View Full Version : ALS Rabbit Hole --- AGAIN!
Hi All!
I have a twitching right eye - lower eyelid, it's on and off all day.
It's starting to really annoy me - Im taking magnesium, no coffee, trying to reduce stress which is hard, I woke up last night from a terrifying nocturnal panic attack so obviously stressed but my MUM has a hemifacial spasm and i'm starting to wonder if it's that ... I read that it's not really hereditary but then in hte same breathe I'll read that it could be hereditary, I don't want this, I"ve seen my mum suffering because of her facial spasm - I'm not keen on it. I"m 40 and have a business and am a single Mum plus I suffer hugely from anxiety, but 2 weeks of no giving up seems a long time, especialy as I'm doing everything I can to stop it.
For the record I'm not worried about a brain tumor but maybe I should be?
I'm worried about MS as that's a symptom and I get more twitching sometime in my hands ... anyone else get twitching this long??? Should I go to the DR - would you??
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Why does no one answer my questions?!
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Anyone?
I have had a tic on my lip,eye and side of my nose for a week now.
Mine is stress related,nothing more sinister than that.:D
AussieWorrier
26-07-17, 11:08
I get it when I haven't slept well and am tired
Yes me. I have had one for more than a month, several times. It happens when I'm anxious and because I get anxious about it it twitches more. When I stop worrying about it it goes away.
Hi all, anyone else read about als and then get all the symptoms?
I'm so paranoid I can't cope.
My right eye has been twitching for 6 weeks and now my left eye is randomly twitching as well, plus my lip and now I can feel random muscle spasms all over my body!
Dr's can't help they just say stress and it will go away. I've got an appointment with a Neuro which I have to pay for and I'm really scared.
6 week eye twitch... Can be normal?!
I know I'm regurgitating an old post but needing reassurance again.
I still have twitches in my eye,nose and lip have had them on and off for months,it IS not ALS. I know mine is from stress and I have been anxious lately.I won't pussy foot,but you are fine.:D
Sampowell542
21-08-17, 10:24
You're fine. I know it's easier said than done but just relax. My eye gets all twitchy when I'm stressed with my anxiety or work or whatever else. It's completely normal.
I don't know if it's any consolation to you, but I had never had any sort of constant eye twitch until last week. I went to the optician and was referred to a specialist, (just to be on the safe side because I have another condition) and my eye was twitching like crazy for days after it, because I was focusing on and thinking about my eyes so much. It stopped completely when I made the biggest effort not to place any importance on it, stress and anxiety are well-known to cause twitches etc all over the body.
I know I'm regurgitating an old post but needing reassurance again.
Please read this (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=196071) as many times as you need to.
Positive thoughts
Only 6 weeks? I've been twitching head to toe for 18 months. Get on my level.
Has anyone had this, I went to the DR again about my eye twitch and she said, 'if you're having problems swallowing I'd be more concerned.' - well a week ago I tried swallowing two times and I couldn't, it was like my body just forgot how to swallow?
Then I breathed and was able to swallow again, i'm assuming with ALS once it starts it doesn't change - you can't not swallow then suddenly swallow?
Would that be correct?
I"m in the ALS rabbit hole, seeing a neurologist on the 20th August but thats ages away.
My Dr said the twitch was just a twitch, but i didn't tell her about the swallowing episode, I have had it before due to anxiety - i hope - anyone else????
ScaredLizard
22-08-17, 04:42
The swallowing thing is 100% anxiety!! I've been having it since I was 8 years old! Sometimes it's like a knot in my throat and other times I just go to swallow and can't for a few times. It's terrifying I know but it's completely anxiety sweetie
I thought anxiety - I've definitely had it before and can eat food no issue. I'm sure if it were ALS it doesn't stop working then start working again? When will I be free from this fear?
- when my eye drops twitching!!!
Thelegend27
22-08-17, 06:23
You do realize that it didnt happen until she mentioned it right? that alone shows you its most likely anxiety. you need to take a break and bring your mind back to reality because anxiety obviously has a tight grip on you and believe me its a terrible feeling.
No it had happened a couple of times a week before!
But I am still OK to eat etc so I just assumed it was anxiety until the Dr mentioned it today!!
MyNameIsTerry
22-08-17, 07:19
The swallowing thing is 100% anxiety!! I've been having it since I was 8 years old! Sometimes it's like a knot in my throat and other times I just go to swallow and can't for a few times. It's terrifying I know but it's completely anxiety sweetie
^ 100% anxiety, yes. Whilst not being a HAer means I never doubted it was anxiety, it still happened when I was very anxious. The same with breathing. I can remember at my worst trying to work out how to generate thoughts to move a limb and even to generate another thought!
When's your appointment to see a therapist?
ShaunRyder
22-08-17, 17:28
Anxiety! I remember having this when I was younger, I cried and cried because I could not swallow and I remember my mum took me to the doctors for some type of jab I needed(not to do with not being able to swallow lol) and I remember I said to the doctor I could not swallow and he said it was because I was really anxious :doh:
Catherine S
22-08-17, 17:52
When you're relaxed the swallow reflex doesn't kick in much. It doesn't when you sleep either...which is why people can wake up drooling! When anxious or scared your mouth becomes quite dry so forcing the swallow reflex is difficult, especially more than once.
