Aa
Body Shakes or Tremors
I've had body shakes for the past 8 months that are getting progressively worse. The shakes are affecting my speech where talking is labored and wording is slurred to the point of stuttering. MY normal walking is also affected by a distinct bobbing of my body. I'm 71 y/o and had been in very good health until I had been diagnosed with Lyme Disease 10 months ago. However the tick bite happened over 60 years ago. I have a bit of difficulty in comprehending that a disease can lay dormant in my body for such a long time before surfacing.
My body shakes began after being put on an IV infusion of antibiotics for 3 1/2 months, 7 days a week. I was on Rosepherin for 30 days and then the antibiotic was changed to Azithromycin for 2 months while also taking 100mg Doxocyclne 2 x a day. The body shakes began during the Azithromycin treatment while on Lexapro. Research indicated that Lexapro can cause body shakes or tremors and I weaned off the Lexapro over a 6 week period. After 3 1/2 months of antibiotic treatment my blood levels were normal and the antibiotics were stopped. However the body shakes continued to get progressively worse. I feel there is a short circuit in my nervous system. I've had a CAT scan of my abdomen, chest and brain each showed no negative results. My primary physician has told me there is nothing wrong with me and suggested I see a neurologist, which I did. However the extent of my neurological testing was to touch the doctor's finger then tough my nose. Seems a bit primitive to me and I fell that it only indicated that my motor skills are OK. My primary has prescribed .5mg Xanax to control the shakes, however the relief from Xanax only lasts for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. And I am developing a dependency on Xanax which is causing a mental fog as some days I require 3mg of Xanax a day. I've also been put on Klonpin and Adavin, which just doesn't offer any relief from the shakes. Any suggestions or input will be greatly appreciated.
My body shakes began after being put on an IV infusion of antibiotics for 3 1/2 months, 7 days a week. I was on Rosepherin for 30 days and then the antibiotic was changed to Azithromycin for 2 months while also taking 100mg Doxocyclne 2 x a day. The body shakes began during the Azithromycin treatment while on Lexapro. Research indicated that Lexapro can cause body shakes or tremors and I weaned off the Lexapro over a 6 week period. After 3 1/2 months of antibiotic treatment my blood levels were normal and the antibiotics were stopped. However the body shakes continued to get progressively worse. I feel there is a short circuit in my nervous system. I've had a CAT scan of my abdomen, chest and brain each showed no negative results. My primary physician has told me there is nothing wrong with me and suggested I see a neurologist, which I did. However the extent of my neurological testing was to touch the doctor's finger then tough my nose. Seems a bit primitive to me and I fell that it only indicated that my motor skills are OK. My primary has prescribed .5mg Xanax to control the shakes, however the relief from Xanax only lasts for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. And I am developing a dependency on Xanax which is causing a mental fog as some days I require 3mg of Xanax a day. I've also been put on Klonpin and Adavin, which just doesn't offer any relief from the shakes. Any suggestions or input will be greatly appreciated.
I was wondering if you have overcome this problem. The same thing happened to me after taking Septra DS for a boil under my arm.
Is it just me or are other individuals experiencing medical opinions that seem to be irrelevant to a patients symptoms? I hope I'm not becoming a bore with my postings but if everyone was physically in excellent medical health there wouldn't be a need for these forums.
Lately when speaking to physicians about the continued body shakes it seems that the doctors are not listening to the symptoms. I actually believe that lately I've been speaking with a robotized individual in a white lab coat. Either he or myself are not computing. I am finding it difficult to find a doctor that can truly express humility by admitting that he doesn't know the answer. I guess a lie is as good as the truth if you can get someone to believe the answer. I'm being told that I have stress in my life as a result of having high stress in my previous occupations. I know what stress is having lived with it for 22 years as a NYC firefighter. I know fear and I've faced death on many occasions by not knowing if I was coming out of a fire operation alive. Dr's tell me there are different types of stress. OK, so far that's believable. But telling me that my current stress and shakes are related to my high stress occupations I've had in the past is very difficult for me to embrace. I will admit that I am stressed as to not knowing why I have been having body tremors for 9 months now, which started during my IV drip of antibiotics for 3 1/2 months for an alleged Lyme disease diagnosis.
If stress is the cause for my body tremors why did I not experience these tremors back when I was in the work force? Generally I'm an intelligent individual and being a Virgo makes me even more aware and alert to organization of surrounding conditions and researching of information. I just can't understand how an individual in the medical profession tell me that I am stressed when I explain to them that I am retired and enjoy being at home, I do not have to work as I'm financially secure with no mortgage or car payments. I have the opportunity to do what I want, when I want and stop when I want. I'm 71 years old and still run a small business and work when I want to. How can this be related to a stressful situation. I am 100% convenienced that the shakes were caused by the mega does of antibiotics that may have caused a short circuit in my nervous system. I've researched the manufacturer of Azithromycin and found it principally produced in China. A very scary thought when one would speculate on their standards of quality control.
