Shaking/Tremors in my head for many years

[alee520]

Hi to all, I am a 30 year old male and I have been having this problem for many years now. I have some sort of shaking/vibration in my head and I am not sure where exactly it comes from. It severely affects my concentration and I have been unable to hold down a job. Sometimes it results in a crippling headache, other times I feel nauseous. I have tried to do some face exercises like clenching my jaw tightly and shaking my head but it wouldn't relieve the shaking.

Due to the shaking/vibration i my head, I find it very hard to focus and do even some simple tasks. I ever had a CT scan done many years ago but it showed nothing. Basically I just feel like I will just have to live with this all my life. The problem becomes more servere when I am subject to stress. I am really at a lost as to how I can find a way to allievate this incessant shaking in my head. I can't concentrate on doing something for any long period of time. I also have a history of depression/OCD but I don't think it is the cause of this shaking. I almost feel like there is something shaking/shivering in my head and I am sure its not psychological. Many people tell me it is but after suffering for 10 years, I am sure its not. I am a very light smoker and these few days when I try to stop smoking completely, the shaking comes back.

I sometimes feel so alone, and I know not many people understand what I am going through because I look normal on the outside. I also have problems doing some simple tasks at times like having enough focus to hold up a bowl of hot soup and place it properly on the table... It feels like there is this cloud over my brain that disturbs my focus...

The shaking/tremors stops when I sleep, lie down, or rest my head on something... I am not sure why this is so and I hope it may present a clue on my condition.... When my head rests against something, I seem fine and my brain seems to work....

Please share any ideas or suggestions that you may have. Take care.

[alee520]

Sometimes I look in the mirror when my head is shaking terribly but I can't see my head shaking.... The shaking is inside my head.... Nobody can see me shaking...... My friend occasionally sees me having problems carrying plates but can't really see what I feel in my head....

Sometimes I really do feel normal but when the shaking becomes bad, Klonopin does really seem to help...

10 years ago I started having this problem... 2 years later it went away for a long period of time... I do hope it goes away soon..... Sometimes I feel like a absolute failure...

How is dystonia actually diagnosed?? What tests are run to confirm the diagnosis??

[tikibar]

You explain my symptons perfectly to a tee.  PLEASE especially order the free brochures on Dystonia &etc. that I suggested and get with a neurologist as soon as possible - it will give you a new lease on life.  Ask him about Klonopin and Mysoline combination and especially the Botox injections.  I'm like a normal person again because of these things.  You can;t live with this forever you'll go crazy, I know - I was on the verge of insanity and was extremely embarrassed. .
See a reputable neurologist ASAP...Please. Trust me, you'll thank me for it. Tell him what I'm on and he'll take it from there.  I think I described my dosages in a previous message.  If all that doesn't work there is a surgical procedure that works real well. In fact they had a whole segment on it on TV the other day.

Well our 'unexpected' company should be here in a few minutes.  I will check back later but after Wed. I won't be on the computer for awhile due to my back surgery on Wednesday.  

I hope you have a Great New Year............you will as soon as you get 'proper' treatment. and you can be around people and in public without that tense muscle feeling and embarrassing shaking - I know how horrible it is :)

Hang in there my friend :)

[alee520]

The shaking gets very bad sometimes.. Find it hard to even steady myself... When I am in a stable position like sitting down or lying down, it seems better... My brain muscles seem like they are clenching together.... I feel like something is stiffening up inside my head....

Something seems to be moving in my head... Like a ball bouncing up and down, as if the nerves were tightening up on me...

I will await your return,,, Please take care of yourself.... Get well soon.... My prayers are with you.....

[tikibar]

I would definitely see a neurologist. Here in Floida they are the only ones that can perscribe Klonopin and if you can't get one to perscribe Klonopin ask for Mysoline (aka Primidone).  In the U.S. all neurologist administer Botox injections and they are VERY helpful.  My tremors are so bad I take Mysoline and Klonopin (3X a day) and Botox Injections (every 3 months).
Did you order the brochures from the website I put in my last message.  They are VERY helpful and will also put you mind at ease that there are cure options - including surgery. But a neurologist is who you HAVE to see for sure-no other type of doctor......especially a psychatrist. They are very limited in most countries as to what they can perscribe. I can't believe he hasn't referred to a neurologist yet since he obviously knows your problem is neurolical - he proves that by perscribing Klonopin.  I think he just doesn't want to loose the money he's getting by keeping you on as a treatment. Remember doctors ARE a business and they are not in business to loose money or clients.
PLEASE promise me that you will see a neurologist SOON no matter where you have to go. Right now your spinning your wheels and will never get anywhere with a psycatrist.

