Understanding My Body's Uncontrollable Shaking
Greetings! I'm a 17-year-old male, and for as long as I can remember, I've dealt with persistent hand tremors. Initially, medical professionals didn't express concern, but I've noticed a troubling development over the past few years. As a junior in high school, I first realized that the trembling had progressed to my arms and legs during my freshman year; now, it affects virtually everything below my torso. My doctor conducted an MRI to investigate the possibility of multiple sclerosis, as my maternal grandmother is afflicted and it can have hereditary links. Thankfully, the MRI results were normal. Since then, however, my doctors have been unable to determine the cause of my symptoms. Additionally, there’s a possibility I have mild scoliosis—might that be a factor in my tremors? I'm uncertain. Among the medications I’m prescribed, Vyvanse stands out, with my doctor indicating that it may result in tremors as a side effect. We attempted to see if discontinuing it on weekends would alleviate the problem, but I haven't observed any improvement; the tremors persist. Recently, I’ve started to detect tremors in my head, which is a new and concerning development. The shaking is continuous, although the intensity fluctuates from day to day. On particularly bad days, tasks like writing and drawing become extremely challenging due to an inability to steady my pencil. This tremor issue remains with me regardless of whether I've eaten or drank water, and it seems to have intensified and spread over the years. The only relief I experience occurs when something exerts pressure against my hands—for example, when someone places their hand against mine and applies pressure, the shaking stops momentarily. Could anyone shed some light on what might be happening? Is it possible this is linked to my medications? Currently, I take fluvoxamine at 100mg twice daily, Vyvanse (approximately 60mg each morning), hydroxyzine (I believe it ranges from 25mg to 60mg), lurasidone (unsure of the dosage), and trazodone, which I think falls between 50mg and 75mg once a day. I’m at school right now, but I can verify the exact doses once I’m back home if needed.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 3:00:57 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant and distressing tremors, which are impacting your daily life and causing concern. Various factors could contribute to your symptoms, including underlying health conditions or medication side effects. Let's break this down to better understand potential causes and what steps you can take.
Main Points
- Tremors may have multiple causes: This includes anxiety, medication side effects, or other neurological conditions.
- Medication review is crucial: Some of the medications you’re taking, like Vyvanse, can cause tremors, but it’s important to consider all medications.
- Symptom management strategies: There are practical steps to manage symptoms until further clarity is obtained.
Explanation
Tremors can be involuntary movements caused by various conditions, including neurological disorders, anxiety, and certain medications, as you suggested with Vyvanse. The fact that the tremors have progressed to involve more parts of your body and that they are impacting your ability to perform tasks like writing is important for assessing urgency.
Mild scoliosis typically does not cause tremors, though it is good to be aware of any potential interactions between your posture, muscle tension, and nerve function. The symptoms that improve with pressure suggest that the tremors could be less related to structural issues and more about neuromuscular control or medication effects.
Next Steps
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Medication Review: Keep a detailed log of your medications, dosages, and any changes in symptoms. Consider discussing with your doctor the potential side effects of each medication and whether an adjustment or change might alleviate the tremors.
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Symptom Diary: Track your symptoms daily, noting the intensity of the tremors, which tasks are affected, and any other accompanying symptoms (like anxiety or fatigue). This information is vital for your healthcare provider to understand patterns and triggers.
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Stress Management Techniques: Explore calming practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, or gentle physical activities (like yoga). These can help manage anxiety, which may contribute to tremor severity.
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Consult a Specialist: If tremors continue to worsen or new symptoms develop, consider asking for a referral to a neurologist. They specialize in disorders of the nervous system and can perform further assessments or tests to identify the cause.
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Stay Supportive: Engage a trusted adult or family member in your health journey, who can support you in your appointments and ensure you’re getting the best care.
It’s important to stay proactive about your health while maintaining open lines of communication with your healthcare team. You're not alone in this, and there are people who want to help you manage these symptoms effectively. If you have any more specific questions or need clarity on anything, feel free to reach out!
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