Uncontrollable shaking--lasting an hour! Please help!

This is not the minor shakes I got as a teen during a panic attack. This is like my muscles had minds of their own. I could feel them tensing and shaking--like you would if you were shivering in the cold. Violent shakes. Went to the ER and they did blood tests and urine test and whatever they did came back ok. My thyroid was checked about a year ago and was fine. I've been having hot flashes/sweats a few days before my period--dunno if that's related.
I just upped my Prozac to 40 from 20 like 3 days ago. I've been on 40 b4, most of my life in fact, and this never happened.
Also on Seroquel and Inderal, both small doses---both for a couple years. Xanax for most of my life, very small dose.
The ER doc didn't know but thought it may be a reaction to the Prozac or hormonal. I also felt hot, and it would go to my hands, my chest, my head...I was cool-to normal touch wise but was burning inside my skin.
I'm getting a blood test from my obgyn on my next period for FSH/LH.
Anyone had this? what did you do? I am freaking out!

[jul04]

I have had problems with twitching in my muscles...I am not sure if it is the same thing that you are experiencing but it can be really scary.  I went to a neurologist and she diagnosed me with at condition called benign fasiculation syndrome (BFS).  It is a benign twitching disorder and it usually gets worse when I am stressed and my anxiety is high.  I am not saying that is what you have only a dr can do that but I wanted you to know that there are things that can cause the twitching/shaking that are not harmful to you.

It seems like you have been dealing with anxiety for a long time....Are you currently seeing a therapist?  If not you might want to consider doing so because sometimes just having someone to talk to is a huge help.  Also, the fact that your bloodtests came back o.k. is a good sign.....

I hope you feel better soon.....

[phix95]

Hi. Yes I'm seeing a psychiatrist. And no, its not like twitching...its almost like a seizure--violent shaking of my whole body. Muscles were contracting like crazy. i had been anxious over maybe having had an allergic reaction to something b4 this happened--I was itchy, I thought I saw red bumps on my arm, and had hot patches. That made me anxious--like it would keep getting worse. But the violent shakes that I had after doesn't seem to be caused by it--it was so intense and scary.
Neither my obgyn or my psych called me back today re: the ER visit and I'm losing my mind. I cannot believe it.

[JuJu86]

Hey I suffer the attack the same way I get really cold and start shaking almost like a seizure as well almost as if my nerves are going haywired and my mucsles tighten up because I try to control my nerves and stop the shaking fro. Happening .I hate it because it leaves me with pressure in my head and eye for day and numbness and feel unrealistic

[phix95]

But I wasnt really having an attack I dont think. I just started convulsing.

[jul04]

I can't say for sure what was happening.  I will suggest that maybe you go see a neurologists to rule out anything medical.

Sorry I am not much help.

Please keep us posted and feel better soon...

[phix95]

I do have a slight gluten allergy--found that out in 1999. I eat whole grains for weight/health reasons. I'm not sure what I could substitute if I took them out. I have no appetite right now of course. I have a tremor all the time now.

[phix95]

I had what I think is another hot flash this morning...after my period ended (which was about 2 days ago)...I've never had one after my period, only before. Maybe this is partly hormones. I hear they're hard to test b/c the fluctuate so much. But I really think I should have them tested anyway.
Maybe my thyroid, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, mri to make sure it's not neurological, and allergies, if they can test allergies w/blood testing.

My psych finally called back (didn't even apologize for being 2 days late calling me) and said, of course, she thought it was panic. But I am not convinced, esp. b/c it didn't seem like she cared and didn't give me any other advice. Plus I've never had an "attack" like this before. My attacks are different.

Also the hotness inside my skin, but no fever, sounds hormonal as well, from what I've read. I'm having a blood test for early menopause the 3rd day of my next period, which is a while away. I believe it tests your pituitary. Its called FSH/LH.

Last night, after taking Benedryl (which was rx'ed by the ER, as well as Prednisone), I went downstairs to turn off a light and felt like I might convulse again. My legs felt spaztic and I had to use my mind to keep it from not spazing. That really scared me. I thought not again..another hour or more of this, and nothing I can do to stop it. You can't live that way. No wonder so many ppl w/this kill themselves.

[AO111]

It does sound like a bad reaction to one of your meds. I had a bad reaction to a sulfa based antibiotic once and my ab and low back muscles clenched up really bad and would spasm. Also It felt like my skin was on fire. Hope you feel better.

[phix95]

I've never reacted to Prozac before. Why would that change so quickly?

[AO111]

It could be the increase of dosage or maybe you took an OTC med that reacted w/ one of your meds. The first time I took that antibiotic with sulfa in it I was fine. The second time however my body went haywire.