:)
The more you focus on swallowing the more you will perceive you can't do it automatically....like breathing and blinking
I had the worse night sleep - I couldn't swallow about 5 times and it was freaking me out!
Does als work like that where you can do something and then you can't do something??
As swajj said previously, when do you start therapy?
Does als work like that where you can do something and then you can't do something??
You don't have ALS. You just don't. Nor does anyone else here fearing the disease! ALS is about totally failing. If you've gotten to the point of not being able to do something (like swallowing) it would stop and that would be it... no more swallowing.
Clinical Weakness—ALS is about failing, not feeling.
ALS is about failure—falling down, being unable to stand on your toes, being unable to button your shirt, being unable to lift your hand, etc. It is not about these things becoming more difficult. It is about these things being impossible… no matter how hard you try. If you can do normal things, but it is more difficult, you do not have ALS. If you used to be able to do 100 curls and now one arm can only do 50; that is not ALS. If you used to run 2 miles and now you can only run 1; that is not ALS. If you used to run 2 miles and now you can’t lift up one of your feet, you may have clinical weakness.
It really does happen that something stops working all of a sudden. It is generally one muscle so it will not be a whole limb but the movement done by that muscle is suddenly gone. An example is a calf raise. It won't happen. Think of it like your wifi signal. You are surfing the net, then signal is lost and you can't do anything online no matter how hard you try or how long you wait for a page to load. This is what happens to a muscle in beginning ALS it has lost the signal from the nervous system that tells it to work
You do have anxiety and rather severe at the moment. I would see your doctor about help for your anxiety.
Positive thoughts
Thanks Fish - my eye is still twitching and it's just really frustrating me and making my anxiety soooo bad.
You're right, I need help - and to boot I'm still not getting better as welll with my cold - but my body is obviously under huge stress.
My whole body feels like it's twitching, my eyes are sore, if I touch my eye it bloody twitches, if I sneeze, they both twitch!
I think I need anti depressants.
x
Thanks Fish - my eye is still twitching and it's just really frustrating me and making my anxiety soooo bad.
You're right, I need help - and to boot I'm still not getting better as welll with my cold - but my body is obviously under huge stress.
My whole body feels like it's twitching, my eyes are sore, if I touch my eye it bloody twitches, if I sneeze, they both twitch!
I think I need anti depressants.
x
Ultimately, that would be a good first step toward recovery. Book an appointment with your GP and explain what's going on.
Just an FYI. I'm not a sufferer but the first couple of years after my cancer I would get what I called "scanxiety" before follow ups. It would manifest itself in irritability and sleeplessness. I spoke to my GP and we discussed the options. I was prescribed Buspar, which is a non SSRI anti depressant/anxiety med. I would start taking it a week or two prior to my appointments and it definitely took the edge off. The good thing about it was I could start and stop with nary a side effect. I also have an ongoing prescription for Xanax which really helped when my wife was ill. I went to therapy as well and I can't say enough for how it helped me after my illnesses.
You have to do something Tan. Your anxiety is obviously robbing you of your life. These are just words on a screen. Ultimately, it's up to you to take the steps. I hope you do!
Positive thoughts
ScaredLizard
23-08-17, 00:38
^ 100% anxiety, yes. Whilst not being a HAer means I never doubted it was anxiety, it still happened when I was very anxious. The same with breathing. I can remember at my worst trying to work out how to generate thoughts to move a limb and even to generate another thought!
^^ Mine will happen when I'm not even having anxiety about health but worried about finances and plop I can't swallow. It sucks
Hi Everyone, OK my anxiety is full blown TODAY ... I read about a person who has ALS and they started with muscle twitches when they were asleep and that is what's happening to me = plus my eye twitch went away for two days and now is back with a vengeance. I can't cope I'm so paranoid right now and just in tears ... how do you get out of this????
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Also if i touch my eye it twitches like crazy! What's going on - I'm really struggling, 7 weeks now with a bloody eye twitch, that's 2 months and it's not slowing down..... x
Hi All!
So I went to see the neurologist - had to pay for it out of pocket as no Dr would give me a referral.
The neurologist was actually amazing, we spoke of eye twitching and ALS - he said not related and highly unlikely. MS and Parkinsons etc ... again same thing, unlesss there is something else happening, slurred speech, obvious things that should be the last thing to jump too.
He did a full neurological exam and then told me it's just an eye twitch.
He had an eye twitch for months going through med school.
He said that hypochondria is a body disorder, which i found interesting, I said, 'isn't it the mind?' - he said ' yes but it's the body that's the issue for you - the mind controls that body - heal the body - know you're healthy the body will heal the mind'
I thought that was pretty insightful.
So all in all it's just an eye twitch - 7 weeks later ..... he said it will fade when it's ready.
The ALS rabbit hole I was in was deep and horrible .... I hope to never go there again.
