Health anxiety in overdrive, help!

[Mummybee]

My health anxiety has gone into over drive this last 24 hours, and I feel I am really not coping today. I have been twitching 24/7 for the last couple of months, my GP did some neurological tests and an MRI and said it was most likely anxiety related and just to relax.... I had just gotten used to the twitching and now ive started these little jerks, like when youre trying to go to sleep and you feel a limb jerk, but its not just when im trying to go to sleep, its whenever im resting. Its a long weekend, I know even if I ring tomorrow morning I wont get into my GP for a least a few days and then im only going to get a neurologist referral which will take AGES for an appointment, and just the thought of waiting has me in a spin.

apparently this jerking is part and parcel of Benign Fasciculation Syndrome, but my mind isn't believing it and have convinced myself I have a horrible neurological disease like MS or MND. Im looking at my beautiful children and picturing myself in a wheelchair unable to care for them or watch them grow up.

 Sorry for the rant, I just needed to get some of it out

Mummybee

[Guest_1055]

Hey Mummybee

No apologies needed for the rant. I am sorry this is happening to you. Are you feeling better now, that you let it all out? Oh I wish I could help you, or something...

Hugs to you sweet Mummybee

Shelley xx

[Chicken_Wings]

Hi Mummybee,

so sorry you are feeling this way right now. I know you are scared and I wish I could make it better.

I twitch too. Sometimes I will be sitting watching tv and my arm will just jerk.

are you tired in general right now? I find it's worse when I'm stressed and tired because that's when my anxiety gets worse. 

what strategies have you discussed with your psych for when you're feeling like this? It's time to practice them now.

[Mummybee]

I haven't got a pysch.

Maybe its time I got one

mummybee

[White_Rose]

Dear Mummybee

Hello. Good to meet you.

As I have not heard of your BFS I asked Dr Google. Not always the best doctor to go to but I thought it would give me an idea of what was happening for you. I gather it is a fairly common problem but most people don't even noticed they have it as the twitches are so small. And as CW has commented, can get more noticeable if you become anxious.

It seems it can mimic other illnesses such as MND so I can see why you are so worried about it. I know what you mean about jerking when you are about to go to sleep but I can only guess how irritating and distressing it is when it happens all day.

So how do you keep yourself fairly calm? When you have children to care for being calm is not your usual state of mind I found. There is always something happening and imagining yourself in a wheelchair is a truly scary prospect. You say you do not see a psychologist. Do you have an anxiety disorder or depression? Or in fact any problem other than the BFS? I ask because I wonder if it is useful to see a psych just for the BFS.

Have you tried other forms of relaxation such as meditation or yoga and do they help? Does exercise help? I have no idea of how this thing works, just guessing from what I have read. But if anxiety exacerbates or causes this problem it seems reasonable that relaxation could help with the symptoms. At any rate it would do no harm to discuss it with your doctor before trying to get another appointment with a neurologist, or while you are waiting.

It seems you need to sleep properly, don't we all, to keep this situation under control. What can you do to get a good night's sleep? Not talking about medication, just some strategies. I read that coffee can increase the jerks so if you drink coffee can you reduce the amount. Even as I write this my body is going into withdrawal symptoms just at the thought, so I know it could be difficult.

Do any other foods increase your problem and what about medication? I am still recovering after a bad mix of meds which sent me into an enormous tailspin. Getting better but not a good time. I wonder if something you are taking could be increasing your discomfort.

These are my thoughts. I hope they are constructive and useful.

Mary

[Mummybee]

Thanks mary

i have never been diagnosed with anything, but I know I have GAD and hypochondria. Whenever I mention my anxiety to my GP he brushes it off.  I think it might be time to put my foot down and tell him I either need a psych referral or a neurologist referral! Because if one is causing the other or vise versa I just want it to be over.

i usually do yoga and regular walking to help my general anxiety, but it doesn't seem to help with this twitching. It's not a "every now and then" thing, there is a twitch somewhere in my body 24/7. 

Mummybee 

[Chicken_Wings]

I think you might find it helpful Mummybee. Someone to talk to about your fears, someone who can give you tools and a plan for when you are at your most anxious.

ask your GP for a referral to a psychologist and then find one who works specifically with people who have similar thoughts to yourself. Take the time to make some calls and find the right person.

if you want to you can ask for a mental health care plan which gives you 10 sessions subsidised (somewhat) by Medicare.

[Mummybee]

Thanks CW

i have an appointment with my GP tomorrow. I think it's time I either get a neuro referral or a mental health plan because this is a horrible circle

mummybee 

[White_Rose]

Just had an appointment with my GP. She is fantastic.

Sounds like a good idea to see a mental health professional. I understand you are thinking about seeing the neurologist. Why not both? They have different specialist skills and it would be helpful to put both aspects together.

CW is right in suggesting you make some phone calls about getting a good psych. My GP knows who the good and other psychs are and send her patients to people she trusts. If you feel your GP is not particularly interested in this aspect it would be wiser to find your own psych.

The mental health plan is a good idea. While all your psych costs will not be covered it will save you a significant amount. Keep on keeping on.

Mary

[Rubybleu]

Hi Mummybee, I know your post is quite old now but just wondering if you had a positive outcome? And how long it took your twitching to stop? I’m currently having the exact same symptoms as you and while my anxiety in relation to MND has calmed a bit, I’m still having the twitching!