Physical symptoms need advice please?

[ci]

I'm hopeful that someone can relate to me and give me some advice?

I have ocd a business and 3 kids but I'm managing my ocd much better this year than previous. This year has been stressfull but I proud of how I've coped.

For years I've suffered numbness in my face and hands doc has always said stress and anxiety caused and I've been happy to agree. Last 4 months things have gotten much worse pins and needles all down my arms waking me at night my legs do the same pins and needles for hours during the day hard to walk. Or my feet feel like in bucket of ice even with socks and slippers or they can be hot and swollen am exhausted and there is a list of other things happening I went to gp when was having bad day she did some tests reduced sensation and reflex and weakness she sent me to nuro when sore nuro was good day symptom free she did number of test everything normal so she said it's stress causing the problem cronic fatigue or fibromyalgia I should take a holiday. Not sure what to do I understand stress does strange things to your body and I'm happy to accept that I'm just struggling to understand how I would have reduced sensation and reflexes. Also heat makes it worse hot day or hot shower. But I understand if was medical wouldn't be ok on good days. It's just my stress management has been better so why this happening?

Anyways I've just rambled if anyone can understand what I've written and pdjatd to me I'd love to hear from you?

[Croix]

Dear Ci

I'm sorry to hear of your situation which must be very puzzling and worrying for you. In addition I guess you may think there might be a possibility of at least a partial mis-diagnosis.

Ok, first off I can relate as I've been the sufferer of various stress related disorders for a great many years. These disorders manifest themselves on both the physical and mental level. The physical reactions were the reason I went to the doctor in the first place, and it was only when they were diagnosed as being stress-related that my underlying conditions were identified.

The problems at that time included tiredness, inability to concentrate, panic attacks, headaches and going to the toilet very frequently with stomach pains , plus other things. If I had a panic attack that affected my breathing and that in turn brought on various sensations including tight chest with pins and needles in my extremities and distorted vision.

The reason I've gone to such lengths to set down all these details is to show that reactions to stress and anxiety can be many, various and sometimes quite extreme. As far as I know not all people have the same symptoms.

So in your case I guess they might have a psychological cause but I would not leave the matter in doubt. Given that no health professional worth his salt could guarantee to be 100% right 100% of the time you might get some peace of mind by getting a second opinion, and only agreeing to any proposed tests when you feel the symptoms should show up -not easy but probably doable.

After that is out the way, and assuming the tests do not establish a physical cause for the symptoms then I would think you might need to analyze you lifestyle looking for triggers and also try as many means as you can to reduce your stress levels - there is much help with this in the Anxiety Forums

You may also need to seek further medical help from health professionals specialising in the ares of stress and anxiety and its treatments.

You have my best wishes

Croix

[MsPurple]

Hi ci. Sorry to hear your symptoms are distressing you. I know how distressing physical symptoms can be with anxiety disorder. I had similar symptoms to diabetes before I was diagnosed when it was really bad (chronic thirst, urge/need to go to wee all the time, feeling tired, feeling fant, not sleeping, weight loss etc) however it was just my GAD. If it is any comfort I do have some similar symptoms to you, I do get a numb arm/leg a fair bit of the time and I do tend to get pins and needs a lot (more than I used to). Sometimes I do some weights at the gym and I feel like one arm is kinda numb and on auto pilot, its kinda weird.

Unfortunately anxiety can mess the whole body up, I am not completely sure why however it maybe something to do with the CNS system. I would look it up or ask your GP about this.

I am also sorry your neuro said 'You should take a holiday'. I feel like this is a little bit rude and they didn't show much empathy and compassion. As health professionals they should have a better understanding of these things especially how many people probably come in with the same concerns.

I hope this has helped and made you feel less alone. Don't be shy to talk to your GP about your concerns and ask them to explain things to you.

[nowhereman]

Hi ci.im Max .have you got sleep apnia? Maybe ask for a sleep study. Some of those symptoms can be from sleep apnia. Cheers...max.

[ci]

Thank-you mspurple and Croix for your replies. I'm sorry you both have symptoms I can relate to you both had those kinds of symptoms for long time as well.

The numbness and pins and needles with panic attacks or high anxiety don't worry me I understand that's all stress.

The reason my doc sent me to nuro was I had severe pins and needles all the time for days they would get so bad they hurt I had few episodes where couldn't walk well at all my legs won't do what brain told them. She did exams on me and I failed them all so she sent me to nuro. During these episodes I'm not high anxiety or stress no panic attacks. Haven't had panic attack for months until I left her office the other day feeling like a complete idiot!

I know this can all be stress but why is it when you have a mental health problem you are boxed into a group where that must be causing everything else and no need to take you seriously. It's like when you are female go to doc sick they do pregnancy test first even if you tell them no chance your pregnant they don't listen.

[CheeseSlices]

Just an idea - have you had your back checked? I was unaware at the billion symptoms spinal issues could create - and so were my doctors! Have you tried Chiropractic? It is much cheaper than psychology if going regularly (or with health cover) and they can give exercises to help when pins and tinglings or burning legs get too much. It might be worth exploring as a coping exercise, something to help manage the symptoms.

I have never had to wait longer than 2 days for a chiropractic appointment.

[ci]

Thank-you yes I do see chiro regularly I went in on a bad day she examined me but she won't treat me. It's bit frustrating

[Croix]

Dear Ci

Yes it's frustrating and I take your point about the different nature of the symptoms you are feeling, their permanence and severity, and the fact that you've experienced panic attacks and are familiar with their effects.

I'm afraid fibromyalgia is not something I know anything about (other than Dr Google of course:).

Do you think getting an independent assessment (on the appropriate day) is worth perusing?

My best wishes

Croix