Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness

[Rubybleu]

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.

[Shaker56]

Hi SamzDon, I believe it is extreme anxiety. I’ve had all you wrote & more & after many tests which are clear it’s finally been confirmed it’s anxiety. I’m on meds now & seeing a shrink thanks to my long suffering doctor. Early days but I hope I get over this!

You will too with the right medical doctor 👍

[Mike50]

Hi all!
I too get these cramps, twitches and sore muscles.
Please look up BFS. This Benign Fasciculation Syndrome. Very weird symptoms.
I am a health anxiety sufferer. In my mind I had all the deceases one could get.
I did have two EMG's. Both were fine. Funny thing is when I took the second test I noticed the muscles on my wife's feet were twitching also... Hahahah she just never noticed them.
The twitching is annoying. The sore muscles which I sometimes get after a little chore are a nuisance. Oh yeah, I get tremors too when my arms are tired.
No cure... Look up sensitization, sensitized nerves due to prolonged stress.

[worried_about_it]

I’m so glad to find this thread! Looking for a little reassurance…

I’m 35/m, healthy, good nutrition. I work at a computer and weightlift 3-4 days/week. Mother has MS, her sister had ALS. Everyone in my family has elevated anxiety levels, including me.

A few weeks ago I started getting Ulnar Nerve Entrapment symptoms during the night, at first in 1 hand at a time. (tingling/fuzziness in pinky and ring finger). I kept my usual routine, but over the following weeks the symptoms got more regular, and I started noticing them during the day. This was already causing me a A LOT of anxiety, as I started worrying about permanent nerve/muscle damage, etc.

I went to see my GP, who was not too concerned. He said it was classic symptoms of a compressed Ulnar Nerve, and either I could lay off the gym and wait, or go see a Neurologist if I was worried. He also mentioned that it was a little unusual that the symptoms were on both arms (bilateral).

I latched onto that last part, and started Google-ing related topics. I ended up reading about MND, MS, ALS, etc., which were concerning. But I still believed that my symptoms were local to an impingement in my arms from my repetitive work and weighlifting.

The Next Day— I woke up with mild vertigo, weakness and brain fog . This made me a little more nervous, given my arm issues.

The Next Day (2)— I started getting muscle twitches in my legs and around my body. This is went I went into full-blown panic, having ever-more intense waves of anxiety.

Despite my family history, people think that the twitching muscles is a result of the anxiety. I was given a anti-anxiety med by a friend yesterday, and almost all the symptoms went away. I also felt free to be in the moment, without it being clouded by “worst case” thoughts every time a remaining twitch would happen. (I'd rather not take meds)

I have an appt. with an appointment with a neurologist in 2 days, and I'm really anxious about what he will find through EMG, NCV, MRI or otherwise. I’m having trouble containing the fear right now, and it’s ruining my days/nights.

Sorry for the long post! I hope it’s useful for somebody. Would love to hear anyone’s feedback about their related experiences. 🙂

Thanks in advance.

[Zakoza]

@worried_about_it’s

I’m still experiencing the muscle twitching, mostly in my right leg- calf muscle, thigh, butt, foot. I’ve been back to see a different GP (regular GP is away) hoping for some medication to help with my anxiety but she would only give me a referral to a neurologist. She told me that even though she didn’t think I had anything serious, she would not give me anything for the anxiety until my twitching had been assessed and MND ruled out. She also told me to book an appointment with a psychologist.

Currently I wake every morning and the first thing I do is throw up. I find my anxiety is much worse of a morning. It’s terrifying!

May I ask what anxiety medication your friend gave you? I have a close friend who gave me some tablets to take to help me sleep but I found they made me worse.

I have another appointment with my regular GP who is also a psychologist in 2 weeks time.... I’m holding off on the neurologist app until I’ve had a second opinion.

Move also been to see a chiropractor who did a full assessment on me. She told me that a lot of the tests she does are similar to that of a neurologist. She was very clear in stating that she was NOT a Dr (obviously) but that she did not see any cause for concern in the assessment she did on me. So that gave me great comfort.

Question for you all, do you find that your twitching is predominantly in the one spot? Or is it widespread throughout your whole body? The fact that mine is more often in my right leg is worrying me. I do get the odd twitch in other places on my body, but it’s mostly in the one leg.

I’m so scared!

[worried_about_it]

@zakoza

Try not to be scared, we’re all here for you! I’ll try to check this board as often as possible, as I will also have updates. Just know that so much in life is out of our hands, and when things like this happen, we tend to focus on the (possibly) scary future instead of all the things we’ve been so lucky to experience in the past. Whatever the result, take this opportunity to savor each day and appreciate the people you care about. 🙂

Most of my twitching has also been in my right leg- mainly the upper calf, and upper quad, and sometimes around other places. But when it’s particularly bad I also notice it in other areas of my body, arms and even torso.