Am I perhaps incorrect in not being aware of a stress condition that manifests itself when one is content with life???? .
Lately when speaking to physicians about the continued body shakes it seems that the doctors are not listening to the symptoms. I actually believe that lately I've been speaking with a robotized individual in a white lab coat. Either he or myself are not computing. I am finding it difficult to find a doctor that can truly express humility by admitting that he doesn't know the answer. I guess a lie is as good as the truth if you can get someone to believe the answer. I'm being told that I have stress in my life as a result of having high stress in my previous occupations. I know what stress is having lived with it for 22 years as a NYC firefighter. I know fear and I've faced death on many occasions by not knowing if I was coming out of a fire operation alive. Dr's tell me there are different types of stress. OK, so far that's believable. But telling me that my current stress and shakes are related to my high stress occupations I've had in the past is very difficult for me to embrace. I will admit that I am stressed as to not knowing why I have been having body tremors for 9 months now, which started during my IV drip of antibiotics for 3 1/2 months for an alleged Lyme disease diagnosis.
If stress is the cause for my body tremors why did I not experience these tremors back when I was in the work force? Generally I'm an intelligent individual and being a Virgo makes me even more aware and alert to organization of surrounding conditions and researching of information. I just can't understand how an individual in the medical profession tell me that I am stressed when I explain to them that I am retired and enjoy being at home, I do not have to work as I'm financially secure with no mortgage or car payments. I have the opportunity to do what I want, when I want and stop when I want. I'm 71 years old and still run a small business and work when I want to. How can this be related to a stressful situation. I am 100% convenienced that the shakes were caused by the mega does of antibiotics that may have caused a short circuit in my nervous system. I've researched the manufacturer of Azithromycin and found it principally produced in China. A very scary thought when one would speculate on their standards of quality control.
Am I perhaps incorrect in not being aware of a stress condition that manifests itself when one is content with life???? .
I'm very happy to hear that Parkinson's was ruled out. That was probably a big relief to you. I AM sorry to hear that your experience at Tampa General was not all I hoped it would be for you. I will hope that if you do decide to go to Shands in Gainsville, you will receive the treatment you deserve.
Perhaps the links that mammo included in her post will open some different avenues for you.
Just don't give up and don't accept a dx of anxiety unless every other possibility has been ruled out. As you said, with the jobs you've had, if anxiety were to be an issue, it would have manifested itself long ago.
Please keep me updated, keep fighting.
Peace
Greenlydia
Perhaps the links that mammo included in her post will open some different avenues for you.
Just don't give up and don't accept a dx of anxiety unless every other possibility has been ruled out. As you said, with the jobs you've had, if anxiety were to be an issue, it would have manifested itself long ago.
Please keep me updated, keep fighting.
Peace
Greenlydia
Below are two websites that may help you determine which direction to go in. I would definitely see an Endocrinologist as well. I wish you all the best. One shouldn't have to fight for a diagnosis, but it appears to be the way it is anymore.
http://www.medicineonline.com/articles/I/2/Involuntary-Shaking/Trembling.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/movement-disorders/types.html
http://www.medicineonline.com/articles/I/2/Involuntary-Shaking/Trembling.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/movement-disorders/types.html
Greenlydia, as a follow up to our last posting, I went to
Tampa General Hospital yesterday to see a neurological specialist who's primary practice was movement disorders. I was very enthusiastic to make this appointment, however his specialty is Parkinson's. Fortunately I do not have Parkinson's.
My visit with him was well over an hour and I stressed the fact that I did not have any tremors until I was on a 7 day week IV drip of antibiotics for over 3 1/2 months. So far there is no doctor I've seen will wither confirm or deny that the antibiotics could be a cause of the shakes that are getting progressively worse.
