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Shaky Hands Anyone?

BostonCeliac

By BostonCeliac
in Related Issues & Disorders

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BostonCeliac Apprentice
BostonCeliac
Posted

Not sure if this is celiac related, but I was thinking about it today.

A while back I paid a visit to my doctor because I tend to have shaky hands (usually the left) in the mornings and sometimes other points in the day... This was when I was diagnosed with anemia (about 6-7 years ago).

I was very recently diagnosed with Celiac through bloodwork & endoscopy -- so I've been gluten free for a little over a month. I actually think I'm getting worse before I get better. No stomach issues, but very tired, not myself, out-of-it, etc... And I've noticed i have shaky hands again! The other day I was painting my nails & my left hand was shaking uncontrollably!

I'm only 26!! Does anyone else have this problem? It comes and goes for me. I dont' really drink coffee, but I have a cup of tea every morning, so I don't think it's caffeine shakes...

THANKS!!!

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spunky Contributor
spunky
Posted

I don't know if what I went through would be anything similar or not, and since i never went to any doctors, I can't tell you what it was.

But I stopped gluten beginning February of this year, and soon after, I can't recall exactly how long now because I got sick of looking at those daily notes I was keeping and threw them out a few weeks ago when it became obvious to me that gluten was my problem. Anyway, it was shortly after I stopped the gluten that I became very shaky and hyper-feeling, uncomfortably so. It wasn't prominant in any one hand, or anything, so maybe it's something different than yours, but I got so I couldn't go anywhere and sit anyplace because I was very shaky and restless.

I worried my thyroid might be acting up. I didn't go to any doctor, so I don't know, but it did eventually stop happening after maybe a month or less, whatever it was. I had a lot of strange things happen to me when I first went gluten free, and if I wouldn't have had this board to lurk on frequently, I might have given up on the idea before the good results started happening.

Maybe this isn't helpful to you. But it seems from my own experience that if gluten has been bothering a person, all kinds of weird stuff might happen during those first couple of months gluten free. It's probably best to ask a doctor about it, but I was already so burnt out on doctors I just waded the unknown waters on my own, which was probably stupid. It's all a lot better for me now, though, so at least I lived to tell about it and happy to report that I'm feeling pretty darn good these days, in my 8th month gluten free, except for a few DUH moments.

BostonCeliac Apprentice
BostonCeliac
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Spunky!

It's encouraging to hear that there is a weird period where you are worse, then it gets better... it's easy to get discouraged! The first two weeks gluten-free were great too, probably because there were no more digestive issues, now all this other weird stuff is coming up... I actually have an appointment with my primary care today and plan on bring this stuff up, but I don't think she even knows what celiac is, we'll find out...

thanks again!

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted

I've always had really shaky hands, ever since being diagnosed with Celiac, and when I went gluten-free it didnt help it any at all...I've been gluten-free for 3 1/2 years and i'm still super shaky!

~lisa~

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted

Have you had your thyroid checked? My hands got shaky when my thyroid was overactive. Its a classic symptom of Graves Disease...which I ended up having. Whenever I went to my endocrinologist for check-ups he would lay a sheet of paper across my hands to see if it would stay still. Thyroid problems are common with Celiac so just something you may want to look into.

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Rachel beat me to it. My hands shook so hard with Graves disease I couldn't eat soup. Another thought is low blood sugar. Cutting down on carbs increasing fat and protein should help with that. You might want to look up the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and see if you have any other symptoms.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

or....hypothyroidism.....or b-12/Folic defficiencies. Mine are both messed up and it is hard to type sometimes with shakey hands. Thuesday I have an appointment and will pass on what I learn.

Kinda scarry though, I know how you feel.

Lisa

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BostonCeliac Apprentice
BostonCeliac
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone... I will be sure to bring up the possibility of a thyroid problem with my doc today... I'll let you know!!

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted

I've had my thyroids checked a zillion times, and there are always pretty much perfect. So who know whats causing my shakyness :P

~lisa~

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

I had something similar, along with joint pains/weakness, and even spasms until somewhat recently. I found out it was caused by nightshades. It's taking awhile, but I usually don't have that problem now. I'm sure it's different for everybody though. One thign I know is that the toxins in nightshades are bad for everyone, just that most people don't notice the effects. Here's a link that may help: Open Original Shared Link

cathzozo Apprentice
cathzozo
Posted

My brother and I both have very shaky hands. Since going gluten-free it might have gotten slightly better for me, but I definitely still have bad days. I hope it's a side effect of some vitamin deficiency, and as my absorption improves, it will get better.

My brother will likely be getting the blood test for celiac soon. My parents recently had the blood test, but haven't gotten their results. If (when) one of them comes back positive, my mother will pay for my brother's blood test.

I'm 29. My brother is 26. We've both had it for several years - including when I gave up caffeine for almost a year.

BTW - I'm hypothyroid and take synthroid, and the shaky hands seem to not be related to my TSH, although I know that there can be a connection sometimes.

Catherine

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Boston Celiac:

Looking to hear back from you. :) How did it go?

Lisa

BostonCeliac Apprentice
BostonCeliac
Posted
  • Author

Hey all! happy Friday!!

So, I had the appointment... btw, i must say that I really love my primary care doc - she spent almost an hour with me talking through my new diagnosis, going over blood levels, talking about this change! She's great!!

Anyway -- so my iron levels are still VERY low... Pre-diagnosis they were at 18 (normal= 35>160 or so) and this week they are at 28... So going up slowly.

She thinks alot of my issues, including shaky hands has to do with that. I'm now on 300 mg of iron a day to see how that goes, and will be re-tested in 3 months. She didn't think thyroid was an issue. Just the iron, which seems to be throwing off other levels as well.

Didn't talk to her about nightshades - and I don't know what I'd do without potatoes!! My favorite food!!

I'll give the iron a chance (gi issues and all) and report back with an update.

num1habsfan -- I have a feeling that i'm like you in that I'm just shaky at times! I could never be a surgeon, in fact, I'm pretty sure I always lost at the game "Operation" - ha!

Thanks again...

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
Anyway -- so my iron levels are still VERY low... Pre-diagnosis they were at 18 (normal= 35>160 or so) and this week they are at 28... So going up slowly.

<SNIP>

Didn't talk to her about nightshades - and I don't know what I'd do without potatoes!! My favorite food!!

Be sure to get plenty of vitamin C with your iron, as it can increase the absorption up to 6 times. At least it does for the kind of iron in veggies, but the supplement is likely the other kind - I don't know if the body prefers one over the other, or if that is even considered by the health experts at all anyway.

I'm with you on the potatoes, as they are one of my favs too. At least they where until recently! I want potato chips so much...but I did recently run into a possible replacement for potatoes. It's called a dasheen. Also called taro, and a few other names as well. Anyway it's supposed to have a lot of the same attributes of a potato. I plan to try it soon, and I did post about it on the board the other day. Look that up - there are some good links to more info.

Alohastar Newbie
Alohastar
Posted

Shaky hands may be related to a number of neurological disorders including neuropathy (huge list of causes), Parkinsons and other conditions related to dopamine. I'd request a referral from my GP to see a neurologist. Go to an expert.

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