Is it normal with MS to have bad anxiety (-like) attacks that come on for no reason? I get them once in a while (2-3Xs/wk) and they usually last several hrs unless I medicate from get go. I also have Bipolar but I never had this type of anxiety (esp. for no reason) before I started having MS Symptoms a few mo ago.

Mickey- Can you describe more what actually happens? Some MS symptoms do kinda feel like anxiety or can make you feel anxious if you don't know what they are.

I am not aware of an increase in anxiety in general in MS'ers.

Nice to "meet" you.
ANN

Ann, thank you for responding! I feel jittery in and out with some SOB and mild chest discomfort and sometimes dizziness

Hi Mickey4333,

Anxiety, when having MS, is due to life changes that can happen with this disease as well as the fear and uncertainty it brings.

It is not uncommon for anxiety/panic attack to happen for no reason. This is seen in those who are perfectly healthy with no known health problems. Many healthy people end up in ER rooms with what they believe is a heart attack but that turns out to be anxiety/panic attacks.

Many medications can have anxiety and neurological symptoms as side effects. You may want to do some research on any medications you are taking and speak to your prescribing Dr. if your research brings up the possibility. Anxiety can also produce symptoms that appear neurological but that resolve once the anxiety is controlled.

A good website for checking medication side effects:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

Thanks Snoopy for the reply and the info!!!