Muscle twitching, bizarre soreness, tingling hands and feet

[Felixblack]

Hi all
I'm new to this forum and just reaching out to see if anyone out there has or is experiencing muscle twitching all over, strange muscle fatigue and soreness particularly in calves and forearms that cannot be explained, tingling/pins and needles in hands and feet...as though there's not enough circulation there.. occasional sharp shooting pains in muscles or possibly nerves. I have had a very stressful past 12 months so I'm hoping these odd new symptoms are anxiety related. I have definitely had the worst health anxiety ever this past year... could these new symptoms be my body's way of telling me I'm in fight or flight? Two doctors do not seem to be concerned. I'm worried about MND or MS or something else and am I am booked to see a neurologist next Monday.
I'm trying hard to stay positive but I cannot believe anxiety/stress could cause such blatant physical symptoms. Feeling scared and alone.
Hope to hear from someone!

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi Felixblack,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you are going through a difficult time but it is good to hear you are going to see a specialist to get some clarity on your symptoms. Having anxiety about your health can be incredibly powerful. Physical symptoms seem to feel worse when you have anxiety, all of your body sensations are being monitored so closely and your awareness to each sensation is heightened. So many people who have anxiety have it manifest in physical symptoms. (Mine has always been felt in my stomach).

I suppose when our mind is in a state of worry, we are often trying to predict the future OR, trying to change an ending to something that has already occurred. Both are not possible but our brain somehow thinks that by circulating our scenario round and round in our mind, we might somehow figure things out. This is not the case.

One of the ways to help you reduce worry until you get to your appointment on Monday is to focus on the here and now. If you don't allow our mind to worry about the unknown future even for a few minutes a day, our minds can learn to stop worrying thoughts from taking over and causing an emotional reaction. A practice called Mindfulness can be really helpful in focusing on the now. You could start by using an app called Smiling Mind even if it is only for a few minutes each day.

Another program you could try is something called Mindspot. Mindspot is an online program for people with low mood and worry. It is free and has worked really well for some people in helping them understand anxiety better and finding strategies to manage it. You can visit Mindspot at www.mindspot.org.au to have a look.

Another source of information on Health Anxiety is located at the Center for Clinical Innovations who have developed a learning package on Health Anxiety. https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Health-Anxiety

It is very reassuring that two doctors have not been concerned about your physical symptoms and you are gaining a third opinion from a specialist soon. Focusing on reducing your anxiety is important in any case. I wonder if there is any one you have close to you that you can chat with between now and Monday? If it feels comfortable, please continue to post here - the forum is a safe and supportive place. We are listening,

Cheers
Nurse Jenn

[blondguy]

Hello Felixblack

Welcome too and good on you for being a part of the Beyond Blue forums!

Sometimes our anxiety can make us feel 'oversensitised' to any physical feelings we have..I understand your situation as I used to have bad anxiety for a very long period of time

You are not alone feeling the way you do Felixblack....I have included a helpful link below that many members like yourself have posted their own physical symptoms

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-physical-feelings-of-anxiety-do-you-get

Its a very long thread...I hope you find even some of it helpful

we are here and listening!

Paul

[Felixblack]

Hello thanks for your reply. How did your symptoms manifest?
When I tell people about mine I swear it's like they think it is all in my head... but they aren't. I can feel physical symptoms! And they are scaring me so much.

[Felixblack]

Thank you so much for this!

[blondguy]

Hi Felixblack

Thanks for the question!.. its a hard one to answer...as everyone's physical symptoms vary so much...there is no direct answer...You mentioned " I have definitely had the worst health anxiety ever this past year"

• Nurse Jenns helpful post as a health professional..and the link I posted above re physical symptoms
• www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-physical-feelings-of-anxiety-do-you-get

any questions are welcome Felix...Nurse Jenn made an excellent point that your two doctors were not overly concerned.....that sounds like good news!

Paul

[maccaz]

How did you go?

[Taz14]

I'm the same, last 6 months exactly what you are describing. Seen a Neuro and had an EMG, he said it BFS. I always panic about it, I get it every day, just in different spots, muscle twitching. It causes me so much anxiety, I should stay off google.

[jemma09]

Hi Felixblack

It sounds like you have been going through a rough time. I am glad to hear you have been to see a doctor and are advocating for your health to ensure everything is okay. I hope the neurologist appointment goes well. Health anxiety can be very difficult as we are acutely aware of how our bodies are feeling at any given time. I understand where you are coming from, finding positivity in these times can be hard. We are all here for you and many of us understand what you are going through.

Are there any exercises that assist you to feel relaxed? For example, mindfulness, meditation. Could you speak to your doctor about talking to someone who can help you through this anxiety?

I have also had feelings of sore muscles with tension which is ongoing. However, in a moment of panic I do get these tingly nerve feelings in my hands. What I like to do is go somewhere private and quiet and do some breathing exercises my therapist gave me. For example: I was at a restaurant recently and there was an occurrence that caused me to panic. I just excused myself to the bathroom and was able to take a few moments to myself to breathe and reorientate myself.

I wish you all the best in finding some helpful solutions and getting your health checked. You have done a great step in sharing here. Be kind to yourself and take care 🙂

[Sam2019]

I'm also in the same boat. I just posted a new thread about it. 12 month of anxiety.... with all sorts of symptoms. The main ons being chronic fatigue, ectopic beats and now non stop twitching in my calfs ! It has not stopped in 2 month now. I saw a neuro and waiting for an EMG in a week. MY mind has gone haywire. I'm convinced I have MND (ALS) to the point where I'm walking around measuring my calf for symmetry only to notice one bigger than the other. This has sent me into a complete spiral ! Very nervous waiting for an EMG. I cannot imagine

Taz14 said:I'm the same, last 6 months exactly what you are describing. Seen a Neuro and had an EMG, he said it BFS. I always panic about it, I get it every day, just in different spots, muscle twitching. It causes me so much anxiety, I should stay off google.

it will come up clean with all this twitching.