Scared something is really wrong with me

[Beebityboo]

Just feeling very anxious and need to vent. Since Christmas I have been having constant, daily muscle twitches all over my body. I mainly notice it when I'm at rest and sometimes it's accompanied by pins and needles. I put off going to see the GP as I was shielding and I could tolerate it.
But for the last four weeks I have been woken up every single night just before sleep either with one big twitch or because I hear a sound in my head that wakes me up, like a beep or a buzz. Im always terrified after and feel hot and sick and my heart is pounding. I'm utterly phobic of going to bed at this point and I'm exhausted. The GP did some bloods that has shown low folate levels and wants me to take supplements for four months, otherwise he isn't concerned.

I'm terrified though. This doesn't seem normal to me? could this be an issue with my brain or some other kind of neurological issue? It happens every night, sometimes multiple times and the twitching is relentless. Just don't know what to do, I'm scared there is something really wrong. Advice/reassurance would be very appreciated.

Could peri-menopause be at play?

I'm 34 so may be too young? Hadn't considered that to be honest.

I am also wondering if you have low magnesium levels.

It sounds like you're having panic attacks

@Brownteddybear

Your have stated that your own GP isn't concerned. This is someone who presumably had years of medical training and has diagnosed your blood test results and you want unqualified internet randoms to reassure you about your health?

Have I got that right?

She’s scared. With luck she will find some reassurance here. Have some compassion.

The GP didn't want to see me face to face. The nurse took my bloods.

No they aren't panic attacks, I have a panic disorder (since I was seven) and this feels completely different, the twitching happens independently of my emotional state as do these weird sleeping starts I'm having.

If I were you, I would start taking a magnesium supplement and see how it goes. Low magnesium can cause muscle twitches as well as impact your anxiety levels.

I wonder if you might have hit the nail on the head in your first sentence. It sounds like you might possibly be suffering from anxiety. It can do all sorts of weird things to your sleep and to your body that you wouldn't necessarily connect with anxiety. I appreciate I might be far off the mark, but it's worth another chat to your GP

I started magnesium last week. How long do you think it would take to see if it's helping? The Gp didn't say my levels were low, just folate

Ah, I cross posted. Ignore me.

Try the suggestion of a magnesium supplement though.

Look up exploding head syndrome. Sounds awful but it isn’t!

Anxiety will also have a big part to play - perhaps if things don’t settle down and there aren’t any other concerning symptoms, ask your GP for a short prescription of a sleep aid (melatonin, perhaps even zopiclone) to see if that helps settle you back down.

I've looked that up Oliver and it does seem similar to what I have, but combined with the daily twitching is what's worrying me as it just isnt getting better and I've never had anything like it before.

Twitching is a common symptom of anxiety - something to bear in mind. See if you can settle down your sleep routine and go from there. I think half the battle is the worry it’s causing you

I think the folate sounds like a good idea, see how it helps. Magnesium helps relax muscles so this may help too. Vitamin D also helps with anxiety.

Sounds anxiety/panic related

@OliverBabish

Look up exploding head syndrome. Sounds awful but it isn’t!

Anxiety will also have a big part to play - perhaps if things don’t settle down and there aren’t any other concerning symptoms, ask your GP for a short prescription of a sleep aid (melatonin, perhaps even zopiclone) to see if that helps settle you back down.

I have exploding head! I reported loud bangs to neighbours and mgmt co till I realised it was me!

OP i think anxiety is the cause but see how the magnesium goes. You could try Stressless pills if you want herbal things.

I'm on loads of pills post lockdown but the exploding head occurred when I was on one AD, but had tons of work stress on.

Vitamin D would be my suggestion plus a lurch of anxiety.
I do have a neuro condition and anxiety. It does sound more like anxiety than neuro to me.

But it happens even when I don't feel anxious and seemingly independently of my mood. Especially the twitching.

Well I have the same issue so I do understand but going online makes anxiety worse and "with luck" yes OP may get compassion but "at worst" incorrect advice based on an unqualified diagnosis.

Are you exercising enough? Getting enough fresh air? Try doing yoga or meditation before bed? Properly relaxing before you sleep? Limiting screen time? All those things have helped me. I know the worry can be crippling and it's a vicious circle.

I have mobility issues so definitely not exercising enough but I've tried literally everything else for this sleep problem. If it was happening on its own I wouldn't be as concerned it's because its developed alongside these constant twitches.
I tried really hard to stay calm and sleep at a normal time tonight but the beeping happened both times I started to nod off. Usually its just a jolt, the beeping noise is a new feature

Op why not set yourself a time limit , say thee weeks or a month, in which you make an effort to get fresh air, eat healthily, take supplements etc, follow some mindful or meditation apps, and if the symptoms haven't gone away by then, make yourself another appt with a different gp and say you want a second opinion as the symptoms haven't gone away? That way you may feel you are more in control of your own health and you have set specific time limits on how long you are going to worry for, which may in turn help to ease it a little

Hi, I’ve had folate deficiency after taking proton pump inhibitors so wondering if you take these? Or drink a lot of alcohol? Both can deplete folate.

It can make you feel dreadful and it has some psychological symptoms as well as the physical ones. I had pins and needles, weakness, pallor etc and felt really low until my levels came back up.

Your GP should rebook you to have your folate levels retested to be sure the supplements you’re taking are working. I think it’s worth pressing for an appointment to explain you’re concerned.

You might also be having a hypnic jerk before you fall asleep, this can be brought on by anxiety, caffeine or alcohol... might be worth having a read about them. They’re very common and there are ways to help yourself not have them.

Hope you feel better soon

@Beebityboo

But it happens even when I don't feel anxious and seemingly independently of my mood. Especially the twitching.

Background anxiety? I thought I was fine when I had it.