Als fear

[Shaun80]

Hi

My name is Shaun . Here is my story. In the summer of 2015 I started to have an eye twitch and pain in the eye . I went to an opthalmologist who did various tests and said all was fine . Just dry eyes. I then developed a twitch in my leg hamstring and some pain in shin and ankle. I noticed my voice was hoarse. I also had some face and continued eye twitching. I noticed my left thumb pad was less meaty then the right. I had some random twitches in bicep and back. In March 2016 I saw a Neuro who did a nerve study and emg on the right side and said I was normal just anxiety. He asked what I feared I said Als. I felt better for a couple of months twitching was reduced except I noticed some in tongue but they went away in a few weeks, but the ankle calf pain remained . I developed a chronic headache in June 2016 and had an MRI was normal. Then in.November I had a bad cold , I developed twitching again all over with some cramps in legs and muscle pain burning arms ribs stomach. I also noticed phlegm and throat clearing and voice seemed hoarse again .I saw the neuro again Feb 2017 he did another emg on left side this time because he said he did right side last time. Again he said normal. I was happy , but a few days later tongue twitching returned I looked at tongue in the mirror and stuck it out continuously to examine it and move it . My tongue and jaw and face muscles spasm and are really sore and tight . It is difficult to talk and it seems words are not coming out right . I hope it's just tmj and not als .My upper back hurts and sometimes twitches , my legs are a lot better some burning tho . I am.twitching in thumb area right hand. My right hand feels weak and clumsy and not coordinated . I feel so scared I have als and I will die and leave my three kids and wife . Btw I am male 37. I feel like going to Neuro again to test my jaw tongue speech. I am.hoping it is tmj and not als. My family has been supportive but I don't know what to do I am terrified I don't sleep well I am anxious depressed I keep thinking I will be dead in a few months .These twitches in hand tongue body keep scaring me . I have Googled my symptoms constantly looking for help but it keeps making me feel worse .I am worried about my speech and hand . Someone please advise what to do.

Thank you for listening

[snowghost57]

Do yourself a favor and don't google your symptoms. The internet will just scare you more. I know I've done it. My own doctor told me to stay off the net. Listen to your doctors. What you have is stinkin thinkin, that's what my therapist calls it. Focus on what is in front of you and do let your mind take off. I know easier said then done.

[Shaun80]

How do I overcome my fears? How do the symptoms stop. Do I need to see a psychiatrist ? Is my mind creating my feared illness. Help

[Kathryn313]

You first had these symptoms in July 2015. 18 months ago. If those were reflective of early onset ALS, wouldn't you now be at a point whereby diagnosis was very evident?

Regarding treating anxiety,CBT would be a logical next step.

[Shaun80]

I fear the neuro missed something or he didn't test the tongue right side one time left side one time emg. My symptoms scare me .CBT is a good first step how does this work?

[snowghost57]

CBT is what I was talking about. I talk to my therapist and we discuss what am I afraid of. I like to worry and predict the future. Which is silly right? I have to face my reality and deal with the facts. You have talked yourself into having a disease. The MRI was normal and so was the EMG. Each of us has to decide what treatment works best for us. I would talk to your family doctor about everything that you are concerned about and take the doctors advice.

[Shaun80]

I was trying to fight this with will power but I need outside help . I am just feeling worse

[snowghost57]

Are you feeling worse mentally or physically or both? Do you have any friends you can call? I'm in the United States, so I don't know what facilities you have access to.

[Dave1]

Hi Shaun, - good news about your recent neurology test. He will have eliminated anything serious. I did the same as you once - I just thought about every minor complaint I had and worried they all added up into some kind of super-illness. And I ended up seeing a neurologist who said I had nothing serious.

I've been reading posts at this website for a few months and one thing I've noticed is parents with young families are getting hypochondria. I presume the responsibility of having a family is causing the anxiety. I am single and I have come to I believe that my hypochondria is caused by loneliness. So it's obvious I need to socialise more to reduce my hypochondria, but I'm not sure what you need to do - maybe try to save some money for the future to make you feel more secure about your family's future?

[Shaun80]

I worry about my kids they will not have a dad, I will not see them grow up makes me sad. Also I just had my test Feb and I try to feel better and be positive but then the new symptoms come like speech now and tongue and hand . This makes me depressed and anxious as new things keep popping up. My family tries to help me tell me I'm alright and fine but the reassursnce doesnt last. It feelsike I'm always going to die it might not be logical .I tried living day to day but that is very hard to do due to my family . I want to wake up one morning and all my symptoms are gone I pray for that