Does the tingling EVER go away?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:38 am

Hi Cinny,

If it makes you feel any better, I have not gone through any "official" work-up i.e. no scans. I am too afraid to mention any of this to my doctor. I fingured that if it was something that it would have gotten worse by now....I've had these symptoms off and on for the last 3 years. Me better than mere mortals? If only my patients knew what I thought about....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:32 pm

Well, left the therapist today, and decided on the way home, to at least, have the nerve conductivity test that my FNP recommended, due to my spondylosis in my neck. I am slowly getting that courage up. My eye is still slightly blurry, doesn't really change. Still tingling in my left arm and both legs/feet. But I had a panic attack last night, at least that is what I think it was, but I was totally numb, freaked out, sitting up in bed. The more I freaked out, the more numb I became. I don't think I have ever had one before, and I didn't like it at all.

Waking up this morning, was to my blurry eye, and a sense of doom... I hate that. But I did feel more empowered after leaving the therapist, and I have to address my fears. So... I will be making an appointment tomorrow for at least the conductivity test. My neck has been so tight, and almost rock hard and achy. I have been trying to rub it out, and massage it, and it seems to help. Here we go, back to the doc, and the fears that come with getting tested for things that I don't understand. I hate the helpless feelings, and I really have to work on that, and be positive. Philippians 4 is my solace.

Has anyone had a conductivity test for tingling/pins and needles? I don't know what to expect. Thanks to all of you.

aquaria · Post by **aquaria** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:14 am

Geez Cinny, I am sorry that so much is happening to you. Remember that a panic attack cannot hurt you. You are not having a hard attack, you are not going crazy. Just float with the panic attack. I think it would be good to get the conductivity test to put your mind at ease. Cinny, are you taking any medication, like anti-anxiety, or an anti-depressant? If you are not, maybe you might consider this until you start feeling more confident. What session are you on? Hope today is a better day. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying that better days will be here soon so that you can enjoy your retirement.

Leopolda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:04 am

Thank you so much for the support Leopolda. I am glad you read my posts.

I am not actually retired, just from the fire service. Still working, and at 42, will be for a long time I hope.

But, I am stuck in a cubicle most of the day, (but I have a window), and stare at a computer all day. I think that is alot of my problem. I have WAY too much time to think and catastrophize. When I worked outside, and was active all the time, I never had time to think of this garbage. Now I am working as an engineer, although I am not degreed in that, and have to think clearly and quickly. I am having a really hard time with that. I am also worried that if I can't get it together quickly, I may place my job in jeopardy. Adds to my stress alot. Not a good time to be out of work, especially with a family of little ones.

I did call, and have a conductivity test scheduled for next Tuesday, the 17th. St. Patty's day. I am spoiled, as I can usually get in to see my doc on a days notice. I normally don't have to wait. So, having to wait a week, is not really what I need. Already feel anxious. So, I guess now I will have a week to practice my anxiety skills. Right eye, as always, just slightly blurry, tingling shins and left arm. Still worried about the conductivity tests. I don't know what they are, and I refuse to look it up on google. I am not sure what they will show, and if they come out bad, I am poorly prepaired for that.

Yes, I take 300mg generic wellburtrin, and .5 ativan as required, for 6 wweks now. I hate the ativan, and try not to take it, but sometimes it does calm me. I cut it in half, to .25. Eye doc said the wellbutrin may cause some blurry eyes, but he didn't have enough experience with it to say how long, and if it would effect only one eye. Gave me lubricating eye drops. No other eye problems that he could find. Some floaters, but nothing concerning to him. Looking back in my journal, the eye problem popped up at the same time my doc asked me if I was having any eye problems, and when I started the medication, all on the same day. Jan. 29. My wife says that I complained about my eye off and on for about a year, but I don't recall that. I seems to me, that it comes and goes, as there are times, that I never notice it. Other times, it is all I can think about, and that it is there constantly. Especially when I am looking at my monitors, white background. It just "feels" different. But I also clentch my teeth alot, and have tons of numbness, forehead, ears, face, neck, upper body, arms, legs. I breathe wrong, I am pretty sure, and am panicky almost constantly. I have been fighting a sinus infection for a couple of weeks now. I bounce my leg constantly, trying to burn off adrenaline I think. I am really glad that I stopped by in here, as you folks are a great support group. I can't wait until I am getting along better, and I can return the favor to others.

