Is it normal for your leg muscles to shake when walking down the stairs?

39% Normal
13 Comments

Hey everyone. I'm a fairly healthy 17-year-old who noticed something peculiar around the beginning of the school year.

Well, when I walked slowly down the stairs, I would notice that my legs would feel like they were shaking. It was that shaking feeling you get when your muscles are absolutely exhausted, but I didn't feel tired. Throughout the year, I started noticing it in a few other places...mostly my shoulders and my arms.

At first, I brushed it off to stress, fatigue, low blood sugar, or whatever else I could think of. However, even when well-rested and fed, I still notice the shakiness. The most noticeable for me is the shaking legs if I walk down the stairs slowly and the shaking arms (when I lean on them and they are straight or slightly bent).

Then, I thought that I was just imagining them. However, one day my brother noticed my arm shaking a bit as I moved a chip full of dip slowly up to my mouth (so as not to spill the dip). He laughed, and I was almost startled that he noticed my shaking arm.

It's really quite strange, but I haven't gone to a doctor because the shakiness doesn't seem to have gotten any worse. It's also only really noticeable to me when I do slow movements. Also, it only happens when my muscles are engaged, not at rest.

Does this happen to anyone else? Is it normal? Could this be some kind of vitamin deficiency?

Thanks guys.

Voting Results
39% Normal
Based on 88 votes (34 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • Anime7
    12 years ago

    Eat more potassium. Bananas are loaded with that.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      Funny thing is I eat a lot of bananas.

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      • Anime7
        12 years ago

        Weird. I don't know what else to suggest. Try eyeofthenile's advice.

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    • eyeofthenile
      12 years ago

      Bananas and grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice is a little bitter but loaded with potassium.

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  • Bad_Bad_Ju_Ju
    8 years ago

    Try eating some dick

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  • KarlMenderson
    12 years ago

    I get the shakes pretty often, though I think it's probably related to drinking alcohol the way I do. That being said, shaking is a sign of anemia. Make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet, red meat is delicious and good for you when consumed responsibly.

    I drink a lot so I get the shakes if I haven't had a drink for awhile. But I also get them if my diet isn't what my body is used to (good excuse for a drinker). I also get the shakes due to injuries that I haven't allowed to heal correctly. I hurt my knee very bad a few years ago and decided not to get surgery despite my doctor's recommendation to do so. If you are healthy and eating the right way the it's not exactly normal, but enough people have similar problems that I couldn't say its abnormal.

    A lot of people have problems with stairs. Wet stairs are terrifying for me after falling down a flight of stairs, so I always use the hand rail. Just try to relax before it takes you over.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      I've heard of shakiness as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal, but I wasn't aware of it being related to anemia. Thanks for your story. I'll definitely do some more research.

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  • eyeofthenile
    12 years ago

    This only happens to me when my body is in a strange position or when I have fatigued my muscles. It happens also when I am working out and doing a slow strenuous maneuver that my body isn't used to. I think it also happens as you develop your stabilizer muscles. (<----could be wrong on that.)

    What I find strange is that it's happening to you when you're doing casual daily tasks. Try and get yourself set up with a doctor, do some research online, and continue to search for answers. That's all you really can do in mean time.

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  • myownopinions
    12 years ago

    Whoops, I accidentally pushed the yes vote, though it depends how slow you're walking.

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  • tbiM20
    12 years ago

    When you move slowly? Sounds like muscle control. My legs shake sometimes if I go down the stairs slow & am wearing heels. You should do some exercise. No, you dont have to go to a gym - playing sports, hiking, walking the dog all are exercise, albeit different amounts and only one may not be all the exercise you need. I maintain myself by riding horses, which is REALLY good for leg & back strength. But you should tell your doctor, even if its just a quick phone call.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      I tend to move slowly in the morning, otherwise I usually walk down the stairs very quickly. If I am walking slowly, I notice this shakiness.

      Many of you are insinuating that I don't exercise, but I attempted to imply that I do with my second sentence. I typically exercise 3-5 hours a day for three days a week. My exercising actually tends to focus on the legs, so I don't see how they would be weak.

      Is this not enough exercise? I tend to exercise a lot on Saturdays, and I've heard that it's not always healthy to do a lot of exercise one day of the week only. Should I add some mild exercise in between?

      I think I will mention this to my doctor on my next visit...I'm just not sure when that will be.

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      • tbiM20
        12 years ago

        It does sound like control then. Yoga might help, or Pilates, or just slow squats or something.

        I have no idea if you exercise, which is why I suggested that you should. It is better to exercise in some way every day, though. Good idea to talk to your doc about it (thats what you pay them for ;-) ) but its not just the amount of exercise, its how you do it. For example, on the treadmill really fast works your body differently than at a high incline. Your doctor, or your gym trainer, could help schedule you the most useful regimen. Good luck!

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  • StupidAngMo
    12 years ago

    Get off your ass and away from your computer and phone and start working out more.

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