my 17 year old daughters arm started shaking 3 yrs ago lasted 2 years now its doing it again a year later?

Question

its her left shoulder area,went to many drs no one seems to know any thing,also her left leg feels num this time around and her chest feels really tight alot.the first time it went none stop for 2 years stoped for 1 and a half,now same thing.

Answer 1

These types of symptoms can be caused by anxiety - the brain can react in different ways to stress etc, and because the brain has control over all the nerves, you can experience most kinds of neurological symptoms from this. It is a diagnosis of exclusion though, as more serious causes of disease need to be ruled out. Nonetheless if stress is the cause, then treatment is available, so it is important that it be identified and treated or else it may become chronic. Symptoms in the arms and legs can be quite typically caused by a problem with the cervical spine - so it is important to have a cervical spine MRI. A problem with the small sensory nerve endings may also result in normal MRI or EMG. This may be another avenue to pursue if the cervical spine MRI is unrevealing.
As in all cases when detailed medical knowledge is required, you would be advised to consult your doctor.
I add a link which may be of interest

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/
fact_sheets/mosby_factsheets/
anxiety.html#2

Hope this helps
matador 89

Answer 2

The link below describes various types of tremor. The symptoms you describe fit dystonic and psychogenic tremors. Psychogenic tremors are nearly impossible to diagnose since there is no apparent physical cause. Your daughter's recent history would be helpful to the doctor for diagnosis - particularly if there has been any major changes in her life around the time the symptoms started.

There are a couple of long-shot things you can try to see if they help:
* 2-3 times daily supplements of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, or potassium only
*Theraputic massage from a hospital or medical clinic
* Visit to a chiropractor to see if the problem is caused by a skeletal or muscle injury.

Answer 3

Is she in all of these clubs and doing all of these sports because she wants to and has volunteered for them? Or are you and your husband driving her to succeed and do as much as she can. I am not judging, I am just asking. All kids need down time at home, just to chill out and be themselves and use their imaginations. They need to get bored sometimes as well. There is so much pressure to be successful these days, to be a high achiever, to earn lots of money, to become well known in the community - I think our western culture has gone way too far with this. I don't believe someone can be all this and stay sane at the same time. There has to be a balance and a focus on staying happy as well, there is no point being smart, rich, successful if you are miserable and burning the candle at both ends. Success is different for everyone. My idea of success is having happy kids and husband, having a roof over our heads, food on the table and a holiday once every 5 years or so - other than that I don't really believe I need anything else. But everyone is different. You need to ask your daughter what her idea of success is (she may be too young to know yet) and if she is doing all of this for herself or to please you, the people around her and the community? I would suggest pulling out of some of the things she is doing, she should be focusing on her studies, most students find the school work is enough, without doing too many extra things. She will not be frowned upon if she explains that she needs to focus on a few less things so her marks don't suffer. She has her whole life ahead of her, there is no need to stuff all of the living in right now, leave some for later. There are always community clubs etc to join in with, they won't disappear just because she is not in them. I only allow my children to do dancing and swimming - two activities only (and music at school), we do no weekend sports and homework is the priority in our house, hanging around the house on the weekend or just having fun is our priority on the weekends. I have learnt to say 'no' to lots of things, just to save our sanity and to keep life manageable and as happy as possible. Maybe your daughter and you need to learn the true value of the word 'NO' or the words 'let me get back to you about that' and let some things go.

Answer 4

I am firm believer in holistic and alternative medicine. A holistic doctor one that is board certified of course will approach the diagnostics differently than a conventional doctor. It could be heavy toxic metals or harmful chemicals, preservatives, who knows, but when your regular doc can't figure it out it's usually something so simple. Really, seek out a board certified holistic doctor and try that.