Still afraid of als

[Phillies Phan]

Do you also accept that all these symptoms are huge indicators of an anxiety condition? You've been "wasting away" for months and months now yet here you are still able to lift everything, walk, talk and be alive! You might "feel like" you can't do these things. But that only feels like. The reason your weight hasn't changed is because nothing has changed. Only your thoughts. If you've managed to stop symptom checking online that's great, but have you stopped symptom checking physically? No. You don't need to be looking constantly at yourself to check how flat your arm is? This behaviour is just reinforcing your anxiety condition. If you want to believe you're ill accept your illness as an anxiety driven one. Therapy will help but you have to start with accepting this is a mental health illness. Your doctors have had decades of training and complex medical tests next to you checking in the mirror and thinking your arm is flat therefore self diagnosing als? Every symptom you have listened is a symptom of chronic anxiety not als. You can do it, come on! Routing for you to get over this!

I would only add that when one truly looses muscle mass, you will see related weight loss. So if you had objective loss of muscle mass, you wouldn’t be maintaining your weight. Beware if your anxiety is affecting your appetite, which is very common, as lack of food WILL cause weight loss, so don’t try to connect that to ALS.

I’ve been on health anxiety boards for a long while. I’ve seen so many people like yourself fearing they have ALS. The total number who actually had it = 0. Above all else, the EMGs you had would show even early denervation of muscles, nerves and other signs of the disease.

I do feel for you, believe me. Seems most of us with HA, while having a general fear of deadly diseases, are preoccupied with one or two specifically. Just watching this board shows that. I know it’s mentally exhausting. I get it all too well. But at some point, we have to trust our doctors, and with you, not only that, but the testing they provided.

HA is a vicious beast, but when you accept the way it affects the mind, you can get to the point where you rationalize. ALS incidence is 1-50,000. For those with anxiety, it’s effects, often very intense, are 1 in every 1 person..all of us.

 

[Brandon713]

Do you also accept that all these symptoms are huge indicators of an anxiety condition? You've been "wasting away" for months and months now yet here you are still able to lift everything, walk, talk and be alive! You might "feel like" you can't do these things. But that only feels like. The reason your weight hasn't changed is because nothing has changed. Only your thoughts. If you've managed to stop symptom checking online that's great, but have you stopped symptom checking physically? No. You don't need to be looking constantly at yourself to check how flat your arm is? This behaviour is just reinforcing your anxiety condition. If you want to believe you're ill accept your illness as an anxiety driven one. Therapy will help but you have to start with accepting this is a mental health illness. Your doctors have had decades of training and complex medical tests next to you checking in the mirror and thinking your arm is flat therefore self diagnosing als? Every symptom you have listened is a symptom of chronic anxiety not als. You can do it, come on! Routing for you to get over this!
[/QUOTE
I’ve definitely accept the fact that I have health anxiety but dealing with other things that is coming up is why I think it’s something else too. My grip in both of my hands have gotten weaker and my hands have deteriorated. My thighs are a lot my flexible due to loose of muscle tone as well as my back. It’s a little harder to walk. Things have gotten worse. If I was in doing a little better or doing the same then I’ll feel like it was only health anxiety but I seem to be getting worse.

I would only add that when one truly looses muscle mass, you will see related weight loss. So if you had objective loss of muscle mass, you wouldn’t be maintaining your weight. Beware if your anxiety is affecting your appetite, which is very common, as lack of food WILL cause weight loss, so don’t try to connect that to ALS.

I’ve been on health anxiety boards for a long while. I’ve seen so many people like yourself fearing they have ALS. The total number who actually had it = 0. Above all else, the EMGs you had would show even early denervation of muscles, nerves and other signs of the disease.

I do feel for you, believe me. Seems most of us with HA, while having a general fear of deadly diseases, are preoccupied with one or two specifically. Just watching this board shows that. I know it’s mentally exhausting. I get it all too well. But at some point, we have to trust our doctors, and with you, not only that, but the testing they provided.

HA is a vicious beast, but when you accept the way it affects the mind, you can get to the point where you rationalize. ALS incidence is 1-50,000. For those with anxiety, it’s effects, often very intense, are 1 in every 1 person..all of us.

I’ve accepted the fact it’s health anxiety a long time ago. I just feel worse everyday. New symptoms appear even when I’m not looking for anything. I feel like my body is started to fail me. The reason I think I’m loosing muscle mass because I’m more flexible in areas in my body that I weren’t before. My muscles look like they have deteriorated a lot. My muscles around my neck, arms, and legs are extremely soft. I’ve never been a muscular guy and I am obese, however I’ve always been active because I work where I’m always lifting 5 gallon pales of paint and everything seems so heavy to lift.

 

[Seryn]

I mean you've answered yourself there, I'm not surprised you may be feeling sensations when your job enquires so much lifting. Anxious thoughts will always come, especially in the form of physical symptoms when we have health anxiety. It's absolutely draining but it can go. My health anxiety at the moment is constantly causing my to think about pain in my legs. I've had one Dr say it's anxiety and one who wanted to do further tests. Either way it hasn't stopped the constant sensations. If I allow myself to indulge in these feelings it literally paralysises me with worry.

