I want to raise this question because my condition is consuming me. With my recent lung problems, it really has boxed me against the wall.

Can anxiety cause neurological symptoms that mimick exactly like PN symptoms? I have read a lot of articles related to my question but only vague pieces of the puzzle come up, e.g. unexplained body aches, disturbed sleep patterns, sensation like insects crawling on the skin, etc. but nothing that could at least approximate my symptoms.

One of the concerns of one of our posters (sorry, I dont remember the name) was convincing his doctor for another skin biopsy. I am on the same boat, my doctor has informed me that with the negative skin biopsy, he will not give any further tests (he thinks that I have maximized all tests). Anyway, as my way of getting across my message, I sent him a note on some questions about possibility of non-length dependent damage on the DRG and Anti-Mag. He was kind enough to call me about my inquiries. He thinks my condition cannot be associated with either damage on the DRG or Anti-Mag. First, I dont show abnormalities in my EMG/NCV that can be associated with anti-mag and second, with non-length dependent, though symptoms can be patchy and sensory, but it will still reflect abnormalities in the skin biopsy. It was a reassuring statement.
He avoid commenting about the lung condition because he is not a pulmonologist, however, he said that if my doctor is looking for auto-immune disorders thats causing the restriction in my lungs, it would have shown in my earlier auto-immune tests. Even with Sjorgren's, he said that, may be in some cases that results are sero-negative but positive, but this will somehow appears on my earlier ANA Comprehensive Panel.

He said that my symptoms (and what I think to be progressive) are not consistent with the findings. It would seem that my symptoms and the objective findings are disconnected. So, he suggested if I would consider a different approach in my treatment. He cautiously said that his suggestion is not brushing me off but to consider another option. He recommended that I see a psychiatrist. He said that I may have some anxieties that I am not aware of and these can manifest as neurological symptoms like mine.

Personally, I am not really aware of any serious anxieties that can result to my severe pain but I am open to all options, whatever it takes to help me. I just dont want to be overloaded with medicines which should not have been taken if properly evaluated.

I really would appreciate your inputs in my predicament.

Thank you.

Anxiety is tough. If you hyperventilate you can change the acid/base balance of the blood, and create paresthesias.

These can give numbness and tingling.

Thank you Mrs.D for a quick reply.
I dont have numbness and tingling. Its all pain.

This article was just sent by my husband.

http://neurological-disorders.org/ne...ed-by-anxiety/

The title of the article says it all but, it does not say anything about painful sensations.

I disagree with some of what your doctor said about testing in regards to Sjogren's...because I have personal knowledge that patients can be entirely sero-negative (including ANA panel) and still have a positive lip biopsy confirming the diagnosis. But this is not uncommon for doctors outside of the rheumatological field to misunderstand autoimmune disease.

Your findings are confusing in some ways...being that nothing shows, even on skin biopsy, BUT there are many causes of PN so I wouldn't discount PN as the culprit. You do seem to have some anxiety over this and that alone may be exasperating your symptoms to some degree, but I doubt it's the 'cause' of the problem as a whole.

Thank you en bloc. I am confused myself about my condition. It will now be probably more difficult to move forward to get further tests. Even my PCP will now confer with the neurologist's suggestion.
I agree that I am anxious with my condition esp. when its too painful alongside diificulty breathing, who would not?

Maybe it's a difference in interpretation or experience, but I definitely consider
to be painful sensations.
Your doctor may be suggesting that he thinks some of your symptoms could be psychogenic in nature.
Psychogenic pain is every bit as real as organic pain, and can have the same physiological effects on both body and mind. I would take what your doctor said (above) to mean that he believes you and takes you seriously, but he is somewhat stymied. I think he wants to help you but this area of medicine is outside of his expertise. It does not mean that he (or I, or anyone) thinks you're making anything up or disturbed or anything of the kind.

Psychogenic disease can go beyond pain to virtually any/every kind of symptom. Patients can be completely/totally unaware of the underlying causes(s), and like organic medicine, it can take some time to put together clues/pieces of the puzzle.

At this point, I would look at it as just another avenue/possibility to explore or rule out.

Doc

my doctor wont even give me a skin biopsy. and ive seen 3 different neurologist and now going on a 4th. they sent me to a university and the neurologist there who specializes in nerve and muscle disorders says he thinks im suffering from a migraine aura which is being made worse by my anxiety and fears of having a small fiber neuropathy or multiple sclerosis. i get stinging all over my body and electric shock type feelings. none the less he told me he doesnt think i have SFN and will not order a skin biopsy because he feels it to be unnecessary. i see a MS doctor soon. maybe he can figure out whats wrong with me because its been 4 months and im taking gabapentin and im frustrated cause i dont know whats wrong with me. at the end of the day if i do get offered a skin biopsy and more mri's and nothing comes back abnormal i might have to accept that my anxiety/stress is the cause but im not going to believe that until everything else is ruled out.