have it.

[MyNameIsTerry]

If you read just about the name of those jerks you mention you will see anxiety is a well known cause in one section covering them.

And these jerks are so common in anxiety disorders. There are tons of threads about them. I've had them myself and like others have said, they are worse when anxiety is high.

[emanticoff73]

Do you mean if one of my parents had the disease or if one of my parents carry the disease I will get it. My parents and neither there parents or there parents had huntingtons. Does that answer my question? Thanks for the reply guys. This forum is the best. Like my new family.

[hanshan]

I can answer because I am a child in a Huntingtons family. My father had Huntingtons disease, as did several of his brothers (my uncles) and one sister (my aunt).

This is a genetic illness. Basically, if you have a parent with Huntingtons, you have a fifty percent chance of inheriting Huntingtons. Those are the odds.

In the past, since symptoms often don't show up until mid-life, Huntingtons was often misdiagnosed. Today, most Huntington families have been identified since several people in the family will be showing symptoms.

Today, a genetic test is available to show if you have Huntingtons. However, many people in Huntington families choose not to take the test.

[KK77]

I can answer because I am a child in a Huntingtons family. My father had Huntingtons disease, as did several of his brothers (my uncles) and one sister (my aunt).

This is a genetic illness. Basically, if you have a parent with Huntingtons, you have a fifty percent chance of inheriting Huntingtons. Those are the odds.

In the past, since symptoms often don't show up until mid-life, Huntingtons was often misdiagnosed. Today, most Huntington families have been identified since several people in the family will be showing symptoms.

Today, a genetic test is available to show if you have Huntingtons. However, many people in Huntington families choose not to take the test.
Sorry to hear that Hanshan - hope you remain clear of any symptoms.

[hanshan]

Hi KK77 - I took the genetic test some years ago and it came out clear, but this is a family illness - you can't ignore it in family members. Several family members refuse to be tested.

[emanticoff73]

I have been really concerned about my myoclonic jerks and twitches. So i have been doing strength tests. Picking up bar stools, heavy bar stools with 2 fingers, tightening nail polish and opening it with two fingers, 3 fingered push ups, toes walking, heal walking, hopping on one foot, jumping up the stairs two feet at a time, you name it I'm trying it. Now i have muscle pain but I hope perceived weakness or muscle fatigue. What I don't understand is last year I would carry my baby in her very heavy carseat up and down a flight of stairs 4 times a day, and other heavy lifting and never felt or knew what a twitch was. Fast forward to now. Is it normal to have twitches that are new. Is it my nerves along with these strength tests. I feel fatigued now. My fingers are twitching now. Oh lord I cannot believe what is happening to me. I have a 15 month old who still doesn't sleep through the night. I am quite sleep deprived. I just don't understand how one day I'm fine and the next a headache and twitching. Scared to go to a neurologist. I'm serious I probably will faint walking through the door of the office. I'm 44 and I still have my mom come to dr. apts with me. Im a scaredy cat.

One thing I want to mention is that I'm in ativan. Been on for a while. I know it has a short life in your system, sometimes I take 1 mg and most times a half. Have I built up a tolerance and need more and that's why I have jerks and twitches. A week ago I went off it cold turkey for 3 days and I literally convulsed in my bed. My arms were jerking, legs, butt, teeth chattering, whole body jerks, neck jerks. I screamed for my mom because I thought I was seizing. It was horrible. That night I had gone to the movies and in the movies I started trembling uncontrollably and my teeth were chattering so bad I couldn't talk. My husband had to help me to the car. Needless to say Im back on the ativan. Still feel like I'm having a nervous breakdown. Sorry for the rant. Really scared I'm dying.

[Josh1234]

Sincerely...what do you think?

[Fishmanpa]

I've seen this here quite a few times before. It's not pretty knowing someone is this deep in the rabbit hole and IMO, nothing said in this medium will help :(

I recall being out shopping and saw a woman in one of the aisles doing some weird stand on the toes and hopping thing... My wife asked what she was doing and I knew right away from reading here, that this woman suffered from HA and was self testing for ALS!

ECoff, please... seek real life professional help! I know nothing said here is really going to satisfy your dragon. You mentioned on another thread about watching what you post. That's not true concerning your fears and worries BUT don't expect to get tea and sympathy from everyone regardless if this an anxiety site. There are people posting that have fought the dragon and are winning! IMO, the goal is to challenge your thoughts and get you to take responsibility and get help.

Frankly, at 44 with a 15 month old, you have quite a challenge and I'm sure a shitload of stress! When I was 44, my son was 13. Frankly, when I was 44, I know I wouldn't have been able to deal with a 15 month old even without anxiety.

Talk to your husband about what your feeling and ask for help! He has to know something is going on. Get some help. Once you do, invite your husband so he can gain a better understanding of what you're dealing with so he can help you more.

