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Original poster

13 year old shaking hand

87 replies

SunshineBoy · 07/11/2022 20:04

Just to preface that I am planning on calling the GP tomorrow but just wanted to hear if anyone had experienced similar or if it’s an over reaction to call the GP even?

DS is 13. On Sunday we were playing badminton which is a normal activity for us. He complained of a sudden headache about halfway through. Had a drink and sat down for a few minutes then was happy to join in with us again.

An hour later we were eating lunch and I looked over at him and he was pretty pale and his right hand was really shaking. He said his head hurt again and he felt sick. He didn’t feel cold but his hand wouldn’t stop shaking.

I gave him paracetamol and he laid down to rest. He has had a couple of migraines before so I thought it was that. It seemed to pass and a couple of hours later he was eating me out of house and home as normal and said all was fine. This is normal for his migraines. Sudden pain / sickness that he can sleep off and bounce back from.

Today he has come home from school saying his hand keeps going weird and shaking. No headache or sickness. He said his hand was cold and looked blotchy but doesn’t hurt. It’s happened twice since he got home. Passes after about 5 minutes. He doesn’t feel lightheaded or anything else.

Does this just sound like a trapped nerve type thing? Rather then blood sugars or a migraine? Wouldn’t a nerve thing be sore?

I do want to call the GP in the morning but I know it’s a fight to get seen and I wonder if they will think this is a blinkers thing to go to the GP about.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 08/11/2022 21:37

Just to update you. we spent a few hours on the day unit, had lots of neurology tests and observations done and he needs to have an MRI. They have said it’s a tremor and is unusual because it’s only presenting in one hand so they feel it’s not due to blood sugars etc.

They are concerned about the link between him getting worse headaches and suddenly needing glasses 5 months ago. All the tests today were normal though so they just want to be cautious about the headache and migraine diagnosis and feel the MRI will rule out anything sinister.

The doctor said he is inclined to think it’s a migraine symptom and that while it’s unusual the tremor has lingered way beyond the initial migraine it’s not unheard of. The fact that he has had fewer episodes today is promising. He’s perfectly healthy otherwise, they just don’t want to miss something. We should get a call in a day or so for the scan and I have to go straight to A&E if he gets any sickness, dizziness, confusion or migraine symptoms or the tremor worsens or moves to any other part of his body.

He is adamant he is going to school tomorrow because it’s his favourite day of his timetable and he feels perfectly fine. We’ve had one tremor episode since getting home but if he has any in the morning I might just keep him home.

I’m relieved that all his tests today were good and there is nothing obviously acutely wrong with him but still a bit concerned obviously.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 08/11/2022 21:42

I asked about it maybe being a trapped nerve and he said he felt that would show as more jerky or inconsistent movements whereas this was a sustained almost rhythmic motion and he had no pain or swelling so they weren’t convinced it would be that type of thing.

OP posts:
Retsina24 · 08/11/2022 21:47

Pleased they are investigating. Hope all is well.

greeandorange · 08/11/2022 22:27

I'm so glad you've been seen and ruled out anything acute. I hope you are ok, you seem so calm and collected in your posts!

Jaybird43 · 09/11/2022 08:14

You are doing so well, OP. You sound calm and rationale and I’m glad to hear that the docs are keeping a close eye on him. Hoping the MRI is clear x

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 09/11/2022 09:00

Thanks everyone. I’m trying to stay calm because I don’t want DS to be worried. I have a very practical, calm and problem saving nature in a crisis. When we get the all clear and he’s back to normal I’ll probably have a little rocking cry in the corner for an hour 😂

When he got up this morning he said he felt like he had the start of a headache and that he was tired. His hand had a little shake so I’ve kept him off because I don’t trust him to report anything we’ve been told to look out for and I’d feel safer monitoring him myself.

he’s not particularly happy about that and has been doing homework for the last hour! Just persuaded him to step away from that and do something fun. He’s such a good lad bless him.

I appreciate all the support - it’s been good to have somewhere to write stuff down. I don’t want to fret with people in real life and worry them when it’s probably nothing.

OP posts:
AnnoyedHumph · 09/11/2022 09:24

Good luck with the MRI 🤞

Jaybird43 · 09/11/2022 09:26

Oh bless him! Do you know when the MRI will likely be? Really sending positive vibes your way x

ChangedMyNameToday · 09/11/2022 22:21

Poor him, OP (and poor you, OP). It sounds like a lot to go through - but - it is good they've done/are doing a good job of checking everything. Hopefully, it will just be migraine, they can have some odd symptoms sometimes. It does sound good his hand's tending to improve. Thank you for updating and I hope he keeps improving; it's good everything has come back ok, so far. I hope the MRI goes well Flowers

Lingles · 09/11/2022 23:20

Well done OP.
my son is older (teenage) and we’ve been through something similar.
I’m just pondering the practicalities in terms of length of wait
we were booked for a routine ct with a 2-month wait. Symptoms accelerated and it was changed to an urgent which meant a one week wait from that point.

MissEnolaHolmes · 09/11/2022 23:24

Sound worrying but has been taken further - hope you get good new today

Haycorns4Piglet · 09/11/2022 23:26

I'm so glad they're taking it seriously. Better for them to go OTT than to palm you off. Bets of luck OP. Please keep us updated.

