The shakes

[Pranny]

13 months on from my TBI and I am still suffering from ongoing shaking in the left side (the subdural hematoma was on my right side so I understand this? ) but I have started getting quite severe shaking in my left arm! Any thoughts?

[AndrewT]

Dear Pranny,

You don't say quite 'How' you received your injury, so advising you is a little Difficult...However I have some general thoughts.

I don't know what, if any, Medications you are taking- some of these have Side effects, that can include 'Shaking'. I also no nothing of your 'Lifestyle', which can have an effect- now I don't imagine, for one minute, that you are a Boxer or Athlete but you take my point.

You are correct, in thinking, that Damage to the Right Hemisphere of the Brain, can cause 'Problems' on the Left side. Unfortunately I have NOT seen your Prognosis, so I don't know if this was 'Expected', or not. (In some Brain Conditions, symptoms DO 'develop' some time AFTER the original Injury.)

My advice is Simple....Contact your OWN Doctors/ Consultants, ask for an appointment/ review, and explain ALL your symptoms to him/ her. Don't forget, to mention, anything else such as Muscle Pain, Headache, Tummy Troubles, Unexpected Bruising, Skin Lesions and any changes in Taste/ Smell. (also mention any changes, to your overall Skin, Hair or Complexation). Asking for a FULL Body Examination, might not, be a bad idea either.

Beyond this I can only offer you our Support and, very importantly, a Listening Ear should you wish to use it.

I know that I speak for us all, in saying, I hope Everything 'Sorts Out', for you, Pranny. Sending you our warmest wishes.

AndrewT

[Pranny in reply to AndrewT]

Good evening, the shaking is still there! I'm now suffering speech problems, I know what I want to say but it won't come out! Therapist is saying fatigue? I'm getting angry with myself and have had enough!

[RecoveringH]

Because severe shaking in your left arm 'has just started' it may relate to spine T1 - T4 area. See your doctor about a physiological assessment or at my surgery you can self refer to see a physiotherapist by filling in a form. Rule out a physical misalignment first. They will ask you to touch your nose, lift a weight, turn to the left/right, stretch and touch your toes, some may test your reflexes, just run you through a series of movement checks to see if there is anything obvious which has caused a blockage to exacerbate the shake.

They will ask you a series of questions about your medical history so it is best to write it down before you go and have it as a list of historical sequential events to hand over which will cut down time and facilitate a speedy assessment. They may ask you to fill out a form with this medical history so if you need to take someone who is fast at writing notes with you, then do so to remove the stress from the situation. It is important you are calm and relaxed during assessment.

If it is not a physically obvious root cause, what is left is either a temporary central nervous system response (brain is overdosing on trying to heal and due to nutritional deficiencies (vitamin B and magnesium for nerves) or extensive damage the body is unable to fix right away) or it is an indication that the area of the brain affected is not able to talk to the arm correctly via the central nervous system which indicates nerve messaging (synapse inactivity) impairment, possibly due to scar healing and rewiring in the brain which may settle down eventually.

A referral to a neurologist doesn't always leave you feeling understood as they like things obvious like numbness, tingling, ice cream pain, no reflex, lack of coordination, inability to walk a straight line one foot in front of the other touching toe to heel, pain when they prod you.

Try this. Shut your eyes. With your good arm, touch your forefinger to your nose then your little finger, then to your ear on the same side, then to your ear on the opposite side. Then try the same movements with your bad arm. You will soon see if the brain signals are malfunctioning. I used to not be able to touch my nose with my eyes shut, my proprioception was way out. After a few years of healing eating the right nutritional foods, exercise, good sleep, low sugar, limit stimulating foods like caffeine, lots of veg, no readymade meals, it hopefully will settle down.

The onset of a severe shaking arm, is most likely due to your just 13 months into healing, due to the body going through a healing phase. It may settle down on its own. Better to get it checked via the various medical routes to assess the root cause. If in doubt, take your headphones and favourite music (to stay relaxed in a stressful environment) down to A&E and jump into the queue to see a doctor there. Sometimes GPs don't have the time in 8 minutes to fully grasp what is required for a BI recovery so book a double appointment.

The NHS does not address nutritional deficiencies for brain injury recovery so I suggest you research that yourself online and find stories by other people affected by subdural hematoma and see how they overcame the various associated conditions related to this type of BI.

I guess the obvious question is do over the counter pain killers / ibuprofen lessen the shaking? Does anything touch it or does it shake regardless or what you take or what you do. Like does a hot bath reduce shaking. Does going for a walk reduce shaking or does it increase after certain activities. It is helpful to list a few of these for when you see a medical person so they have a better idea of how it is impacting on your daily life but also may be helpful in diagnosis.

All the Best, Keep us updated with how you get on.

[AndrewT in reply to RecoveringH]

Dear RecoveringH,

What Good 'Sound' advice, you have given Pranny here, far better than I gave in fact- No I mean it! You clearly have had, far more experience, of these 'Things' than I have. We BOTH agree that his own 'Team' are probably the ones, for him, to talk to. May I respectfully and with, absolutely no Sarcasm intended, defer to your greater knowledge RecoveringH.

AndrewT

[1949liz]

Hi Pranny, If it shakes unfortunately I know nothing about it. But if it’s a tremor I know quite a lot. In fact both are similar If it’s shakes it might pass as it’s possibly because it’s nerve damage due to the TBI and once your brain begins to heal it will right itself, but this takes time so it’s a waiting game. But if it’s a tremor unfortunately will not go away unless your one of the lucky ones. Maybe like most people you already had a slight tremor and because of you TBI it has exasperated it but help with meds like propanol can help control it so please check with you GP ask for a double appointment and then you will have the time to speak to him/her without rushing. I think the GP will send you back to see a neurologist so they can check you out. Take care and the comments you have had are fantastic Love Liz x🌹

[Pranny in reply to 1949liz]

Evening 1949liz I have been trying to work out if it's a tremor or shaking and am now 99%sure it's a tremor! Unfortunately my brain injury nurse has been off sick for the last 6months so I only see a physiotherapist who tries to help me, perhaps I need to be referred back to the neurology dept? Thankyou for your kind words

[1949liz]

Hi Pranny,

I have had a tremor for many years but on the 6th Dec 2014 I had a nasty fall and suffered a TBI and stroke causing my tremor to be so much worse as it’s in my right and left sides, my right side is so much worse and its in my head and leg so my doctor sent me to see a neurologist and he is very good your doctor needs to refer you to see a neurologist as he can certainly help you. Hope you get all the help you deserve Love Liz x🌹

[Pranny in reply to 1949liz]

I wish you well Liz and again thankyou x

[Pranny in reply to Pranny]

Hello again, I'm now struggling with speech problems!can't work out this website? I hope you are well