Thanks Cath. I was happy to see that he was clearly trying to figure out an actual reason instead of pointing to anxiety straight away like most GPs tend to do. I’ve still got lingering symptoms but it’s now easier to move away from being in fear all the time.
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Thanks Pam!
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Thanks Pat. Will do. I have a follow up in a few months so I’ll update the thread when that happens.
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Hey everyone, Back again for a quick update and a couple of questions. Since I first posted I feel like I’ve improved a little bit and have somewhat moved on from the possibility of my issues being ms. The main issues I have now are that my legs ache when i go to bed all through the night and in the morning until I’m up and about. I don’t have any obvious mobility issues. Throughout the day my arms are mildly tender as well and are prone to aching. What I have realised about the tingling in my feet is that it only comes on if I’m in a weird position like if my legs are crossed or I’m leaning over sideways. Once upright the tingling goes away. The last weird thing I get is the occasional muscle twitch around my body, mostly in my right arm. They last only a few seconds but happen multiple times a day. Does anyone get any symptoms similar to these? The good news, like I said, is that I’m moving on from the idea I have ppms. I have barely any mobility issues and I can still walk and run similar distances. In fact I’m currently overseas and have spent the day walking around countless shopping areas etc. My legs ached most of the day but only minimally. Apologies if this seems a bit like I’m over thinking but all your opinions are so helpful. Hope everyone is doing well also.
David I’m glad you’re more positive, you definitely appear to be coping very well. There are many things that can cause tingling or twitching, it could be an indication of a nerve getting trapped or circulation being affected to your legs with how you’re sitting. I’m no doctor so can’t say for certain, but you sound to be in good general health if you’re running etc.
Just enjoy your holiday and see how things go. Do you have follow up appointments with the doctors? I’d just keep a record of symptoms, what brings them on or makes them better and take that to your appointment. I hope you’re right and it isn’t ms, fingers crossed.
Cath
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David - Before starting on any prescription meds for the leg pain - do get some Magnesium Malate or Glycinate to take - it will stop the ‘restless leg’ problem at night - and make a big difference to your muscles/joints and also helps with depression and brain fog.
Just google magnesium deficiency and leg pain.
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[quote=“Min”]
David I’m glad you’re more positive, you definitely appear to be coping very well. There are many things that can cause tingling or twitching, it could be an indication of a nerve getting trapped or circulation being affected to your legs with how you’re sitting. I’m no doctor so can’t say for certain, but you sound to be in good general health if you’re running etc.
Just enjoy your holiday and see how things go. Do you have follow up appointments with the doctors? I’d just keep a record of symptoms, what brings them on or makes them better and take that to your appointment. I hope you’re right and it isn’t ms, fingers crossed.
Cath
[/quote] I do have a follow up with the neuro in a month or so. Trying to be as positive and open minded as possible!
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[quote=“spacejacket”]
David - Before starting on any prescription meds for the leg pain - do get some Magnesium Malate or Glycinate to take - it will stop the ‘restless leg’ problem at night - and make a big difference to your muscles/joints and also helps with depression and brain fog.
Just google magnesium deficiency and leg pain.
[/quote] I did actually start taking a magnesium supplement for about a week but it didn’t have any effect and made my stomach feel pretty bad too so I stopped taking it.
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Hi David, it was great to see your neuro confirmed you do not have MS. The ‘little niggles’ of other things really can be anything and, don’t shout, but a lot can be alleviated by exercise.
Thinking positive thoughts isn’t always easy but you need to get away from the darkest pictures, your imagination can run away with negatives and it is quite easy to start to believe a serious disease is affecting you. Even though your neuro has confirmed otherwise,
It’s a shame you couldn’t tolerate the magnesium, but an increase in calcium and vitamins makes sense.
As someone else has suggested, it’s a good idea to write all of your thoughts down, concerns and worries and take the list to your gp. They could refer you to a consultant who can specialise in your anxieties.