Positive thoughts

[emanticoff73]

The reason I have joined this site is because my husband doesn't want to hear it anymore. He has told me now to keep it to myself or toughen up. He said his mom battled breast cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer and lymphoma for which I watched her take her last breathe from. He said through all that she never cried or complained and that I should be like her. Well I'm not. I guess I'm weak. He walks away from me when I try to talk to him while saying what is it this time Eileen. I feel EXTREMELY alone. It's hard with an 8 yr old boy and a baby. Sorry if I annoyed anyone but these are real things that are happening to me. Real symptoms. I feel like I will be dead and then my family will say I should of listened to her. I came from an abusive household. My father liked to harm himself in front of us. He stabbed himself in the stomach during dinner. He beat my mom all the time and was drunk 24/7. I also was in the middle of 911. I grew up a few blocks from the world trade center and I watched the second plane go in the tower. I had to run for my life. I was covered in ash. I lost two friends that day. I was abused by my first boyfriend really bad. I guess I have this horrible health anxiety as for my fear of death. Again I'm sorry if I annoyed anyone. I just don't even know how to get help. I'm in a bad state. It's hard enough getting through the day.

[ServerError]

Firstly, please have a read of fishmanpa'a post. It's invaluable advice.

Nobody is annoyed with you. The forum is here so you can get things off your chest. I think your husband doesn't understand the nature of hypochondria. It's a challenging disorder in its own right, and it places great strain on relationships. It is not about attention-seeking. Maybe some people do have an element of that, but I'm not qualified to say. What I do know is that your average hypochondriac is suffering. Sometimes suffering badly. At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I was so bad I nearly took my own life.

The thing is, other than sympathise and explain why your symptoms are most likely anxiety-related, there's little we can do for you here. Has reassurance helped you? It might have given you some temporary relief, but has it helped you make the changes you really want to see?

I'll be honest: you're stuck with this disorder for now. It doesn't go away overnight. However, it can be completely overcome, and many people who don't achieve complete freedom still learn to manage it and live good lives. Hell, I'm a guy who stood next to a river, one deep breath and one more step away from the end, and yet I came back from that and am genuinely happy now. I'm not special. I just got help, and I worked at it, and I continue to work at it.

For the sake of your relationship, your little one, and yourself, please be brave and take some positive steps. They can be baby steps at first, but what have you got to lose? Staying this way isn't an option, is it?

[emanticoff73]

Thank you for that reply. Your right. I need to take steps to get help. Just have been feeling quite weak lately mentally to do so. I just have seen so much bad it's all I know. Something bad is always around the corner. I don't allow myself to be happy because of the what if I get cancer. My husband had thyroid cancer at 37. I just feel so vulnerable in this world of diseases and just plain old bad things happening. I appreciate yours and fishmanpa replies. Thank you for taking the time out.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Hi KK77 - I took the genetic test some years ago and it came out clear, but this is a family illness - you can't ignore it in family members. Several family members refuse to be tested.

That's great to hear, hanshan. :yesyes::yahoo: I hope the rest of your family are all clear too.

[Fishmanpa]

ECoff,

My first wife suffered from severe depression that manifested itself into hoarding (yes, like you see on TV). I did my best to cope. Long story short, I finally got her to go with me to therapy. After a few sessions, the therapist wanted to see us separately. She went for a couple of sessions and quit. I knew then it was over.

My daughter suffers from anxiety and depression. She can to me and told me what was going on. I, along with her mother made sure she got help. She's been in therapy, takes meds and works for rear off and she's doing great!

All I know, based on my personal experience is that if you were my wife and you came to me telling me what was going on in your mind, I would make sure you got help.

Perhaps show him your posts or show him some of the things people post here. mental illness can be as challenging of any physical illness. I do think you need to see a doctor. I just challenge the thought that you need a medical doctor as opposed to a mental health specialist.

Positive thoughts

[MyNameIsTerry]

There are many people who couldn't do most of those strength tests and there is nothing wrong with them. Or they may just be overweight, out if shape or even lack strength because they don't do exercise to build it.

3 finger push ups - how many people can do a single standard push up? Women tend to start with push ups on your knees because of the lack of natural pec, delt & triceps strength.

Box jumping - plyometric exercise (stair jumps) means building specific explosive power.

Two finger bar stool lifting - so lots of wrist & forearm strength needed, which women don't tend to have.

If those are tests for muscle weakness in real medical conditions they seem to ignore the basics of human strength development!

---------- Post added at 14:18 ---------- Previous post was at 14:16 ----------

Oh and a teddy bear is far less work to look after than a husband, we men get handed over by mum to wife otherwise we wouldn't be able to look after ourselves! :biggrin:

It may seem strange to him but a lot of people like their cuddlies without having all this fear that has you desperately reaching for anything that can help.

[hanshan]

Hi Terry- Huntingtons in my family is late-onset (50s - 60s), so I have a number of cousins who may be affected, but have not been tested, or if they have, are not saying anything. The problem is complicated because they also have children of their own who may also be affected if their parent is. I believe that currently the majority of people in Huntington families choose not to be genetically tested (the test has only been available since the 1990s), and in my state in Australia, you have to have counselling sessions with a social worker/psychologist before they will do the test.