ServerError
30-08-17, 01:05
I had a nose twitch that lasted for five months, non-stop. For some reason, when I tell "twitchers" on here, it never reassures them.
As you say, there's far more to these frightening and/or fatal neurological conditions than a random twitch. Indeed, twitching is one of the most common involuntary things the body does. It can be triggered by almost anything. Most twitches are basically a mystery.
My advice to you is not to see this is as your end goal. This appointment should be a marker in the direction of your end goal. Going off other posters here (including myself), there's a good chance that, as the twitch continues, you'll start to question your neurologist. Obviously it's great if you don't and the reassurance really does last, but I would hope you act on his advice. Look after your body, and get some help for the psychological aspect, if you can.
Here's your "Told ya so!" ;) Hopefully now, you can begin to heal.
Positive thoughts
yeah I agree, I need to start doing something more wholistic, the neurologist said anti depressants - so I guess that's my next step and mindfulness.
Funnily enough the twitch isn't bothering me anymore ;)
But yes, I'm sure to start questioning soon - why didn't he do an MRI etc etc ....
I hope not.
Here's your "Told ya so!" ;) Hopefully now, you can begin to heal.
Positive thoughts
How many "Told ya so!" responses have you given this year?
How many "Told ya so!" responses have you given this year?
I'd have to do some research with an advanced search but I suspect the number is rather high ;) As I've said, I've read tens of thousands of threads in the last few years. I know personally of "TWO" people that actually had something serious going on and both dealt with it and are doing fine. AND... their anxiety took a back seat during their illness and has stayed in the back seat since.
Positive thoughts
Hi all,
I've had an eye twitch for three months and now my lip is twitching.... I'm freaking out.
Anyone else??
No-one in my family cares about it.
I"m terrified about it - thinking maybe it's a stroke, I don't know what's going on - I've been so sick this winter and my twitching eye won't go away and now this - I can't cope .. I'm falling apart.
Why has my bloody lip started twitching!!!!!!
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Anyone?
Why? Do you think it's bad news?
Ummm let's see. I can't see you. I can't examine you. And I'm not a doctor. lol
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I used to get twitching. My eye would twitch for weeks and weeks. My lips would twitch too. It's anxiety. Your face muscles are tense and that causes the twitching. If I held my fingers over the twitch it would stop and start up again when I stopped touching it. When you relax your muscles the twitching will go.
Hi
This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads
It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.
Elen
Don't you just hate it when the mods merge threads and you realise that you have just repeated what you said to the same OP in an earlier thread? lol
Swaj, I thought the answers might have been in previous threads :)
Hopefully the neurologist report already mentioned will offer the op some comfort
Oh Elen you optimist you. lol
Ok ok I get it but seriously last night my lip was twitching non stop for 4 hours!!
After all I've been through and that was the last straw!!
I feel really depressed by this twitch guys. Why am I still twitching??
Why me!
AnEsotericEarth
10-09-17, 07:18
Ok ok I get it but seriously last night my lip was twitching non stop for 4 hours!!
After all I've been through and that was the last straw!!
I feel really depressed by this twitch guys. Why am I still twitching??
Why me!Trust me when I say that it's anxiety. Not hyper focusing on the problem should calm down the twitching. I've been having twitching in my legs around my knee for a couple of days off and on and while I acknowledge that it's happening I don't give it any more thought than that, and you shouldn't either.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
HI All!
So I've had an eye twitch for 3 months now - it's not going away - I've seen an ophthalmologist and Dr and a neurologist - all say it's benign. Now my left eye is twitching, I can't handle it - left eye and now right eye so that means BOTH eyes are twitching... has anyone else had both eye twitching???
I need help it's driving me batty.
Thoughts??
It's benign, just like 3 specialists told you.
Hi
This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads
It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.
Elen
Hi All,
So I've had this eye twitch now for 4 months and counting, it's starting to really freak me out - I"m thinking I have MS now, I have all the symptoms, or an autoimmune disease. No one in the medical field is helping me but why do I still have an eye twitch?! Normally things don't hang around this long, 4 months of an eye twitch - surely something has to be going on. If I sneeze it twitches, if I blink hard it twitches, if I touch it it twitches, the other eye is now twitching too and so if my mouth, I've noticed if I half smile my lips start twitching, I have muscle spasms all over my body and I'm really freaking out, I think I need an MRI to rule out anything serious ... I"m terrified - anyone else relate?
Please tell me someone else can!?????
Hi im having twitches all over and they make me very anxious my doctors think anxiety but I'm the same as you keep worrying about why they won't go x
I know!
Eye twitching for 4 months - what is up with that?
I get twitches all over as well, I'm not so worried about those to be honest, Ive had them forever, I always get eye twitches too but not lasting this long!
GRRRRRRRRRRRrrr
jessygirl77
27-10-17, 00:58
Twitching always makes me worried ! I've for sure had the eye twitching and lip twitching!
Could it. R you hv shoulder or neck tension ? That could be irritating the nerve. For sure anxiety causes twitching ......it's the overstimulated nervous system at its finest !
