Shaky Hands

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 8, 2006

We started doing vital signs last week and I noticed my hands were shaky when trying to do pulse and BP. I went to the Dr. and he put me on zoloft for anxiety. We had checkoffs today in class and I told my teacher about my problem. She held the stethoscope for me while I was taking the blood pressure. She told me I need to come back and do it again in about 2 weeks with me holding the stethoscope. I am really worried that this problem want be treated and will interfere with be becoming a nurse:o
Has anyone else had a similar problem or know someone?

You didn't give us enough information. Do these symptoms happen all the time or only when you're nervous? I remember the first time I have to push a syringe of pentathol into an IV. My instructor had to steady my hand because I couldn't get it into the port. I'd be very leery of taking a Zoloft prescription from a GP. That could be using an AK-47 when all you need is a flyswatter. Let us know how you do.

Carla25 · Jun 9, 2006

Well in the past I had anxiety problems, but I don't remember the shaky hands. I was put on Zoloft and it did help. To me it doesn't seem to be associated with anxiety because it happens even when I am not nervous, thats why I am scared it may interfere with me becoming a nurse

MIA-RN1, RN · Jun 9, 2006

some people have an intentional tremor (Someone please correct me if its supposed to be 'intention tremor') I worked with an excellent NP who had this and she just learned to deal with it. She said shots etcwere hard but do able. So you may want to look into that and what can be done if that's your problem.

Straight up nerves can do that. I got shaky pretty much any time I did something for the first time in school (Oh yea that first cath was great lol). But it may very well get better with time. The best thing you can do for yourself now is practice practice practice. If its possible to get yourself a bp cuff, practice at home. On your family, neighbors, mailman...whomever will lend a willing arm. A lot of the nerves can be quieted with familiarity.

valifay · Jun 9, 2006

Have they ever done a blood draw for you? I had this problem when I was 19 and it ended up to be hypoglycemia. A small change in your diet, primarily cutting out processed sugars and adding protien rich snacks could help you out...if thats the case. I hope you find out the cause and it is taken care of soon.

mitchsmom · Jun 9, 2006

Have they ever done a blood draw for you? I had this problem when I was 19 and it ended up to be hypoglycemia. A small change in your diet, primarily cutting out processed sugars and adding protien rich snacks could help you out...if thats the case. I hope you find out the cause and it is taken care of soon.

Hands can tremble from being hyperthyroid, too.

firstyearstudent · Jun 9, 2006

I got a tick on my clinical evaluation for "lack of confidence." It was because of shaking hands. I only get this when my instructors are watching. I have mild social anxiety that has been in remission for the last 10 years (I'm 40). No stuttering, able to speak in front of groups, etc. This is from consistently pushing myself. Now that I'm in these new situations and being closely scrutinized it is all coming back (plus I had a very scary and intimidating CI during my first clinical, which doesn't help). I don't know whether to tough it out or get drugs. I can't afford to fail clinicals because of this and we will be doing IVs soon. It is hard to concentrate when I start panicking and I lose my train of thought. But I don't think I am putting my patients in danger, just appearing stupid to my instructors.

Carla25 · Jun 9, 2006

I have to go back to the DR for a checkup in a couple of weeks, and if this medicine does not help I will get him to draw blood.

luvmy3kids · Jun 9, 2006

I had a gal that I use to work with at a country/craft store who had very shaky-trembling hands. It use to scare me because we always had to put fragile things up on shelves and her hands would be shaking so badly. She told me what it was (I can't remember), but it was a condition and she was one of the most confident (almost annoying actually) people I have known. So it may be something more serious then what your Dr. said. Good luck... let us know what you find out.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2006

carla. . .i have a problem with shaking secondary to medication i have to take. it's most aggravating when i have to do things that require fine work with my fingers. what i've learned to do is to use two or three fingers instead of one in order to either stop the tremoring or to hide it from the patients or others who are watching me. i had one doctor who told me that when this happens i should stop, take a deep breath and the shaking would stop. sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. try holding the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the patients arm with the area at the base of your thumb rather than your fingers. try using the middle part of your fingers to loosen the air valve of the bp cuff rather than the tips of your fingers. it might take a little practice to get proficient at it. see if that doesn't help overcome the shaking. i would also hold two or three fingers together when taking a pulse to control the shaking. now, the trick is to actually be placing pressure on the artery with only one finger and not the other two, but you are the only other one who knows that. there is no rule that says you have to use your index finger to feel the pulse. i sometimes use my third or fourth finger.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 9, 2006

I also have shaking hands, especially during pediatric IV starts. Rest your hand on the patient's arm, then place the bell of the stethoscope with your fingers. The shaking will ease, and with contact between you and the patient you will both be moving to the same beat if it doesn't.

speedykicks · Jun 10, 2006

I have shaky hands. I have a tremmor almost all the time, but espicially when I try to do a fine motor skill. My hand shakes when I sign a check, it shakes when I put toothpaste on my toothbrush, and it espicially shakes when I am nervous about doing a new skill. So, I do use the trick of resting my wrist or fore-arm on a patient. I also just try and chat up the patient so they aren't just staring at my hand while I do the task. I also got a Rx from my doc for a beta blocker. I find my Xanex doesn't help with the shaking as much as the beta blocker does. I also ALWAYS take a time out at around 10 a.m. to eat a snack and drink some juice or I REALLY shake around lunch time.