Please help - can this be anxiety? - Anxiety Message Board

curious76 · 03-25-2005, 09:53 PM

I'm a first time poster, and I am looking for some support here. I admit I have health anxiety. In December I had a couple minor dizzy spells, and went to my doctor who thought it was allergies. But for some reason I became worried I had MS. I now realize this is dumb. But just as I was really anxious about this I developed these weird tingly/crawly feelings which persisted for weeks. I went to a neuro, who happened to be as MS specialist. He ran all kinds of blood tests and brain/spine MRIs with and without contrast. All were normal. After they went away I went about my business, but they came back a month or so later. They aren't as bad though. But today I got really freaked out. I was trying on some clothes and all of a sudden felt my hand and forearm shaking. For about 5-10 minutes, it trembled quite a bit when I would hold something or squeeze my hand or hold it in a position against gravity. Then tonight I had a weird head rush. The trembling hand seems to be back to about normal. Can all this be anxiety? I am still worried about MS because the doc said the MRI with contrast is 98-99% Why can't I be satisfied with that? Any advice, input? Thanks!

hry33 · 03-26-2005, 10:05 AM

could be anxiety with hypochondria
do learn how to relax and get more exercise

kalaha · 03-27-2005, 12:53 PM

Hi Curious. You sound exactly like me. I went to a neuro back in December for weak, achy legs. When my regular doctor told me I needed to see a neuro, I started to develop weird sensations--internal trembling/vibrations, buzzing in my feet, twitches all over. My neuro also specializes in MS and right off the bat (after doing a couple tests in the office) said she didn't think I had MS, but she ordered the mri with and without contrast. It showed no MS. She thinks I might have a mild case of fibromyalgia brought on my sleep deprivation, lack of vitamins, and post-partum depression (I was nursing my 6 month old around the clock, every two hours, and he was huge. He was, quite literally, sucking the life out of me). She suggested anti-depressants but I opted not to take them. My legs have improved only a little, and so have the buzzings and twitchings. However, I'm like you in that everytime I feel these sensations, despite the reassurance of my doctor, I keep thinking about MS. I'm sure this doesn't help the situation, and in fact is probably the cause (the anxiety I mean). I go back to see the neuro for a follow-up in April...I'm curious to see what she will say about these sensations that don't go away. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I can totally relate!

curious76 · 03-27-2005, 03:41 PM

Thanks kalaha.

Let me know what the neuro says. I am thinking about going back but am going to try and give it time. I cancelled my inital follow-up when my symptoms went away. Unfortunately the one I saw didn't offer any possibilities as to what might be bothering me. I was so happy my MRI was clear I didn't even ask at the time! Is your neuro confident about the reliability of MRI with and without contrast?

kalaha · 03-27-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curious76

Thanks kalaha.

Let me know what the neuro says. I am thinking about going back but am going to try and give it time. I cancelled my inital follow-up when my symptoms went away. Unfortunately the one I saw didn't offer any possibilities as to what might be bothering me. I was so happy my MRI was clear I didn't even ask at the time! Is your neuro confident about the reliability of MRI with and without contrast?

My neuro was so confident that I didn't have MS just from examining me that she didn't even want to do the MRI. But to ease my mind she did it and said that it would show lesions if I did indeed have MS. She did not tell me a percentage of accuracy, but she insisted that I did not have MS. I asked if I might be in the early stages of MS, before anything on the MRI shows up. To this she replied that there is no early stage, and you either have it, or you don't.