 

[bin_tenn]

I’ve accepted the fact it’s health anxiety a long time ago.

That contradicts what you say a few sentences later:

The reason I think I’m loosing muscle mass because I’m more flexible in areas in my body that I weren’t before. My muscles look like they have deteriorated a lot.

 

[Brandon713]

I mean you've answered yourself there, I'm not surprised you may be feeling sensations when your job enquires so much lifting. Anxious thoughts will always come, especially in the form of physical symptoms when we have health anxiety. It's absolutely draining but it can go. My health anxiety at the moment is constantly causing my to think about pain in my legs. I've had one Dr say it's anxiety and one who wanted to do further tests. Either way it hasn't stopped the constant sensations. If I allow myself to indulge in these feelings it literally paralysises me with worry.

It is very draining. Did you get further test done on your legs? Do you still feel pain now? My legs aren’t in pain but my knees get a slight tightness and feel like I can barely walk because I think I’m developing clinical weakness in my legs

That contradicts what you say a few sentences later:

I only said that because I’m feeling worse and my body is failing me.

 

[Iugrad91]

Your body’s not failing you because you said you can do everything you have been able to do before. ALS is failing, not feeling. Everything you say is you feel weak, you feel like you’re wasting away, yet you can do everything as usual and your weight hasn’t changed. It’s all anxiety. It messes with your perception of things and convinces you there is something wrong when there isn’t.

 

[Brandon713]

Your body’s not failing you because you said you can do everything you have been able to do before. ALS is failing, not feeling. Everything you say is you feel weak, you feel like you’re wasting away, yet you can do everything as usual and your weight hasn’t changed. It’s all anxiety. It messes with your perception of things and convinces you there is something wrong when there isn’t.

I can still do the thing’s normally but it’s getting more difficult to do certain things

 

[Jonathan123]

bin_tenn is so right. You can't have accepted the sensations and still have them. Acceptances has to be total, no half measures. No accepting for a few mimutes then waiting to see if it works. Stop testing yourself. Have you ever asked yourself why we fasten on to a particular disease when there of thousands of them to choose from? It becomes a habit to look for the negative in everything. It's called catastrophising.
Somewhere at some time you have read or heard about A LS and your mind has fastened on to that particulay disease. If I told you that you have Mississippi swamp fever would you look it up on Google? (No such disease so don't bother!). But it will stick in your mind and pop up when least expected, and the symptoms will all be there.
The tricks anxiety can play are endless and all brought about by fear. Fear is a friend not an enemy. It stops us running into danger, but when we allow it free reign it can become overwhelming. It still comes back to to absolute acceptance. Now this is not easy and takes a lot of time and patience, something an anxious person has not got much of.
Health anxiety is one big con trick. If you have been checked out and told it's all 'nerves', believe them. It's like a mirage in the desert. The more you run toward it the more it recedes.
Stop running away from 'IT'. Face and accept it all. Given time and patience it does work,

 

[Brandon713]

bin_tenn is so right. You can't have accepted the sensations and still have them. Acceptances has to be total, no half measures. No accepting for a few mimutes then waiting to see if it works. Stop testing yourself. Have you ever asked yourself why we fasten on to a particular disease when there of thousands of them to choose from? It becomes a habit to look for the negative in everything. It's called catastrophising.
Somewhere at some time you have read or heard about A LS and your mind has fastened on to that particulay disease. If I told you that you have Mississippi swamp fever would you look it up on Google? (No such disease so don't bother!). But it will stick in your mind and pop up when least expected, and the symptoms will all be there.
The tricks anxiety can play are endless and all brought about by fear. Fear is a friend not an enemy. It stops us running into danger, but when we allow it free reign it can become overwhelming. It still comes back to to absolute acceptance. Now this is not easy and takes a lot of time and patience, something an anxious person has not got much of.
Health anxiety is one big con trick. If you have been checked out and told it's all 'nerves', believe them. It's like a mirage in the desert. The more you run toward it the more it recedes.
Stop running away from 'IT'. Face and accept it all. Given time and patience it does work,

Whats tough is that I’ve seen on different forums where a lot of others have the same sensations but ended up getting diagnosed

 

[Iugrad91]

First thing to do is stop looking on forums and no Googling either.

 

[Brandon713]

First thing to do is stop looking on forums and no Googling either.

It is very difficult especially if my body feels different when it doesn’t feel or look built and stocky like before. Trouble with both knees and left elbow

 

[Seryn]

Are you looking at forums for people with ALS though. They would have had exactly the same tests as you. Yet there's came back positive. You haven't got the illness, your tests were negative so you don't need to go on those forums. Anxiety is your illness. Can you accept the illness that's causing all your symptoms is anxiety? I'm glad you said you no you have anxiety, that's a good start. So what symptoms do you think anxiety causes for you? I think if you start saying anxiety causes xyz feelings it might help shift your perspective a bit. Accepting that anxiety can cause every single one of your feelings is a start. I get that it's hard to believe, we've all been there with the what ifs. You're feeling weaker, less strength moving slowly and all the other because of how high your anxiety is.

