1. < Mental Health

How do you manage this leg shaking symptom?

Posted by vrosegarden291 @vrosegarden291, Apr 5 1:20pm

im 22 and i've been consistently taking methylphenidate for almost a year now. Recently, I’ve been noticing my legs shaking during regular stretches. I figured it was just my legs being pool noodles bc I haven’t worked out in so long, thinking focusing only on work would make me productive. 2 weeks ago, I was walking downstairs when I noticed they were shaking a lot vigorously. I immediately stopped and then started to go down the staircase slowly. The slower I went, the more they shook almost out of control. I was terrified.

I later read that shaking was a side effect of stimulant meds and plan on scheduling an appointment with a nuerologist, but I worry if the shaking will get worse. I'm going through by far the most stressful time in my life rn, applying for graduate schools. It worries me how I’ll do academically in the future if I ever have to stop meds bc of the shaking or if the shaking become permanent.

Would greatly really appreciate any advice and assurance.

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Apr 6 7:35am

@vrosegarden291
Do you take methylphenidate for ADHD? My teen son also takes this for ADHD but doesn’t get the shaking (does have other side effects). What dosage are you on?

It is good for you to see a neurologist. Have you had your primary doctor do any bloodwork recently and have you talked about this with them? How is your thyroid? How are your vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron levels?

Due to the stress you are under, it sounds like stress is affecting your health and nervous system. Do you have anxiety/depression? Do you take any other medications? My son has significant anxiety and this is common with ADHD.

If you don’t have a psychologist, and psychiatrist, you would benefit from the extra mental health support during this important time in your life.

How is your diet, sleep? It is important you get exercise for good circulation.

REPLY
1 reply
EJR | @ejr | Apr 6 1:06pm

@vrosegarden291
You have my sympathies. Shaking can be quite worrisome, or embarrassing. I also take a form of methylphenidate medication for ADHD, but even before being diagnosed and starting medication I worried about shaking from time to time. Mostly hands but definitely sometimes legs.

I found out that all shaking is not created equal. By that. I mean a doctor finally explained to me that there are different kinds of tremors and shaking. One thing to ask yourself is does the shaking happen when you're at rest? Does the shaking happen when you attempt to perform an action? Are there times of day when it is worse? Does it seem worse if you've also had a lot of coffee? Or perhaps right after taking the methylphenidate on an empty stomach?

I asked those questions not because I know the answers or what the answers mean. But just to say that it helped me to be open about the problem and ask questions with doctors and I learned that like a lot of other things it can be a medical condition that is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. Just something we need to learn about and live with.

Allow me to offer one example of what I mean by asking you when does the shaking happen. In my case, after worrying about shaking hands (and sometimes legs) for years, I finally found out from a doctor that I actually suffer from "essential tremor". It's a fairly benign condition and for me it was easy to treat, but it results in shaking only when I attempt to perform a task. For example, eating soup with a spoon in a restaurant can be an adventure, reaching across a table to hand someone something or take something being offered can be risky if the item will rattle like a spoon on a saucer or spill like a drink that's filled to the brim without much ice. If I hold my hand still on the table it doesn't shake. But if I pick up a pen and try to draw a spiral it looks like a cartoon illustration, all jagged.

So we're all different. I have no idea if any of this resonates with you, but my main point would be to say not all shaking is created equal and it would be good to ask a doctor about it and explain how it happens, when it happens, are there any triggers.

Good luck to you!

REPLY
1 reply
preston1962 | @preston1962 | Apr 7 3:23pm

I find that B12 is the culprit when my legs shake. It has to do with the vitamins effect on nerve endings.
There's a lot out there explaining this. Maybe the drugs are depleting the B12. I find that most doctors do not know these basics yet they feel competent to prescribe the drugs.
B12 is a water soluble vitamin so you can take 1,000 mcg and see if it helps. May take a few days to show a change if you are very depleted. Any excess would just wash out of you.

