Anxiety takes many forms. But it is always still anxiety. Here's a new one.

[Jeff1943]

In 50 years, I thought I'd experienced all the tricks our nervous system could play. But last couple of days, against a background of higher stress levels, I discovered a Newby.

It's like a nervous twitch in the eye, not the eyelids but the eye itself, which makes your vision ever so slightly shakey. I really have to look for it but it's there. Can't notice it now as I look at the TV but it will be back.

I sensed it is 'only nerves' but thought I would double check with Doctor Google. Nothing wrong with that so long as you consult the right Doctor Google.

I've always found there's a big difference between U.S. and U.K. health care sites and my visual twitch is no exception.

U.S. sites are driven by the need to make money so they list worst case scenarios and insist you go see a doctor without delay. Ching! Ching!

Whereas the British National Health Service website (NHS = free at the point of need) keen not to be overwhelmed by unnecessary visitors was quick to say that such twitches are very common, are nothing to worry about and will soon pass of there own accord. Only if still there after 3 weeks should you go see a doctor. Just the reassurance the reader is looking for.

Of course, money driven medics will be quick to say that leave it 3 weeks and you could go blind. They would, wouldn't they. As for me I will go along with the NHS view which in my experience always gets the balance between urgent and 'nothing to worry about' spot on.

So my message to Doctor Google searchers, even our friends in the U.S., is to include the U.K. NHS websites in your searches. Chances are you will find reassurance for the symptoms of health anxiety rather than the suggestion it's something very scarey with advice to see your doctor soon as pos and don't forget to bring your credit card.

[Hidden]

Hate to tell you what cures it.. but here’s a clue.. what mineral causes contraction of tissue muscle and nerves? Calcium.. what mineral cause the same to relax.. magnesium .. what depletes magnesium? Anxiety .. even making magnesium water.. and soaking a flannel in it and applying to said twitching area.. notice how quickly it stops.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

Interesting, Jomico. Before posting I had just taken my two daily Magnesium Citrate capsules, most helpful for missed heartbeats. But I shall try the flannel method as you suggest.

[Hidden in reply to Jeff1943]

Glycinate or threonate seems to work for the area above Adams apple.. don’t ask .. I don’t know!

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Jeff1943]

Can I ask how you choose which magnesium citrate for daily vitamins? Is there a certain level that’s recommended? I hear a lot of good about it.

[Jeff1943 in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

Yes Magnesium is supposed to be good for anxiety too but I take it for irregular heart beats. I chose Magnesium Citrate because someone online recommended it years ago: the RDA is 400mg a day so that's what I take in capsule form.

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks for the info Jeff. Appreciate it.

[b1b1b1]

I never thought of looking at the NHS web site. (I am in the US). This is very good advice!!

[Tinkynutbug]

Great to know about that website.

May I humbly suggest magnesium glycinate I know you aren’t asking for advice but it’s helped me immensely with eye twitches , all over body twitches

My holistic chinese natural med doc had me also do homeopathic Magnesium Phos. 30c potency 6 pills 3x a day 5 days amazing what natural meds can do.

Praying your eye stops twitching it’s very annoying.

God bless you

[SayNOtoPanic]

OMG Jeff ur awesome for sharing this. Dr Google is a monster all on its own, second to the anxiety monster we deal with. But I get what you mean by sometimes you just can’t help it. Glad you handled it calmly though. And the twitch doesn’t surprise me. I think anxiety just gets smarter with the body noises. Hope ur eye feels better though soon. Not sure if u use glasses or contacts but maybe eye strain or prescription adjustment. Hugs.

[bergh]

Oh Jeff despite obviously being sad you have this, your response has been so positive and will ultimately help so many, just typical of you and your contributions on here. Thank you as always for sharing and caring , you make a difference 🥰Rachel x

[Sleeplessme]

As a member of the UK... I've never been a fan of the nhs. We don't really get it free, we pay a big chunk of our wages to 'natuonal insurance'. Some may argue that it's not the same, but at the end of the day the NHS is paid for, and our taxes are high, so yes, the working person pays for the NHS, whether you want it or not. It's only those that don't work or health tourists that really get it for free.

