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What Causes Uncontrollable Shaking In The Body?
Question: Recent ER visit I experienced uncontrollable shaking from head to toe - then garbled speech. They attributed this to a medication reaction which I had taken in the past with no reaction. No emergency MRI was taken until 5+ hours later. A previous MRI of the cervical spine showed narrowing of the vessels to the brain. I feel I had a seizure/stroke but no record to substantiate this. MRI taken after the fact showed normal brain test.
Brief Answer:
Not a stroke, seizure is possible but unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Regarding your suspect about a stroke, I think that certainly is not the case. The symptoms you describe are not typical for stroke at all, stroke does not cause uncontrollable shaking. There is the garbled speech you mention but that doesn't correspond with the lack of other symptoms and the association with the shaking. Even if that wasn't enough there is the normal MRI you describe. A MRI is the most sensitive test for stroke, if there was a stroke it would show it. At most it could have been a TIA (transient ischemic attack – a transitory lack of blood flow – no remaining lesions on MRI) but still the shaking is not typical for a TIA at all).
Regarding the possibility of seizure.... that is a valid consideration given the shaking you describe. The garbled speech may happen after a seizure as well. So I think an EEG should be scheduled to check for abnormal brain electrical activity. However, saying it is a possibility to consider doesn’t mean that is certainly the case. You do not mention to have lost consciousness which excludes generalized seizures and focal seizures do not usually manifest with generalized shaking. Also seizures at your age do not usually happen out of the blue, they usually happen when there is a brain lesion (but that has been excluded by MRI) or a metabolic abnormality (which I am assuming has been checked by blood tests in the ER). So while as I said an EEG should be scheduled I would say that a seizure is not that likely. I wouldn’t start treatment for the moment anyway, even if we were to assume it was a seizure, one single isolated seizure doesn’t warrant treatment.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Not a stroke, seizure is possible but unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Regarding your suspect about a stroke, I think that certainly is not the case. The symptoms you describe are not typical for stroke at all, stroke does not cause uncontrollable shaking. There is the garbled speech you mention but that doesn't correspond with the lack of other symptoms and the association with the shaking. Even if that wasn't enough there is the normal MRI you describe. A MRI is the most sensitive test for stroke, if there was a stroke it would show it. At most it could have been a TIA (transient ischemic attack – a transitory lack of blood flow – no remaining lesions on MRI) but still the shaking is not typical for a TIA at all).
Regarding the possibility of seizure.... that is a valid consideration given the shaking you describe. The garbled speech may happen after a seizure as well. So I think an EEG should be scheduled to check for abnormal brain electrical activity. However, saying it is a possibility to consider doesn’t mean that is certainly the case. You do not mention to have lost consciousness which excludes generalized seizures and focal seizures do not usually manifest with generalized shaking. Also seizures at your age do not usually happen out of the blue, they usually happen when there is a brain lesion (but that has been excluded by MRI) or a metabolic abnormality (which I am assuming has been checked by blood tests in the ER). So while as I said an EEG should be scheduled I would say that a seizure is not that likely. I wouldn’t start treatment for the moment anyway, even if we were to assume it was a seizure, one single isolated seizure doesn’t warrant treatment.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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