Many years

Hi.
I’m 40 this year. When I was 21 I started getting odd symptoms - the main ones were muscle twitches, which started firstly in my legs then eventually all over. I also had dizziness and some numbness (in my right foot, my left forearm and under my chin). The GP saw me, did some tests in the GP surgery, diagnosed me with anxiety and sent me on my way.
Over the last two decades, the twitches have come and gone. For a few years I thought they stopped but they eventually came back. The numbness in my right foot has remained and I still get bouts of dizziness. To be honest, I learned to live with it.

Over the last year I’ve noticed other symptoms. Mainly tight calf muscles that are worse in the morning or after exercise. I find myself struggling to take the first few steps… When I’m exercising, sometimes the pain is so great I have to stop and stretching is so painful I almost cry out… I also have tight muscles in my back and upper legs.

Having been diagnosed with anxiety the first time I don’t want to go back unnecessarily but I am worried. I fear MS but to be honest, I just want to know what’s wrong. Any tips/advice? I haven’t mentioned this to anyone so I feel a bit alone.

Hey,

Sorry you’ve had to live with these symptoms so long without a clear answer. Did they treat your anxiety in any way? I hope you weren’t just sent on your way and left to deal with it! Your symptoms could be down to a large number of things so try not to fear the worst. I do think though that you deserve to be checked out before they put it all down to mental health. There are tests they can easily order to rule out a physical cause and as these symptoms are affecting you to this extent you are well within your rights to have them. Don’t feel bad about going back. Unfortunately I think you have to be a bit pushy to get much out of the nhs but your health is a priority. I would just flat out ask your gp to refer you to neurology. I can’t see why they would say no.
Good luck with it all xxx