I am about one year into peri with no period for 6 months. I have posted before on the muscle twitching board. I continue to twitch all over-this has been going on for nine months. I have had all of the tests and am told it is BFS. For the last month or so I have noticed a tightness like there is a rubberband around my upper left arm. It's very weird and wondered if anyone else in this great power surge community has felt this. I have a lot of muscle fatigue and it gets worse with exercise.

I would appreciate any feedback!

patty

Yes, I have had the "band" feeling before too ! First I started with tingling in my face, arms and legs. Then I had that "zing" of a shocking sensation up the back of my neck and head. Then I would have the "band" sensation, where it felt like the doc was taking off the blood pressure cuff, but it would happen on my arms and legs! Then I would feel weak, like I was having a stroke or something. That, plus worse heart-skipping, freezing/hot spells, intrernal shaking was the start of my meno. With three different neurologist's opinions and 2 brain and spine MRIs, they could find nothing wrong. Add nausea, dizziness and anxiety attacks to the above, and well, this is our wonderful perimenopause !! This started a couple of years ago, and the "band" episodes are very few and far between now, but the rest continues, off and on. I only go about 3 months with skipping a period, and then BAM!, they're back regularly every 28 days. It really stinks. I hope I can live through the rest of this roller coaster ride (I'm 51). p.s. I don't get twitching all over, but I do get eye-twitching every few months. If you only go to a neurologist to calm your fears, it is worth it. But otherwise, Patty, it sounds normal !!

Wow! Sounds just like me. How do you keep from freaking out?? It really helps to hear that I have company in this misery. I get the face thing as well. Sort of a numbness but more like something is crawling on it. I've been to 3 neuros and one said it was post-viral and another BFS but none thought it was due to peri.

Thank you!

OMG - yes! I have had this off and on for a few years now. Usually it's my left arm, but occasionally the right as well. I also get squeezing sensations (like a contraction) in my chest, neck, calves and even my belly at times. Like an all over palpitation. And to be honest, it still freaks me out when it happens. For me, it's usually a period of these contractions all over my body for a period of time. Maybe a day, maybe a week, then it just goes away. So weird.

I just started a Magnesium/Calcium supplement, which I understand helps with these twinges, twitches, spasms and even palpitations. I hope so - I feel like I'm losing my mind with these darn things!

Best to you,

Bobbi

You might want to Google multiple sclerosis symptoms.

It is my personal opinion that you should NOT Google MS symptoms. I have a history of panic attacks and anxiety and looking up symptoms for diseases is a big NO NO for people like me. Whatever I read, I end up mimicking.

Because of this disorder, I have been tested for everything under the sun - and my results always come back normal, so I am not worried about MS.

Bobbi

Hi Bobbi,
I am so with you in this opinion about googling symptoms for diseases!
A lot of us here (including myself) have been seriously damaged by doing this. I know about the panic attacks, anxiety and depression it can cause... .

Nic

I agree wholeheartedly with Nic and Bobbi, it is because of googling symptoms that I am in my most current mess. The tingling and shaking tremors in my lower body and extreme tension in upper body caused from the intense ANXIETY I am experiencing of late has me stressed to the max. In fact I am seriously contemplating not coming back here to read these boards because of suggestions and comments made by some well meaning posters that just does not help someone with severe health anxiety.

I'm sorry for the rant but I am at my witsend with what to do with myself as I have simply had enough of this uncertainty about my health albeit most probably all in my head but nonethesame it is very real to me. And to think I may have years and freakin years of this to go before I even think of skipping a period or two. I'll be a complete basket case by the time meno shows it's ugly face

Rox

I know what you mean, Rox. Someone once posted something about a strange arm pain and someone having a heart attack and the arm pain was the precurser for this person's death--I STILL think about that when my arms start to act up. I can go through my journal and see somewhat of a pattern for the arm pain--so I know that I am probably okay. I've been checked by my doctor 3-4 times a year. My BP meds take care of my BP. If I was REALLY worried, I know I'd make a trip to the ER. It's just the way my mind plays with negative suggestions. I can't let go--even though I tell myself (out loud) that I am only doing this to myself, I need to be positive and not let the negative stuff affect me. Power Surge is usually my positive. I have learned so much here--explanations and ways to be pro-active--but I need to increase my filter on those (well-meaning) posts that invade my mind and are tough to tune out.

BJ

My muscles got so tight, particularly in my arms, that they were yanking on the tendons and irritating the nerves. I'm on a muscle relaxant, and undergoing physical therapy. Just started on bio-H,. I also twitch like mad, and my muscles will contract sometimes, especially when I'm anxious, which is most of the time.

Muscles! Muscles! Oh my ... I am struggling so with muscle issues. My arms are SOOOO incredibly sore/painful and have been for months. My chest is also tight and discomforting - we think as a result of arm issues/muscles - that have been there since LAST AUGUST!!!! All tests are fine - heart, lungs, etc. Yet, the pain and discomfort does not stop. It is there 24/7 and it's wearing me to a frazzle! I can't get good sleep, even with a prescription now - when I wake up, my arms are killing me. I start PT (again) tomorrow - so I'm hopeful. I do not have the twitching -but the muscle pain, aches and tightness - I'm there with you (all). Hang in there and I'll try and do the same. kathleent

DO NOT google any symtoms ...... all roads eventcually lead to the big C......which is rarely the case, and ms symtoms are close too peri symtoms so dont gp there..... been there done that.... look like a fool in the emergency room too many times that i stopped googling any symtoms !!!! come here and read read and read

oh yeah, what is bfs ?

Total agreement DO NOT google symptoms

I started on that slippery slope.

Have also had alot of arm stuff,think it,s quite common amongst us.

Please don,t let a few negative comments put you off coming on here,because good positive comments far outweigh the negative ones.

Take care

I have all these and more...back pain ..face tingling...head dizzy...legs weak and aching...i tell you i have looked up stuff and found im dying from everything...but i can eat fine...too much...i just dont know what to think only help i get is reading these posts and realising im not alone.

I get the tightness and "band" feeling though it is usually in the lower arms (both of them) and goes when I do some stretching.

And in my right leg as well... I had put that down to my varicose vein problem so it still might be.

My chiro taught me a couple of exercises which help.

First one is to swing your arm slowly round like a windmill and watch your hand the whole way. Do it a couple of times, change direction and do a couple more. Really stretch. Then do the other arm! Watching your hand is important because of the relationship between hand and eye (she told me).

This next one is great. Stand flat against a wall. Push your shoulders right, right back against the wall, and your feet, your bum, your head (tuck the chin in). Let your arms just hang down. Hold that position for the count of 30 seconds, relax and then move away. You feel six inches taller and so straight and upright.