Neuro appointment done, at least

[mollyfin]

I saw the neurologist today.  He seemed weirded out by something my arms were doing because he kept having me repeat the tests for those (the grip, the hold em out and close your eyes, the move them in various fast ways simultaneously), but ultimately said my exam was "normal" except my leg reflexes are super-hyper.  Which I think is mostly tension based or else just how I am, because this isn't news to me.  I could feel myself having tremors in my right hand and arm during the tests so maybe that's what he kept rechecking.  For whatever reason, it's the right one being more uncooperative today (it was my left side being uncooperative that got me the appointment in the first place).  I failed the touch your nose test with that arm twice.  Nearly fell over when I stood on my toes because my leg muscles were shaking so hard.  And yet somehow all of this is more or less normal!

I asked specifically about a tumor, which he said was "very unlikely."  He also said we really can't know what's up until I'm off the Wellbutrin, so I should check in with my regular doctor after I've been off it a while.  Which I hope means I can finally STOP TAKING THAT GARBAGE. 

I'm still nervous about it.  Maybe I'll feel better once I talk to my regular doctor after they confer next week.  He seemed really intrigued/concerned by the arm thing, but maybe I was just reading too much into it. 

I should be able to relax about this now, I would think, but...I'm still worried.  Maybe it's just because I still feel crappy.  I mean, if he thought there was any possibility that something was actually wrong with my brain he would've recommended further testing, right?

[sixpack]

sounds like you passed your neuro exam.

people with tumors and ms and als and any other neuro nasty do NOT.  I repeat do NOT pass the neuro exam.  you had tremors and the other minor happenings during your appointment because you are an anxietal mess.  As we all know around here, anxiety doesn't just affect the mind.  It affects the body.

you still feel crappy because you live in a chronic state of anxiety.  do you actually think the neuro appointment was going to wipe away months or years of you living anxiously?   As my thread about my eyes indicates, a body living with a lot of stress or INTENSE anxiety  takes a LOT of punches.  It is punch drunk and is going to need ample time and work to start feeling better.

You can help your body recover OR you can make it endure more punches from your anxious over thinking.  Your choice   

[mollyfin]

Yep.  It's always like this after a major panic...it'll take some time to stop fretting over it.  The ONLY time that hasn't been true was the time I had definitive proof that I didn't have cancer.  Although I may have just gotten over that faster because the painkillers they gave me after the surgery were AWESOME 

Wellbutrin increases anxiety as well as causing insane side effects...I knew it was a bad idea to start on it again...why don't I ever stand up for myself with my psych doc?  God knows I have no trouble annoying the crap out of every other doctor I meet!

But I imagine you're right...if I hadn't passed the neuro test, he would've been concerned enough to send me for tests.  He didn't, so he wasn't, so I shouldn't be worried either. 

[gcalex]

I congratulate you for resolving to get off wellbutrin.  At the risk of alienating people who feel otherwise, I don't understand the attitude of the psychiatric community that people principally need drugs for their anxiety or depression issues.  I really and truly don't.  It's hard to stand up to them, because you think they know more than you do and they come across as so authoritative -- but guess what -- it's a facade for the most part.  They know what drug reps tell them and what they learn at drug company conferences, in my experience.   You want to do something positive on google -- look up Dr. Daniel Carlat and his article in the New York Times about being a drug rep.  Or worse, there is an article in Atlantic magazine called something like confessions of a drug rep.  SCARY stuff.  OH I SHOULD ADD --- IN MY OPINION.

[bertybotts]

If your neurologist even so much as had an INKLING that you had MS, ALS, or a tumor, you`d find yourself with an MRI appt in the next few days. Doctors do not take chances.

[greend]

Good news Mollyfin.  I guess it is now time to start working on your anxiety. I know it is a long road because I am also on it.  Hope you start to feel well soon.

[Hohum]

Good news, congrats. As above, a specialist would not take chances with your case if there was even a hint of anything to be worried about. You would be booked in for follow-up scans, tests, etc before you even left their offices.

Trembling hands and muscles during the tests are very like, yes you guessed it, good old anxiety!