It has me pretty worried, and I am hoping that it is somehow a result of my significant anxiety. But I have to be honest, I am very eager to see a neurologist. I would encourage you to do the same. I know it’s scary, but if it is something serious, it’s better to know about it sooner than later so you can attack it the best you can. And if it’s nothing, then you can imagine the relief!!

I have my first visit with a neurologist this evening. I am extremely nervous, but also a little relieved that I finally get to talk to an expert about my problems. I’m also nervous that I won’t be able to get any immediate “results” or be able to rule out any scary stuff, as these things can require multiple tests.

In the meantime, my regular doctor has prescribed medication to manage my anxiety. I am hesitant to take it, but don’t see any other way around managing my panic and anxiety throughout this process which could take a little while. As I mentioned in my last post, when I have managed to get my anxiety down and be fully relaxed, I rarely notice any twitching or symptoms. I’m hoping this is a good sign.

I’ll try to update this board as I move forward with my treatment. I am hoping beyond hope that my mind is more powerful than I ever imagined- and that I am creating the symptoms which I most feared.

Thanks for your support.
worried_about_it

[Rubybleu]

I’m sorry I haven’t responded to you all sooner as I haven’t been on here for quite a while.

So update - twitches, weakness and tingling have all STOPPED! And I firmly believe it was all due to low magnesium caused by anxiety.

I also did immense online research in to MND and twitches ARE NOT a first symptom. They are an end symptom. You don’t steadily lose strength or feel weakness - your limb just stops working one day out of no where.

I’m still struggling with anxiety but I know now where all my physical symptoms are coming from. I take magnesium supplements which help a lot.

[Zakoza]

Worried_about_it’s thank you so much for your response. It really does help knowing that someone else feels exactly the same as I do!

Can I ask how your neurologist appointment went? I’m really hoping you received a positive response!

I’ve actually managed to get some decent sleep the last couple of nights which has helped my mindset immensely!!! A combination of Restavit and a magnesium supplement (given to me by my chiro) has helped the twitching so much! I’ve found that the sleep has helped my anxiety ease enough to think rationally and that has greatly reduced my twitching and tingling.

I will keep checking back on this board for an update on your neurology appointment!

Thanks again for you support!!! It really, truly helps!!!

[Robbie8888]

I know this all to well guys and it was the most terrifying thing I felt with I still have twitches here and there but it has improved so much, I went to a neurologist and got a emg, nerve test and a blood test that checks for muscle and nerve eating proteins and it all came back clear 🙂 it was great for my mind set and you guys should do the same for the peace of mind

[Sid777]

Hi all. I have suffered from anxiety for around 10 years. During this time I have used doctor prescribed meds but for the last few years I have kept the anxiety in check by using a herb mix containing St John's Wort. All has been well until a couple of weeks ago when I started getting muscle tightness in the front of my neck which leaves me feeling like I'm being choked, and a warm tingling sensation throughout my body and face. It's like I can't tell if I'm hot or cold. A few nights I have awakened to the tingling becoming a burning sensation throughout my body (with no fever) which leads to uncontrollable shaking and twitching, sometimes up to 20mins duration, it's like I am freezing cold. The first time it happened I called an ambulance thinking I was about to have a seizure. The ambos believed I had had a massive panic attack. Last night the shaking and tingling occurred on and off for 4 hours! It only happens at night and I don't feel majorly stressed or anxious but I'm wondering now if it could be something subconscious while I'm sleeping causing it. I have had ECG's, blood tests, a CT scan and an MRI and they have all been clear. Has anyone else ever experienced anything similar? TIA 🙂

[AshyPeach]

I can relate to a lot what everyone is going through in this thread.

I have been on a downward spiral since March this year, Muscle twitching, Aches & Pains, Tiredness and more

I am now at the stage my whole right arm and leg just aches all the time, Tingling in both my feet but mainly my right foot just randomly throughout the day. Big Toe on my right foot twitches out and to does my right Thumb. my right Arm aches and travels into my neck as well, it Hurts to pick things up with significant weight to make it all worse

I feel like muscles on the right said of my face aren't as strong as the used to be, I get pressure in my nostrils randomly and my right ear makes a vibrating sound randomly like my eardrum is spazzing out.

Lastly, I feel like movement on my right leg Is slightly impaired, whenever I complete Cardio exercise I get weird cobweb-like feelings on my lower legs and my right leg stiffens and hurts the longer I do cardio and it takes forever to subside.

Basically, I feel like I'm done for at this point, Seen Multiple doctors, some of the same one's multiple times and they say there is definitely some weird symptoms there but nothing of major concern and been told multiple times an MRI is not necessary. Not even been recommended medication to help with the Anxiety I am going through day to day so it just makes me feel like none of them are taking me seriously enough.

I really hope all of you here find the answers you need and the peace of mind you are looking for, I'm not really sure I'll find mine at this point, wishing you all the best in your Journey through this terrible time.

Thanks

Ashleigh