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Paresthesia and Anxiety

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Posted 3/27/2012 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

This is my first time posting but I have read many threads as I have been attempting to reach a dx for symptoms that started at the end of November 2011. At that time, I experienced paresthesia in my left hand followed by my right and left foot a few days later. I saw my pcp, had blood tests for thyroid, glucose, vitamin deficiencies, etc. nothing came up. To r/o ms, I had a brain MRI which was normal. The dr figured it was anxiety. I have a family hx for anxiety and I do experience it but not that I would call on any debilitating level. Symptoms have not gone away despite trying to be zen. Went to a neurologist and had a neuro exam, cervical MRI and ncs and emg. All were normal. The neuro said there was nothing wrong with me. I asked if it could be anxiety, she said yes. I also have been seeing a neuro chiropractor, 12 treatments and no improvement.

I have paresthesia daily in my feet, sometimes my hand. I also have it up the back of my head. I experience dizziness (light-headed) off and on and brain fog. I am in great shape. Exercise 3-5 times a week. I have two young kids and I stay at home. I do find this stressful at times.

My question is whether this type of presentation -- persistent parasthesia can be caused by anxiety. I asked my neuro about other possible causes and she waved them off including Lyme disease. I'd be most grateful for any and all input!! I have another appt with my pcp and want to make sure i address all possibilities. Thanks!!
Posted 3/27/2012 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!

I am sorry that you are experiencing these troubling symtoms. It can be really hard to distinguish the physical symptoms of anxiety and the possibility of something health related..however you have had a thorough medical work-up, so it is probably safe at this point to look into treating it as anxiety.

The sneaky thing about anxiety is that we become accustomed to feeling high levels of stress...and it is not until our bodies give us signals in the form of symptoms, that we realize that we are not coping as well as we think we are! Paresthesia is a common symptom, and can often be caused by hyperventilation. We are usually not even aware that we are breathing improperly. However, this can cause our blood PH to get out of balance, thus causing the tingling/numbness.

Breathing exercises and practices can reverse these feelings. We have some good links to instructional videos in our Anxiety-Panic Resources. Try these for awhile, and see how you feel.

I hope that this gives you a place to start. Hopefully you will get some more members chiming in with their experiences and advice too.

Post anytime, I hope that you find this a place of good information and support...we look forward to getting to know you better.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/28/2012 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Kenai,

I just happened to see your post when logging on. I had the same issues and was tested for MS, three neuros, etc...all told me it was anxiety.

Finally, got tested through Igenex Labs in Palo Alto and tested positive for Lyme Disease. I was on ABX for a year (just came off a few weeks ago - and to be honest...I think too soon because I'm experiencing some symptoms again). Anyway, all the tingling/vibrating/buzzing etc. does go away with treatment. All your symptoms sound like lyme disease to me. You might want to come over to the lyme forum and get others opinions.

This is NOT in your head!!!
Posted 3/29/2012 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the replies!!
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