Also I no how nerve wracking it is to have the same symptom for a long period of time ,gives us so much time to worry about all the scary pisdiabikitez !
"I have all the symptoms"
You have foot drop, limb spasticity, and abnormal bladder function?
I have weird bladder issues, where I don't empty properly but it comes and goes - don't have foot drop and wont google it or else I will and I don't know what the other one is either!
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Ok just googled, no I dont have either, I do have muscle spasms though - all over the place at the moment for about 6 months!
I have weird bladder issues, where I don't empty properly but it comes and goes - don't have foot drop and wont google it or else I will and I don't know what the other one is either!
Then you don't have "all the symptoms". What about optic neuritis? Had that?
No amount of hypochondria in the world can give you foot drop, trust me lol
No amount of hypochondria in the world can give you foot drop, trust me lol
Challenge accepted!
ha ha I have had optic neuritis actually - pain in my eye when I moved it - lasted for about 3 days then went, I did also have a sinus issue at the time so could have been sinus related ... funnily enough, my eye twitching stopped when I had sinus issues! I just want the eye twitch to go away and for some reason, MS doesn't scare me as much - brain tumor does, but MS just seems logical given 'symptoms' i do have ... whilst not all of them, I get tingling in my legs and feet, weird brain zaps, I'm dropping things .. but that might be distraction, have weird bladder issues and twitching all over but mainly in my eye! what is going on!!!
So an ophthalmologist diagnosed you with ON? I thought not.
haha NO! I did!
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I've seen an optometrist though and nothing was going on .... I went as recently as a week ago - can an optometrist diagnose MS?
Hi All,
So I have multiple threads about this.
On-going eye twitch.
It started out as my right eye - and now is both, though my right is still the bad one, it mainly happens now if I touch it or sneeze, though sometimes it just starts for no reason and now my lip is twitching too. I'm really scared. This has been happening since July and it's now November. It gets better and then worse and then better. I've seen a neurologist he did a neuro exam and said nothing sinister is going on but he didn't offer me an MRI or an EMG - what if this is the very start of ALS? I keep going there as i get twitches all over my body and have for the last 6 months, my feet will spasm and then my hand, my thumb and fingers, back, neck shoulders etc all will have muscle spasms. But the main thing is the on-going eye twitch. What do I do now?
Do I demand an MRI?
Do I just suck it up and let it twitch knowing if it's something sinister I will get more symptoms over time, though I can't do that i know it's something sinister why wouldn't it be after 4 months?!
Why does it twitch when I touch it or sneeze!
What does this mean - the DR is useless, she googled on-going eye twitch when I was there and said 'So the Neuro said it wasn't something he was worried about?' which scared me!!!
Why would she say that - is that all it can be - why is my lip twitching now?
Why is it still going after 4 months?
I need some help I can't talk to anyone about this as everyone is sick of me!
....... anyone else go through this for this long????
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Can you also do me a favour, I just looked at my legs, I wish I hadn't and I noticed that my left calf is bigger than my right, I'm left handed so I'm trying to tell myself that it's because of that but now I'm thinking it's ALS... can you look at your legs for me and tell me if one is slightly bigger than the other - I know it's crazy but I'm intrigued to see if this is so? I'm going to ask the neurologist ... I'm terrified now!
MyNameIsTerry
29-10-17, 14:42
Tan,
My arms & legs aren't the same size if you measure them.
If you looked on bodybuilding forums you would see them discussing how their arms & legs don't equal when measured. Pro bodybuilders spend a lot of time trying to create symmetry by getting them to equal up.
It's about how we push/pull with muscles in our dominant side. It's why personal trainers also advocate use of dumbells over barbells as it stops the dominant side taking more of the load (hence size differences).
ALS doesn't involve the eye muscles. The eyes muscles are spared.
In any case, you've been twitching for four months, with no clinical weakness. Again, not ALS.
You can scratch that one off your list of "differentials".
Hi Tan,
Please do not worry.
I also have annoying eye twitches everyday in both eyes, along with visual issues. It’s been going on for around MORE than 2 months now. Sometimes it will just randomly start happening, whilst watching TV, or just relaxing, in certain light or even after I blink or touch eye lids. I also get twitches all over my body too.
These twitches, including the eyelid ones seem to be worse at night for me or when I close my eyes.
I’ve had brain and eye mri, came clear. Also had multiple physical neurological exams that are fine too. Blood tests are fine. Eyes tested a few times and all good too. Other presenting symptoms have been tingling and pins in needles in hands, palpitations and chest tightness which started 3 months ago but have now subsided.
Been told by doctors and consultants that it’s anxiety........
Do you get any other eye or visual symptoms? Sometimes my eye lid twitches feel so strong it feels like it makes vision shake or eyeball move.
After a stressful event once, my eye twitched non stop for about 3 months. It was awful. But it went away.
