in need of some advice - Panic Disorders Message Board

deadphish · 09-08-2003, 11:49 PM

hi everybody, first time poster here. i have a problem with the shakes in my left hand. i am a musician and when i perform (on drums) my left hand feels very tense, shaky and jerky. it definitely affects my ability to perform well. i have never seen a doctor about this and have been able to manage a moderate amount of depression over the years. i think i would like to try something natural or herbal before a prescription synthetic drug. this has also driven me to drink before shows to take the edge off enough that i can get through it. after a few stiff cocktails and a few songs into the first set i am usually ok. this symptom also manifests itself during meals (when using utensils in my left hand) or drinking out of a glass with my left hand. i hope some of you could me your opinion on what specifically i have ,and, some options on how to treat it. thank you very much.

deadphish · 09-09-2003, 12:01 AM

BTW, i do not have insurance so i really want to try some alternative treatments first. all of the side affects that come with the big commercial drugs seem like they would make me feel worse. i have always suffered from stage fright as a musician. i was talented as a youngster and the pressure to live up to my hype has always stressed me out come performance time. i really want to get past this if possible.

Sanguine · 09-09-2003, 01:54 AM

It sounds like your problems mainly only arise when you're under pressure to perform -- but it is strange that you also shake when holding utensils. Do you somehow feel nervous when eating, or does it feel like a recurring nervous tick? Without knowing other details, I'd say it's very possible that the depression and shaking may be comorbid -- the shaking may be the result of anxiety, and anxiety leads to depression. Anxiety (in your case, performance or anticipatory anxiety) manifests itself in many many bizarre ways.

That said, I also think you should go to the doctor to rule out other physical problems that may be unrelated to anxiety/depression. I don't mean to cause any undue alarm, but neurophysiological problems like Parkinson's Disease should be ruled out. If it hasn't gotten progressively worse over the year (increased shaking, larger area of the hand/arm/body), it likely isn't -- plus it's extremely rare in young people, and rare in general. It is however linked to declining levels of dopamine (I believe), which is a neurotransmitter that can affect depression as well.

Anyhow, sorry to ramble here, and I hope you're not pushing any panic buttons. It sounds like performance anxiety, but you should rule out anything else in the mean time.

Best of luck -- post again on your progress...

Tigre · 09-09-2003, 07:06 AM

Hi,
I was also thinking maybe checkin into carpral tunnel syndrome. I was an amateur artist and used my hand alot as well. After a head injury my hand started to shake alot and i could no longer draw. I went to a neurologist and he ran a test ( i cant remember the name something like E-something-G not an ekg something different in the arm) and found out that i have bilateral carpral tunnel syndrome in my right forearm. It shakes when I hold my drawing pencil or a pen or anything really. They said that I had it before the injury and i guess it just manifested itself moreso since. I know the only part of our similarities is the hand shaking so thats why i suggest to see a neurologist and get that test done...just a thought. I hope things work out for you and the best of luck.