Whole body tremors

[Rascally]

Hi,
I’m new to this (never publicly spoken about my condition of 35 years). First anxiety attack at 17, no triggers, very happy, writing a letter home (no internet back then) suddenly my whole body starts shaking & trembling. I just laughed it off. Attacks since then would begin to occur once every couple of years, then every year, increasing to a few times a year. Since 2018 my whole body shakes/ trembles all day every day. Natural therapies don’t help, a plethora of prescribed medications caused negative reactions. Psychologist, psychiatrist, counselling etc. it is beyond frustrating & completely debilitating. I get angry & want to smash things, get sad & cry. I feel these emotions are warranted. It has impacted on every part of my life & I’m lucky if I get 4hrs sleep a night. The only thing that helps is sedative type medication & this stops the shaking so I can at least function in life. (It doesn’t make me groggy, I feel normal) Obviously this isn’t ideal & my gp is reluctant to prescribe it. I don’t know what to do. Used to meditate, yoga & always physically active yet due to chronic medical condition I’ve become limited with any physical activity & It’s difficult to meditate because my whole body is trembling. The only way I can describe it is I’m hanging onto the edge of a cliff, so scared I’m going to fall. Has anyone experienced something like this? I have no one to talk to or who understands.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Rascally,

Welcome to the forums, and thank you for your bravery and openness in sharing here. It’s a really good place to have come to hear from others, many will understand some of what you’re going through. We can hear how difficult the past few years have been, we’re so sorry that’s been going on.

It sounds like you’ve taken some really good steps in getting some support. It’s incredibly difficult when treatment doesn’t have any quick answers, and it can be a long journey. It’s important to be kind to yourself while you go through it, and we think sharing here is a really good way to find understanding.

If you want to talk through what you’re feeling at any time, the Beyond Blue Support Line is here for you 24/7 on 1300 22 4636. The counsellors can be good to talk to right in the midst of the anxiety symptoms. You can also reach them via Online Chat here (11am-midnight AEDT).
We’re sure we’ll hear from the lovely community soon, but in the meantime, here’s some strategies you might like to have a look at it. We understand you might have been through some of these in the past and it might feel like cold comfort right now, but they’re here in case they do pique your interest:

• Some strategies for managing anxiety
• This previous thread where community members shared some of their Beyond Blue’s anxiety management strategies

Thanks again for sharing. We’re here to listen and offer support, and you never know how your story might help someone else.

Kind regards,

Sophie M

[Petal22]

Hi Rascally,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im sorry you have been feeling this way…. I understand it would be difficult for you.

I understand the terror that anxiety can bring…….. I went through severe anxiety OCD……… I always felt like I was running from something but didn’t know what until I was diagnosed.

I have now recovered thanks to the help I received from health professionals.

Have you ever been diagnosed with anything?

[Rascally]

Thank you Petal22. I have a number of chronic physical medical conditions, yet that hasn't stopped me. Psychologists review PTSD & trauma. There is so much I need/want to do, yet this constant trembling prevents me doing the simplest of tasks, dishes sewing, cleaning, driving etc. I've tried explaining its a physical thing, yet after more than 3 years of this coupled with lack of sleep, it's affecting my emotional state. I don't feel I'm being heard by medical professionals.

[Petal22]

That's ok Rascally happy to chat to you.... your not alone.

I understand it would be very frustrating to feel you are not being heard by the medical professionals.

I'm sorry to hear that you have other chronic medical conditions, Im glad they haven't stopped you... you sound very resilient.

Is the trembling always there? Are you aware of what may set them off?

In my experience with severe anxiety OCD my intrusive thoughts would always set off my anxiety and I was constantly stuck in a viscous cycle.....

I understand how debilitating anxiety can be when i was at the depths of the my condition I was unable to fully function ....... I was always constantly stuck in my head.

I'd also have panic attacks that made me feel frozen in the moment...... not a nice feeling.

Does deep breathing help you? meditation was very helpful for me... can you do a guided meditation to try to relax your body and mind?

[Rascally]

Nothing sets it off. It is constant 24/7. I've had several life changing events some time ago & I handled everything fine. Took care of myself, exercise, diet, meditation. etc. Then one day I started trembling & it didn't stop. I would become frantic at the doctors because they were at a loss & thought I was purposely seeking medication. I did everything they asked me to do. I just want it to stop so I can function & have some quality of life

[Petal22]

I’m sorry to hear this..

How would you feel about trying to do a guided mindfulness meditation?

It takes practice

[Petal22]

Have you asked doctors if the trembling could be anything else that’s not anxiety related?

[blondguy]

Hello Rascally

I feel your frustration on this...and thankyou for the excellent thread topic too!

I experience the same as yourself and whole body tremors can be awful to experience...Im currently having this issue addressed and it seems to be my adrenaline working overtime after experiencing acute anxiety for so many years..ugh!

You are spot on when you mentioned there are no 'triggers'

I avoid using the word trigger as it has a feel of permanence to it...Just from my own experience I have found the frequency of doctors/counsellors visits a huge healer....Monthly is really good....fortnightly is great and weekly is even better again.....

Thankyou for being a part of the Beyond Blue forum family 🙂

please be gentle to yourself

Paul

[Rascally]

Hi Petal22, yes I initially asked the docs what is causing this, what affects the nervous system etc. My mind was clear & recognised its a body thing. I was told "you've been through so much & handled it for so long on your own, eventually there's a breaking point". That's when I saw a psychiatrist & given meds to stop shaking. I found this hard to accept, because my mind was not affected at the time. Yet over 3 years it's definitely got to me. I'm getquite scared because my doc isn't willing to continue the mess that stop me shaking. As an example; in the last 2 weeks I have been more productive, achieved more tasks that would have taken months to do without the meds. I'm not curled up in a ball trembling like I was for years.