Long time sufferer win anxiety,march 2021 though began with really strange sensations!

[Redline84]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for the opportunity to post this thread!

I've suffered with anxiety for many years, mainly fears of the unknown, failing, not good enough etc. My anxiety got worse when living at my in laws(2017-2019) for 2 years which developed into this knot feeling throat - still present today when I feel anxious.

March this year it all started with these cold patches around my left knee (very odd) followed by this string like pulling sensation bellow the knee cap as I walked(MRI showed nothing). Around 1 week passed and those symptoms disappeared but leaving this slightly redish patch around my knee which is now sensitive to warm water(goes slightly red) .

Tingling started on my left foot soon after(lots of googling probably didn't help) and progressed to my calf leg hand arm & face(mainly on one side). I even developed an eyelid twitch on the left. Tingling on the right was present but mainly on right foot and right hand only.

As I kept googling, MS was coming up quite a lot and knowing my mum has MS I convinced myself that's what it was!

I also had severe hand numbing while falling asleep(nothing during the day), and a little on my toes. At this stage I went into panic mode and for weeks I had hardly any sleep thinking why I had all this numbness.

My GP arranged for blood tests which all came back ok, also did a CT scan of my neck,nerve conduction studies, MRI of the brain & neck which discovered a bulged disc on my upper neck - however my GP, Oesteo & Chiro could not connect these symptoms results. Brain MRI also came back ok.

I did see a Neurosurgeon but my symptoms almost disappeared by my appointment, neurosurgeon confirmed again these symptoms couldn't be linked to the bulged disc, describing it could've been a "viral phenomenon".

I was symptom free(around 1 month), 3 months ago new symptoms started, again on the left leg - buzzing sensation on quad muscle while walking followed by left & right foot buzzing. I also developed an itch that happens when I rub my leg in one spot & is felt in another!(googling suggests referred itch).

Hand numbness started also creeping in and now they're worse( only at night time).

I've seen a Neurologist 1 month ago and he think it could be anxiety related as I'm apparently very aware of my own body! Seeing him again in Feb 2021 as he may want to do a few more tests.

Thanks again for this long post! Hope it helps anyone out there with similar symptoms : ).

I

[Sophie_M]

Hi Redline84, 

Thank you for your post to the forums today and for sharing with us how you are feeling right now. Health anxiety is incredibly challenging to manage and it sounds like you are doing lots of things to help support yourself on your journey to feeling better.

It’s good to hear you are speaking to health professionals about these symptoms, we think it’s always really good to keep your GP updated with health anxiety and physical symptoms. Please know that the Beyond Blue counsellors are here for you as well, and you can call us on 1300 22 4636 anytime if you feel like talking it through.

We’re sure we’ll hear from our lovely community here soon, but in the meantime here’s some resources and conversations on managing anxiety you might find interesting:

• Some strategies for managing anxiety
• This previous thread where community members shared some of their Beyond Blue’s anxiety management strategies

Thanks again for posting here. It must have taken a lot of strength to share this but you never know who will read this post and feel less alone in their own experience.

Kind regards, 

Sophie M

[Redline84]

Hi Sophie,

Thank you so much for your reply!

I've taken a look at the strategies for managing anxiety - thanks again.

Regards

[Marks_Mum]

Recline 84,

Thank-you for your post it was so good to read about your body sensations as I share many of them. I've had anxiety and panic disorder since I was 21 and am now 72. I've had many years free of it, but covid and my fear of and sensitivity to drugs brought it back in full force when I had my first covid VAX. I also have fibromyalgia and was diagnosed with a benign form of MS in 1996. So many of my body sensations are similar to yours. I'm struggling at the moment as I'm trying to get started on an anti anxiety anti depressant which is making me quite ill. I'm struggling no to work out what sensations are purely related to my anxiety. I have a very uncomfortable feeling like a tight band around my head most days and a lot of pressure in my ears and sinuses, these latest sensations are the ones giving me the most grief at the moment. Sorry for the long post but I just needed to tell someone how I was feeling. Thanks once again for your post.

[Redline84]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply and I'm glad I posted! Makes me feel better thinking I've made someone get some thoughts out and sharing their experiences.

With your benign MS did they detect anything on your MRI scans ? I really hope you can find a good anti depressant that suits you, It can be hard but keep trying : ).

I'm now seeing a councilor focusing on CBT(cognitive behavior therapy), breathing and relaxing. For me it does feel really good when meditating, odd sensations are still around though.

Keep safe and have a Merry Xmas & New Year.