I personally feel that no physician will voluntarily provide this information as it may be grounds for a medical malpractice suite. We discussed the various med's that I've been on and med's that I have been on the latest med being was 10mg Lexapro 1 x a day and .05mg of Klonpin 3 x a day. Neither of these med's were working to bet any relief from the shakes. Ultimately as neither of these med's were working I stopped the Klonpin as it would take over 1 1/2 hours before there was any possitive effect.. I had to go back on the Xanax and realize now that I have a dependency of Xanax as I was now up to 4mg per day. Well the physical exam I had yesterday was diagnosed as stress. I explained that I knew what stress was as being a firefighter for 22 years and almost dying from fire operations on many occasions, however at this time in my life where I'm financially secure with no car payments or mortgage I just don't see where stress could now generate such adverse conditions until after the IV antibiotic treatments. The doctor's diagnosis was to now take 20mg of Lexapro which in my opinion is a nasty drug with too may side efects and take 1mg of Klonpin 2 x a day. He indicated that he would like me to wean off the Xanax, however it the Klonopin takes 1 1/2 hours to take effect then just take a .5mg of Zanax to hold me over until the Klonopin works. I am aware that I shouldn't be taking Xanax while on Kloniopin, but my shakes have been considerably reduced but far from eliminated. I am in a somewhat mental fog now, with serious lapse in memory and the Lexapro has just about eliminated my apatite. These med's are just a continuation of applying band aids without defining the root of the problem. It was also suggested that I see a doctor that performs bio feedback procedure. I asked what this procedure will indicate? "It will show what my brain waves are doing and they will assist in teaching me how to relax. Well I've been an A type personality since I was a teen ager and if it was an easy task to learn to relax, I would have done so years ago. To say I was underwhelmed with the visit would be an understatement. All these doctors keep telling me that there is nothing wrong medically, neurologically and psychologically. However I don't still don't feel well. I'm now considering visiting Shands teaching hospital in Gainsville FL. Yup every day is a good day just some days are "gooder" than others.
Dazeoff
Tampa General Hospital yesterday to see a neurological specialist who's primary practice was movement disorders. I was very enthusiastic to make this appointment, however his specialty is Parkinson's. Fortunately I do not have Parkinson's.
My visit with him was well over an hour and I stressed the fact that I did not have any tremors until I was on a 7 day week IV drip of antibiotics for over 3 1/2 months. So far there is no doctor I've seen will wither confirm or deny that the antibiotics could be a cause of the shakes that are getting progressively worse.
I personally feel that no physician will voluntarily provide this information as it may be grounds for a medical malpractice suite. We discussed the various med's that I've been on and med's that I have been on the latest med being was 10mg Lexapro 1 x a day and .05mg of Klonpin 3 x a day. Neither of these med's were working to bet any relief from the shakes. Ultimately as neither of these med's were working I stopped the Klonpin as it would take over 1 1/2 hours before there was any possitive effect.. I had to go back on the Xanax and realize now that I have a dependency of Xanax as I was now up to 4mg per day. Well the physical exam I had yesterday was diagnosed as stress. I explained that I knew what stress was as being a firefighter for 22 years and almost dying from fire operations on many occasions, however at this time in my life where I'm financially secure with no car payments or mortgage I just don't see where stress could now generate such adverse conditions until after the IV antibiotic treatments. The doctor's diagnosis was to now take 20mg of Lexapro which in my opinion is a nasty drug with too may side efects and take 1mg of Klonpin 2 x a day. He indicated that he would like me to wean off the Xanax, however it the Klonopin takes 1 1/2 hours to take effect then just take a .5mg of Zanax to hold me over until the Klonopin works. I am aware that I shouldn't be taking Xanax while on Kloniopin, but my shakes have been considerably reduced but far from eliminated. I am in a somewhat mental fog now, with serious lapse in memory and the Lexapro has just about eliminated my apatite. These med's are just a continuation of applying band aids without defining the root of the problem. It was also suggested that I see a doctor that performs bio feedback procedure. I asked what this procedure will indicate? "It will show what my brain waves are doing and they will assist in teaching me how to relax. Well I've been an A type personality since I was a teen ager and if it was an easy task to learn to relax, I would have done so years ago. To say I was underwhelmed with the visit would be an understatement. All these doctors keep telling me that there is nothing wrong medically, neurologically and psychologically. However I don't still don't feel well. I'm now considering visiting Shands teaching hospital in Gainsville FL. Yup every day is a good day just some days are "gooder" than others.
Dazeoff
I am very relieved to hear you'll be going to Tampa General for a full evaluation.
I don't have a strong feeling about where you should begin your search, but your thought of starting with a neurologist is a good idea. I believe once he/she hears your story and what the other doctors have NOT done, I'm sure she will bring in a team if your condition is not proven to be conclusively neurological.
It's why I always recommend a teaching hospital for people having a difficult getting dx'd. These young doctors are not afraid to say "I don't know" and call in someone who does. They don't bluff and they don't BS.
The "journal" you've beem keeping of doctors and meds, tests and diagnosis will be invaluable to these new doctors.
I have great confidence that they will find out exactly what's going on with you and come up with a treatment plan that probably will not consist of every benzo in the book and a recommendation that you see a psychiatrist.
I hope you will let me know what they come up with and I wish you the very best outcome.
And a Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
Peace
Greenlydia
I don't have a strong feeling about where you should begin your search, but your thought of starting with a neurologist is a good idea. I believe once he/she hears your story and what the other doctors have NOT done, I'm sure she will bring in a team if your condition is not proven to be conclusively neurological.
