I am still constantly testing and examining myself. My feet and lower legs feel fatigued at work constantly. My doctor thinks I have tendinitis and plantar fasciitis from constant physical testing of my feet, I do calf raises, run stairs, do jump rope everyday to try to prove to myself that I’m still functioning correctly. I’m going crazy, work is misery because I have to fake I’m ok all day long. I can’t wait until bed every night cuz it’s my only peace. Have psych appt next week and neuro the next week. Can’t stand it. Just want to enjoy my life.
ALS fears all of a sudden-UGHHHH SOS
- Thread starter Betty
- Start date
Titus, how long has this been going on for you?I am still constantly testing and examining myself. My feet and lower legs feel fatigued at work constantly. My doctor thinks I have tendinitis and plantar fasciitis from constant physical testing of my feet, I do calf raises, run stairs, do jump rope everyday to try to prove to myself that I’m still functioning correctly. I’m going crazy, work is misery because I have to fake I’m ok all day long. I can’t wait until bed every night cuz it’s my only peace. Have psych appt next week and neuro the next week. Can’t stand it. Just want to enjoy my life.
I too am going thru the ALS scare now...have had various twitching first many years and has been described as "benign fasiculation syndrome". Have noticed more recently. I met with neurologist a few weeks ago.. he performed all the strength tests and found no clinical weakness. He did say to have EMG for peace of mind but didn't seem to think it was necessary. I probably should have it done but am scared. This health anxiety can be so debilitating...people outside this forum just dont understand that.
Thanks Hal great site. First me too it's ALS and the other is cancer as my greatest h a fears.ALS was always one of my two biggest health anxiety fears.
One website made me feel a lot better about that.
I never help people Google their symptoms away, attacking the anxiety is a much better approach.
I make an exception in this case since this site really helped me.
Let me know.
https://scarysymptoms.com/2012/02/muscle-twitching-help-foot-drop/
Health anxiety for over a year, ALS specifically since the end of July.Titus, how long has this been going on for you?
I too have been in an ALS scare for the past couple of months. I have bulbar onset fear due to speech issues that come and go, and I can't seem to shake it no matter what I do. I rationalize with myself, since everyone around me insists that I sound no different, and that I am dealing with dry mouth issues that have always altered my pronunciation for many, many years, but for some reason none of that is helping me get rid of this fear. I am scheduled for an EMG in February, unfortunately it is only a limb one so I fear that I won't get past this unless they test my tongue too. The funny thing is I only started thinking of bulbar when the arm and leg symptoms that initially got me worried resolved. So I am constantly trying to convince myself that this is psychosomatic. My GP and neurologist do not believe the symptoms are ALS related, but it is so hard to believe them. That is anxiety. I am telling you all of this to say that I get it, I TOTALLY get it. I also have plantar fasciitis in one foot and frequently have "perceived" weakness in my limbs. This is a hard road to be on, but we can get through it knowing that we aren't alone.Health anxiety for over a year, ALS specifically since the end of July.
I’m with ya, every time I mumble/stutter or something I think it’s progressing to that. I too have plantar fasciitis from over testing my legs, running stairs and jumping rope, standing on my toes all day to make sure I still can. I Think about every step I take.
"I think about every step I take"...we are so hyper-aware of everything, I think that makes us so much worse. I spend so much of my day literally focused on where my tongue is sitting in my mouth, how my tongue/mouth moves when I speak, is my jaw sore? Is it weak? Am I chewing weird? Did I just feel a tongue twitch? Then the checking: tongue motor strength tests, repeating words, saying tongue twisters...you get the point. No wonder my jaw/mouth/tongue hurts! I never stop. I am sure I am grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw in my sleep too. It is SO EXHAUSTING spending all of this time laser focused on these things. I never thought about the position of my tongue before! I am usually a rational person but right now, the furthest from it.I’m with ya, every time I mumble/stutter or something I think it’s progressing to that. I too have plantar fasciitis from over testing my legs, running stairs and jumping rope, standing on my toes all day to make sure I still can. I Think about every step I take.
