New to Forum - Health Scare in 2011

[YellowWolf]

Hi everybody..this is my first post but I have been lurking around here for several months now. This all started for me in Sept-Oct 2011 after another health scare. Before this I was the happiest I have ever been.I started having the pins and needles sensations in both my hands and feet but that was short lived. It very quickly turned into widespread twitching. I then did the stupid thing and googled! well we know what happened then..full freak out mode! I did all the self tests and was consumed with the fear of the big bad. I really tried to ignore my symptoms but just couldn't. The next thing that happened I started getting muscle pain and cramp type feelings. I told myself it was because of all the self tests. Then my little toe on my right foot started moving on its own. It still to this day pulls away from the other toes. I went to the Dr. and he wasn't sure what to make of it but suggested a neurologist. I have gone to see a neuromuscular specialist in my area. He did a full clinical exam including reflexes. I noticed when he checked my hands he did it more than once. He remarked that I have brisk reflexes. He told me that he does not believe I have als but has scheduled an emg and ncv for March 22nd. I felt better when I left his office but when I came home I googled hand reflexes and learned about hoffman-tromer. I have done this on myself and I get a positive response so now I am as scared as ever! Should I be worried? This board has been a great comfort to ke the last couple of months and would appreciate any feedback

 

[YellowWolf]

I also wanted to ask..those of you with cramps are they widespread or localized? Also are they very severe or just brief muscle pain?My hope is that the widespread nature is more indicative of bfs.

 

[PrickLedPin]

I don't have cramps. But may be you have "false cramps". There is a confusion between names.It could only be pain that come suddenly in any part of the body especially legs and feet and move around from one area to another ... and i had that.The wide spread nature of your problem and the sudden onset the all mark of BFS. Not of a BIG disease like ALS.I too have hyper-reflexes.If you (and your doc) don't have noticed a real loss of strength ... for sure.You said you had a heath scare prior to that ... an infection? May be the trigger (like lot of peoples here).My advice.1) Don't look to crazy diseases with google. You don't need to know about something that will not apply to you.2) Wait for exams and advise after with your doc.3) Relax and don't be scared. You may have to live with a chronic condition for many years ...Good luck.

 

[YellowWolf]

Thank you for your response. My health scare in Sept. came from some swelling in the supraclavicular area in my neck. The Dr.s thought it could be swollen lymph nodes but after blood work and a cat scan it was ruled to be benign but the whole thing really had me worked up. I am trying to keep myself calm and not jump to conclusions but this fear is overwhelming. I honestly did not know anything about the big bad until googling it. It is sad but I am hoping something shows up in my bloodwork like thyroid so I can move on. Otherwise I will just sweat it out until emg. I had recieved the flu shot in Sept 2011 before this started...anyone else think that there could be a connection?

 

[MsMaverick]

Hi Tessa!We have a couple things in common. My BFS started after an unrelated health scare and right after a flu shot. Whether either have anything to do with the other-who knows. Personally I believe it was a combination. Prolonged stress related to the health scare, possibly compounded by the flu shot. It could have been just too much for my system to handle. Now for the good news- I am a year into this and doing well, just like you will be. Your case sounds classic and once you hang around here and have your testing you can start the journey to BFS normal.