Unusual Shaking Episodes Following a Head Injury
I am a 17-year-old assigned female at birth, weighing 70 kg and standing 5’9" tall. I currently take quetiapine (50 mg) and sertraline (25 mg) daily, having been on them for over a year. I do not engage in smoking, drinking, or recreational drug use, and I live in the UK. My medical background includes childhood asthma, which I have since outgrown, and there is no record of epilepsy in my family. Recently, I experienced a significant incident in my home when part of my ceiling collapsed onto my head about a month ago; the building materials involved were plasterboard. Although I have no difficulties sleeping or staying in my bedroom since that event, I unexpectedly started having troubling symptoms after four days. I sought medical attention at the hospital due to strange trembling sensations that felt uncontrollable. These episodes can last between 1 and 2 seconds and I’ve noted their frequency, which ranges from a minimum of 25 to as many as 70 occurrences throughout a day. Each episode leaves me feeling nauseous, leading to vomiting on several occasions, attributed to the rapid tensing and relaxing of my muscles. A CT scan revealed no injuries, so I was released. Occasionally, I experience episodes lasting up to 10 seconds, where my body shakes uncontrollably. One day at college, I felt an overwhelming wave of heat and nausea, prompting me to excuse myself to the bathroom. Instead of merely feeling sick, I suddenly collapsed to the ground, trembling and experiencing intense muscle contractions. The pain was strange, and though I bit my tongue in the process, thankfully it didn’t bleed. After attempting to return to class, I found my legs were too weak and I felt dizzy, ultimately needing to sit on the floor. I required assistance and was wheeled into another classroom during lunch since being alone was not safe. Throughout all this, I remained conscious and aware of my surroundings. Consequently, I’ve decided not to leave the classroom during these episodes, opting instead to face whatever may happen. A few days prior to my collapse, I had a GP appointment where the doctor dismissed my symptoms as stress-related and advised me to try to relax, which left me feeling quite dissatisfied. Despite my lack of medical expertise, I find this explanation unsatisfactory and confusing. In the hospital, two doctors characterized my longer episodes as seizures, contradicting my GP’s assessment. These unexpected spasms have drastically affected my ability to engage in previously enjoyable activities, leaving me physically exhausted—resulting in an increase of around two hours to my usual sleep. I plan to schedule another appointment with my GP soon because I’m beginning to suspect that the issue extends beyond mere stress. I would appreciate any insights or advice you might have regarding my situation or what could potentially be occurring with my health.
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 5:10:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
Your situation involves unusual shaking episodes following a head injury, and it’s understandable that this is concerning for you. The symptoms you're experiencing, particularly the episodes of shaking, nausea, and muscle contractions, warrant careful attention even if initial tests like a CT scan did not show injuries.
Explanation:
The shaking episodes may be related to a number of factors, especially given your recent head injury. These symptoms could potentially be post-concussion syndrome, which can manifest as a variety of physical symptoms due to brain irritation after a concussion, including muscle spasms, nausea, and dizziness. However, the episodes lasting several seconds, along with muscle contractions, can also resemble seizure-like activity.
The contrasting views from your doctors can understandably cause confusion. It's essential to delineate between neurologic and stress-related causes, as both can present with similar symptoms but require different approaches.
Next Steps:
- Keep a Detailed Symptom Diary: Note the timing, frequency, duration, and nature of each episode. This can help your healthcare provider in understanding the patterns and potential triggers.
- Discuss With Your GP: When you visit your GP, share your diary and express that your symptoms include several concerns raised by hospital staff. Clearly state that you feel the initial assessment might not encompass the severity of your episodes. A referral to a neurologist could provide deeper insights.
- Emergency Plan: Develop a plan for when episodes occur, especially regarding safety at school. Inform trusted friends and staff about what to do if you experience these symptoms.
- Monitor Triggers and Environment: Observe if certain activities, like stress or physical exertion, worsen your symptoms. This can help in avoiding potential triggers.
Remember, while your concerns are valid, it’s vital to approach this collaboratively with your healthcare providers. Stay proactive about your health, and don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion if needed. Your health and safety are priorities, and getting the right intervention as soon as possible is crucial.
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