Tremors

[JudyLV]

I developed bit of a tremor in my right hand a few weeks ago and I tried to ignore it. The tremor increased last week to the point of it being in both my arms/hands. I also developed tingling around my mouth and tongue as well as tingling and a disconnected feeling in my legs. When my hand was jumping around so much I could barely use the computer mouse or type I decided I better go to my doctor. The good news was she said these symptoms could be from a vitamin deficiency or imbalance. I had run out of the calcium supplement I usually take and was sort of taking a break while I reordered. I was hoping that was (and still may be) the problem but my doc called today and said the lab results are all perfectly normal (I am waiting for the results to review myself) and that I needed an MRI since I had a history of MS. She agreed with me that the Spectracell micronutirent analysis test might also shed some light on what is going on so that has also been ordered (it takes weeks to get the results back).

One thing I was thinking that might have contributed to triggering this episode is I have had to eat out a bit more than I would like. I have had to attend breakfast meetings at a pancake house (where I only have tea) and business luncheons as well. While others are deciding what they want to have I am carefully deciding what would be the safest thing to eat. Even though I inform the waiter of my allergies and ask a lot of questions before ordering I always feel quite foggy headed after eating anywhere but in my house. I am wondering if trace gluten or dairy has added to my current symptoms. It seems likely to me. Even my husband who is somewhat skeptical of my strict diet, but who has seen my return to wellness while on it, asked me if I had been eating anything different these days.

So my question is: does anyone know of other triggers for tremors that I should be looking into? The good news is these tremors do not occur when I am in a resting state.

Thanks.

--Judy

[aklap]

I've had hand tremors for years. I was told at the time [about 10 years ago], that it's an Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register.... It's not gotten any worse, nor better. I only notice it when I'm doing fine motor skills - soldering for my stained glass, drawing, etc. If I can rest my hand on something, it stabilizes it.

[jcc]

Gluten sensitivity can cause tremors, so an accidental gluten exposure, especially with your history of neurological problems, could be expressing itself neurologically. I think that is a good possibility too, but it probably is a good idea to do whatever testing they feel prudent. And of course, B12 deficiency, jumps to mind... but that has been checked? The balance between all the micronutrients can be so critical...so with luck the Spectracell test may shed some light.

I will hope this is just a flare of some sort and by the time you have exhausted the testing... maybe the symptoms will be waning. Of course it could be some sort of chemical exposure. Keep us posted!

I wonder... did you do any sort of antibody testing or inflammatory marker testing? I am not sure what all I would wonder about... but am wondering what all they have checked for. Let us know when you get a copy of your results... what has been checked so far.

Are you on any medications that could need adjusting?

Keep us in the loop. Hope this is so temporary!

[annelb]

Sorry to hear about the tremors. I would think the first suspect would be gluten cross contamination since you are eating out more. I agree with JCC about the B12. Getting the Spectracell test and MRI may give you some clues but gluten can cause similar brain changes as MS.

Have you watched Dr. Wahl's video?
Anne

[canoe]

Judy,

I agree with what Cara and Anne have posted. Wondered how your Vit D level is? Some research about Vit D and MS.

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

Hope that you are able to find out what is causing this.

Marilyn

[JudyLV]

Well I got a copy of my blood work and I agree with my doctor that it all looks good. CBC and CMP are both very normal. My TSH is 2.5 with free T3 and free T4 both in mid range. My B-12 is >2,000 pg/mL, magnesium is at the high end of the range and my Vitamin D (25 OH) is 50 ng/mL (not bad for the end of the winter--I expect this to go up as soon as the pool opens).
It will be interesting to see what the Spectracell results are but it will be weeks before we get those results. I reluctantly scheduled an MRI of the brain and C-spine for next week. I really feel if I have some new active lesions that I probably do not want to treat with steroids. Hopefully this will all be out of my system by then.
I did ask my doctor about checking for inflammatory markers since I have lingering (for one year) tailbone pain but she did not feel that was necessary.
I agree with you Cara that maybe some cross contamination of gluten stirred thing up neurologically. Unfortunately I have to attend another luncheon tomorrow. Now I am concerned about just going into a restaurant. When I look over a menu I have a sense of doom. I think I will just not eat any food that I have not prepared for a while. I can still network and participate in the lunch meeting.

Anne, Yes I have seen Dr. Wahl's videos. I think I will go back to them although I remember the basics were very similar to my diet. Maybe I should join Cara on a juicing fast.