Good luck David. It’s not an easy path and impossible to force positive thinking when you are so anxious. Perhaps, until you can see your gp with your list, you can get outside in the fresh air, breathe deeply and take a walk…some slow steps, some fast. You will fee fantastic after just half an hour.
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Thanks Chrissie I’ll do my best and take your advice. You’re very right in saying imagination can make your mind run away into everything negative and I think that’s exactly what I’ve done. My physical symptoms may not be so bad but the negative thoughts make it seem like I’m going downhill fast. I’ve recently been seeing a psychologist who has helped me understand anxiety and how the brain works a lot more and it has helped. It’s something I believe everyone with health anxiety would benefit from doing. It’s unbelievable just what your mind can do.
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Attaboy David. Got your walking shoes on yet? It’s a lovely day for a brisk walk with some slow steps inbetween. It’ll give you an appetite for a healthy meal. Let us know how you felt after your exercise. Good luck.
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Currently overseas so I’ve been doing a lot of of walking over the last couple of days. I even had a long albeit extremely painful massage. I can walk and walk and walk but I’m struggling with tenderness and pain in my arms, legs and hands (seems like my thumbs have radiating pain when I’m using them). Plus I have a very minor tremor in both my hands which may just be anxiety. Otherwise I’m still trying to be as positive as possible.
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Hi all,
Back again with what I hope will be my last update. Since my last post I feel better in some ways and more confused in others and was hoping for your opinion/s once more.
I had my follow up appointment with my neuro who again believes there is nothing sinister happening neurological wise. He did another quick exam and advised to look into anxiety medications to see if that helps and come back in 6 months.
I have started the anti-anxiety medication and for the first week or so things seemed great. I was thinking clearer and able to see that my issues were not all bad etc.
The main issue I’m having now is the lingering symptoms that I cannot explain. I’m more open to thinking they are not caused by anything bad but I can’t help but wonder. I still have a minor tremor in both hands which seems to be worse in the morning (noticeable in the morning to not noticeable but somewhat there during the day). I also still have random twitching on certain spots of my body and tingling mainly in my toes/feet which isn’t anywhere near as prominent but still happens.
Lastly I do still have aches in my legs at night in bed and pains in my arms and arm/wrist joints which aren’t debilitating but are still there every day.
So if, and I know it’s a big if, this is PPMS, would it seem to manifest as im describing? Or am I just overly sensitive currently?
Thanks to all who have given their thoughts in this thread. As I said i’m hoping this will be my last update so I can move on. I’m extremely thankful for the help and kind words passed on and coming on here has made things easier for me mentally. Thank you all again.
David.
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lf magnesium upsets your stomach - then get the magnesium oil - and massage it into your joints. lt is quickly absorbed through the skin.
Hi David, it’s so hard to answer this as yes, the symptoms you describe could be MS…BUT they could also be thousands of other things…which could include anxiety. The mind is such a powerful thing that anxiety can cause you to focus on small everyday aches and pains and make more of them than they are, or can even cause the symptoms in the first place.
I think taking the anxiety medication is a very good idea to see if the symptoms will slowly improve…and it won’t happen overnight.
If, say in 6 months time, your symptoms are still a problem then it would be worth seeing a neuro again and possibly have a lumbar puncture to see if they can diagnose MS.
In the case of PPMS, it won’t make any difference at all giving it another 6 months as there is no treatment anyway, so it’s not as if progression could have been stopped by treatment.
I think during the 6 months you could also try some ways of lowering anxiety which will help also if it’s MS…mindfulness is a great help and loads about it online…and I would recommend that to anybody whether they have MS or anxiety or just the general highs and lows of life. I highly recommend it to you to stop yourself focussing on symptoms, and your body, and to help you relax. I use it daily and it’s been a lifesaver.
Hope this helps. Hang on in there. Twitching muscles, aching legs, minor tremor…none of these things will kill you and they might mean nothing at all.
Pat xx
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