Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Legs shaking, Cold feeling, dry mouth. Hashimoto's hypothyroiditis, hiatal hern

46 yr old w/Past 6 yrs occasional frequent episodes about an hour or so after an evening meal of feeling cold, progressing to dry mouth legs start to shake uncontrollably.  Some tremors were so bad went to ER. BP high-ekg fine. I question if tremors are tetany of parathyroid problem, bp very high.  Sometimes during the worse episodes it was hard to concentrate.  Many times a little belching, passing gas, BM would provide some relief of symptoms until i got tired and could go to sleep.  Episodes started after being on Celexa antidepressant during bad relationship.  One md did workup for stress hormings in blood/urine, but it was ok. Initial diagnosis possible anxiety reaction, put on occasional xanax.  bad relationship ended, stopped celexa. I don't think its anxiety, episodes continued, still using occ xanax.  lack of appetite and difficulty eating enough sometimes. diagnosed with hiatal hernia by barium swallow.  I've been hypothyroid with hashimoto's thyroiditis for about 9-10 yrs (blood work good). left arm tingly or fuzzy in different areas but not every day.  Is all this a parathyroid problem, thyroid problem, digestive problem or emotional?  I'm not upset about anything, but these episodes.
33 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A related discussion, night leg shakes was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A little over a year ago I was diagnoses with Hyperaldosteronism.  This is a small cyst on the adrenal gland.  I had surgery to remove the affected gland, and I have to tell you that I now feel great!  I have not had any attacks in over a year.  Whether or not this was the root cause of my shaking attacks I will never know, my doctors were never quite sure.  I would recommend to everyone to talk to their doctors about checking for similar adrenal gland issues.  Simple blood tests and an MRI could tell you fairly easily.  Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
everyone needs to first have full blood and MD workup to rule out possible known causes.  You can all relax in the confidence that your conditions are stable as you would have already passed out or died writing your comment.  You all may also be having panic attacks possible caused by medical reasons but none the less panic attacks.  A possible cause may be Vagus nerve irritations from thyroid issues, parathyroid issues, hiatel hernia, or in general any physical compression or irritatoin to the vagus nerve anywhere in its path.  All of the above symptoms and some additional symptoms may be caused by the vagus nerve. You will need to see a good nuerologist and bring up and push the idea that the vagus nerve may be a possible cause.  I have had symptoms for 3 years and have learned to deal with them and not let the panic set in, it is stable so relax first and live the best you can while trying to find a good doctor who will listen and help.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypothyroditis Disease and was put on synthroid and for about a month I was feeling good.  I had an occasional anxiety attack here and there but barable.  I recently got a allergies and eversince then I have had a dry mouth and headaches and anxiety/panic attacks.  If anyone has felt like this please let me know how to control it or what your doctors prescribed.  Thank you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been more frequently having many wake ups during the nights - mostly with chest pain and feelings of fearfulness.  The dull pain in my chest has lasted for weeks now and I am unable to work today.  I had a thallium stress test after a trip in the ambulance to the ER.  Heart normal - cholesterol 105!   BP kicking up some although I have always had low BP.  I am afraid too.  Going to have upper GI test next week - Dr. prescribed antidepressant and ativan to take now. Nausea, dizziness, coldness, shaking legs, feelings of impending doom or death,  I cannot believe that these strong physical symptoms could actually be caused by something as nebulous as 'anxiety'.  I'm not really anxious about anything!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this problem on occasion. But I also have Hashimoto's hypothyroiditis. (thyroid condition). I haven't spoke with my doctor regarding the condition, but I feel as if it is just another symptom of my disorder when I forget to take my meds.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Help me :( i am having one of these attacks now for the past 40minutes. I am only 14, but i had a diet pepsi about three hours ago and drink caffeine on a regular basis. I have uncontrollable shaking, sometimes controlled for about 2 seconds with slow breathing but this is hard to maintain. I also have a dry mouth and i have been feeling feint of a couple of days and i feel increibly cold. I have also had a swollen and possibly cracked collar bone for the past 2 days with hurts constantly. The doctor gave pain-killers which work for about an hour, and then the collar bone starts up again. I dont know if these two are related? and i have no idea what the shaking etc is.
Also, about 3 hours ago i got extream coldness and i feklt feint, but after wrapping up in a duvet it went away and i started to feel exstreamly hot :S :( please help me!!

