Intro and advice
Hi everyone,
I don't know what I have. I haven't been diagnosed yet because I've run into a string of crappy local doctors who are convinced I have anxiety. (I would like to point out that I've had panic attacks since I was 5 - this is nothing at ALL like any of them and the symptoms occur whether I'm anxious over something or not, much more frequently when I'm NOT anxious!) I started out with what seemed like a basic benign ET in my right hand - frustrating and vaguely depressing but not prohibitive. Then it spread up my arm, then my left hand started and spread up the arm. Then it started in my legs, then moved to my core. With the legs I've also had gait issues, including times when I can't get them to move - I'll be standing and literally can't step forward or back.
While the initial tremors were very loose and floppy motions, the motions have become very rigid and tight at times. I also get sharp headaches and nerve pain, both of which have gotten progressively more frequent. The nerve pain isn't restricted to one particular area, and it feels...well, like my nerves are being eaten by small woodland creatures, for lack of a better way of putting it.
Oh - and I'm 24. I was 21 when all of this started.
My request for advice is twofold:
First, sound familiar to anyone? I know this is not a community intended for diagnostic purposes, but I figured it was worth asking.
Second, and more important: any advice for finding a doctor and/or getting one to take you seriously? I've tried for the last three years to no avail. The last one insisted that all I needed was Atavan; when that didn't work, she said I was fine and sent me home, seizing all the way. At this point I honestly feel like no one's actually going to listen to me so there's no point in even going to try to get this fixed, even though it's starting to seriously interfere with my daily life.
I don't know what I have. I haven't been diagnosed yet because I've run into a string of crappy local doctors who are convinced I have anxiety. (I would like to point out that I've had panic attacks since I was 5 - this is nothing at ALL like any of them and the symptoms occur whether I'm anxious over something or not, much more frequently when I'm NOT anxious!) I started out with what seemed like a basic benign ET in my right hand - frustrating and vaguely depressing but not prohibitive. Then it spread up my arm, then my left hand started and spread up the arm. Then it started in my legs, then moved to my core. With the legs I've also had gait issues, including times when I can't get them to move - I'll be standing and literally can't step forward or back.
While the initial tremors were very loose and floppy motions, the motions have become very rigid and tight at times. I also get sharp headaches and nerve pain, both of which have gotten progressively more frequent. The nerve pain isn't restricted to one particular area, and it feels...well, like my nerves are being eaten by small woodland creatures, for lack of a better way of putting it.
Oh - and I'm 24. I was 21 when all of this started.
My request for advice is twofold:
First, sound familiar to anyone? I know this is not a community intended for diagnostic purposes, but I figured it was worth asking.
Second, and more important: any advice for finding a doctor and/or getting one to take you seriously? I've tried for the last three years to no avail. The last one insisted that all I needed was Atavan; when that didn't work, she said I was fine and sent me home, seizing all the way. At this point I honestly feel like no one's actually going to listen to me so there's no point in even going to try to get this fixed, even though it's starting to seriously interfere with my daily life.