If you do respond to me and I don't answer it's becaue I'm going in for major spinal surgery in 4 days so I won't be on the computer. I just don't want you to think I'm ignoring you.
Take care and see a neurologist for the 2 drugs and possible Botox treaments SOON - it will be a new lease on life for you.....I know it was for me.
If you come to the U.S. I can give you my doctor's (neurologist) name - he is GREAT !!  He's also young and keeps up on all the new procedures.

Be sure to order those free brochures too.

Keep me posted on your progress, ok?  

[alee520]

I have also found that Klonopin works... However, in the country where I reside, doctors are extremely cautious about this drug because there are strict laws governing the prescription of benzos..... My psychatrist whom I got this drug from is worried about continual prescription of this drug.... So unless I can find a continuous supply, I can't take Klonopin even if I know it helps...

So I am unsure of what I can do... Should I consult a neurologist and hope that he prescribes this drug or what can I do?. I have thought of going over to neighbouring countries for this drug.... I know it helps......

What can I do??

[tikibar]

I have had the  EXACT same problem for probably 20 yrs. now. It started out with small tremors then got prgressivly worse.  Yes, laying down, resting your head on something or even holding my chin to steady my head helps. The things that made it worse was when I was stressed or nervous - CAFFEINE brings it on too, where drinking alcohol will help subside the tremors, but you don't want to become an alcololic (lol).  I was lucky enought to find a neurolgist that recognized my symptons immediately and diagnoised me as having DYSTONIA and TORTICOLLIS.  I also get botox injections every 3 months into my neck muscles which helps a LOT - especially with the headaches (rather intense pain in the muscles on each side of my spine in my neck).  Don't laugh, the original use for botox was for head tremors - the cosmetic uses were found accidently.  Anyway, 3 times a day I take the following meds and it has changed my life - in fact, they gave me my life back.  Here are the meds and dosages I take:  MYSOLINE (aka Primidone) 2 .50mg pills 3 x a day, KLONOPIN 0.5mg 3 x a day.  These 2 pills along with my botox injections have changed my life.  I can now go in public without feeling like a freak and I can hold down a job.

Google DYSTONIA and TORTICOLLIS and I think you will be surprised how the symtoms describe yours EXACTLY.  You can also google 'Familiar Tremor' also called 'Essential Tremor'.  Your symptoms are described in both and the same medication treatment is used for both. I've been through years of this and I would bet my life on the fact that you have what I have, Dystonia & Torticollis.

You can also go to this website for more information about Dystonia and request all the brochures you want for FREE and NO postage or handling fee-just register (free), create a login and password and place your order:
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/brochures_and_publications/224.php

This is the link to order FREE brochures:
https://dystonia.securesites.net/dystonia/pages/brochures/273.php

Order these brochures (no matter how many you order ALL is FREE):
1. What is Dystonia?
2. Understanding the Use of Botulinum Toxin Injections as a Treatment for Dystonia.
3. Understanding Dystonia Sheet.
4. Cervical Dystonia/Spasmodic Torticollis.
5. Oromandibular Dystonia
(Describes symptoms and treatments for cranial dystonias affecting the jaw and face)

Then call around and find a good neurologist (or ask your neurologist about Dystonia and Torticollis) and go in there prepared with this knowledge and lots of questions. The breathing exercises other people mention DO NOT work but I GUARANTEE that the meds.(described above) and botox treatments will.
My neurologist is great but I live in Florida. If you live in Florida I will be glad to give you his name - the meds. he gave me and the botox treatments have given me a new lease on life.  Until I was treated by him my head tremored were so bad that I looked like that little bobbing head dog in the back window of cars, although my tremors caused my head to move uncontollably back and forth, not up and down.

Please let me know if this is of any help - although I KNOW it will be :)