Help me with my "ALS Anxiety" - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Message Board

BoneyCork · 09-10-2003, 12:19 PM

Im 17 and since the mass-return of my occular migrains a couple of weeks ago, I have been suffering from anxiety. I've self-diagnosed myself with several different diseases already including cancer.

A couple of days ago my muscles started twitching uncontrollably while I was in bed, and all throughout the next day there were doing the same. I was also getting tingling sensations. However, I told my mum about it and although it still happens, the twitching is much, much less frequent and I only tend to notice it if Im thinking about it. Leading me to know in the back of my mind it is probably anxiety, plus the stresses of being back at college and starting a new job.

However, I checked out muscle twitching on Google and happened to come across ALS and its sympotoms, and now Im really scared and finding any excuse to apply other symptoms to myself. Yesterday I said "ambles" when I meant "albums" and decided this was impaired speech. I read something fast aloud today and messed up on a word and decided it was that too. I almost lost my balance when squeezing past somebody in a store today and decided that was clumsiness.

None of my muscles seem weak, I play guitar, can button up my clothes, can balance on one leg (either of them), havent had cramp in years etc.

Does this sound like the onset of ALS, or more like an anxious person jumping to extreme conclusions? I feel diagnosing ALS is too long-winded for my Doctor to put me at ease straight away, which is what I really want. Could anybody give me some support, ways to test myself for anything like this, and most importantly ways to calm myself down? I'm ok if Im at college when my mind is on other things, but if Im on my own and something happens, suddenly I think "ooh its ALS" and I feel all hot and sweaty.

slaughter17 · 09-10-2003, 03:45 PM

You are too young for this disease to start showing up. (At least I hope you are) To my knowledge ALS does not strike people that young. I truly think you are overreacting. Your anxiety has gotten the best of you. I reccomend not self diagnosing your self. Your mind is a very strong thing and can make you think you have a disease. I would recommend seeing a doctor for hypochondriasis. There was a time I too thought I had a handful of diseases. It is not uncommon for medical field students to feel that they have a certain disease once they have learned about it. Self diagnosing sometimes can be worse than seeing a doctor. If you truly think you have ALS, consult a physician. Good luck!

GI_WILD · 09-11-2003, 09:50 AM

HI
I too, concur with Slaughter, your much to young to really worry about ALS at this point. Sounds like your under a lot of stress, which can bring on many nerve symptoms. Relax, and maybe see a DR. for anxiety.
But as for test to see if it is ALS, there are really no specific test. Weakness in legs, fasiculations ( muscle twitching), cramps, swallowing problems, speech problems, fatigue.
Try not to focus on ALS, RELAX MORE> Hope this helps,,Take Care

BoneyCork · 09-11-2003, 03:50 PM

OK, I starting trembling today, which from my knowledge isnt a sign of ALS, but is a very common sign of anxiety. My left shoulder muslce was also aching and felt tired. However, apparently aching isnt a sign either, and it was like that because i was scared of my muscles being weak, so decided to lift some very heavy dumbells, stupidly heavy in fact. I could pick them up but I felt the strain.

Anyway, I wanted to see my doctor, because even if it is just anxiety, the trmebling was getting to me, but he wasnt in surgery today. I went to a walk-in centre instead (no appoinment needed, but only nurses work there) for some advice. The nurse obviously wasnt well enough qualified to diagnose it properly, but she is specially trained in advice and said I clearly look and seem very anxious, and the symptoms sound alot like this. She said reading on the internet is stupid, and she knows I know it's stupid but also understands I cant get these fears out of my head, so managed to pull a few strings and get me to see a doctor tomorrow, with the concern than if I didnt get one, id be like this all weekend and it could get worse.

After this, I was late for work, so I ran for about 10 minutes solid. No tripping over, no weak legs. Ache a bit now, but Im very unfit.

I just hope this trembling isnt anything...

slaughter17 · 09-11-2003, 04:18 PM

Good, I am glad to her you are seeing a doctor. Let us all know how it goes. Why are you so stressed? You said in your earlier post that you are in college, at the age of 17? Wow that is an accomplishemnt! College can be a big stresser if you ask me. Good luck at the doc tomorrow. Don't forget to RELAX.