Hi BFS Colleagues,This is my first post , I´m from Colombia (apologize in advance for my english) and into my 4th month of BFS. Actually, it started while having a major anxiety and panick attack because I was totally convinced I had HIV ( Of course, my fears came after googling the symptoms). My anxiety levels were so high ( at this point I couldn´t care less about the twitches, all I thought was an HIV DEATH, I even seek in the Internet for possible treatments and cures, what an idiot!!!) that had to go the shrink. Obviously, he calmed me down and put things in perspective, assured me that the twitches were due to anxiety and convinced me to get HIV tested, which I did one month after. Well guess what? Tests came back negative and tried to put my life back on track again, but wait a minute! What about the twitches? Why they are not subsiding? is there something more? Around those days I fell into the community and obviously felt comforted by so many people suffering this BFS ordeal and decided to have an neuro appt. as soon as possible. I have to be honest, I´ve had health anxiety for years ( self diagnosed with cancer, HIV, etc) but this ALS MADNESS is way too much (even for me!).It is absolutely absurd that twiches=ALS, I got that clear early on my BFS joyride.Anyway, my neuro performed a complete neurological exam and assured me that for a man my age(35) my neurological functions are perfect, no need for EMG´s of further exams. And diagnosed me with beningn fasciculations ( due to the fact that I only have twitches). He told me the worst thing I can do is go from Doc to Doc in search of a miracle cure ( I guess they recognize health anxiety miles way!)and to get treatment for my anxiety.Conclusions so far:1. Altough I don´t fear in any way my fasciculations, I´ve become SO OBSSESSED by them, it´s almost the only thing in my mind right now, and that bothers me a lot. Maybe deep in my mind, I don´t accept the fact that I did this to myself ( years and years of anxiety, tons and tons of caffeine and soft drinks, alcohol, smoking like a hooker, poor sleep). I always thought that my body would remain the same, I felt fisically invincible.That´s not the case right now,my body is telling me to stop my unhealthy living and habits. 2. I am not going into the Benzos or SSRI´s road. I think they will reduce the natural healing process, remember our bodies are wiser than we are. 3. I have reduced significantly the caffeine and soft drinks intake. Eliminated the alcohol, but still smoking ( yes like a hooker, but not the street type, maybe the classy 5 star hotel hooker). I´m working out like crazy ( GOD BLESS I don´t have exersice intolerance) and watching my diet closely. I´m going to give it a try a couple of months . So far my twiching average remains the same ( in the 20-30/hour range), but who knows?.4. Either I use this BFS S**T for good and move on or make my life a living hell. That simple, that is the BFS dilemma we all have to face. Hopefully the first will prevail.5. Finally, thank you dearly for the inspiring stories on this board and PLEASE PLEASE I BEG YOU to stop the ALS Craziness for good. Would you image what this board would be like totally "I have ALS nobody believes me" free? Good luck ,Ed
Welcome Newbie, Dealing with Anxiety
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