Anxiety causes twitching. It's associated with the fight or flight response, adrenaline, being physically tense, etc. I get random eye twitches as well as lip twitches. I've also heard that twitching can be a sign of low potassium. Try eating a banana or incorporating other high potassium foods into your diet and see if that helps. Another potential cause could be certain anxiety medications. If you're on any meds you may want to ask your dr if it could be a side effect.
It is perfectly normal for one body part to be larger or smaller than the other. One of my eyes is slightly wider than the other. My right foot is a bit bigger than my left. No one is perfectly symmetrical. You're normal. :)
Hey Guys, Yeah I have lots of things bigger than than the other, I'm a woman so one boob is bigger, I noticed that my left arm is also bigger and today I'm looking at everyone calves and everyone has slight differences - will take a while for my brain to calm down on this though. No blurry eyes or anything ... I wish the neuro would have given me an MRI - he said I didn't need one but I'd rather have one to understand what is up with the constant twitching, I get weird head spins too but I've had them for 10 years. Anxiety can cause lots of things mentally and physically, I can't handle having it anymore, I may need MEDs - not on anything currently
Hi Tan235,
In my experience with Health Anxiety, even if the neurologist gave you and MRI, you would either doubt (this is what I do!) or move onto another health anxiety scare. We always feel we are one test away from just being better. I know I always thought, just after this one endoscope I will be better. Likely your symptoms are explained by anxiety so the MRI would come back clear and you would continue to experience the same symptoms which then just causes doubt anyways.
Hi Tan235,
In my experience with Health Anxiety, even if the neurologist gave you and MRI, you would either doubt (this is what I do!) or move onto another health anxiety scare. We always feel we are one test away from just being better. I know I always thought, just after this one endoscope I will be better. Likely your symptoms are explained by anxiety so the MRI would come back clear and you would continue to experience the same symptoms which then just causes doubt anyways.
Excellent post and based on the OP's post history, it's spot on.
Positive thoughts
YES I AGREE, you're right, I've had lots of things done and I jokingly laughed to my Dr after my colonoscopy that I'll be at heart and head next, well guess what, in 2 weeks I'm wearing a holter for 24 hours and now I'm at my head. BUT - I do'nt think you can create twitches solely from anxiety alone so there is an issue!!!
YES I AGREE, you're right, I've had lots of things done and I jokingly laughed to my Dr after my colonoscopy that I'll be at heart and head next, well guess what, in 2 weeks I'm wearing a holter for 24 hours and now I'm at my head. BUT - I do'nt think you can create twitches solely from anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/symptoms#Muscles_muscle_tension_stiffness_muscle_t witching_tight_scalp_or_neck) alone so there is an issue!!!
:doh: Ummm.............
Positive thoughts
Hi Tan,
How convinced were you that you had something wrong with your colon to get a colonoscopy? That's the thing about health anxiety. We are always convinced that this time is different or this time I really think something is wrong. I've felt this way for over 14 different cancers that I've feared. The problem is that we always think we are one test away from finally working on our anxiety. I read back through my journals and back in March I was convincing my husband that after the endoscope i would get over the health anxiety and back to normal. My husband told me before I went in that I needed to learn to cope with the symptoms since the endoscope wasn't going to take it away. Well since that endoscope, I've had two colonoscopies, an MRI, 4 ultrasounds and another endoscope. I've finally got to the point that I realize what I'm doing.
I'm having such a bad day today! I'm really freaking out about my legs, its' only slightly smaller but I do'nt know if that is atrophy or not???
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I really thought I had bowel cancer too - I think I'm going to go back to the neurologist and ask him about my leg.... I'm shaking I'm so bad today..... whyyyyyyy
Weakness ALWAYS comes before atrophy in ALS. It's not possible to have atrophy without weakness. ALS is NOT a disease of the muscles. Calm down
Ok .. you sure> I have no weakness - I just feel it's a fraction smaller in the muscle. I thought ALS was a disease of the muscle ...
No, it's a disease of the nerves that supply the muscles, the motor neurons. When they die and can no longer send a signal telling the muscle to move, the muscle weakens and becomes paralysed. Then the muscle slowly wastes away. It's physiologically impossible in ALS for atrophy to come first.
Also, you are left-handed. You would expect your left side to be sightly bigger. Ask a body builder about the lengths they have to go to for symmetry.
Yeah, that's what I thought, I just sent a photo of my legs to a friend and he couldn't pick which one was smaller, plus I'm small anyway so my left has slightly more muscle... so skinny legs the discrepancy is probably more obvious?
I think I'm freaking out to the point of perceiving weirdness.
One is slightly bigger but maybe a mm ... but enough that when in an anxious state it seems like a metre in difference or cms ...... x
I don't want anxiety anymore, someone come and take mine, free to a good home, I"ll even throw in some OCD and eye twitching for you, for FREE......
Yeah, that's what I thought, I just sent a photo of my legs to a friend and he couldn't pick which one was smaller, plus I'm small anyway so my left has slightly more muscle... so skinny legs the discrepancy is probably more obvious?
I think I'm freaking out to the point of perceiving weirdness.
