Hand Tremors or Anxiety ???

[healthworrier95]

So last December I was suddenly smacked in the face with terrible health anxiety that spiralled out of control. It originally started with the thought of having a brain tumour and eventually moved on to MS. I was terribly depressed and suffered terrible form similar anxiety symptoms such as terrible headaches, numb leg, tingling and trembling etc...

I eventually seen a doctor and had a MRI which all came back clear.

Since all this happened I've suffered still but not half as bad. I realise what it is and was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, but have never wanted to take any medication for it as I'd prefer to work through it without.

The one thing that hasn't cleared up since then is terrible stomach acid and sore throat and TREMORS. I am not particularly scared of the shaking but more of the idea of it developing. Back in February when I was worrying about MS I would notice my thumbs twitching when I used my phone. This symptom has waxed and waned since then but I don't feel like it has ever fully disappeared (probably because I'm always checking and thinking about it).

The past month or so I feel like this tremor has moved into my fingers. It's most prominently in my left hand (I'm left handed). I don't know if it has enhanced due to me starting a new job that requires a steady hand and me overly analysing my hands because of this.

The tremor itself doesn't effect my day to day tasks. It's more of an enhanced jitter of the fingers when I open my hand out and look at it in front of me, it then settles and tremors no more than anyone else's hand. I can write fine and eat without problem. The only time it physically bothers me is when I am stressed or anxious or have drank caffeine, during these times it shakes up and down like I am nervous but still not to the point of me being unable to function 100%. I also feel weak from about where my bicep is. I physically think about this tremor 23.5 hours of each day none stop, worrying it will get worse and affect the rest of my life.

My question is, could this be Anxiety? Or does it sound like an Essential tremor? Is it to coincidental that it has only happened during the time I began to suffer with anxiety as I was fine and never noticed this before? Could anxiety alone be this constant and cause this symptom? Also I am only 22 years of age, Female and have no family history of tremors. Will this ever go away!!?

Would love to hear any similar experiences, information or any reassurance.

Thanks 😞

[bantam12]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked ? Your symptoms could be due to thyroid disease.

[healthworrier95 in reply to bantam12]

I've had full blood count done which was normal, would this be included in that? I've also had B12, Folate, Iron all checked too and everything is normal

[bantam12 in reply to healthworrier95]

No thyroid is not included in a FBC, you need to ask for TSH, T4, T3 and antibodies to be checked. Although results may be classed as normal because they fall within the ranges they may not be. If you get them done ask for a print out of results and post them on the thyroiduk forum for advice.

[lucy561]

Loo, I thought for sure I was going to fail the GD test because I've gained so much weight and have had a real sweet tooth since becoming pregnant, but I passed and my numbers were well below the threshold. So you might be just fine!