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Posted 5/10/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
hello..
my name is rose and i am 46 - i have a history of always finding something to worry about and i also do not handle stress well. i cannot stand my job - i dread going there every day. lately i think i have some dreaded disease/tumor/ms - whatever is bad....i have symptoms of numbness/tingling in my face/head area/temples - you name it....i have it also in my legs and feet. last nite i woke up to a bad pain in my forefoot...every pain i am thinking it is contributing to one of the above diseases...i feel scared all the time. people tell me to think of other things that will be pleasant, or to keep busy - this doesn't help - i don't know how to get my mind of things...please help !!!
Posted 5/10/2009 8:48 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Rose...I have the tingling/crawling sensations in my face, lips (buzzing sensation) head and in my legs also.  I have been tested a gazillion times over the years and I am told it is just a mixture of fibromyalgia and anxiety(with a little bit of restless leg thrown in) all these disorders go hand in hand.  If you have been to the doctor and had all those things you fear ruled out then my suggestion is to just try and accept it...I know it's hard to do.  I still think they have 'missed something' now and then because I can't believe anxiety can wreak so much havoc with our bodies.

If I have learned one thing through all of this, it is to NEVER EVER EVER start Googling symptoms.  EVER!  The worst case scenario always pops up first..I'm sure you know that!

Maybe you should just make an appointment with your doctor to relieve your mind.  Many of the diseases that you 'dread' they can rule out just by looking at you, and doing some simple reflex tests right in the office. (I was certain I had MS...the rheumy had me do some balance things with my eyes closed, and some other reflex/coordination maneuvers...pins in the skin etc and said I absolutely did NOT have it.  I insisted on the MRI anyway...all clear!  Just plain ole anxiety!)

feel better

Donna

Posted 5/10/2009 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
donna
thank you so much for responding to my post. it helps - and you are right...googling those symptoms is horrifying yet i still do it ! i did go to a neurologist and i'm having an MRI on friday - i did have one last feb 2008 and it was normal - but question...if the doctor doesn't ask to look for MS, would they see it on the MRI anyways?? i always seem to second guess everyone , because just like you - i feel that how in the world can stress cause all these terrible symptoms????? i still find that so hard to believe. and i did have the reflex test in the neuro office and it came out normal, but as we speak my leg is having one of those "electric shock" feelings and last nite i woke up from my sleep with pain on the top of my foot....also scary....
thank you again and i hope to keep in touch with you....
Posted 5/10/2009 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
rm102691

Welcome to HealingWell and the A & P Forum.  I am sorry you are worrying and yes we all worry but for those of us with anxiety it can control our lives.  Please do not let this happen to you.


Do you often find yourself overcome with feelings of anxiety, discouragement and depression? Have you ever wondered how some folks seem to be equipped to handle the curve balls of life, getting up, brushing themselves off and starting again? Perhaps you find it frustrating that a family member or a friend is able to always see that the cup is half full, not half empty; the perennial optimist. Many people find that the ongoing pressures of work, a hectic family life and dwindling energy provoke anxiety and sap them of their enjoyment of life. If you've simply forgotten how to accentuate the positive, or if you have been faced with obstacles that have seemed insurmountable and have overshadowed everything, take heart. There are some things you can bear in mind and steps you can take to improve your lot and diminish your anxiety.

One of the most profound differences you can make is to stay in touch. In this fast paced, modern world, we tend to forget to stay connected to our friends and family. These are our anchors, the ones that keep us grounded and remind us of what is really important in life. Modern research indicates that happy people tend to have good relationships so, to draw a logical conclusion, good relationships should pave the way to happy people.

One of the best remedies for anxiety is to talk about it. Here's where good friends and family can come in. The old adage "A problem shared is a problem halved" comes into its own here, and while you may dismiss it as nonsense, it may surprise you how anxiety alleviating it can be to just talk to someone.

Coming here and joining a support group is a great start for you so please keep talking with us...............sharing your problems with others is a step toward healing.

I look forward to knowing you better.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 5/10/2009 10:52 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Rose...I don't know what they are looking for on the MRI you are having, but ask the doc if they are looking for plaque or lesions on the brain. Even they find some spots it does not mean you have MS.  He might be looking for disc compression or something in your back.  All I can tell you is that I have all your symptoms...buzzing sensations in my feet, electrical shock sensations, tingling...the whole nine yards.  But I also have Fibromyalgia, RLS and some disc problems which give me problems.

Be sure to explain your concerns and fears to your doctor.  I am sure once you are cleared of anything serious you will start to feel better.  Your doc is working for YOU so please don't be afraid to tell him/her what it is you want to be tested for.  And remember, 'anxiety symptoms are uncomfortable and disturbing but they are not dangerous'.  Claire Weekes...she got me through many a long, horrifying night!

take care and keep us posted..

Donna

Posted 5/10/2009 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
thank you, donna !
i will keep you posted - do you have these symptoms daily? my symptoms are all over my head/facial area...i do have a buldging disc in my c4-c7 but wasn't sure that would explain my tingly sensations in my face??? i forgot to ask the doc that question...i did email my doctor so i'm hoping he will reply to my questions and concerns....
Posted 5/11/2009 12:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hi rose....I have some or all of these symptoms most of the time.  Do you have pain other than what you described in your foot?  Right now I am having horrible sciatica pain and have it for a couple of months along with all the other symptoms.  I have compression in c3 and L4.  When I asked the doc if that could cause the tingling sensations, he said that my tingling is bilateral and it would be unusual for a disc to cause that on both sides of the body.  But ask your doc anyway.  Make a list of all you questions because we tend to get in the office and forget half of what we want to ask.  Facial numbness/tingling is a typical anxiety symptom but I am glad you are getting it checked out....and remember, no question is 'too stupid'.  Get every answer you deserve.