Have you read about Somatic Symptom Disorder Titus? It is one of the newer classifications of what used to be just known as Hypochondria, I think it explains what we suffer with better. Despite reading it I am still trapped in the fear, but I am fighting to get out of it. I have my reasons for this exacerbation of my anxiety issues (a sudden death in my family and a friend with a terminal diagnosis were instrumental in my falling apart) but that doesn't make it any easier for me considering that I don't "feel" anxious most of the time, just convinced from my physical symptoms that the worst is happening.
BettyI too have been in an ALS scare for the past couple of months. I have bulbar onset fear due to speech issues that come and go, and I can't seem to shake it no matter what I do. I rationalize with myself, since everyone around me insists that I sound no different, and that I am dealing with dry mouth issues that have always altered my pronunciation for many, many years, but for some reason none of that is helping me get rid of this fear. I am scheduled for an EMG in February, unfortunately it is only a limb one so I fear that I won't get past this unless they test my tongue too. The funny thing is I only started thinking of bulbar when the arm and leg symptoms that initially got me worried resolved. So I am constantly trying to convince myself that this is psychosomatic. My GP and neurologist do not believe the symptoms are ALS related, but it is so hard to believe them. That is anxiety. I am telling you all of this to say that I get it, I TOTALLY get it. I also have plantar fasciitis in one foot and frequently have "perceived" weakness in my limbs. This is a hard road to be on, but we can get through it knowing that we aren't alone.
I am so with you.....this muscle twitching I have had me convinced it's ALS...esp when I get it in my hands. I workout regularly and dont notice any weakness but find myself just waiting for it to happen...
So hard to deal with.
Betty
I am so with you.....this muscle twitching I have had me convinced it's ALS...esp when I get it in my hands. I workout regularly and dont notice any weakness but find myself just waiting for it to happen...
So hard to deal with.[/QUOTE
i have not heard of the disorder, makes sense though. I am a rational person about most things and especially giving others good advice. Can’t seem to trust my own advice though when it comes to this nightmare I’m “making up”"I think about every step I take"...we are so hyper-aware of everything, I think that makes us so much worse. I spend so much of my day literally focused on where my tongue is sitting in my mouth, how my tongue/mouth moves when I speak, is my jaw sore? Is it weak? Am I chewing weird? Did I just feel a tongue twitch? Then the checking: tongue motor strength tests, repeating words, saying tongue twisters...you get the point. No wonder my jaw/mouth/tongue hurts! I never stop. I am sure I am grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw in my sleep too. It is SO EXHAUSTING spending all of this time laser focused on these things. I never thought about the position of my tongue before! I am usually a rational person but right now, the furthest from it.
Have you read about Somatic Symptom Disorder Titus? It is one of the newer classifications of what used to be just known as Hypochondria, I think it explains what we suffer with better. Despite reading it I am still trapped in the fear, but I am fighting to get out of it. I have my reasons for this exacerbation of my anxiety issues (a sudden death in my family and a friend with a terminal diagnosis were instrumental in my falling apart) but that doesn't make it any easier for me considering that I don't "feel" anxious most of the time, just convinced from my physical symptoms that the worst is happening.
This cycle started for me with someone in my profession died quickly of colon cancer about my age, i soon after started having bowel issues and abdominal pain, losing weight, etc. all the webmd symptoms of colon cancer. Ct scans, blood work, and colonoscopy all clear, symptoms suddenly go away. Two other episodes of other cancer fears followed closely after with same results. A prominent figure in my profession in my state was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, probably wouldn’t even have an idea of what it was if not for that. I need to be dad and husband but I can’t when I’m constantly fighting this fear.
I've had health anxiety off and on for many years but has gotten worse within last 8 or so years. I had a friend who had colon cancer... he us a survivor!! Also had a client whose husband got ALS all brought this stuff closer to me. Now within last year or do 5 people I know have had cancer (all different types and caught in early stages) have just ratcheted up my h a.
