Uncontrollable Shaking Episode: Seeking Advice
I’m a 34-year-old female weighing 100 pounds, not currently taking any medications. Last night, shortly after dinner, I experienced heart palpitations, which is somewhat regular for me due to my existing conditions of mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Following that, I felt an intense wave of heat envelop my body. In an effort to cool down, I applied an ice pack to my neck, a trick recommended by my healthcare providers on previous occasions. Soon afterward, my entire body began to tremble and twitch uncontrollably. My limbs, including my jaw, reacted beyond my ability to control them. I was unable to stabilize myself or halt the shaking, which persisted for almost 45 minutes. While I have a diagnosis of anxiety, my mental state remained calm throughout the episode; however, I struggled to respond verbally to my partner. It was as if my thoughts were moving at a sluggish pace. During this time, my heart rate held steady at 80 beats per minute, my oxygen saturation was 98%, and my blood pressure was recorded at 117/? without any physical discomfort accompanying these symptoms. After the episode, I felt completely exhausted and went to bed immediately. Today, I find myself unusually tired and slightly weak, but otherwise, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Should I be worried? I'm thoroughly perplexed by what transpired and am uncertain about how to move forward, as my mind is filled with questions. Thank you for any guidance you can provide 🤍
Answers (1)
9/13/2025, 12:20:52 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned after experiencing such a distressing episode. While your ongoing conditions like mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation and anxiety might play a role, what you described—heart palpitations, waves of heat, and uncontrollable shaking—could indicate several causes that need careful consideration.
Explanation:
-
Physical Response:
- The shaking you experienced, known as tremors, can occur as your body’s response to heightened stress or anxiety, even if you felt calm mentally. It could also be a physical response to palpitations, a reaction to heat, or even a transient neurological event.
-
Medical Considerations:
- Given your history of heart valve issues, it's important to be aware of episodes that may reflect changes in your cardiovascular status. Symptoms like palpitations combined with shaking should not be ignored.
-
Fatigue and Weakness:
- Post-episode fatigue is common, but feeling unusually weak afterward—especially after such a significant episode—merits attention.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms:
- Keep a diary of any similar future episodes. Note the timing, duration, and any other associated symptoms. This can be helpful for you and your healthcare provider.
-
Hydrate and Rest:
- Ensure you’re drinking enough fluids and getting adequate rest in the coming days to support recovery.
-
Relaxation Techniques:
- Try practicing gentle breathing exercises or mindfulness to help manage anxiety, as relaxation can often ease physical tension.
-
Seek Medical Evaluation:
- Given the nature of your symptoms, it's vital to consult with a healthcare provider soon, especially since you have existing heart conditions. They may recommend tests to rule out any significant issues.
-
Avoid Heat Exposure:
- Since heat may have triggered this episode, try cooling environments, and be cautious around hot weather or activities that can elevate body temperature.
Conclusion:
While your symptoms don’t necessarily mean something severe, it’s crucial to take them seriously, especially with your medical history. Keeping track of your health and communicating any changes to your healthcare provider is key in managing your conditions effectively. If you experience another episode, especially with intensified symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Take care of yourself, and I’m here if you have more questions! 🤍
Related Questions
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?
Seeking Insight on Abnormal Neuroimaging Results
A 42-year-old female, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, has been grappling with cognitive challenges for over three years. She has a clinical history that includes a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder coupled with generalized anxiety, which she manages effectively through a regimen of an antidepressant, a mood stabilizer, and medications for anxiety. Currently, she is under the care of her fifth neurologist in the Boston region. An FDG-PET scan revealed a significant decline in metabolic functions, showing a 30-40% reduction within the left parietal lobe and a 20% decrease in both mesial temporal lobes. As part of her evaluation, a lumbar puncture was performed to assess amyloid and tau protein levels, with results coming back negative. Although a radiologist recommended pursuing an amyloid PET scan to gain further insights, her neurologist has declined this option. Despite the neurologist's suggestion that her indications might fit into the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) category, she remains unconvinced and believes there must be an identifiable underlying cause for her symptoms and the irregularities observed in her scans. She is seeking advice on the next steps to take in pursuing a clearer diagnosis or understanding of her condition.
Light Pink Discharge After Urination
Just yesterday, after using the restroom, I spotted a faint pink hue on the toilet paper. Initially, I thought it might indicate the start of my menstrual cycle, especially since I didn’t have my period last month during the last week of January. However, today I haven't noticed any blood, and I don't anticipate any appearing this week or even the next. Additionally, I observed small traces of blood in my urine during the week my period was supposed to arrive. While I do experience some hormonal symptoms, I’m uncertain about their meaning. Thankfully, I haven’t felt any burning sensations, but I find myself feeling confused and, to be honest, a bit anxious about the situation. I maintain an average weight, I’m not on any medications, and I do not smoke.
Factors Influencing Rapid Advancement of Leprosy
I'm an 18-year-old assigned female at birth, standing at 5'11" and weighing 150 pounds. I've ceased taking any antibiotics or other prescribed medications, with the exception of haloperidol. I smoke and drink, but I don't engage in drug use. My ethnicity is Caucasian. Additionally, I have several other health issues, including anemia, scoliosis, endometriosis, and ovarian complications. I find myself unwilling to endure this condition for the next two decades. Currently, my health feels precarious. My wounds take an excruciatingly long time to heal or sometimes don't heal at all. I experience numbness or a tingling sensation in my hands, where the skin resembles that of a reptile, likely due to my fingers being either broken or oddly bent, possibly infected as well. My arms, legs, and face are covered in lesions, primarily due to these unhealed wounds. Furthermore, I deal with mild muscle weakness, a condition that began during my time playing football as a lineman, accompanied by numerous injuries that still haven’t fully recovered. I find myself wishing for a more rapid progression of this disease so that I can reach a point of resolution, as I feel irreparably damaged and have turned down treatment out of deep-seated self-loathing. Is there any way to accelerate this? I should mention, though it may not be directly related: my scars have a purplish hue, and I've noticed small visible 'holes' near these scars on my left arm—at least four that I've identified—while my left hand seems to be in the worst condition. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.
Understanding Prednisone Usage and Withdrawal
A 38-year-old woman, measuring 5’10 and weighing 125 pounds, with no smoking or drinking habits and a background of autoimmune disease, encountered a viral infection in December. In response to her condition, a specialist recommended a tapering regimen starting with a 40mg dose of prednisone for five days, followed by a gradual reduction through 30mg, 20mg, and 10mg over a total period of 20 days. After completing the course and halting the medication, she experienced severe symptoms approximately 36 hours later, including intense vomiting, debilitating headaches, and widespread pain throughout her body. Any physical contact provoked discomfort, leaving her in distress. Unable to reach her original provider, she consulted another physician who prescribed a lower dosage of 4mg of prednisone, instructing her to decrease the amount by 1mg every three days. Remarkably, she felt relief upon returning to the 4mg dose. However, she expressed concern regarding the potential effects when she ultimately weans off the medication entirely. She is seeking guidance on whether this method of tapering is typical and which specialist might be best suited to manage her prednisone treatment moving forward.