[phix95]

Hmmm...the only new things I took were vitamins. My muscles still feel tense like it'll happen again...and I stopped all the new stuff I was on, went back to the 20mg of Prozac. I just don't know what to do.

[AO111]

Idk either. I'd try not to panic though, that will only make it worse.

[phix95]

I can't help it. If I don't know what's causing it, I don't know how to prevent it or when it will happen.
My doc said he wasn't sure and ordered a sedimentation test and thyroid. Also said not to take the mag/calcium I was taking. And didn't know about the hormone part...so I called my gyno but they weren't at the office. I'm looking for a new psych and a naturopathic dr. I can't really afford it tho. But I'm desperate.

[AO111]

Muscles, muscle tension, stiffness, muscle twitching, tight scalp or neck

What you feel:

You feel like your muscles are always tight or strained, sometimes to the point of frequent pain, or even persistent and ongoing pain. Some may also find the pain so restricting and debilitating that it prevents physical activity, and sometimes to the point of becoming bed ridden. It's also common to experience pain or cramps in any of the body's muscles.
A particular joint in your body feels unusually stiff and sore, or hard to move. It may even feel arthritic. Sometimes you feel you may be 'seizing up'.
For no apparent reason, a particular muscle will begin to twitch. This twitching will continue for an unusual amount of time before it stops of its own accord. Sometimes it twitches so long it becomes sore, and may continue on and off for days.
You may feel that your scalp is sore, has shooting pains, or that the back of your neck and head are very tense. Even though there is no apparent reason for this, they continue to.
What causes this:

Stress biology causes muscles to contract (tighten) so that the body is more resilient to an attack. The higher the stress biology, the more tense the muscles will be. Some people experience mild tenseness while others may experience great pain, sometimes to the point of immobility. Others experience uncontrollable muscle twitching. It can be one particular muscle over and over again, or it can be a wide variety of muscles. Sometimes the twitching can last for days.
Regular exercise helps to keep tight muscles relaxed. Some find relief through massage therapy or warm baths.
As with all symptoms, when the nervous system gets sufficient rest, this symptom will diminish and eventually subside.
Shakiness or trembling

What you feel:

You may feel as though you have an all over invisible shake/tremble going on within you and this may sometimes convert to be large visible shakes often at night. It is ok and not to be mistaken for a fit - it's just the body getting rid of lots of excess energy.
Your arms, hands, legs and even your whole body may feel shaky or like they are trembling. Sometimes you feel like you can't stop yourself from shaking or trembling, and your whole body is vibrating.
What causes this:

This is another very common symptom brought about by high stress biology. Some people say that they have a 'case of the nerves' because they are shaking so much. This trembling is a result of an over stimulated nervous system, and is often intensified by a lack of sleep.
Regular deep relaxation, sleep and exercise will help to eliminate this symptom.

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/symptoms/

[phix95]

Sounds similar. I think mine was more violent however. I've always exercised. I get enough sleep tho i am a night owl. Hour long seizures that I have no control over is not living and I don't want to live if I have to worry about that constantly. I need an answer. i wish doctors actually cared about you.

[AO111]

Ok let me ask you this. Have you recently stopped any of your meds completely or just didn't take one for a few days?

[phix95]

completely no. I went to 40 mg of Prozac for about a week, then the attack. Before I went to 40, I was on 20, maybe for a couple months--not sure. Before that, I was on 60 for like 5 months and went down to the 20 10 mg at at time. I'm guessing a bit--I'd have to ask my psych for dates.
Before being on 60 (my highest ever) I was on 40 for about 15 yrs.
I thought maybe being on 40 from 20 may have something to do w/it but Prozac has a long half life. I'm still scared to take 40 again.

[AO111]

So you haven't forgotten to take a med for a few day or something? Are you still on Seroquil?

[phix95]

No. I'm still on Seroquel, same dose of that.

[AO111]

Hmm. Are you doing okay now?

[phix95]

I haven't' had an 'attack' and I'm praying I won't. I still don't know what caused it or what to do if it happens. And no one can tell me what to do b/c they don't know either. A terrible scary feeling. Just keep going to the ER?

I've called a naturopath about payment options, waiting for a call back.
Called my doc about blood test results, haven't heard yet.
Called obgyn about what to do w/hormone testing, haven't called back. And since docs don't do saliva testing for hormones (the more accurate option) I'll have to order it myself and mail it to a lab, cost: 200. If they did it at my hospital it would be free since I have financial aid there. Figures.
I'm having other weird symptoms...I'm very sensitive to sound..I feel it in my spine and head. I don't know how to make that go away.

I need to spend all this money to help me, but cannot work b/c I'm sick, so I don't have the money to help me... what kind of ******** is that?

I used to workout all the time now I can't. I can't eat as much either.