Essential Tremor

[livingwith]

Ive been suffering with this a long time. I was always a nervous person but as Im entering my late 30’s it has become progressively worse. Ive been prescribed primidone but not sure I want to take it until things get really bad….anyone around here to talk to?
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[shakeshakeshake]

I was diagnosed in my 30's also. I am now 42. My problems began on my right hand. I was working in t schoo l cafeteria. I finally had to quit my job. I was afraid I would spill food on one of the children.I can relate to your story very well. I was on medication for awhile but I stayed too doped up all the time. I chose not to take the medicine anymore. I am always afraid people will think I am on drugs because I shake alot.I think my family thinks I am lazy because I can't do a whole lot without havingg to rest . I hate to drive because I tense up too much and I hurt in my arms and shoulder . If you want to know more about my living with tremors Just let me know.

[Wendy]

Hi: Just logged in after quite a long absence. I too have had essential tremor for most of my life. I am now 56. It is becoming more of a problem each year. I take Inderol LA 120 mg. per day. It helps, but I have been on it for a long time and it is becoming less effective. The dose could be increased but I am reluctant to do so. You speak of being a nervous person. I originally thought that I was also nervous. I have realized over the years that my body's reaction to any type of stress results in an amplification of the tremor. When I realized that it was the condition and not really the person that was reacting in this way it allowed me to relax a little in stressful situations and this in turn helped the tremor. I found that anticipating the tremor becoming worse made it worse. Taking the time to consciously relax your neck, shoulders, arms and hands helps somewhat. I also use 1/2 a Xanax when I know that a situation might be exciting or stressful. Yes excitement worsens the tremor too. The Xanax helps but must be used with extreme care as it is habit forming. The other thing that helps is to make sure that your close friends and associates from work etc. are aware of the condition. That way you don't have to worry about what they are thinking is wrong with you and that in itself is a stress reliever. They soon come to view it as just another disability that someone has and don't think that you are some weird person that begins to shake whenever they are asked to do something. Well, hope the ramblings of a like afflicted person are somewhat helpful. Let me know. Good luck, hang in there. Maybe soon they will find something that really helps us.
Wendy

[stphillips]

Hi, I am a 34 year old that was diagnosed with ET about 6 months ago. I am also a dental hygienist that was at the time applying to dental school. Talk about timing! After 4 MRI's and intensive blood and toxicology labs, I was diagnosed with ET and put on Atenolol. This was later changed to propanolol. This allowed me go back to work, but I noticed the meds wearing off mid-day. The side-effects were depression, fatigue, hypotension, and just plan ole slothfulness.
Finally, my family doc sent me to a different neurologist. It happen to be one of the co-founders of the International Foundation of Essential Tremors. He prescribed primidone and let me determine the required dosage up to 100 mg. I worked my way up to 50 mg. and went back to work. Keep in mind that I am a dental hygienist. Even though I still notice a light tremor, my patinets don't have a clue. The down side is, it gives you a nasty taste that even a dental hygienist can't cure. Although minimally, It has also affected my concentration.
my opinion is, if possible, seek out a learned neurologist. I found that many general practioners aren't familiar with the treatment regimens most neurologist support. Best of luck to you and I hope this is of some help.
S.T.

[cassie]

I sympathize with you all, i too have been diagnosed with "ET". Not a fan at all. It is very embarrassing for me as well. I noticed it in my late 30's, went to a neuro in 2006 and sure enough that is what he diagnosed me with having. Anyway, make a story short; I live with it and stay focus on living a good life and so far, have functioned with it. I type for a living and do not have a problem with typing at all. I do notice that when I write with a pen, some letters and alphabets I have problems writing. I never have problems signing. The neurologist offered to write a script but I chose not to take medication cause it's not that bad. I'm believing GOD to heal me and that is WHY I DO NOT FOCUS ON THIS PROBLEM (problems can be solved). There is nothing my GOD can not do for me because I BELIEVE! What I don't understand thou, is when I went for the MRI the results came back great, NOTHING WAS ABNORMAL, everything was NORMAL.

[stphillips]

Hi Cassie,
I've been told by neurologists that our brains fuction normally in thought patterens and transmitting information. It is the processing portion that is affected. I take it that we have very normal brains that just have a problem understanding the comands needed during movement, especially those that require fine-motor skill. I understand that a specific GENE is responsible for helping maintain this very intense job the brain has of processing finite information. The DNA of this very specific GENE is arranged oddly in those with essiental tremors. Not everyone that has ET's will show the classical symptoms. Ever notice it gets worse when you get frightened or when you've taxed yourself? I've even been told that you can be a carrier of this DNA arrangment and never show any physical symptoms.

MRI's would show normality or abnormality of the object it images. Contrast MRI's give a more detailed diagnosis of things like growths, tumors or lesions. A gene is too small for a MRI to image. Even if it could take a projetion of this gene, I understand that it would still appear to look normal. I think the MRI is a way of ruling out Multiple Sclerosis and other more severe diseases. The way I look at it is, our brains are having a difficult time understanding there instructions when it comes to directing our voluntary movements. Kind of like being in a room with eveyone talking at the same time. You hear the collective noise but, you can't understand ALL the information, just SOME of it.

I too am believing in a healing. It sounds like we worship the same GOD. If not in this body, then in the new one I'll have in glory! Hope I've helped, S.T. Phillips

[cassie]

I don't know too much about the brain functions (study), but what was said makes some sense to me. Yes we do serve and believe in the same GOD, and thanks for the response. cassie.