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What Do Recurrent Episodes Of Shaking Hands While Recovering From Pneumonia Indicate?
Question: After a 2 week stay in the hospital (8 days ICU) with a respirator and feeding tube for pneumonia, I am experiencing my hands shaking for no apparent reason. It is not constant and comes and goes without warning. Is this normal?
Brief Answer:
It is common.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question as well as your report carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from that description your body has been under severe distress. Even after overcoming the most critical part in the ICU it is common for patients who have survived to have some persisting issues. The same applies to sepsis patients. They are commonly described in what are termed post-ICU syndrome and post sepsis syndrome. Symptoms can be many, apart from shakiness they usually include manifestations such as weakness, fatigue, anxiety, concentration difficulties, mental slowing etc.
The causes are multiple such as damage to peripheral nerves (critical illness polyneuropathy), residual damage to the lungs, malnutrition, anemia, decreased oxygenation to the brain during the stay, post traumatic stress disorder etc. Nicotine withdrawal (I am hoping you’ve not resumed smoking) may play a role as well.
As long as you lead a heathy lifestyle you should slowly start to see gradual improvement, but it won’t happen overnight, it is a process which happens over weeks or even months.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
It is common.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question as well as your report carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from that description your body has been under severe distress. Even after overcoming the most critical part in the ICU it is common for patients who have survived to have some persisting issues. The same applies to sepsis patients. They are commonly described in what are termed post-ICU syndrome and post sepsis syndrome. Symptoms can be many, apart from shakiness they usually include manifestations such as weakness, fatigue, anxiety, concentration difficulties, mental slowing etc.
The causes are multiple such as damage to peripheral nerves (critical illness polyneuropathy), residual damage to the lungs, malnutrition, anemia, decreased oxygenation to the brain during the stay, post traumatic stress disorder etc. Nicotine withdrawal (I am hoping you’ve not resumed smoking) may play a role as well.
As long as you lead a heathy lifestyle you should slowly start to see gradual improvement, but it won’t happen overnight, it is a process which happens over weeks or even months.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. You described my post icu symtoms almost exactly. I feel much better about this now.
Brief Answer:
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hope you will be back to normal soon.
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hope you will be back to normal soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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