Hello. I Was Working Many Long Hours Because At Work

Posted on Sat, 16 Nov 2019

Question: Hello. I was working many long hours because at work we had a huge project. I was drinking many energy drinks and very low on sleep. In the first week of October I noticed random muscle twitching, where there would be a slight twitch of a muscle, mainly my legs. And sometimes when I'd make a movement I'd feel I move with more of a jolt like movement instead of a regular movement. I have health anxiety so every year I fear I have a grave illness. I started to then have a dull headache on the rear left side of my head. I googled the symptoms and saw deadly diseases such as multiple sclerosis. I decided to lay off the caffeine and get back into the gym. I noticed a reduction the following week in the muscle twitching and the headache disappeared. However in the third week I went binge drinking and after recovering from my hangover, I feel the headache now and I still notice the muscle twitching (and I am feeling very paranoid). I do not normally get headaches. Once in 2017 I had a headache for 2 weeks and proceeded to do an MRI but there was nothing wrong with me. Could I really have a serious problem now based on the symptoms I have laid out above? Do I really need to go do another MRI? Is it just anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In my opinion, it is just anxiety and fatigue.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.

I have read your query and here is my advice.

First, you had an MRI in the past that showed nothing, so, the possibility of serious neurological conditions is very unlikely.

Your new issues and symptoms are justified by fatigue, anxiety, excessive energy drinking, and lastly alcohol.

In these settings, electrolyte imbalance is very possible, so, if you will follow a healthy lifestyle, ( getting enough sleep, healthy food and staying well hydrated, avoiding alcohol) you should improve very quickly.

These symptoms don't point towards any serious problem.

I don't see a reason for another MRI.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (31 hours later)

Hello Dr. Spaho,

Thank you for your answer. I read it and felt at ease. However, when I read the symptoms of what Google showed me, it said numbness in the face is a symptom, which I didn't have. And now today I feel a numbness in my left cheek. I also had a headache again today with the twitches. I'm feeling very worried. I feel a sensation on the back left of my head. Is it just my health anxiety again? Or should I do another MRI two years after the one I did in 2017.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Health anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

A diagnosis about any disorders is no achieved by asking google.

Feeling numbness in face after reading about it is a type of autosuggestion.

So, in my opinion, health anxiety is causing your issues.

In order to peace your mind, instead of having an MRI done, get evaluated by your Doctor.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T