Al-When my hand is resting on a flat surface there are no tremors until I lift a finger. Thankfully I can still play the guitar without a problem-except for keeping hold of the pick.

Thanks for all the comments.

--Judy

[NancyM]

Well, your test results rule out all the things I was thinking of, although I know they do think higher D3 might be helpful for MS. I have seen some studies at the VitaminDCouncil.org web site about that.

[aklap]

Al-When my hand is resting on a flat surface there are no tremors until I lift a finger. Thankfully I can still play the guitar without a problem-except for keeping hold of the pick.

Same for me. My right hand is worse than my left hand [I'm left handed]. It happens mostly when I lift my thumb - only if I try to lift it slightly. I can still play guitar without issue. In fact, I need to pick it back up again as I've got a gig at church in November. I haven't really played in over a year. No calluses left. :(

I was told alcohol will lessen the tremors.

Good luck!

[canoe]

Good luck Judy.

I hope that they will be able to find out what is causing this.

Marilyn

[Marciab]

Hi Judy,

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this. I've had this for 23 years now and I wouldn't say it's gotten any worse over the years. I had white lesions on my brain and ataxia but those disappeared post gf diet. My myoclonus / jerking never cleared up tho.

Most days I struggle to do anything that requires fine motor skills. Things like cutting my nails, plucking my eyebrows, writing, sewing, etc etc. I can do these things but only for about a few minutes before I feel like I'm going to have a full blown seizure. I just take a break and go back to it later. I don't write anymore than I have too.

I've started taking Klonopin again as needed during the day and everynite at bedtime. I was on it for 16 years but stopped for 5 after I realized it was mostly associated with gluten. That was long enough for me to decide that I'd rather not deal with the symptoms. Even if they were just from gluten CC.

I only need .125 sublingual in most cases during the day and this never affects my clarity. Or else Klonopin makes me think it hasn't affected my clarity ...

I stopped worrying so much about getting cross contaminated back in Jan. I take DPP-IV (gluten-zyme and Glutenease) anytime I suspect CC but eat foods that may be cc'd anyways. Nothing highly suspect tho. I just realized that my fear of being CC'd didn't stop me from taking chances so I may as well stop worrying about it, enjoy my life more and take any precautions I could. Klonopin stops my main reaction / myoclonus to gluten.

tc ... Marcia

[JudyLV]

My tremors are continuing. The MRI results show 2 new small lesions since my last scan in November (2012) but these are nonenhancing so they are not a sign of active disease. The one thing I have noticed is that my fasting blood sugar is higher than normal. I have always had low blood sugar (fasting in the 80's) but this week I checked and it is averaging 115 in the morning before I eat. I just feel as if my body is ramped up for some reason. I think this is a big stress on my adrenals.

--Judy

[NancyM]

80 isn't considered low for blood glucose. In fact, it is rather ideal. I hope you figure this out!

[annelb]

Agree, 80 is great for fasting. Have you checked your blood sugars after you eat? If you want to do that start by checking every half hour for 2 hours after you eat. Sometimes the spikes can occur as soon as 30 minutes. After eating spikes can be very telling. My fastings were always good, but it was my postprandial readings that were high. 115 fasting is a concern.

Glad your MRI did not show any active disease.
Anne

[Marciab]

I have had to attend breakfast meetings at a pancake house (where I only have tea) and business luncheons as well.

Maybe the caffeine is getting you now. Caffeine would also make your adrenals feel ramped up. I went off it for several years and was surprised at how much better I felt. I can have a little caffeine now but only certain foods or drinks. I can handle it better in the afternoon than in the morning.

[JudyLV]

I have checked my blood sugar levels after a meal (in 1/2 hour increments) as well as at random times during the day and the highest was 145. So I don't seem to have a problem with high blood sugar--it is just the fasting level that is higher than normal for me. My primary care doctor is not concerned about the blood sugar. I am having some cranial sacral and visceral therapy and my tremors have decreased a bit. I do not feel it so much in my core now and I have a bit more energy.

Marcia- I used to drink coffee (1 cup in the morning) not because I liked it that much but because I liked the ritual as a way to ease into my day. A natuopathic doctor I saw a couple of years ago kept touting green tea so I switched to that. I have one cup of green tea in the morning but will take a break for a while to see if it makes a difference. I know I am sensitive to caffeine--a couple of small pieces of dark chocolate will keep me awake during the night so I only indulge on a rare occasion.

Thanks.

--Judy