REPLY
1 reply
vrosegarden291 | @vrosegarden291 | 5 days ago
In reply to @ejr "@vrosegarden291 You have my sympathies. Shaking can be quite worrisome, or embarrassing. I also take a..." + (show)
@ejr

@vrosegarden291
You have my sympathies. Shaking can be quite worrisome, or embarrassing. I also take a form of methylphenidate medication for ADHD, but even before being diagnosed and starting medication I worried about shaking from time to time. Mostly hands but definitely sometimes legs.

I found out that all shaking is not created equal. By that. I mean a doctor finally explained to me that there are different kinds of tremors and shaking. One thing to ask yourself is does the shaking happen when you're at rest? Does the shaking happen when you attempt to perform an action? Are there times of day when it is worse? Does it seem worse if you've also had a lot of coffee? Or perhaps right after taking the methylphenidate on an empty stomach?

I asked those questions not because I know the answers or what the answers mean. But just to say that it helped me to be open about the problem and ask questions with doctors and I learned that like a lot of other things it can be a medical condition that is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. Just something we need to learn about and live with.

Allow me to offer one example of what I mean by asking you when does the shaking happen. In my case, after worrying about shaking hands (and sometimes legs) for years, I finally found out from a doctor that I actually suffer from "essential tremor". It's a fairly benign condition and for me it was easy to treat, but it results in shaking only when I attempt to perform a task. For example, eating soup with a spoon in a restaurant can be an adventure, reaching across a table to hand someone something or take something being offered can be risky if the item will rattle like a spoon on a saucer or spill like a drink that's filled to the brim without much ice. If I hold my hand still on the table it doesn't shake. But if I pick up a pen and try to draw a spiral it looks like a cartoon illustration, all jagged.

So we're all different. I have no idea if any of this resonates with you, but my main point would be to say not all shaking is created equal and it would be good to ask a doctor about it and explain how it happens, when it happens, are there any triggers.

Good luck to you!

Jump to this post

Hello, I sincerely appreciate your detailed response. This definitely opened up a whole new perspective

REPLY
vrosegarden291 | @vrosegarden291 | 5 days ago
In reply to @preston1962 "I find that B12 is the culprit when my legs shake. It has to do with..." + (show)
@preston1962

I find that B12 is the culprit when my legs shake. It has to do with the vitamins effect on nerve endings.
There's a lot out there explaining this. Maybe the drugs are depleting the B12. I find that most doctors do not know these basics yet they feel competent to prescribe the drugs.
B12 is a water soluble vitamin so you can take 1,000 mcg and see if it helps. May take a few days to show a change if you are very depleted. Any excess would just wash out of you.

Jump to this post

Hmm I dont think I have low B12 levels but luckily I do have supplements which I'll definitely be tryign. Thanks so much!

REPLY
vrosegarden291 | @vrosegarden291 | 5 days ago
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@vrosegarden291 Do you take methylphenidate for ADHD? My teen son also takes this for ADHD but..." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@vrosegarden291
Do you take methylphenidate for ADHD? My teen son also takes this for ADHD but doesn’t get the shaking (does have other side effects). What dosage are you on?

It is good for you to see a neurologist. Have you had your primary doctor do any bloodwork recently and have you talked about this with them? How is your thyroid? How are your vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron levels?

Due to the stress you are under, it sounds like stress is affecting your health and nervous system. Do you have anxiety/depression? Do you take any other medications? My son has significant anxiety and this is common with ADHD.

If you don’t have a psychologist, and psychiatrist, you would benefit from the extra mental health support during this important time in your life.

How is your diet, sleep? It is important you get exercise for good circulation.

Jump to this post

I do take it for ADHD and I hope to get a neuro consultation soon. Unfortunately I dont think I will be until a couple months due to availabilities.
My thyrioid and vitamin D are good but not sure of B12. I am also anemic. I will definetly be taking b12 now

REPLY
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