topic Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness in Anxiety

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 01:59:14 GMT

The past week or two I’ve been totally ruled by my health anxiety. I started having a weak feeling in my left hand and arm and something about MND came on TV and now of course I have MND. I’ve been experiencing muscle twitches and cramps/sore muscles, mainly in my calves and forearms. I saw my Dr in relation to this and he tested my reflexes, strength and pulses and all was fine. I keep trying to reason with myself but I just can’t shake this MND idea. It’s ridiculous. My Dr only prescribed medication to take when I’m having a really bad moment but the problem is I’m having these every day for most of the day.

Is anyone else experiencing this type of physical anxiety symptoms? This is all new to me as I’ve never experienced this type of anxiety before.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

sometimesanxious — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 23:00:06 GMT

I am currently experiencing extreme physical symptoms at the moment and can totally understand what you are going through. I have talked myself into having so many illnesses in the past few weeks.

currently my symptoms are really bad at night while I am trying to sleep. It is so incredibly draining both physicallly and mentally.

I started on medication nearly two weeks ago now and was hoping I would be seeing a little bit more relief then I am but I know I need to be patient as everyone’s journey is different.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Jessicaloveslife22 — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 23:16:00 GMT

Hey,

I've been experiencing the same I also have tried to work out the cause such as low potassium or the meds I'm on. I have had muscle twitches before from a different medication. I have exactly the same symptoms as you is it all anxiety? I hope not. I usually find that if I have good talk to someone whilst I'm experiencing the symptoms it can help decifer whether it's anxiety or not as if it is it'll calm down. E.g. phoning lifeline for instance and if I notice a difference then I know what it is. I think mine is a bit of everything anxiety and meds but could be wrong. Hope you find relief soon I know the symptoms and feeling. Jess.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Guest_2496 — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 23:19:25 GMT

Hi to both of you, and yes - same! Over the last couple of months I’ve thought of multiple illnesses I probably have. But I don’t.

I think it all starts with the breathing. Without even realising it I am often over breathing, or starting to hyperventilate, and then muscles tighten and away we go!

Try concentrating on your breathing - slow it down, deepen it, and see if that helps during panicked moments?

annie

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 02:05:43 GMT

Thank you so much for responding! Can I ask, do you also get the twitching and sore/weak muscles? It’s out of control today and I seriously feel like my body is about to curl up and break. I have two young children so it’s super exhausting trying to be a good mum to them but also deal with all these anxious thoughts running through my head. I also find nights are bad but also mornings too.

I really hope you start to feel better on your medication. I know I need to go back and ask for some new ones but then I get anxious thinking the Dr is going to think I’m a hypochondriac, which I am 😕

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 02:10:58 GMT

Thanks so much for your response Jess!

Its so hard isn’t it.

Its so good that you are brave enough to call and talk to someone. I don’t think I have the guts to do that yet. It’s a struggle to even talk to my partner about it.

Ive also thought it may be from a vitamin deficiency but alas I also have anxiety about chocking so swallowing most vitamins is a horror for me. Maybe there’s liquid forms??

I hope you start to feel better soon too.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 02:13:48 GMT

Thanks so much for your response Annie!

Breathing techniques is a great option so thank you for reminding me of that. My issue with that is that I have two small children with me constantly and I barely have a moment to breathe let alone concentrate on my breathing. I’m going to try and invest the evenings for some breathing sessions and anything else that might be helpful.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Stanlee14 — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 07:50:39 GMT

Hey Rubybleu

Reading your post was almost like I had written it myself. I’ve been suffering with the same symptoms for the past month. Whilst these symptoms are concerning I too have visited my doctor. It’s important to state I’ve had general anxiety and depression most my life and believed I had experienced all it could throw at me, however the last 4 months my general anxiety has turned into a monster.

Because most of my anxieties are health related like your self I too have convinced myself I have an ever growing list of conditions. I could probably list off 50 or more in the last 4 months- a new week, a new condition. My doctor informs me Iam in remarkably good health and has increased my anti anxiety meds as he believes ive developed a panic dissorder.

I was skeptical at first that anxiety could cause these physical symptoms as I’ve had anxiety my whole life but as my phycologist tells me the human mind is both incredible and terrifying it can manifest pain from nothing and take it away. When your mind acts one way ie negatively the body tends to follow it. As to how to combat this, I’m still figuring it out myself but the others here have already covered some I usefull tips I use myself like meditation, breathing exercises.

Personally I found mindfulness really useful and there are some great apps out there that can get you started and typically you only need 5 mins a day to feel the benefits great if you have kids. Sorry for the long ramble but I hope it helps to know your not alone.

Stan.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 08:52:22 GMT

Thank you so much for your response Stan! And don’t apologise for your rambling as it’s much appreciated right now. Kids are in bed and I’m trying to relax on the lounge but here comes the twitching again!! And the anxious mnd thoughts 😞

I had quite a good day but now I feel like I’m back to square one. It’s so exhausting.

I hope the increase in your meds helps!

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Stanlee14 — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 02:40:12 GMT

Now worries I’m a shocker for rambling, here I go again. Somthing else just to think about. You mentioned you had a better day, which is great! However when you finally relax these twitches and symptoms start up again. Whilst I don’t know what age your kids are but it sounds to me you are pretty pre-occupied with them. I propose that this time on your lounge is the first time you’ve been alone with your thoughts.

I know personally it’s these times of rest in particular before bed my own mind wanders and the anxiety thoughts run rampant because your mind is not distracted. This is a perfect time to practice your breathing or meditation. Also personally I’ve found some light stretching a few times a day helps my muscles relax. Remember it’s the flight or fight response that’s causing this, it’s preparing your body for danger even though it’s not there it’s a natural response to anxiety.