One is slightly bigger but maybe a mm ... but enough that when in an anxious state it seems like a metre in difference or cms ...... x
I don't want anxiety anymore, someone come and take mine, free to a good home, I"ll even throw in some OCD and eye twitching for you, for FREE......
No one is interested in taking your anxiety away, so you have to dump it in the trash - or you'll be on here in another 7 years' time with the same old baggage. Just that it will be heavier by then.
MyNameIsTerry
30-10-17, 01:58
Muscle shape can differ and unles you spend time looking at such things (like the people in places like Bodybuilding.com forums) you may not see much difference. the reason those guys can see differences is because they have spent ages looking for them and have experience in it. It's that focus thing again. :winks:
But as for twitching can't be caused by anxiety...why have I been having twitching on & off for 10 years? I'm not a HAer, I don't thing it's anything other than anxiety, and I haven;t developed into anything else from it. So, if it can't - why is mine fine?
I understand, yes I know .. I'm sure anxiety makes it worse .... and I definitely can see a difference but I have no weakness so that's good ... hopefully i dont start having weakness.. oh gawd here i go again .....
ALS doesn't involve the eye muscles. The eyes muscles are spared.
In any case, you've been twitching for four months, with no clinical weakness. Again, not ALS.
You can scratch that one off your list of "differentials".
Now take your own advice.
---------- Post added at 05:48 ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 ----------
I've been twitching head to toe almost 2 years. You've been seen by a neurologist. If you can't accept what they said, then find a way to work out why that is. Further testing for a disease you don't have will not yield any results.
Josh, did you find out what is causing your twitching? Part of my phobia is not knowing, I need to know WHY - once I know my anxiety is some what eliminated ... dependant on th why ha ha but I'd rather know why - if it's nothing then great, I can live with twitching that is nothing, if it's something else then I can hopefully find a cure... etc etc
One of the issues that we have is that there isn't always going to be a why. This is what I'm working on right now. I also struggle with unexplained symptoms, but if they are being caused by anxiety, stress, hormones etc, you may not be given a why. The other day I asked my husband what he would do in my situation if he had two endoscopes, nothing but some reflux found, but still having unexplained symptoms. He told me he wouldn't have gone for two endoscopes in the first place, but once the results were clear for anything serious, he would be relieved and just cope with the feelings as something benign. Us health anxiety sufferers struggle with this. I'm currently working at not doing anything that provides reassurance. We need to learn to cope with sensations and not automatically assume it is something serious. Instead of repeated reassurance from doctors or tests, we need to be able to challenge our irrational side and learn to cope internally.
I agree.... I know what you're saying but an eye twitch ... surely that's hard for stress to create an on-going sensation?
No-one can give me an answer and it's driving me bonkers. but yes I see the pattern just in my reply ...... arck
Now take your own advice.
But but but ... I spent the weekend slurring and stumbling over words and dropping consonants all over the place, with a globus sensation that would not let up
---------- Post added at 13:40 ---------- Previous post was at 13:38 ----------
I agree.... I know what you're saying but an eye twitch ... surely that's hard for stress to create an on-going sensation?
No-one can give me an answer and it's driving me bonkers. but yes I see the pattern just in my reply ...... arck
An eye twitch is one of the most common physical manifestations of anxiety. You're gonna have to do better than that.
You're tough on others but not so tough on yourself, mel.....
You're tough on others but not so tough on yourself, mel.....
These symptoms though :whistles:
---------- Post added at 14:16 ---------- Previous post was at 14:15 ----------
Honestly, an eye twitch would NOT freak me out, nor should it be freaking Tan out
If you're so convinced, you would get formally tested. You wouldn't be wasting precious time thinking and ruminating about it
Pulisa, if you're talking to me then I've gone to a neuro - I've gone to a Dr and I've gone to Optometrist - none can figure it out - the Neuro didn't give me an MRI though he said I didn't need one .... ? 4 months of an on going eye twitch? What?
I'm taking myself to a dentist who x-rays the whole jaw line including all the nerves that run to the eye so hopefully I can get some answers from him... I just want some medication to make it go away!
Why does it twitch when I touch it?
---------- Post added at 21:25 ---------- Previous post was at 21:23 ----------
Honestly, an eye twitch would NOT freak me out, nor should it be freaking Tan out
I do appreciate this melfish ... you know you're good though right?
Nothing wrong with you (or maybe me) outside of a great imagination that can cause physical sensations - I drop things all the time and slur especially when I'm trying really hard to not do either or I'm 'watching' myself....
Pulisa, if you're talking to me then I've gone to a neuro - I've gone to a Dr and I've gone to Optometrist - none can figure it out - the Neuro didn't give me an MRI though he said I didn't need one .... ? 4 months of an on going eye twitch? What?
I'm taking myself to a dentist who x-rays the whole jaw line including all the nerves that run to the eye so hopefully I can get some answers from him... I just want some medication to make it go away!
Why does it twitch when I touch it?
Tan, you're obviously knowledgeable and intelligent. But as someone who has a chronic pain condition and CFS, I've learned that sometimes NO ONE can give you an explanation, a reason, or a solid diagnosis. Many conditions are idiopathic - they happen for reasons unknown. And most of these manifestations are psychosomatic in nature.
