GI Disorder and Internal Shaking

Posted by gigiraj @gigiraj, Feb 15, 2019

Hi all. I'm a 21 year old South Asian female and I have been having GI issues for about five years--mainly along the lines of constipation. I do have bowel movements every day but it takes a long time & I am rarely fully cleared out. These GI issues are always accompanied by other health issues (gas, pressure in head, etc). Recently, some scary new conditions have manifested: In the past few weeks, there have been times where my heart starts beating wildly and very fast. Sometimes, when I'm tired and constipated, my entire body feels like its vibrating internally; the shakes aren't visible but it feels like all my muscles are quivering. At this point, I feel a constant shaking/quivering within my body, especially in my heart cavity.

I have had TWO EKG's and both came back normal. All lab tests for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, etc came back within normal limits. I am very concerned about this internal shaking. My dad says he found something about how GI disorders can impact muscoskeletal system and since the heart is a muscle, it's contracting and being affected. But I wanted to know if anyone here can help!!!!!!! If anyone knows anything at all please please please let me know!!!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

In 2019 October in early fall, I encountered a common cold. Then my diet usually consisted of sugars and junk food. So, I took some OTC, they didn't help. Then almost after two months, I started taking ayurvedic decoctions to resolve my issue. I took them for around 2 to 3 months and I lost all my taste and smell. Then my hair started falling off and I was shedding fat day by day. I was around 88 kgs at that time with body builder physique. Gradually, Icould see my collar bone popping. My wrists were getting smaller and bones coming out. Then slowly and slowly my gut started to react so strongly after eating citrus, sweet,carbs, milk etc. Then i stopped eating and started fasting. I was barely eating anything at that time(in August 2020) except coconut and some salads with no Carbs because I wasn't digesting anything solid.

Then Multiple symptoms started to develop day by day in my body like severe headaches, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, blood rushing through my brain (just above my side burns). I still remember that day. Pain was going all through my body. My brain seemed to be swollen and full of pain in sinus areas and forehead and at the back.

Then in November 2020, slowly and slowly along with homeopathic treatment for liver (because finally doctors said my liver was enlarged as per my abdomen CT SCAN). I started eating some wheat rice and boiled veggies with no sugars or processed food.

And now in February 2021 I'm having same issue. Sometimes i feel bloated sometimes i feel very hungry sometimes not at all even for few days. And as soon as I eat something my body starts vibrating internally and I can feel something moving in my blood. Doctors say it's b vitamins deficiency but I'm taking all those supplements, still it's the same as it was on the first day. And I'm still losing my hair and body weight constantly. I'm really depressed because of uncomfortable feeling of blood clotting happening all the day from waking up till I fall asleep.

Can someone pls help me in identifying the issue. How just a cold can ruin all my life? 😢😢

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@gigiraj

Yeah, same, I think it's definitely related to gas for me. It's definitely concentrated in the abdomen but for me it's a full body quivering. Right this moment, I hold still and can feel shaking in my arms that isn't visible on the outside. It's very scary. I'll ask about some of those medicines you mentioned.

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I had the same issues I was diagnosed with G.E.R.D over 25yrs ago and every now and then I get internal tremors my heart beat fast and my entire body shakes on the inside but it only happen when I'm gassed up and trying to go to sleep im jump out my sleep heart racing as if I almost died in my sleep also at times when I need to make a bowel movement my heart beats fast i get cold chills and weakness in my arms and legs and the reason I think is because the gas is suffocating my heart so what I do every morning i wake up and every night before i go to bed i take a antacid and drink hot water as hot as possible antacids such as mylanta,aloe vera juice and I also started taking prebiotic for gut support and now I no longer have internal tremors/vibrations or bowel issues and because u can't take antacids for a long period of time I drink mostly aloe vera juice and take the antacid if needed depending on what I ate that day and how bloated and gassy I feel hopefully this help cause for years I thought my days was numbered my doctor couldn't tell me nothing I practically had to diagnosed myself also please research aloe vera juice to see it's benefits for acid reflux its a game changer but remember to keep your antacid on the side

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How can you drink the aloe vera juice? Isn't it nasty tasting? All I can think of is that aloe slime from the plant.

