Originally Posted by bool452

I just signed on here; listed as "depression"- diagnosed major depression in 1981 currently on disability, spending most of my time in bed. Real reason I came here is because I've been having what seem to neurological symptoms in the past year.

I'm sort of sensitized to being accused of imagining my illness as many with depression are... maybe that's why I'm not sure if I should talk to a doctor or not.

Anyway I've been extremely fatigued for at least 7 years. Doctors all say it's the depression but I feel that there is something more physical happening on top of the depression. What I'm calling "fatigue" is actually this: I have a strong disinclination to move. All movement is stiff and takes way too much effort. I move exactly like I would if I was sore all over, but there is no pain. It is as if there was pain that I can't feel. I'm stiff in my trunk similar to how it feels in cold weather. About two years ago I started having balance problems and I fell to the side a few times. Then I learned to move more slowly and I never fall any more but frequently lose then regain my balance.

I find myself walking with shorter steps with my right upper arm pressed tightly against my body; sometimes I'm walking with right elbow bent and hand in the air; a couple of times I found myself walking with left holding right bicep area but I don't know why. I went to my gp in July and told him about these symptoms and he mentioned possible parkinsons and ordered an mri to rule out inner ear problems. (I had a bad reaction to the gadolinium dye but that cleared up within a month) the results of the mri were "perfect" according to the nurse who called me back. At this point because of general lack of motivation, extreme pessimism about everything, etc. I decided that my symptoms were not serious enough to warrant further investigation and decided to wait and see if things got worse.

About a month ago I started noticing my right index finger moving on its own when poised above my laptop keyboard and touchpad. I guess this would be termed intentional tremor. It happens all the time now and sometimes in the left hand too. And now when my hands are at rest I get these spasms where the index finger and thumb muscles contract, sometimes simultaneously. Mostly in the right hand, sometimes in the left. It's not a rhythmic tremor, just random contractions.

I'm under lots of stress with considerable anxiety; the other day I was turned down for an apartment I thought I had found and the contractions started happening much more frequently, then abated in a few hours. Maybe this means it's "all in my head?"

Has anyone had symptoms like mine? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I know you're not doctors here, I'd just like to know what you think. I'm at a point mentally where I sort of question my own ability to analyze anything myself...