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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Embarrassed by the shakes

78 replies

Sparklfairy · 20/07/2018 14:14

Not really an aibu but posting for traffic. In the last few weeks I've been suffering badly from 'the shakes'. My hands mostly (so bad I sometimes can't manage to roll a cigarette or drink a cup of coffee without it going everywhere) but also the rest of my body; knees knocking and torso shaking.

Then twice in the last week or so I've been walking and my right leg/foot starts to feel 'dead' - like it's fallen asleep iyswim. It gets steadily worse to the point where I'm scared to cross a road in case it gives up and I fall. I managed to sit down when it happened this morning but it still doesn't feel right- it's a bit numb but I can walk normally.

I have a pretty unhealthy lifestyle atm. My depression has worsened and I'm not eating properly. Alcohol reduces the shakes but it's not a long term solution. It's just so embarrassing. I ordered breakfast in a cafe this morning and struggled to cut up the food and bring the fork to my mouth, so ended up eating with my hands and leaving most of it.

Google is scaring me. Could be Parkinson's... MS (Which my nan had). It really is debilitating and embarrassing. I'm only 30 ffs.

OP posts:
CaptainKirkssparetupee · 20/07/2018 15:45

My dad had multiple sclerosis, he would get similar.

Emmageddon · 20/07/2018 15:46

Make an urgent appointment to see your GP - phone the surgery now. Ask to speak to the doctor. Tell him/her what is happening to you. Any kind of tremor and altered sensation could be the sign of something wrong. If it's too much alcohol, then you can reduce your intake with support. If it's a neurological disorder then the sooner you get a diagnosis and treatment the better.

bellinisurge · 20/07/2018 15:47

Speak to a doc. I have MS. Getting a clearer idea of what it is helps loads.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 20/07/2018 15:49

OP please take the PP's advice here. You need to see a GP ASAP.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 20/07/2018 15:52

I've rung GP but they insist you have to ring up at 8.30am on the day to get an appointment. I have to work on Monday morning so realistically won't get seen until at least Tuesday.

OP posts:
GahWhatever · 20/07/2018 15:55

Limit your alcohol to 5 units or 2 pints in any 48 hour period.
Switch to decaffeinated coffee.
Double your water intake.
Drink a glass of milk before bed. Consider a calcium supplement.
Reassess your tremors in 2 weeks. If they are still as bad call the GP and get a 'same day' appointment.

Emmageddon · 20/07/2018 15:56

Phone 111 after 6.30pm and ask for an out of hours appointment. This isn't something you can ignore.

LoniceraJaponica · 20/07/2018 15:56

Does your GP not do telephone consultations? With ours you can ring and ask for a call back. With your symptoms I'm pretty sure the GP would fit in an emergency appointment.

bellinisurge · 20/07/2018 16:04

Op, go to an out of hours place, assuming you have one. Seriously, don't mess with this stuff. Even if you think you have a coping strategy.

AyEssDee · 20/07/2018 16:09

Yes, call 111 and tell them you can't get seen by your GP but that you need to be seen urgently.

ChickaaaaannDipppaaaaassss · 20/07/2018 16:17

I have essential tremor too and have forever, my 9 year old also has it.
I have been asked if I am an alcoholic more times than I can count even being quizzed quite ruthlessly by medical professionals too Angry
Get to the doctor and get checked out OP
Ironically alcohol does stop it Wine

BrownTurkey · 20/07/2018 16:43

Call 111 and they can arrange you an sppointment if they think its needed.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 20/07/2018 19:13

I'm terrified it's MS. I saw what it did to my nan and it's a horrible disease.

OP posts:
DumbledoresApprentice · 20/07/2018 19:23

You shouldn’t ignore neurological symptoms. Self medicating with alcohol to mask symptoms could be very dangerous. Please see a doctor ASAP. I have a family member that ignored neurological symptoms and self medicated to suppress symptoms and the consequences of the way their illness progressed literally destroyed their life and that of their family. I don’t mean to scare you, it may be something very minor, but you really should not run the risk. Flowers

doublehelix · 20/07/2018 19:37

Sounds like it could be benign essential tremor - characteristically gets better with alcohol. You need a face to face opinion though but can wait a little bit so don't panic.

glintandglide · 20/07/2018 19:39

If it’s MS, or a benign tumour, you need to see your GP and go through the proper process. Did you make an appointment for Tuesday?

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 20/07/2018 20:42

glintandglide I have to ring on Tuesday to get an appt then

OP posts:
implantsandaDyson · 20/07/2018 21:04

My Dad is recovering from an op that removed and replaced spinal discs and inserted rods at the top of his spine. His discs and vertebrate were being crushed and he was slowly losing all mobility. It was a horrible horrible time and a very long diagnosis process. When he eventually got to a neurologist it moved very quickly.
His symptoms were very similar to yours, he wasn't in any pain, just losing all coordination and movement.

BrazzleDazzleDay · 20/07/2018 21:15

sparkl make sure you do. Googling really is no use, often does more harm than good and what will worrying solve? Nothing!

Anti d's can cause a tremor, there's a poster on here with a tremor caused by anti d's or maybe antipsychotics I think, (sorry to that poster, I do know your name but unsure whether to post and can't think of your med that caused it)

To me it really does sound like essential tremor, it's typically the only tremor that stops with alcohol. I'm now onto my second glass and feel rather invincible tremor wise.

Alot of people will tell you E.T doesn't cause mobility ussues but it's simply nott true, join any e.t group and you will see hundreds of people with balance issues etc.

Whatever it is, it needs diagnosed and treated.

Feel free to pm me.

LoniceraJaponica · 20/07/2018 23:34

I think you should enquire about telephone consultations. Many GP surgeries do this now and it does save a lot of time and allows GP to make urgent apointments if necessary. Please ring them on Monday and ask.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 21/07/2018 06:10

BrazzleDazzleDay it's horrible isn't it. I feel I can't go anywhere, and my job role is quite a bit client facing, so I just look nervous/useless. I just hate it. I know I need to see the GP (when they get round to it) but I was so embarrassed today just trying to eat friggin breakfast! And it's almost more embarrassing that a small amount of alcohol is the only thing that truly helps Sad

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 21/07/2018 08:14

Don't get around to the docs. Go now. (As now as you can) Make it a priority.

LagunaBubbles · 21/07/2018 08:17

I think you are drinking far far more than you are letting on here.

kaytee87 · 21/07/2018 08:20

Drinking 2 pints (by yourself?) so early in the afternoon suggests you might be drinking more than you're saying.
Get a notepad and write down every drink you have being completely honest starting with yesterday's.
In addition to this you need to see a GP.

LittleLionMansMummy · 21/07/2018 08:26

Sparklfairy even if it is ms it affects people in different ways. Many people live for many years and learn to cope very well. There are lots of new drug therapies that weren't around years ago.

But the neurological diagnosis process can be long and drawn out, so the sooner you see a gp to get into the system the better.

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