Anyone know anything about conductivity tests?

I hope you have a great day Leopolda, and I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that you make me feel better, all the way out on the west coast. Thank you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:46 am

Hi Cinny,

Please know that you have a friend in Florida. I don't know but for some reason I thought you were retired and you are only 42 with a family to take care of. This I know is very difficult because when my kids were little I had major depression and severe anxiety where I was hospitalized for a week. Just the thought of taking care of my family, getting up each morning and getting the kids ready for school, go myself to work, housework, groceries, laundry, bills,etc...I don't know to this day how I did it all. Let me tell you, it was exhausting. I never want to go back there again. After nine months of hell, the psychiatrist that I was going to, finally realized that I was suffering from major depression and immediately hospitalized me. I went through a series of tests, including a spit test (now this was 20 years ago) and come to find out that I had a chemical imbalance. He put me on lithium and pamelor. Within two weeks, I felt this fog lift from my brain and I was better. When my father passed away and I got depressed and some anxiety back. But nothing compared to my first episode.

I don't know anything about conductivity tests and you don't want to look it up, but if you change your mind and want me to look it up for you I will.

I work to in a cubicle and have a lot of free time on my hands. That does not help me. I would prefer to be busy. Do you fake it at work? I do. No one knows what I am going through. I hate to put on a fake smile. Oh well, what are we to do.

I see that you do get support from your wife which is really great. My husband does not know because he has been unemployed since August of last year and he has a lot on his plate for me to burden him with this. The only support I get, is this website.

Cinny if you ever need to talk or want to email me, send me a PM.

Leopolda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:18 am

Dr. called off the conductivity tests today, by phone, out of the blue. She says I need a MRI, and that she will schedule that for me... Naturally, that is freaking me out... Now I am going to stew over that until they call me with my appointment. I guess it is needed, but I sure don't want too...

She is putting the request in for my cervical spine. I assume that they scan the head all at the same time.

I am not afraid of the test, just the results... Just that sense of doom, you know...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:21 am

Remember what Lucinda said, 95% of the time it's nothing. We over analysis everything. Don't worry yourself over this, it is not doing you any good. Think good positive thoughts that this is going to be ok, that you do not have an illness or disease. That you will be ok. You will get better. It is just going to take some time. Are you doing the program? Go back to session 8. Listen to the CD and to the workbook. Have you ever gone to the chat room? There are a lot of helpful people on there that have been through the program and are better now. I go on there around 3:00 p.m. eastern time. Hope you can get on there so we can chat.

Take care and hope to hear back from you.

Leopolda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:43 am

Well, got the results of the MRI back yesterday afternoon... Still spondylosis. Some narrowing between the vertebra. Good news as far as that goes.. From a previous neck injury, years ago. It is in the place that would cause the original tingling left arm complaint.

Nothing they want to do about it at this time, as it is not very bad, by MRI. When I ask the doc, if that would make my face, ankles numb, and affect my vision at all, and she said not really. ??? Seems I am never satisfied with the answers. Either they never look in the right place at the right time, or take my symptoms to seriously. Especially the eye, which is my biggest concern. My neck gets sore and rock hard at times, and maybe that effects the numbness? That, and I am still clenching my teeth, and my temples get super sore. Right next to my right eye. Maybe that is what makes them ache. ?? In my heart, I know she is right, but convincing my brain is difficult. I have no other issues.. No loss of coordination, no loss of strength, etc. Never was.

In fact, the tingling and burning that was my biggest concern in the beginning, has actually improved quite a bit. Nerves take a ridiculous amount of time to heal! I fell out of the attic, December 27, and I am finally starting to get over some of the tingling. Probably will be months before they are normal-ish again.

Just the damn temple aches and the eye cloudy/ache. Vision tests still good. In fact, great for my age. Grrr... That is the most concerning thing that I have delt with.

