This can't be anxiety!

Posted , 3 users are following.

I'm an 18 year old male, I was super fit and I was into lifting weights until about 3 months ago when I started getting pain, only on my left side. The pain seemed like an ache, at first I thought it was in my bones, at the elbow on my left arm and somewhere in the knee. It was hard to walk since the pain was behind the knee. I got checked and was given some muscle relaxants.

Then I started getting muscle tightness in my neck when I yawned, and twitching in my left thigh. I was lucky enough to have my doctor visually SEE my twitches but he didn't seem concerned. He sent me home with benign fasciculations.

After that, I started getting weird cold feelings inside my body and a weird feeling in the back of my head and my arms seemed to be falling asleep, I went into the ER and they said it was parasthesia of my limbs which could be caused by constant worry. I agreed because I had been obsessing over ALS since I haven't been diagnosed with anything.

Now for the past couple of days, it feels as though I'm short of breath, I get random severe back pain, but it isn't localized. I'm not sure how to define my back pain but I've read on stupid google that back spasms can be associated with ALS. Im planning on going to my GP tomorrow. I feel very short of breath along with all the other symptoms I've stated. They've only really appeared on the left side of my body.

I've had an MRI of my head and neck, chest X-ray, multiple different blood work, (CBC, Vitamin deficiency test, etc.) I've even been to a neuro who completely dismissed my worries because of my age. I'm not saying I have ALS, what I'm saying is that all of these physical symptoms cannot be in my mind when I have clearly felt sick for over 3 months now. I know the mind is powerful. But I use to be a really laid back guy until now. I'm constantly worrying about my health, I wouldn't be worrying if I was getting better. But it's only getting worse.

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Don't worry about als. It tends to come on slowly. I would be more inclined to think that you may have pinched a nerve in your back. At your age you should be ok. I have a friend with als and symptoms get worse as one gets older.
    • Posted

      No, that is probably due to anxiety. although it depends on where the nerve damage is. It can cause loss of control as far as bowels and urinary function. It can cause breathing difficulty, but not being short of breath. That is usually caused by lung problems or heart. But with your age it is unlikely that would happen although it can in rare cases. Either way a doctor should evaluate your situation.
  • Posted

    How long where you lifting weights? Do you think you might have injured something from whatever regimin you did to get suoer fit! Are you on supplements? Vitamins? Herbal anything? Do you drink suppliments, protein drinks? Where you on medication for anything? There are certain antibiotics that can injure muscles..when this started where you on a ny antibiotics? Dont diagnose yourself it never goes very well and temds to make you sick or sicker. Food allergy? Be very honest with any questions any doc answers you so they can help you.
    • Posted

      I was lifting weights since was 12 but started to get seriously involved in lifting about 2 years ago. I was going about 5-6 days a week and making sure my diet was clean. I haven't had a pop in 4 years and I only had protein supplements. I made sure to take the indicated amount and asides from that nothing else. I stayed away from creatine. I was taking multi vitamins at one point and I am not allergic to any medications as far as I'm aware. Like I said. I don't believe it is ALS either. But I also don't think it's anxiety like I've been told. Just want to feel normal again.
  • Posted

    Hello Nick. Please always listen to your body. It's your 'home for life' and must be given ten-star attention. If some activity hurts it in a bad way, stop doing the activity even if the world and his family are doing it. I had a friend who developed osteoarthritis in older age and is sure it was due to overdoing welghts in earlier life. Everything in moderation is the key and if in doubt always ask the medical professionals.

    I know it can be hard at such a young age to really understand what I'm going to say, but I'm going to try. Recently, I've been in hospitals visiting a number of admitted elderly relatives/friends. It's heart rending to see some of the things they go through. All of them say we don't really care for ourselves in young age and then live to regret it later. Older age is going to bring on some stuff of its own we may not have control over, but at least we can do the parts we can control. Drs., nurses, carers, etc. can only do so much, and never as much as you can do for yourself if you start now. That includes no toxic thinking which has been scientifically shown to affect your biology in bad ways, including the genes! I know it's easier said than done, but it's gets easier and easier if you practise every day.

     

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