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So happy to find this discussion but so sad to hear the stories of pain and suffering. I have the reverse... IBS-Diarrhea 15 years; not constipation; then C.Diff in 2018 after being given 6 antibiotic in 5 months for bladder infections, and took over 125 Vancomycin; that year also diagnosed with Glaucoma... had physical and nervous breakdown and still getting over it. 2016 Peripheral Neuropathy from a Quinolone drug for bladder infection, but a few months ago the neuropathy turned from strong tingling and medium pain to stiffness; stronger pain; and - similar to above - shaking but inside my body. I would wake up and think the bed was vibrating along my spine. Trying to keep this short: but now its every day - no one can see my body shake but its all over and upper back, arms, legs, inside bowel, sides etc. and even affecting a bit how I walk.
Have been spending hours/days trying to gather info. as I thought it could be from the anaesthetic dentist injected into gums before drilling, extractions, as have had 5 appointments in five months... also am on Clonazepam/Klonapin and thought maybe a reaction, but after reading the above I think it IS the bowel,
Although I have had diarrhea, lately been taking extra Imodium/anti-diarrhea meds which is turning the stool into small balls (sorry) but I think now that the firm feces is sort of akin to constipation/trapped gas? as I have a lot of painful pressure in the bowel too and my spouse says; well thats better than diarrhea. However, the shaking inside is getting so bad its driving me mad and to the point of tears: and not a pretty site seeing a 77 year old woman crying! Thank you so much for sharing your stories and I hope I can find this page again tomorrow (although I have posted in other rooms on mayo-connect). Its after 11pm here so taking my sleeping pill and going to turn light off ... am in Canada... best wishes to you as I think most are living in lovely USA... and I hope if I find a "cure" will share it with you. (Hope we all find a cure) Night, J. 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

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@pika

Hi folks, this post is from a few months ago but I'm suffering from the same symptoms. I've been suffering daily from gas, a twisting feeling in the abdomen, head pressure, tension headache, fatigue, brain fog, internal shakiness, heart palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath. It feels like my body is falling apart but all lab reports came back normal after numerous tests.

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Hi

I feel the same way. I have had EKG ,Ultra Sound, GASTRIC EMPTYING TEST. , stomach biopsies, colon oscopys and multiple medications I feel bring out the internal tremors. I have had instant head pressure that came on with no warning and brought me to my knees. It hit me so fast and felt like it was an explosion in my heas with sound. And then it was gone. It has been 2 months since I had the internal shaking and it started again. Last week. I niw have a weird fluttering in my lower chest and above my rib cage. It's more like a vibration. When sitting still and more pronounced after I eat. I am not comfortable contacting my GI because I feel like he is grasping at ideas and trying meds I don't want to take. I also have a tremor in my left hand. My NP is great and would like me to see a Neurologist. I have not made the appointment out of fear. There seems to be so many others with the same symptoms why can we have a diagnosis? Thanks for letting me vent.

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@laurieb63 - Welcome to Connect! I’m glad you can discuss your frustrating symptoms with others who are going through similar illness without a complete diagnosis.
I just want to say that your NP has a good suggestion that you should see a neurologist. You have a hand tremor in addition to sudden severe head pain.
The brain connects with the gastrointestinal tract in many ways.
One that comes to mind is abdominal migraine.
Make your appointment and get a neurological opinion. Also, you don’t have to take new medication unless the doctor is sure it is going to help you.
Please get back to us!

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Oh my!!! I cannot believe it was only five days ago I commented on here.... I feel like I have no sense of time any more. Internal tremours continue, stronger and longer and it's really getting me down on top of everything else I have, and I know I am not alone with all this. Neurologist out of town is doing a zoom or whatever over Internet on 16th March but I dont even know if I can last. I spent last week searching various reasons.... found out the dentist used lidocaine, epinepherine and Articaine over past 5 months and now remember chin shaking uncontrollably when he did extraction with lidocaine Dec.27; and forgot I had lidoacaine/epinepherine when had stitch in hand Sept.27 and woke up to shaking head to foot. OR, it could be from colon. ibs-d many many years, c.diff 2018 and then fecal incontinence. No visible shaking on outside, as others here, but inside ...back, up, down, sides; peripheral neuropathy worse.... I will do as someone suggested and keep an hour by hour diary, daily diary isnt showing any pattern at all.. and I will include the shaking and the b.m.s... good idea! Spent last week in or on bed, searching for clues so I can answer Nurologist questions and 2 days ago Dr. at a local walkin clinic sent me for blood tests. (I think I could cope if didnt have many other physical issues and age 77)...... there comes a time when its just too much. 🙁 Wishing everyone the best, J. (Oops forgot: should I bring up question of vagus nerve to neurologist or just wait fo his questions... I am tend to veer off on other subjects as you can see...)