Donna

Posted 5/12/2009 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Donna, Claire Weeks is an excellent author! Her books would be good for RM to pick up.

Hello, RM! Welcome and sorry to hear you're having these scary sensations. Are you seeing a therapist? I suggest you find a good one and begin seeing him/her. It does wonders to have someone to talk things out with and any anxiety you are experiencing will begin to go away.

Did these feelings of tingling/numbness come on a year ago?
Posted 5/12/2009 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
i honestly don't remember when the numbness/tingling actually started - i think all of this started once my nephew died unexpectedly from a genetic heart defect at 14....first i noticed it on the back of my head - it felt like someone was just touching the back of it...then i think i noticed some tingly feelings once i got stressed, and now it just comes more often. i do notice it when i'm stressed - i just came back from vacation and the whole time there i felt fine !!! once i return home these feelings come back....

in regards to the foot pain, its only on the top of my right foot....its sharp, it comes and goes...
you guys are a huge help - thank you for everything you've done for me.
Posted 5/12/2009 1:59 PM (GMT 0)

Rose,

Keep on talking with us as you can see it really  does help to be able to share your problems and your fears.

I am glad you are getting great responses from the members.

Take care and know you are part of this wonderful family here in A & P.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 5/13/2009 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
thank you, kitt
i have an appt with a therapist next week so we'll see how that goes.....
just want this weird head sensation to go away once and for all....seems to happen alot lately!
Posted 5/15/2009 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
I find this interesting to read. I've most likely had anxiety on/off through my life, but until fairly recently I didn't realise what it was. But I've had nerve pain, vertigo, fybromyalgia, sciatica, and what I called post-natal stress. I wonder if they're all related to anxiety? I guess they are.
I wasn't listening to my body very well for years and I must be a slow learner because the anxiety cranked itself up about 2.5 years ago and hit me over the head with a sledgehammer.
It was only then that I realised I had anxiety.
It totally annoys me that I get this, and I think half my problem is I'm resisting it. I'm still in denial and expecting that it will go away and never return. I feel defective and a failure that I'm getting anxiety. I think such bad things about the future, and have so many regrets about the past, that it's drowning me.
My dilemma now is whether or not to take medication. I don't want to but I hate this feeling. I'm having counselling but not much is changing with that. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks
Posted 5/16/2009 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
It's funny that all of us get annoyed with anxiety and/or ourselves for having to suffer like this. But if you make a list of everything you've been through in your life, good and bad, and what you have to deal with today, it won't be so surprising. It's more like, "I'm not surprised I suffer with anxiety. Look at what I have to do everyday. Look how that person treats me. Listen to how I talk to myself."

Accept the anxiety. It's your body's way of telling you to slow down. You are physically and mentally exhausted. Take it seriously. Learn techniques, educate yourself, exercise, change your diet, find a hobby.

Rm, I'm so sorry to hear about your nephew! My heart goes out to you! You've been through a lot!
Posted 5/18/2009 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
HI Rose,
I am going through the same feelings of thinking something is wrong (MS or ALS). It has consumed my life :(. I recently had back surgery for an L4-L5 herniated disc and from what I was told when you have symptoms in arms/face it is the upper spine. If bulging appears in your lumbar spine, symptoms usually appear in the legs, butt.

I started talking with a social worker 2 weeks ago to help me w this anxiety and my medical fears.

Good Luck! I'll be watching for your posts since we seem to have a lot in common.

Jacki
Posted 5/18/2009 12:48 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning,

I think we all want to find a physical reason for our anxiety and panic disorders and many times members do have an underlying medical conditions that aggrevates their anxiety.

I continue to be attuned to my feelings and I do talk with my PCP as I have had this disorder for so long I have to be very assertive with the physicians to make sure something medical is not written off to my anxiety and depression disorder.

One of the best remedies for anxiety is to talk about it. Accepting that you have anxiety is also a key to dealing with this disorder. Aries post was great.

Remember we have anxiety, it does not have us and we can push through it and learn to live with it. 

There is no shame in having anxiety and it does not make us weak or less of a person then anyone else.

Rose, do continue to look for a medical conditon for your sx but at the same time please do keep talking to us as we care and we are all here to support you.

I wish you peace,
Kitt

Posted 5/18/2009 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
If we look hard enough, it seems like we can always find SOMETHING to worry about as far as our bodies go. It's amazing to me that so many of us have things in common, like fibromyalgia, sciatica, etc.! It sometimes feels like those things are just part of the "total package" as far as anxiety is concerned.

Sometimes, I just have to stop and ask myself, "OK. What is going on right now, right this minute, that demands my IMMEDIATE concern? Is there an emergency right this minute?"

Sometimes that helps me put things into proper perspective and I get "back into the moment" instead of worried about what-ifs. I DO NOT want to give you the impression that I in any way have things completely down to a science. I have my bad days like everyone else.

But really, doesn't EVERYONE have bad days, whether they have anxiety disorder or not?

Keep sharing here. It DOES help!

Ross
Posted 5/18/2009 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt, I have to do the same thing with my doctors. They always seem to want to chalk everything up to anxiety. It's probably a good thing that we try and educate ourselves about our aches and pains. We need to be knowledgable, also.
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