Duchess379 · 09/11/2022 23:32

Glad you're getting some answers. Big hugs to you all x

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 09/11/2022 23:34

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the MRI and some answers 🤞🤞

VeronicaVanHoopen · 09/11/2022 23:46

Just to give you another story - my son has a history of quite severe migraine for past 4 years and then in March this year started with hand tremors. Sometimes they were ridiculously severe. He did his GCSEs in the summer but I never would have said he was stressed about them as such. GP gave us a referral for private neuro although she was 98% sure they were benign tremors. I decided to wait until after his exams and they are indeed much much better now. Maybe see it once a fortnight, if that.

I would have sworn black was blue that they couldn't be anything other than something physiological but looking back they must have been stress related. I think he just doesn't experience stress mentally as he is a very calm character but it all comes out as physical symptoms with the migraines and tremors. Looking back, I was the same but I used to get horrendous tonsillitis until they took them out and then I got recurrent chest infections when stressed!

I hope the MRI is all clear and it turns out to be something harmless for your son. It is very disconcerting seeing them shake when they are so young.

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 10/11/2022 17:26

Lingles · 09/11/2022 23:20

Well done OP.
my son is older (teenage) and we’ve been through something similar.
I’m just pondering the practicalities in terms of length of wait
we were booked for a routine ct with a 2-month wait. Symptoms accelerated and it was changed to an urgent which meant a one week wait from that point.

Thank you for sharing this. The doctor said he was asking for an urgent referral for the MRI. He initially said we might wait for one then said we could go home and wait for a call but it would be in a day or so.

no call today but if there isn’t one by tomorrow afternoon I will ring and ask when to expect one.

DS went to school today. I spoke with pastoral and they agreed to inform teachers he has an immediate pass to go to medical if he tells them he needs to. They are aware they need to ring me immediately if he feels sick, dizzy or gets a headache. Or if his tremor worsens or moves elsewhere.

he said it’s happened at least 5 times today. A couple he didn’t really notice when he was listening to the teacher and it was pointed out by the boy next to him. He said it’s embarrassing so he’s had his hand off the desk a lot so it could be happening more but he’s not noticing. He doesn’t feel it mostly and doesn’t feel odd or anything when it happens.

thanks again everyone for the well wishes - it’s much appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 10/11/2022 17:28

VeronicaVanHoopen · 09/11/2022 23:46

Just to give you another story - my son has a history of quite severe migraine for past 4 years and then in March this year started with hand tremors. Sometimes they were ridiculously severe. He did his GCSEs in the summer but I never would have said he was stressed about them as such. GP gave us a referral for private neuro although she was 98% sure they were benign tremors. I decided to wait until after his exams and they are indeed much much better now. Maybe see it once a fortnight, if that.

I would have sworn black was blue that they couldn't be anything other than something physiological but looking back they must have been stress related. I think he just doesn't experience stress mentally as he is a very calm character but it all comes out as physical symptoms with the migraines and tremors. Looking back, I was the same but I used to get horrendous tonsillitis until they took them out and then I got recurrent chest infections when stressed!

I hope the MRI is all clear and it turns out to be something harmless for your son. It is very disconcerting seeing them shake when they are so young.

That’s really interesting about stress. DS isn’t doing exams yet and is soo laid back that I don’t think he is stressed but it is very much worth keeping in mind thank you. If this turns out to be one of those things that they just can’t get to the bottom of I will certainly go down the stress management route to see if that helps.

OP posts:
Lingles · 10/11/2022 18:54

Ok. For us urgent meant 6 days, and we got the invite on day 5.
will do no harm to call.

Jaybird43 · 11/11/2022 17:30

Thinking of you @SunshineBoy. hoping the scan is done soon and he gets the all clear so you can put this to the back of your mind 💐

NoDoor · 11/11/2022 18:57

Really sounds like he’s getting excellent care and hopefully the MRI is quick and shows nothing but a healthy brain

MiniDinosaur · 15/11/2022 11:29

Have you had the MRI appointment through yet? Thinking of you.

Naughty1205 · 15/11/2022 22:27

@Sunshineboy hope all is ok Flowers

Original poster
SunshineBoy · 16/11/2022 19:23

Thank you for thinking of us!

scan date will be the 26th November. I spoke with the GP yesterday and they said it wasn’t requested for priority but marked urgent whatever that means. I was happy to go with that as it’s not any worse - in fact it seemed to be happening less since the weekend.

but yesterday evening he had his swimming lesson and he visibly struggled through it. Said he just felt so tired which isn’t like him at all.

And just now he’s come to me and said he found “a thing on his shoulder” and it’s some kind of rash. Doesn’t itch, isn’t raised, looks like it’s bruising under the skin. He feels fine but now I’m thinking we need to see the GP again tomorrow.

I’ve heckled him all over but no rash elsewhere. It’s all feeling a bit odd.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 16/11/2022 19:24

Hmm. That should read checked. Promise I don’t heckle the poor boy!

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineBoy · 16/11/2022 19:25

Oh and it’s the same arm that has the shaking hand but I’m not sure what the connection could be.

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