PS: i have noticed that whilst i have been typing the shakes have gone down, but i can feel them waiting to start again in my lower arms. However, a migrane and boiling hot head have started to take over.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have suffered from these conditions, tremors in my legs all the way to my head, also feeling very cold thinking this is why I am shaking and also get very heavy breathing and paranoid. Went to the doctor said my temp is low and my BP is high. They wanted to stick me on blood thinners. I am 24 and have abused myself with toxic material galore, assortment of drugs, cocaine to ecstasy, large amounts of alcohol, fast food, colas, energy drinks, and nicotine. Not to mention prescription drugs from xanax, vicoden, loratab to anti-depressants   which are huge now amongst the younger crowd. To even large doses of cold medicine, coricidin High BP was a big one…Jeez looking back at this I’m surprised I’m not dead. The thing I did do that was good was exercise hard, anything I do I go all out.  Awhile back I stumbled across a book called “The miracle of fasting” by Paul Bragg, I started to implement what he talked about in the book. Basically I went totally raw, all live foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, lots of lettuce nothing else. Also I started fasting for as long as I could, sometimes 3 days which was really difficult at first all the way up to ten days on distilled water. There were times I felt so sick I couldn’t move on a fast, extreme headaches, nausea, and paranoia. I just kept telling myself that I was cleansing all this **** I put in my body that was stored in my fat cells out of me. It’s going to take awhile because it took awhile to put all the **** in there, 7 or 8 years at least.  Slowly but surely I started feeling better and better, now I wake up and feel great I feel pure. I glow, my body’s clean and now so is my mind. Its such a great natural high that if I don’t put anything in my body that’s alive I call tell right away, very keen tastes now, I know what I like.  I can tell if my vibrational level has been lowered, but also my ability to recover is unbelievable. I have energy 365 days a year and believe me I know I’m young but used to not even go outside now I’m fearless. All that processed junk and that **** the doctors give you will mess you up, you will start to act irregular and lose control. Doctors get paid to prescribe you those meds and the drug business is the biggest company in the world just ahead of the insurance agency. I hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have a 15 year old little sister and she has simular symptoms
and we dont know whats wrong with her we are just looking for
some help or some answers so if anyone has any i dead please
send me and email and when she stands up her legs start shaking
uncontrolably and she gets really dizzy she has to take long periods
of time for a break or she runs out of breathe
thank you
that_girl
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this same kind of attack on Christmas Eve and had it again last night.  Got no sleep due to stomach/intestinal upset, legs shaking uncontrollably, went to the bathroom and felt a bit better but it came back.  I am up and around today at work but still feeling kind of trembly and anxious.  I am 53 year old female -- wonder if it could be menopause-related as I a going through that right now with hot flashes, taking no medication for it.  Or maybe its just anxiety attack.  Trying to get into my doctor -- between Christmas Eve and today I had pressure in my upper chest area which got better but still having indigestion like symptoms.  The leg shaking really scared me.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had these type of episodes also.I have to get up in the early hours of the morning as there is no way that i can settle.I am usually shaking with feeling cold,palpitations,my bowel feels like it could work overtime and i can not get warm very easily. I have discovered though that what works for me is to have a cup of hot milk and a biscuit.After 20 mins i feel okay and can go back to bed. Although i am not diabetic i feel that it must be my sugar level needs boosting.As this can happen to me mainly when i haven`t had a snack before going to bed.I was actually told by a gynaecologist that i used to see that these symptoms were typical of release of adrenalin by the body to try to get the blood sugar level up. I do have polycystic ovaries which is a high insulin level which in turn affects sugar levels  (not to the extent of a diabetic) and hormones.I had these episodes for many years before realising how to cope with it and knowing that i had polycystic ovaries.-just thought it might be worth a try for some of you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been experiencing these symptoms too, i am a 14 year old male and this first happened to me in school, uncontrollable shaking in the legs, dry mouth, cold chill, heartburn and have a hard time breathing, ever since this has happened i have never breathed the same, and now these attacks are becoming more frequent, it scares me and i dont know what to do.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have had this happen several times in recent months.  Does anyone that has posted here have Hashimotos?  I also have had my gallbladder out. I have taken my bp, glucose and body temp.  My body temp is always in about 96 or 97.  If I warm up and lay down, this seems to help.   Doctors don't seem to find anything to be concerned about with an event like this.  I also have an autoimmune deficiency.  Does anyone else? I don't think it is an anxiety attack as each time I had either just eaten, not eaten in 3-4 hours and almost every time I was watching a movie or t.v., or reading a book.  Nothing to be anxious about there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi nyiss, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss coeliac.  I read somewhere that avoiding only gluten isn't enough in some cases and that foods high in starches like potatos, rice, any grains etc, should be avoided for an extended period. Do a search on "specific carbohydrate diet" to get some background. I would be interested to know how many of you also have dairy or lactose intolerance.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was trying to find out more about this but havent had much luck i am an 18 year old female and this started happening about 6 months ago but i put it down to the large amount of stress i was under. i have coeliac disese which apparently makes me more likely to have anemia but i dont think its that. recently though it has been happening an awful lot more atleast twice a day i get dizzy when i am working and shake uncontrollably i always think its cold and i get tired very easily.
If anybody knows anymore i would really appreciate it because i have been offered my ideal job as a manga drawer but since this started it has been getting harder to draw because of the shaking and i dont want to give up on my dream
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 17 , I have experienced many of the same things since i was 15 , i had an attack including not breathing right rapid heart beat and coldness. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder , none of the meds worked and for two years i suffered , i then had an endo scope and it showed extreme acid damage in my esophagus and minor hieter hernia. smoking , drinking alcohol and pretty much anytime i eat i get these symptoms. From what i am learning is that the small hieter hernia and acid damage agrivate alot of nerves and troublespots that are usually not stimulated causing your body to go into panic mode. My problem isnt solved yet but all of these sound simular. one thing i can comment on is that drinking diet colas really really really do have a huge effect. It made my mind stop working make me shake and make me feel like i was going to die. I avoid any caffiene and aspertame.