 

[Phillies Phan]

bin_tenn is so right. You can't have accepted the sensations and still have them. Acceptances has to be total, no half measures. No accepting for a few mimutes then waiting to see if it works. Stop testing yourself. Have you ever asked yourself why we fasten on to a particular disease when there of thousands of them to choose from? It becomes a habit to look for the negative in everything. It's called catastrophising.
Somewhere at some time you have read or heard about A LS and your mind has fastened on to that particulay disease. If I told you that you have Mississippi swamp fever would you look it up on Google? (No such disease so don't bother!). But it will stick in your mind and pop up when least expected, and the symptoms will all be there.
The tricks anxiety can play are endless and all brought about by fear. Fear is a friend not an enemy. It stops us running into danger, but when we allow it free reign it can become overwhelming. It still comes back to to absolute acceptance. Now this is not easy and takes a lot of time and patience, something an anxious person has not got much of.
Health anxiety is one big con trick. If you have been checked out and told it's all 'nerves', believe them. It's like a mirage in the desert. The more you run toward it the more it recedes.
Stop running away from 'IT'. Face and accept it all. Given time and patience it does work,

Jonathan - Just had to look…from a Burlington, Vermont newspaper:

“That was the problem facing Burlington's first settlers in the 1830s, when they struggled across the Mississippi River to scratch a livelihood from a fetid swamp, rife with disease. It was disease that killed more of our forefathers than cranky Indians or rapacious bandits. A listing of the illnesses the first settlers suffered is a walk down a medical hall of horrors, and ague was the worst”.

 

[Brandon713]

Are you looking at forums for people with ALS though. They would have had exactly the same tests as you. Yet there's came back positive. You haven't got the illness, your tests were negative so you don't need to go on those forums. Anxiety is your illness. Can you accept the illness that's causing all your symptoms is anxiety? I'm glad you said you no you have anxiety, that's a good start. So what symptoms do you think anxiety causes for you? I think if you start saying anxiety causes xyz feelings it might help shift your perspective a bit. Accepting that anxiety can cause every single one of your feelings is a start. I get that it's hard to believe, we've all been there with the what ifs. You're feeling weaker, less strength moving slowly and all the other because of how high your anxiety is.

some people have als and others don’t. And my clothes are looser. My wedding ring is loose around my finger

 

[Seryn]

Sometimes I think all sorts with my legs and when I was checking constantly. I looked so much I was convinced some days it was more swollen than others. I looked so much and became so obsessed with checking how much it was pitting i couldnt really tell what had changed and what hadn't. It was then I realised I had to stop the obsessive behaviour as it was driving me mad. I was worrying if it was normal compared to an hour ago. I know if I start checking again those feelings will come back. My legs do swell but the Dr has said I am ok and I have to listen. You're Dr has said you don't have an illness, so for now could you see how long you can go without purposefully checking? I no it's hard. I've been busy and lifting a lot over the weekend so my legs are aching. My anxiety is there at the back of my head willing me to check but I no nothing will come of it if I do except that awful feeling of "am I ill, is this normal" it really can take over your life if you let it. You clothes being a bit looser, your ring seeming looser, that's all ok.

 

[Iugrad91]

Do some research on how health anxiety is a form of OCD and how seeking reassurance (on this forum and others) only makes the obsession stronger. You are doubting the doctors, you are doubting us, what you need to get over this you aren’t going to get from a forum. Have you ever had therapy of any kind to get over these obsessions?

 

[Brandon713]

some people have als and others don’t

Do some research on how health anxiety is a form of OCD and how seeking reassurance (on this forum and others) only makes the obsession stronger. You are doubting the doctors, you are doubting us, what you need to get over this you aren’t going to get from a forum. Have you ever had therapy of any kind to get over these obsessions?

I’ve been in therapy for almost a month now. I just got on the scale because I do weigh myself at least once a weak. I’ve lost 7 lbs but my eating has it changed.

 

[Jonathan123]

Jonathan - Just had to look…from a Burlington, Vermont newspaper:

“That was the problem facing Burlington's first settlers in the 1830s, when they struggled across the Mississippi River to scratch a livelihood from a fetid swamp, rife with disease. It was disease that killed more of our forefathers than cranky Indians or rapacious bandits. A listing of the illnesses the first settlers suffered is a walk down a medical hall of horrors, and ague was the worst”.

Well I am surprised. Honestly, I made that one up. So it is a real disease? It may be that I have fallen foul of my own comments, that I did see Mississippi swamp ferver somewhere and it has stuck in my unconscious. But is does go to show what anxiety can do. Thanks for that.

 

[Iugrad91]

Therapy is going to take quite a bit of time. Hopefully you have a therapist who specializes in OCD.

 

[Brandon713]

Therapy is going to take quite a bit of time. Hopefully you have a therapist who specializes in OCD.

I know it’s going to take some time but things are getting worse rapidly. Both of my hands, fingers, and left forearm feel light and weaker. It’s a different type of weakness like it’s becoming clinical weakness and the muscles are disappearing. I’ve definitely loss weight. Clothes are fitting looser. I haven’t changed my eating habits or did exercise. I have the same feeling on my lower legs.