I too notice every little thing...right with you on the tounge sensations...is my speech slurring? Am I weaker,
Awful!!!
I too notice every little thing...right with you on the tounge sensations...is my speech slurring? Am I weaker,
Awful!!!
Knowing we aren't alone in our suffering is so helpful. I wasn't able to feel that I wasn't alone until finding this forum. You guys are great for me. Thanks.At least we have each other. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, I am so sorry that you all have to suffer this way too.
Titus, I know what you are feeling. Did you have a particularly stressful day?
Try to remind yourself that IF the twitching and buzzing was indeed ALS, which I am sure it isn't, you would have significant weakness to go with it. The weakness would come first, so if the sensations were the effect of muscle death, you would pretty much be dragging your foot by the time it got to the point you are feeling right now. Anxiety CAN and DOES cause those sensations.
Try to breath through the panic, it is really a good tool to get through a crisis. Breath in for 4, hold for 2, breathe out for 6. And do it until the intense fear passes.
There is something wrong, but it is NOT ALS, it's anxiety, and that is no picnic. Try to remind yourself that you deserve to live a happy, fear free life and that anxiety is keeping you from that right now, the fear is the disease.
I hope you are able to get through this day and find a way to cope and find some peace.
Try to remind yourself that IF the twitching and buzzing was indeed ALS, which I am sure it isn't, you would have significant weakness to go with it. The weakness would come first, so if the sensations were the effect of muscle death, you would pretty much be dragging your foot by the time it got to the point you are feeling right now. Anxiety CAN and DOES cause those sensations.
Try to breath through the panic, it is really a good tool to get through a crisis. Breath in for 4, hold for 2, breathe out for 6. And do it until the intense fear passes.
There is something wrong, but it is NOT ALS, it's anxiety, and that is no picnic. Try to remind yourself that you deserve to live a happy, fear free life and that anxiety is keeping you from that right now, the fear is the disease.
I hope you are able to get through this day and find a way to cope and find some peace.
Thank you! I try to tell myself that “if you had als you wouldn’t be able to jump rope on one foot or walk on your toes.” It works for a few minutes then I wonder what if my case is just different.Titus, I know what you are feeling. Did you have a particularly stressful day?
Try to remind yourself that IF the twitching and buzzing was indeed ALS, which I am sure it isn't, you would have significant weakness to go with it. The weakness would come first, so if the sensations were the effect of muscle death, you would pretty much be dragging your foot by the time it got to the point you are feeling right now. Anxiety CAN and DOES cause those sensations.
Try to breath through the panic, it is really a good tool to get through a crisis. Breath in for 4, hold for 2, breathe out for 6. And do it until the intense fear passes.
There is something wrong, but it is NOT ALS, it's anxiety, and that is no picnic. Try to remind yourself that you deserve to live a happy, fear free life and that anxiety is keeping you from that right now, the fear is the disease.
I hope you are able to get through this day and find a way to cope and find some peace.
I’m a guy who seemingly has it together from the outside looking in but every year that goes by I’m crumbling on the inside. Getting more and more exhausting to fake it to everyone.
This time of year in my job I’m on my feet a LOT and it’s killing my feet, legs and back. My left foot buzzes and twinges the worst after I’ve been on my feet a lot. That sends me into a panic. I’ve always had a bad back from college FB injury.Thank you! I try to tell myself that “if you had als you wouldn’t be able to jump rope on one foot or walk on your toes.” It works for a few minutes then I wonder what if my case is just different.
I’m a guy who seemingly has it together from the outside looking in but every year that goes by I’m crumbling on the inside. Getting more and more exhausting to fake it to everyone.
I finally go to a psychiatrist next week. After a 3 month wait basicallyThis time of year in my job I’m on my feet a LOT and it’s killing my feet, legs and back. My left foot buzzes and twinges the worst after I’ve been on my feet a lot. That sends me into a panic. I’ve always had a bad back from college FB injury.