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Lacy
So sorry to hear. I will offer something easy to try. Not sure why, but it offered me temporary relief. I did it before bed and it helped calm vibrations, helped me sleep some and my foot pain was less. Super easy. Kind of wacky but hey, can't hurt. It is called "toe tapping".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2nl6RAIggw.

I hope this helps. Hang in there.

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@rjk

Lacy
So sorry to hear. I will offer something easy to try. Not sure why, but it offered me temporary relief. I did it before bed and it helped calm vibrations, helped me sleep some and my foot pain was less. Super easy. Kind of wacky but hey, can't hurt. It is called "toe tapping".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2nl6RAIggw.

I hope this helps. Hang in there.

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@rjk. thank you. I will try it

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@gigiraj

@hopeful33250 and @kanaazpereira thank you SO much for your consideration and resources! I really appreciate it. It has confirmed for me that this is definitely originating along my gut-brain axis. I am looking into VZV as was mentioned in the article. POTS does not really fit but I am looking into it as well.

I haven't had headaches so much as a building pressure in my head that goes away when I passed built-up gas. I looked at @ calical's post about their seizures and luckily, what I am experiencing is nowhere near that severe. @ tigertoo's suggestion on Transverse Myelitis is a possibility (according to symptoms on John's Hopkins' website): I have bowel issues, my legs/arms can sometimes feel heavy/odd, and sometimes I have pain [more like soreness] in my lower back/hips when I've eaten but am constipated. I am also looking into Vagus Nerve Dysfunction as that is what fits my symptoms closest (pain in ear, occasional pain in vocal cords & hoarse voice = possibly due to acid reflux, unusual heart rate)

However, my internal shaking and increased heart rate has temporarily stopped! There could be a number of reasons why this is:
1) I had been anxious about my heart for two weeks. I went to the Emergency Room and started crying. After crying and having confirmation from the ER that I wasn't having a heart attack, I felt calm and comfortable so my shaking was potentially because of a buildup of stress and lack of sleep.
2) I started taking Miralax and Prevacid on the 14th as my doctor prescribed. Perhaps they are just now kicking in.

While I am glad my heart tremors have stopped, I am afraid that this is just another stop on the way to some disease I need to identify before it's too late. I have had a myriad of symptoms over the years, most of which I believe stemmed from my gut; constipation is the one constant. I have also recently been having a variety of brain fog (trouble visualizing reasoning for instinctive activities, trouble reviewing my thoughts) and have always had very poor blood circulation, pains in breastbone/chest, strange & intense drowsiness after eating, inability to feel hunger except by way of fatigue, and post-constipation pain in the left side of my brain/left eye.

I will still look into getting a heart monitor! And I will most likely post about this in the Brain & Nervous System group as well. If it is not a GI disorder, I'm not sure how to move forward.

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Hello

I am reading your post and feel relief and anxiety at the same time. I am scheduled to see my gastroenterologist this week. Uneasy as my symptoms are so similar to yours. I was experiencing the internal tremor after starting the famotadine of two months. The tremor stopped and the pain came back. Afterword I started with a tremor only in my left hand and then weeks later the internal tremor started again. I am also experiencing a flutter in my chest. Similarly to a tremor but not as severe as the internal tremor and I only feel it when I sit. I have had so many tests and each one thankfully are negative. I am at the point were I don't want anymore tests because I feel like I will never have a complete answer and are they a combination of issues leading up to one diagnosis. I feel my best when I walk daily and push myself to exhaustion so I can sleep.

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