It's why I always recommend a teaching hospital for people having a difficult getting dx'd. These young doctors are not afraid to say "I don't know" and call in someone who does. They don't bluff and they don't BS.
The "journal" you've beem keeping of doctors and meds, tests and diagnosis will be invaluable to these new doctors.
I have great confidence that they will find out exactly what's going on with you and come up with a treatment plan that probably will not consist of every benzo in the book and a recommendation that you see a psychiatrist.
I hope you will let me know what they come up with and I wish you the very best outcome.
And a Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
Peace
Greenlydia
Greenlydia, thanks for your comments. I'm in total disbelief with the local doctors here in SW Florida. I didn't mention earlier that I have been seeing my primary for 17 years and only two weeks ago he told me that there was nothing more he could do for me and that I should see a psychiatrist because I was in an "uncharted" area as the large quantities of antibiotics that had been administered that a psychiatrist might prescribe a different medication. As I am very uncomfortable with the progressive shakes I did go to a psychiatrist for a consultation. I'm an A+ personality that's also an anal retentive Virgo and consider myself a relatively intelligent individual. I've had three careers in my lifetime, i.e. a firefighter in a major city, a license yacht captain and a government investigator. I retired at age 68. As a result of my recent medical issues I keep a personal chronology of doctors, visits, meds, tests and diagnosis. The psychiatrist read my time line and told me that there was nothing wrong with me as I've had high stress jobs in my life and that my body ran on adrenalin all of those years. Now that I'm retired my body is still producing as much adrenalin as it did previously and I don't have a physical outlet to utilize the excess adrenalin. He also prescribed Xanax, which to me is just giving me a band aid and not addressing the root of the problem. I feel like a dog chasing it's tail. I wouldn't need the Xanax if I could control the shakes or determine the cause and effect.
As my primary told that he can't do any more for me, I've just recently changed doctors. I'm also in the process of seeing another neurologist as the nervous system is very complex and I already know that the finger and nose test verified that my motor skills are will within normal ranges. I've also asked for an appointment with a different infectious disease doctor to either confirm or deny that I've had or still have Lyme disease. I do a lot of research on the net, which is very scary when I see that the symptoms of MS are similar to what I'm experiencing. So if this approach to new doctors also fails to provide me with a realistic approach to analyzing my shakes, I will make an appointment with Tampa General Hospital, which is a teaching hospital and part of Florida Atlantic University. As I have many questions and no answers would it be safe to assume that I should see a physician within the neurological department?
Thanks again for you response and may I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Bill
As my primary told that he can't do any more for me, I've just recently changed doctors. I'm also in the process of seeing another neurologist as the nervous system is very complex and I already know that the finger and nose test verified that my motor skills are will within normal ranges. I've also asked for an appointment with a different infectious disease doctor to either confirm or deny that I've had or still have Lyme disease. I do a lot of research on the net, which is very scary when I see that the symptoms of MS are similar to what I'm experiencing. So if this approach to new doctors also fails to provide me with a realistic approach to analyzing my shakes, I will make an appointment with Tampa General Hospital, which is a teaching hospital and part of Florida Atlantic University. As I have many questions and no answers would it be safe to assume that I should see a physician within the neurological department?
Thanks again for you response and may I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Bill
I wish I was a pharmacist so I could possibly answer some of your questions, but I'm not sure even a pharmacist would know what to tell you.
I strongly urge you to see your doctor about these shakes that are getting progressively worse. We both know that isn't right. And I have to say here that you might want to go to a different doctor since I think putting you on Xanax was bogus. As well as the "tests" the neurologist performed. Was he doing a field sobriety test?
It is my humble and totally non-medical opinion that both of these doctors treated you very shabbily.
You've been put on Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan.............three benzo's all at the same time! Quackery!
If you live anywhere near a major medical teaching hospital, go there! If there isn't one close enough, talk to someone there about your symptoms and the treatment you've had so far and the meds they have you on and ask for a referral to a doctor closer to you who will NOT "treat and street" you!
I wish you the best of luck finding the correct answer.
Peace
Greenlydia
I strongly urge you to see your doctor about these shakes that are getting progressively worse. We both know that isn't right. And I have to say here that you might want to go to a different doctor since I think putting you on Xanax was bogus. As well as the "tests" the neurologist performed. Was he doing a field sobriety test?
It is my humble and totally non-medical opinion that both of these doctors treated you very shabbily.
You've been put on Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan.............three benzo's all at the same time! Quackery!
If you live anywhere near a major medical teaching hospital, go there! If there isn't one close enough, talk to someone there about your symptoms and the treatment you've had so far and the meds they have you on and ask for a referral to a doctor closer to you who will NOT "treat and street" you!
I wish you the best of luck finding the correct answer.
Peace
Greenlydia
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