Think of the fight or flight like running without moving. Even though your sitting in a chair your body on a biological level is ready to sprint at million miles an hour to safety. So naturally when your body is doing this for extended periods of time it fatigues and muscles fatigue and they can twitch and do all kinds of things because of the adrenaline. Also a mineral or vitamin deficiency can be a real possability and the added stress will not help this if that’s the case, the body needs fuel to do that running without moving. I actually have a major deficiency myself. But that’s somthing you’d have to discuss with your GP. I also suspect your doctor prescribed you the same med that mine gave me, some kind of muscle relaxant, regardless most of these meds can cause the same problems. Ironic I know. Any way please do let me know how you get on in few days. Best Wishes

Stan

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

AnotherOne12 — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 06:53:59 GMT

Several years ago I went through a 3 month patch of anxiety after some shocking news and jad muscle twitching, random muscle pain, bruised spots that came and went (where there was no bruise), my arms used to ache, my fingers felt tight and weak like nerve damage and I convinced my self of many diseases. They gradually subsided after I came to learn nothing was actually wrong. I kept challenging my thoughts, and I stayed of Google. (That was hard as I always felt compelled to go search compulsively.)

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 23:56:44 GMT

Thanks so much for your response! That is so amazing that you came out of it! It’s hard to see an end point at the moment but you’ve given me hope.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Rubybleu — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 00:03:25 GMT

Stan I’m going to copy your response and read it whenever I’m having an anxious twitching moment!

You are right in saying that my body does need fuel to conquer these symptoms because the problem is this anxiety causes a lot of nausea for me and I generally have a chocking phobia so the anxiety, nausea and phobia all contribute to me not eating very much.

My kids are 2 and 4 and both boys so very full on!

I’m going to see my GP hopefully this weekend to discuss possible deficiencies and new medication.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Zakoza — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 01:42:50 GMT

@Rubybleu, are you still experiencing these symptoms? I’ve just come across your post today whilst using Google to diagnose my nervous twitches and muscle cramps. I have completely convinced myself that I have MND and it is consuming my life!!!

I feel exactly as you have described and I’m terrified. I’m also hesitant to talk to my dr because I’m sure they will think I’m a hypochondriac!.... last month I was convinced I had a brain tumor and even insisted on having a brain MRI. Exactly as my dr predicted, it was clear. As soon as I got the all clear for the brain tumor I developed new symptoms, weakness in my hand, muscle twitching & soreness and the more I Google the more I obsess over it.

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Bunbun — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 13:15:37 GMT

I’ve just come across this post and Zakoza I could swear what you wrote I could have written myself!

The EXACT same thing happened to me! I too thought I had a brain tumour and I was so so upset about it, eventually got an mri and it was all clear too and then I started getting muscle twitching, weakness etc and now I’m convinced it’s mnd and I’ve seen my doctor multiple times about it and she assures me I’m fine but I just can’t get it out of my head and I feel like the symptoms are just getting worse, not getting better and I’m just a wreck

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

SamzDon — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 20:57:47 GMT

Wow!

This is exactly what I am going through right now and cannot sleep because I am convincing myself I have MND!

I am extremely anxious and have that skat feeling about me but I also have right muscles and muscle twitches, which in my logic brain assume they are from my body running at such an anxious state and my muscles being contracted all the time.

has anyone on here still got these symptoms and did they go away? I have an appointment with a Neurologist tomorrow.... but now I’m wondering if it is all just extreme anxiety??

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

SamzDon — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:04:39 GMT

Hi @Rubybleu

just writing to you to see if you still are having these symptoms?

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Robbie8888 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 09:10:48 GMT

Hello samzdon I know exactly what you are going through it was the most terrifying thing I went through these were my symptoms, muscle weakness arms and legs, extreme muscle twitching all over my body absolutely everywhere it was so constant, extreme dizziness the list goes on I went to a neurologist and got everything nasty ruled out I convinced my self I was really sick but the fact is anxiety and extreme stress can bring on benign muscle twitches that can last for months it's been 2 months now and I still have a little twitches here and there, but it has improved so much and almost disappeared after I contained my fears. That is really important you must stop stressing and contain your fears and it will gradually disappear or just for the peace of mind go get all the tests done and clear yourself. I did, I had a nerve test and an emg done to rule out the scary stuff you described it gave me the peace of mind I had mri done on my back and brain and a blood test that tested everything there is nothing wrong with doing that for the sake of peace of mind and you will have nothing to worry about other then getting your anxiety under control I really hope I helped you let's win this anxiety battle together

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

Robbie8888 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 09:14:51 GMT

Hey I have had all these symptoms I was so obsessed and it ruined me I just went and done all the test necessary to rule it all out and after you stop fearing I promise you it will eventually subside and disappear it's even 2 months for me i still have a little twitch here and there but it's almost gone go see a neurologist for peace of mind and let's win this anxiety battle together because you are not alone

Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

TheAnxiousOne — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 06:10:56 GMT

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering how you’re going with muscle weakness symptoms you mentioned?

I started on some meds about a month ago, and a couple of weeks before that I noticed some weakness in my right leg which now includes my right arm as well. I feel it mostly in my leg and oddly I feel like it’s coming from the joints.

All this started after I had a massive panic attack after my MRI result showed some spots on my brain. I haven’t been able to calm down since then given that one of these spots happens to be in a place where MS spot would be. My specialist reassured me that it’s not MS but to come back in 6 months time for another MRI just to ensure nothing has changed.

I’ve had anxiety for a number of years now. But just recently it all blew up very quickly. Reading about your symptoms has me reassured that this most probably is one of anxiety’s physical symptoms.

Did anyone else experience this muscle weakness and on one side in particular?

Thanks guys