Wellbutrin? Ativan? Nerves? My eyes are always red and dry.

Stupid eyes anyway...

Who needs 'em..

Promoted at work, doubled my work load, that is why I am in here working today on a Saturday, and 1/2 tomorrow, and 10 hours a day during the week, and 3 hours of night school on Wed, Thu, Fri, daughters swimming after school, sons T-
Ball, a Director on my Home Owners Association, VFW member, and on and on...

I am blessed with a job, but it figures that it increases when I am preoccupied with my impending diseases that I don't even have yet. God does have a sense of humor. Maybe He is trying to keep me so busy, that I don't have time to die of something today.. Might have to put that off until tomorrow..

Thanks for letting my vent my continuing saga, and for you support Leopolda, and the other kind folks that have taken the time to listen to me! The groups in here is good therapy, and costs alot less..

I hope that there is someone similar, that can relate.

Still in the program, in fact backed up to session 8, for refreshers..

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:52 am

Congratulations on the job promotion. As I read your post, you have way too much on your plate. Can you let some of those things go, like Director of your Home Owners Association? I think you should also go to physical therapy for your muscle tension. I think this will help you. If you can get your doctor to write a prescription for you, your insurance should pay it. It will help you loosen up a bit.

Someone I meet online told me the following regarding my anxiety:

"One thing you must know about recovery is that it truly is a process. And because we are all so different, with different life experiences, our journey (although similar) is different depending on our interpretation of our life events and what happens to us. Anxiety is like-
the more you stay focused on something, the bigger it gets and the more you notice those sensations and the longer you do it, the stronger those sensations become.

The average human body feels all kinds of sensations throughout the day. They are normal and "average". But the person who is looking for these sensations to prove something (like perhaps that their anxiety is still there)....will only become frustrated because they consider their sensations to be something that should not exist.

The average person who does not suffer anxiety, puts up with all kinds of sensations but the trick is, they accept them and don't give them more attention than they deserve. What happens?
They focus on something else and those sensations fade off into the background, so much that they don't feel them anymore.When the StressCenter.com says that this program is almost 99% about Acceptance - they were not kidding.

Accepting your body symptoms means accepting they are there, realizing they are only symptoms, don't make a big deal out of them, realize they exist but practice focusing on things OUTSIDE of you.

This is one of those things that takes a tremendous amount of effort and persistence.
It's about creating a new habit of thinking and reacting.

It is only when you have done these things long enough that you begin to feel the effects in your body.

As in the StressCenter.com program states- it takes about 1000 times of doing something before you actually begin to feel the effects of it in your body.

As long as you fear anxiety will stay - it will be there.

Once you stop caring and reduce this care - it will leave."

I have taken her advice to heart and I am working hard. One thing she suggested that I do. Is tape record myself changing my negative thoughts to a positive that I think about most of the day. She suggested that I play it while I work, clean house, etc. She said it helped her a lot in her recovery. I've written down what I want to say to myself throughout the day, now I just have to record it. Perhaps you should try this too.

I cannot wait until the day comes that you and I can post our triumph. Have a good day! Peace, Leopolda

Iwillbeatthis · Post by **Iwillbeatthis** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:02 am

Sorry it took so long to answer you Leopolda. Thank you for your post! I have read it about 10 times now, reminding my self that it will pass, and that I need to focus outside myself. I am doing ok, with it. Not good, not bad, just ok. I have been staying busy, as you read my previous post. I feel better that way. Sometimes I wonder, how many people I run into in a day, that feel bad on the inside too, but I don't know it, because they don't show it either. I'll bet it is more than I would believe. We are just able to talk more freely about it in here, because we are all in the same boat. Bigger boat than what we think though I'll bet. I have been trying to do what you said, as my counselor said the same thing. Need to shift that focus past the symptoms. Observe them. Then remind yourself that they are yours, and that you can get past them yourself. It does take a long time?! Not very much fun, but just one more thing that we have to press through.

I see that a lot of people have read this post, and that makes me think that there is alot of people with tingling and numbness, that haven't posted their feelings in this post. I hope that folks that read this, will also tell their stories, and how they moved on past it too..