Shaky Hands

[Carla25]

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?

[David's Harp]

Carla,

I have the same issue. My doc labelled it Benign Essential Tremors, and said that he has the same thing. My BP was good, he asked some thyroid-related questions and that's functioning fine. He gave me the _option_ of going on a _very_ low dose of a Beta-Blocker, which I tried for a little while and discontinued, partially because I didn't notice a change and partially because, as he said, it's really more of a nuisance than anything serious.

Just to compare, mine are strickly in the hands, and more pronounced under the following conditions: holding my hand out in any kind of tensed, rigid position; hypoglycemia; stress, especially nervousness or immediately following any kind of argument with someone; too much caffeine ; someone pointing out, "Hey! Your hands are shaking!!" (which is so terribly helpful of them, isn't it?); having just carried something heavy with that particular hand.

[Laughs-a-lot, RN]

Practice practice and the first time you do it on a real pt you will still be shaking. My first IV push last semester, I was shaking like crazy, how awful, by the end of the semester I felt like a pro. I talk through any procedure in my head before I even walk in the room, that way I know that I know what I'm doing. That helps a little. Visualize exactly step by step what you will do first before you go in, it will also help you to realize if you forgot something, like the second syringe for the flush afterward, etc.