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can Anxiety cause weakness in arms?

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Posted 5/13/2009 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All, I am 41 yo male. 2 months back i had chest pain which was later diagonised as Acid Reflux (GERD). For first two weeks while i was waiting results on my EKG/Treadmill Test, i probably worried too much and had panix attacks.

MY GERD is in control now and have not got any panic attacks for over 40 days but i still get heartbeat, headache (dull) all around head -comes and goes but most annoying is the weakness in my arms... especially when i wake up. All my doctors think it is anxiety but i started to see a therapist and she thinks Anxiety does not cause arm weakness.

Are there any other people here with similar experience? I will take any advice... thankyou all.

PS: I do not have any stress other than this ongoing sickness which doctors are not able to pin point.

Posted 5/13/2009 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Dibba.

It's an interesting topic you bring up, because when I had my very intense first anxiety attack, my arms were tingling all the way through and down to my little fingers. After about 10 minutes of having this anxiety attack, I had lost a lot of strength in my body. Anxiety does have physical symptoms.

But yes I have experienced physical weakness and tingling in the arms from my anxiety attacks. That is not to say that anxiety is the only thing that could be causing the weakness. It could be another type of condition that may cause it. The best thing to do is see the experts on this one I think.

Good luck Dibba, hang in there.
Posted 5/13/2009 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for reply. i am lost...

my Cardiologist said heart is ok, check with PCP for other illness. My PCP & GI told me it could be anxiety.

My Therapist is saying it may not be anxiety... so i dont know where to turn to now?

Posted 5/13/2009 4:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hi...My therapist printed me a copy of  anxiety symptoms from anxietycentre.com.  On this list is 'Weakness in arms, legs and muscles.'  But like others have suggested, if you are worried about it, you should find a doctor that will take your concerns seriously.  I often have weakness in my limbs but I have been checked out for other things it could be.

Feel better

Donna

Posted 5/13/2009 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm, that does seem like a difficult situation to be in... when two different people are saying opposite things pretty much..

Maybe see a different GP to get a third opinion. Tell this GP everything you are feeling, and what the others have said.. If you can, find a GP that has a good reputation.. and/or one that has reasonable experience!

Sorry I don't have the answers for you m8. Some things can be hard to diagnose.

I am 22 years old, and experienced a very frightening anxiety attack. I thought I was going INSANE/CRAZY. All I wanted were answers and help..
I have had good help, but sometimes I still feel like I'm not getting the answers I want..... It's so frustrating and sends me into panic attacks sometimes.

Good luck dibba, hang in there.
Posted 5/13/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
I can only speak for myself, but I get tingling and a feeling of weakness in my arms all the time. My arms often feel sore. When I went to a back specialist regarding back and leg pain, I also told her about my arms. She put me through a series of little tests and she said that I have no actual weakness in my arms and that the soreness and perceived weakness could be the result of a vitamin deficiency (I tested as Vitamin D deficient) or even because of my herniated discs. I agree that maybe you should seek one more opinion since you are getting conflicting information.
Posted 5/13/2009 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I get really weak arms legs. When I am feeling the anxiety come on or just not feeling well. I will get the weakness in my legs and arms.
They feel like I have worked lifting very heavy stuff all day and feel like I can't move them.
It comes and goes with the anxiety. And I don't worry about it much since it is not an all the time thing.

They feel weak. But yet I feel it but I can still do what my "mind" is telling me I can't.
Posted 5/15/2009 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I get weak and shakey arms during and after an anxiety/panic attack. It's the adrenalin flowing through the body. You're sure you haven't been exercising or doing any other physical stuff that may cause the arm weakness? Moving furniture? Picking up kids? Yard work?

If you're unsure and frightened, have your doctor do all the blood tests. It will make you feel better when the tests come back okay.
Posted 5/15/2009 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
thanks all. I wish you all good luck as well.

I excercise daily and find it very helpful for my anxiety. So, i will advice everyone to excercise.

My weakness is cyclical and comes back every 3 days or so. I hope i will break this cycle and go back to normal again.

Best Wishes to you all.

Posted 5/15/2009 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have found after anxiety attacks I am acutely aware of any little changes in my body and if I focus on them I begin to worry about a new symptom and blow it out of proportion to think it's a physical problem it becomes one for me to worry about. This could be what your doing.

You know your body better than anyone else and if you think it is a heath problem then I would get more tests.

Hope this helps.
Deb
Posted 5/16/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
You said you exercise daily. I'm sure you switch your exercise routine every other day? There may very well be an exercise that is really working out your arms. Or, perhaps you're doing a certain exercise incorrectly? Maybe have a trainer watch and see what you're doing. I hope you feel better soon!
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