Anxiety and Stiff Legs

I can relate totally. It's almost as if they are being weighed down, like you have concrete blocks strapped to your legs or feet. They get stiff, and feel heavy, and you kind of feel stupid when you try and walk, like you're not picking your feet up enough, or are picking them up too high to compensate for what feels like heaviness. It also seems to be worse when trying to walk up or down steps with me.

I haven't figured anything out to stop it. Lately I just ignore it and it seems to get better. I know I haven't really given you any advice on how to deal with it, but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

Fox

It's likely that when you're feeling panicked, your entire body likely gets tense, so you're holding your muscles quite tightly. When you get that kind of feeling, try to do some deep breathing. That will likely help you to relax your muscles. I'm surprised it's only your legs and not all over.

Hi everyone, I started feeling my legs getting very stiff that i can hardly walk, i do Marketing and it requires for me to do seminars and presentations, i have been doing this all my life, and now when i am in front of an audience my legs get so stiff that it becomes not only difficult to walk but also painful. It also happens when i have to be in a meeting with important people like my boss or any higher up. I am concerned about my job. I have talked to my primary doctors and she think is anxiety. I had anxiety panic attacks when i was young but they went away and for the last 20 year i have been fine, but for the last 6 months i have this new modality of anxiety, i am having issues controlling it. My doctor put me on 10mg of zoloft but is not helping, i have been on this medication for almost 3 months. I been seeing a psychologist and i been advised by both my PCP and he psychologist to see a psychiatrist for medication management. My legs get very stiff anytime i am trying to concentrate on something like dancing, when i get uncontrollable laughter or cough. I have fallen 4 times, thing that did not use to happen only like once a year. now when trip, i most likely will fall, as i can not control my legs. I already saw a neurologist and he also thinks is anxiety.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

HiSadie,

Since this is a rather old thread, it is not likely that you'll hear back from the O.P.

However, it sounds like you are on your way to getting your answers and treatment plan in place...so we'll done, and keep up the good work.

I think seeing a P-doc will be a good move...so do pursue this, to get your best Rx guidance possible.

How about self help and or therapy? I do recommend either or both for long term management!

We have some good Stress Relieving Exercises in our Resources that include Progressive Muscle Relaxation. This could be helpful. Let me know if you need me to post direct links and I will so.:)

Post with us anytime for understanding and support!

S.C.

Hi CL and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of this confusing and frustrating issue.:(

Since there has been no definitive medical finding for this symptom...

...the only other thing I could think of recommending is seeing a sports physiologist/P.T., or perhaps a chiropractor?

I have not really heard of a unilateral anxiety response such as this...and I think you would do well to keep pursuing answers from a physical cause...

I hope you get the answers you need soon!

Scaredy Cat

Hi Ghosst8,

Although I walk with a limp in my left leg, it does seems to become worse with stress. The muscle in my left leg becomes frigid when I walk. For a long time, I tried to hide my limp. For example, I would always use a grocery cart even though I am only shopping for just a few items. I would use the cart to hide my leg and to help me walk. Because I walk with a limp and my muscles become so frigid in my left leg, it discourages me from doing a lot of walking, something I used to do. I use to be a runner, now running has become difficult. Like you, I am searching for answers. I hope that you find a resolution as well.

Hey friend and welcome back.:) (did you post back just to prove me wrong, LOL!! JK!)

I am really glad to hear you have made some progress and gained some relief from the intrusive thought patterns...I too understand how it feels to overanalyze...and see a rise and fall in my patterns according to my anxiety levels.

So you must be managing the overall stress well, and for that I say well done, and send further encouragement.

It is great that you are making good strides with self help...keep up the good work!

It is a shame that you had a negative outcome with your therapist. This can certainly sour one toward the whole experience...but not all professionals are going to be like this. In fact, I hear more good than not...so if the need arises for this option again, I encourage you to try again.

For now, though, keep going the course...and know you always have a group here for support.:)

Talk soon,

S.C.

I don't know which one is worse...stiff legs or rummy tummy and peeing a lot ...I get the runs and wee a lot on top of that tight chest ...I'm so sorry you guys get the stiff legs..

Hello, i have god news, it has been two years with stiff legs, unable to walk but with much difficulty event when i am alone and relaxed. Family has asked me to were a cane but have refused. I get very desperate and overwhelmed when crossing the street and seeing the cars waiting. Not being able to clime stairs. And experiencing multiples falls de to my legs not responding or conpensating when i trip. I have amazing legs from the stiffness. PT says i have nothing, Neuro says i have nothing. Psychologies has been sending me back to Neuro for further testing. Psychiatrist have beben putting me in multiple meds and none have worked. You may wonder what is the good news. Let me tell you the first Neurologist i saw two years ago said it was anxiety, then anther doctor asked him to do the electro testing, those nidales hay they stick on your legs and the Neuro again said is nothing, it is anxiety. a year later when i say a podiatrist he got so scared of my advancement of the condition that he referred me to a different Neuro, he says he did not know what it was and referred me to a different Neuro specialist in movement disorder, and also referred me to multiple MRIs that all came negative, the third Neuro in turn after meeting me said he did not know what it was but was going to order more test to run out a neurological condition , the results came out. This test show that i have Stiff Persona Syndrome SPS, one side effect is stiffness, anxiety and panic attacks, this is a rare condition that only one in a million person develops and is treated with a group of meds including Valium, i started the medication the same day and oh gad, what a difference i was able to walk better. Thank you God, after two years of desperation, depression, anxiety, shame, multiple falls, i can finally see a light. I am not completely normal but do feel much better. I do hope some of you find a solution.

One think i noticed is that my second Neurologist a week ago show me a note from the first neuro from two years ago making notice of Stiff Persona Syndrome but not providing follow up and instead saying it was anxiety. I currently have many bills from Psychologies, psychiatrist, physical therapist, and MRIs, CT scans, and many doctors visits. I could have avoided much trouble and money spent if the first Neuro had provided respective follow up.

Good luck and please let me know if you have any questions.