All anxiety disorders focus on getting answers but no answer is ever good enough. Even if we DO get a diagnosis, or clear test, the anxious mind knows it's just a snapshot of one moment in time and that a "serious disease" is probably just round the corner. We could all get a terrible disease at any point in time, whether we have HA or not. The difference is that HA sufferers cannot move on and really live their lives. Because tomorrow never comes.
I drop things all the time and slur especially when I'm trying really hard to not do either or I'm 'watching' myself....
I don't drop physical things (any more than normal, lol), I meant consonants in words :winks:
---------- Post added at 14:52 ---------- Previous post was at 14:49 ----------
If you're so convinced, you would get formally tested. You wouldn't be wasting precious time thinking and ruminating about it
Not necessarily true. Some HAers seek out medical reassurance and test after test. Others avoid doctors altogether. Two sides of the same HA coin.
YES I AGREE, you're right, I've had lots of things done and I jokingly laughed to my Dr after my colonoscopy that I'll be at heart and head next, well guess what, in 2 weeks I'm wearing a holter for 24 hours and now I'm at my head. BUT - I do'nt think you can create twitches solely from anxiety alone so there is an issue!!!
Anxiety most definitely can cause twitching and/or muscle spasms. The twitching/spasms can last for a looong time too. Even when you're not actively having an anxiety attack. It's all part of the physical toll that anxiety takes on our bodies. It's hard sometimes to accept the things that anxiety does to our bodies, especially when the physical manifestations last for weeks, days, or even years. But we HAers have to understand that no living thing was meant to be under a constant state of stress. Living under the constant levels of stress that we endure has got to have side effects. I struggle to remind myself of this as well whenever I feel a new physical sensation.
I know I hear you all and thank you for your support - truly means a lot to me, now my twitching is in my upper lid as well but this is only a few times a day, I'm really at a loss, if it is cuased by anxiety why is this the first time it's stayed this long?
I've had it before and it normally resolves after 3 or 4 days, why is this one lasting so long and why does it twitch when I touch it? What does that mean?
I just wish it gone .... but again thank you all so much xo
I don't drop physical things (any more than normal, lol), I meant consonants in words :winks:
---------- Post added at 14:52 ---------- Previous post was at 14:49 ----------
Not necessarily true. Some HAers seek out medical reassurance and test after test. Others avoid doctors altogether. Two sides of the same HA coin.
So if you don't get formally tested you are able to stay in your ALS/bulbar mindset ad infinitum because your "diagnosis" is never challenged by a medical expert?
---------- Post added at 08:15 ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 ----------
Tan, you're obviously knowledgeable and intelligent. But as someone who has a chronic pain condition and CFS, I've learned that sometimes NO ONE can give you an explanation, a reason, or a solid diagnosis. Many conditions are idiopathic - they happen for reasons unknown. And most of these manifestations are psychosomatic in nature.
All anxiety disorders focus on getting answers but no answer is ever good enough. Even if we DO get a diagnosis, or clear test, the anxious mind knows it's just a snapshot of one moment in time and that a "serious disease" is probably just round the corner. We could all get a terrible disease at any point in time, whether we have HA or not. The difference is that HA sufferers cannot move on and really live their lives. Because tomorrow never comes.
Great insight and advice from KK, Tan, but I fear that you are not able mentally to really take this on board and try to work on how you are interpreting your symptoms..
I know I hear you all and thank you for your support - truly means a lot to me, now my twitching is in my upper lid as well but this is only a few times a day, I'm really at a loss, if it is cuased by anxiety why is this the first time it's stayed this long?
I've had it before and it normally resolves after 3 or 4 days, why is this one lasting so long and why does it twitch when I touch it? What does that mean?
I just wish it gone .... but again thank you all so much xo
Just because your body reacted one way before doesn't mean that it will react that same way always. Our bodies are always changing. It's not uncommon for new side effects of anxiety to start out of the blue.
I've had anxiety since I was young, and it always presented the same way. Now within the past 5 years, I've started exhibiting new side effects including vomiting, muscle spasms, and heart palpitations. At first I thought the same as you, that it must be something else, some undiagnosed illness. But I've since learned that it's actually just due to the illness that I already know I have: anxiety.
If you already know you have anxiety, specifically health anxiety, then isn't that the most likely cause?
I completely understand where you're coming from. But I really do think that this is HA. It's very common for physical anxiety symptoms to last for an uncomfortably long period of time. Days, months, and years even. This whole situation is most likely making you even more anxious, thus adding fuel to the fire.
Tan, you're obviously knowledgeable and intelligent. But as someone who has a chronic pain condition and CFS, I've learned that sometimes NO ONE can give you an explanation, a reason, or a solid diagnosis. Many conditions are idiopathic - they happen for reasons unknown. And most of these manifestations are psychosomatic in nature.