Sorry, that's a rant for another time and place. Bringing my reply back to your post is that I don't generally trust the nhs. In my experience, which I share with people I have personally known and spoken to, the NHS, particularly at the GP stage, can be very quick to get you out the door with a prescription in hand (which needs to be paid for!) I myself walked into the GP surgery with every possible symptom of COVID, and was sent off with a prescription for an asthma spray. I have been going in for years with symptoms of anxiety and been fobbed off with all sorts of unrelated meds.

So, overall, and avoiding another rant... I would suggest, when playing with Doctor Google, that you look for as many different replies as possible and seek the most common answer, or, preferably, stick with sites like this one, ask the people, and get advice from those who have had the same symptoms and found out what's worked for them.

I'm definitely not disagreeing with my friend Jeff, I'm just pointing out that in my experience the British system can be a bit lapse at times, and definitely do agree that information is power, so reach out to as many sources as possible rather than just what you know. 😁

[Sleeplessme in reply to Sleeplessme]

Ps. I hadn't thought about it 'till I read your post Jeff, but yes, I used to get that with my eye too. I've not had it since getting a handle on my anxiety. So that definitely seems to be just another symptom of anxiety rather than anything more worrying 😁

[gemfire in reply to Sleeplessme]

I thought the same thing Sleeplessme! I'm in the US and I have friends in Canada that go through pretty much the same as in the UK. Because it's socialized medicine they don't want you to come in unless you absolutely have to and sadly, sometimes too late. I guess it depends on the issue someone is having. I live near the border and my Canadian friends often come to Central NY for medical care here because it's a lot quicker, even though they have to pay cash for it!

[Jeff1943 in reply to gemfire]

⁸The British NHS is not as you describe. I can see a doctor the same day who will refer me to a highly skilled caring specialist in reasonable time. The system is underfunded but it still works. This is why during the Covid epidemic everybody in Britain stood at their front door at a set time and clapped for 5 minutes to show their admiration for the professionalism of all the NHS workers. I have no idea what system they have in Canada but it isn't like our NHS.On these health forums I read from time to time comments by U.S. members saying "I can't afford to see a doctor!" and "My insurance company won't let me have another scan until two months time!" This would never, I said NEVER, happen under socialist health care in the U.K.

And you still have the option of paying privately if that is your choice.

[Sleeplessme in reply to Jeff1943]

You must live in a better area than me then Jeff. I have barely any hope of getting seen. I was on the phone literally all day for 2 days and got no answer, and their website was not working. On the third day I got through and had to beg them to stop telling me to use the website as it wasn't working. Eventually she gave me a link to a different site that did work. After filling out forms for 15 minutes I was sent a message to call the surgery and book an emergency appointment. I did, and spoke to the same person again... She told me to book an appointment on the website. I mean honestly, you couldn't write this farcical comedy. I eventually got her to understand and she booked me in, for 3 weeks time. The word emergency didn't seem to connect with her single brain cell at all.

This time I was lucky, other times I simply don't bother. I can't imagine how hard it must be for the many people that struggle more than me.

I agree for the clapping. But that was for the people that work the NHS, and I would always agree that they are angels. But the system itself is a broken mess, and many of the doctors surgeries are in fact businesses, and money always talks...

[Jeff1943 in reply to Sleeplessme]

I agree that NHS service is variable from area to area, we're lucky I guess, everything works as it should. One day it it will get the funding it needs and all areas can enjoy the very best of social health care.

[punkster]

Thanks for the advice. I live in the U.S. and I am well aware that medicine and pharmacy is driven by profit.

[bethelbee]

I'm in the US and have checked both US and NHS sites and really haven't seen much difference in advice.

[Jeff1943 in reply to bethelbee]

Keep looking.

[bethelbee in reply to Jeff1943]

No need to

[designguy]

Good to be aware of Jeff, i've become much more aware of how my minds first response to something going on for me physically is fear-based and it can easily spiral into a worst-case scenario if I don't catch it and reframe it. And yes, dr. google is a potential rabbit hole for health anxiety.

[Trainchaser]

Good luck Jeff. Anxiety sucks

[CLB1125]

I stir towards the Mayo Clinic website. They are one of the best hospitals in the country in my opinion. Webmd is pretty accurate also. My neurologist would turn purple when I told her I checked something out on dr google! I get the twitchy eye once in a while. I usually put ice on it for awhile.