tingling. pins and needles. sunburned feeling.

[monicam]

About 2 years ago I started suffering from tingling and pins and needles feelings on my legs and arms. I went to few different doctora because I of course thought I had MS. Why? Because I googled my symptoms. I was not convinced that it was jist anxiety so as time went on I found myself going to the emergency 3 or 4 times a week due to anxirty attacks. Everything cane back normal. Finally I saw a nuerologist and got a mri on my brain. Everything came back nornal. After the MRI. I finally found somr relief. I staryed seeing a therapist and was put on prozac. Keep in mind this was 2 years ago. I am now 23 years old and about 3 days ago the feeling came back. It started as a burning sensation in my arms and now its more of pins and needles in my legs and arms. I am also very fatigued. I have been going theough a lot the past few months. My mother got ill and she has a major surgery coming up. We also lost our apt last august and I also got dumped last august. Im just scared because these feelijgs cane from no where. My head feels tight and the pins and needles is what really scares me. Its a all day thing even when im relaxed. Please help me someone. It seems this is the only place where people wont criticize me or call me a crazy hypochondriac

[greend]

I am sorry you are feeling so awful.  Anxiety can sure do that to you.  You said you've been to a doctor and and the results came back normal, so this is a good thing.  If you haven't read the 100 signs of anxiety you should because it is a real eye opener.  Everything you have described is on that list.

Working on your anxiety is critical in feeling better.  I read self-help books, exercise, do yoga, try to eat right and do a bit of meditation.  All these things help.  As people on this board will tell you, the improvement doesn't happen immediately, it takes time.  Keep working at it.  And, definitely don't google.  This in my opinion is one of the worst things you can do. 

I hope you start to feel better soon and just know there are many people suffering from the same symptoms you are experiencing and what they have is anxiety.

[Hohum]

Hi monicam, welcome to the forums!

It sounds like you've had a really rough time during the last few months, so I am sorry to hear that. Anxiety very often "flares up" after a particularly stressful event, or series of events. As greend suggested, reading the sticky posts and the anxiety symptoms list should be very eye-opening for you.

Anxiety can cause very real, physical symptoms just as many organic illnesses can. The difference is that organic disease does not take a break for a couple of years, then mysteriously come back. It persists, at the same level with the same symptoms, and typically gets worse and worse over time. The fact that your symptoms come and go makes all signs point to anxiety as the cause.

Ask yourself - if you had never read up about MS in the past would you even suspect it? Would you be rushing off to the doctor now with "unknown" symptoms? My guess would probably be no, you would chalk it up to stress and anxiety (the likely cause).

[PennyPanic]

Monicam,

I get this too.  I've been so worried about other things this hasn't hit my radar lately, but I've had this off and on for years...oh maybe at least 15-20 years...not sure.

I told my doc about this once and he said "meh, that's nothing" and it INSTANTLY went away and stayed away for a long time.

I always consult my doc, that's prudent and right in my opinion...but it is true that anxiety can cause all sorts of weirdo symptoms.

Hang in there!

[monicam]

Wow thank you all for taking the time to respond. I feel better after reading everything. I was also wondering if you guys ever experienced a "sunburned"  type of feeling on upper back and arms? And I also freaked out because the symptoms are a little worse this time. But it makes sense that a illness does not take a break for a couple years.  Thank you all again..and please respond when you have a chance :)

[greend]

Yes, I've had the sunburned feeling before.  I know others who have experienced this as well.  When I get that feeling I don't worry about it anymore because it goes a way.  Try not to over think it, it will only make it worse.

[monicam]

Thank you, greend. I think what makes me more anxious is that im actually relaxed and I still feel it. Ironic right? Haha. I also feel muscle twitches. I just feel like im losing it sometimes. But thanks again it really oes ease it when you kmow you're not alone

[PennyPanic]

Yes...but in my legs.  Weird hugh?

[Hohum]

I think I know what you mean. I get the same thing sometimes, like a skin hypersensitivity. Never pay any attention to it and it disappears after a while. Try not to focus on it, and you'll likely find it gets better or resolves completely.

[monicam]

Ughhhh my back arms and legs feel lime they're burning. I feel helpless