What is the matter with Merkel?

I don’t recognise the symptoms but what a nightmare to experience that in the full glare of the media and unable to do anything about it. I wish her well.

I don't recognise these distressing symptoms at all but I do feel sorry for her. How awful it must be to have the whole world witnessing something she doesn't seem able to control.

They blamed Hilary Clinton's collapse on dehydration as well. That might have been true but I'm not sure it's what's causing Angela Merkle's symptoms.

Could be anything - I'm sure she and her doctor know, but unless it's affecting her ability to do her job then it's not really anyone else's business. What a shame she's experiencing this in the glare of the world's media.

Whatever is wrong (or not wrong) with her, its her own business and not for anyone to speculate.

Oh poor Angela. I saw the video and it was pretty major shaking of her whole torso. Whatever its due to I hope its treated and she can look forward to a well deserved retirement in good health after her many years in such a top job.

I like Angela Merkel and wish her well . It must be awful having the media pick up on everything. If she is I’ll it is nobody’s business but her own but I hope she isn’t

I saw it on TV. She was obviously aware of it because she moved her hands to grip her arms as her hands were clearly shaking. Could it be Parkinson's? My gran had that and her hands kept shaking.

I have a friend who has permanently shaking hands and eventually I asked her what caused it.

She said it was chronic tremour, which affects people as they age. It is benign apparently.

I do hope Frau Merkel is OK and her shaking doesn't signify serious illness. She strikes me as being an honourable and decent woman and politician.

I’ve always had enormous respect for Angela Merkel as a politician - that’s not the same as agreeing with everything she says and does but she’s always seem dignified, sensible, balanced and well, grown up. I can understand why Germans call her Mutti. I wish her well.

Benign tremor is common - I too have a friend with this - and one of the carers who used to come to OH had it - she was perfectly competent and it was not a problem.

Unlikely to be PD as that tends to start unilaterally. And it is a different type of tremor - often described as "pill-rolling" because that is what it looks as though someone is doing with their hands.

Very strange. She appears to stop trembling once she gets on the move but looks very uncomfortable having to stand still and listen. Even her face goes stiff. Hope she's ok.

I think it's more than dehydration. A fever/illness will cause shaking uncontrollably. Poor woman was visibly uncomfortable, she badly needs to take a break.

And a blood test !

I am sure she has good access to medical advice! And no doubt she is taking it!

I've read this morning that it's not Parkinson's , a medical expert had been asked what it could be. As someone has said its a different tremor . It could possibly be over active thyroid but more than likely a condition that can affect people in the later life with tremors but is nothing to worry about . They did name the condition but I've forgot what it was called. Whatever she may or may not have I hope it's nothing serious .

I think that world leaders rightly or wrongly are bound to get this kind of scrutiny in situations like this. I do think it’s better if they upfront it with a short factual statement from the treating physician

I hope she is alright. I like her. I wondered about a panic attack when I saw the first one, but surely she would be well used to the world stage by now? Perhaps it is just a harmless tremor.

I like Angela Merkel very much and I hope she is alright
It looked very violent and uncontrollably I don’t see it as Parkinson’s, neither an age related involuntary tremor which wouldn’t stop so abruptly I don’t think. My elderly aunt had that but it didn’t pick a ten minute time to happen it was involuntary but more of a tic than full body shaking
Very strange but must be worrying and embarrassing for her
I do hope she’s ok

I did feel sorry for Angela Merkel, she is a proud lady and to have this happen twice in public must have been very difficult for her. I'm sure as Luckygirl says she has access to the best medical advice. I wish her well.

Perhaps a Fever?
Flu?
UTI?
Whatever, I too have a lot of admiration for her and while you and I can usually treat ourselves to a duvet day when we feel one degree under, it must be a thousand times worse with the eyes of the world on you, not to mention the press.

Is she diabetic? Looks like a very bad case of hypoglycemia.

Poor woman, she looked so uncomfortable

Or …… perhaps she has been socialising with a certain Jean Paul Juncker

I too very much like Angela Merkel, and hope there’s nothing seriously wrong with her

I’m sure she’s finding this scrutiny humiliating, imagine the eyes of the world on you at such a vulnerable moment