All anxiety disorders focus on getting answers but no answer is ever good enough. Even if we DO get a diagnosis, or clear test, the anxious mind knows it's just a snapshot of one moment in time and that a "serious disease" is probably just round the corner. We could all get a terrible disease at any point in time, whether we have HA or not. The difference is that HA sufferers cannot move on and really live their lives. Because tomorrow never comes.
This really is a great post and it is true, we are all very knowledgeable about our illness yet we still suffer this!
Hi all,
So Im back here again.
I wish I wasn't ... I still have twitching in my lower eye lid, and I'd be ok with that but now I have twitching all over my body and a hot spot on the arch of my foot!
Also my foot is vibrating too - like a pinched nerve, it's been like that for a week.
I have been reading about muscle twitching and ALS and read conflicting reports, Ive read that some people with ALS actually only had the muscle twitch as a starting symptom, I've read that the twitching is the body's way of trying to heal and then the weakness can start - I"m not trying to FREAK any of us twitchers out BUT WTF!
What do I do now??
The hotspot in my foot is most frightening, I can't see the twitch either, I can just feel it, that scares me as apparently ALS twitching is under the skin.
My legs twitch all over, my back and arms, thigh, butt everywhere!
I did see a neurologist in September, he did a physical exam and said everything was fine, but the twitching has gotten worse since then and he didn't give me an EMG - should i demand one?
I kinda don't want to know but my anxiety is controlling the situation and I'm terrified, I have a 5 year old daughter, single MUM, I dont want her to lose her Mum..... anyone else have the same thing?
I'd say it's been happening around 1 month now - eye twitch 4!
No clinical weakness? No ALS. Or so I've read.
Tons of people twitch. Very very very few have ALS.
yeah ... I know but it's so hard to convince myself otherwise. Last night I was awake due to twitching in my right leg, now in the last 5 minutes I've just had twitching in my foot, my calf, my back and my side.
It's gotten much worse after reading about ALS - but can anxiety cause twitching? If so how do we stop it?
---------- Post added at 06:45 ---------- Previous post was at 05:50 ----------
http://scarysymptoms.com/2012/01/twitching-calf-muscle-strength-tests-to/
Oh lord,I just did these tests and I seriously think I hurt my feet doing them - especially the stand on one foot on your toes - who can do that, I got to 10 seconds but couldn't balance very well!
Tan, calm down!! :) I've been through this.....twitching/buzzing, ALS fears, strength-testing. I've been to hell and back with the anxiety over this. I still twitch and the arch of my right foot and my calves are twitching right now. Reading about ALS made things so much worse. Try your best to avoid researching ALS symptoms. Twitches are most definitely a symptom of anxiety, but stopping them isn't easy. I think the only way to stop them is to bring out anxiety right down, and to try our best to ignore them. I totally understand what you're going through - it's horrible :(
Hi
This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads
It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.
Elen
THanks, James!!!
I appreciate your response and yes still twitching!!!
It's a horrible rabbit hole, for a week I'm just going to avoid google and say 'fu$& it! when I get the twitches!
THank you
MyNameIsTerry
11-11-17, 11:56
A couple of those tests on that scary symptoms site are odd. Lots of people won't be able to do #4 due to strength & balance issues. And #5 getting people to walk backwards downstairs from the top without holding onto anything for balance is just dangerous! :ohmy:
I agree with James. Bringing my anxiety down meant my various twitches & jerks just went on their own. If I have a blip that is particularly strong I tend to find some jerks coming back and I've spoken to others who find that too.
When I had my breakdown I had many months of leg vibration. Later on it moved to arms, wrists, hands and even chest & stomach. As I got into recovery I noticed this came on more when my anxiety was higher. It's still a background symptom for me years on but you learn not to pay attention to it.
Hi Tan-
I'm sorry you've been going through this. I spent several months in the ALS rabbit hole last year... of all the HA episodes I have had (a lot!) the ALS one is the hardest.
Forgive me if I have missed this in any prior posts, but have you seen a therapist or mental health professional for your anxiety? Or even spoken to your primary doc about anxiety? I have found that we focus so much on the physical symptoms of the disease we think we have, and treating the anxiety is more effective overall.
While I am not promoting meds for everyone, I have found in my case, they are what I need to climb out of the "rabbit hole". I use klonopin short-term for the anxiety itself, which makes getting through the days bearable, and I use antidepressants (which take longer to "kick-in") to ultimately free myself from the obsessive catastrophising. My psychiatrist was right when he told me the antidepressents don't make my health anxiety go away, but it makes it not so bothersome and I have more positive thoughts and less obsessive ones.
And FWIW, I also get twitching from time to time, especially when I am tired or stressed. I suspect why your twiching has lasted for so long is that you have continued to stress about this for quite a while. It will take time for the stress/anxiety to "wear off" once you get though this for the twitching to subside.
Hope you start to feel better.
^This. Go see a psychologist. And instead of googling ALS which you basically have zero symptoms of, Google benign fasciculation syndrome, which you have every symptom of.
Hey Guys, Thank you - I know you'er right, the twitching started when I got into full panic mode, I just it to to go so it's a double-edged sword now.... aggghhhhhhh
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