If anyone knows what is going on like what is causing the severe acid damage , even on medication and lifestyle changes i am still bad. it has changed me whole life. any help would be apreciated
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am also sensitive to the cold permanently now.  Living in fear of having another attack.  I used to teach skiing, now I don't go outside in the winter if I can avoid it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is unbelieveable!  I have been experiencing these exact same symptoms for years, I am now 37.  Nausea, the sudden chill, like I am in ice water, the uncontrollable shaking of my legs, and often my chest and arms.  Trouble breathing normally.  BP up.  Episodes last half hour or longer.  BM and gas after.  Been to the ER several times with it, told I had anxiety. Doctors found a tumor on my adrenal gland, had my adrenal removed.  Symptoms still there.  My doctors are at a loss.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I never drink or use anything with artificial sweetners in it.  It not only tastes bad, but has been linked to cancer.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would advise avoiding diet drinks at all costs, especially diet coke. This is because they contain Aspartame. Aspartame can have different effects on different people, but generally: depression, starch-craving, panic attack-like symptoms. I drank a lot of diet coke at one stage (a large family size bottle) every 2 days as a way to lose weight and got very depressed. A family friend (an academic) drank a lot of it at one stage and has ME. We don't know how Aspartame and ME may or may not be related - all I know is: give up Aspartame and you will feel a whole lot better!
Aspartame is present in most diet foods (check the labels)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 50 and have had these similar symptoms all my adult life.  Most times it seems to happen during the night.  I wake with a start, though nothing triggers it.  I experience uncontrollable tremors all over, a very distended stomach, cold all over, difficulty in concentrating, and sometimes my head feels thick or numb on top. It can last up to a couple of hours. The next day I feel drained. I have learned to just remain as calm as possible and talk myself through it.  I have Sjogren's Syndrome, so the internal dryness is always there.  I also have a lot of chemical sensitivities and if exposed to the odors of paints, cleaners, certain shampoos, cigarette smoke, candles, dental anesthesia, eat certain preservatives ..(the list goes on) I will have a reaction like this.  There are many toxins in our every day lives that you don't realize are harming you. I only clean my house with vinegar water and unscented Soft Scrub now. The doctors have never really been able to put 2 + 2 together and tell me the why of all this, but they believe it to be Sjogren's related.  Even though it has happened repeatedly over the years, each time is very scary and you feel like you may not make it through.  Cover up with extra blankets to get your body heat back to normal or soak in a hot tub. Again, talking yourself through and remaining positive helps.  If you are married and can talk to your partner while the episodes are happening, it helps.   Going it alone can trigger anxiety which only makes the symptoms worse.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
it happpened to me today when i woke up. i had a headache, my stomach was upset, and my legs kept shaking crazily when i would yawn. is there anything i can do? i feel really tired, but when i tryed to go back to sleep my legs would shake and i feel realy cold and i cant go back to sleep.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have these syptoms too, but mine only occur when I am out of my comfort zone, ie leave the car to go shopping, i get shaking legs , off balance and just want to get out as quick as I can, have it now as i have just been out to the shop , good to know that i am not the only one suffering here, but what is the problem , i think i am having panic attacks when it happens and i think i bring them on because of the leg shaking i feel like i am going to faint
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It was really hard to pinpoint this one but the root problem seems to be hiatal hernia. The moment I fall asleep, the diaphragm relaxes and my stomach slides up into my chest. This puts pressure on the Vagus nerve (just my theory, not proven), and all hell breaks loose. I get rapid, bizarre heartbeats, there is a brutal rush of adrenalin ( cortisol ), my mouth becomes instantly dry, my brain goes dizzy and fuzzy, my legs go tingly and shaky. It basically kicks me right out of bed and I need to stand up until it passes (it takes a few minutes, but the adrenalin that was released keeps things buzzing for a while). This can happen repeatedly throughout the night just as I fall asleep, so I guess I know what's perpetuating my chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic adrenal depletion. Things that aggrivate the episodes are eating heavy before going to bed, coffee, smoking, sex right before going to bed (I think it causes the diaphragm to relax more than normal), chronic stress, stomach gas. This nightmare can happen during the day too, and it can easily be mistaken for a panic attack, or heart attack because there could also be some pretty good chest pains. I found that a daytime episode can easily become a panic attack, But the primary is actually physical, a hiatal hernia. It seems like the younger you are, the less you experience the gastric symptoms, which makes it impossible for docs to diagnose. My xray showed a small heria, and my doc didn't even bother to tell me until I described all my symptoms. Then he said, "Oh yeah, we found a small hiatal hernia".  So anyways, I'm starting on my own full-on self help program. I'll let ya'll know if there's any improvement.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.