Essential Tremor

[kris121]

Hello all,
Im 25 years old and have had noticable et since i was quite little. I've got some questions about et that i hope someone can answer.

1. I get tremors in my neck/head and also my hands are there any things that i can do myself to help reduce them (I can't handle the side-effects of any of the drugs i've tried)

2. When i worry i get tremors and it has started affecting lots of things in my life. It's terrible when i have to give a presentation or something (which i used to do just fine) - the point is can someone explain why things that i was able to do just fine are becoming harder and harder to do (is it just that i worry about them too much?)

3. When i try to resist my tremors i get really tired, i get headaches and some muscles get really tense/stiff. Is this normal and just no way around it?

4. Any tips...?

[macacoza]

You are just dealign with ET...in most of us it worsens as you have it. I have to take the meds since without them i can not write or function very well. I dont like them, but it is better than NOT taking them. One of the meds slows down my heart rate and any time a new nurse or Dr takes my pulse you woudl think they think I am havign a heart attack or soemthing...it goes...kathunk..kathunk..so I do get tired at times..but I push on! If you ahve rea the other posts you will knwo that in past yr ET has started to effect my voice. I hate that most of all..I try at times to control it and all I get for it is hoarse...grrrrrr I am looking into acupuncture..I have heard some promising things about it...please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!
deb

[Unicorn71]

I can tell you that for one thing you shouldn't try to resist your tremors because for one they themselves wear you out. I have tremors in head,arms,hands,stomach,legs,and feet. As far as doing things I definitely know what you mean there, I used to be able to fish,go for walks, swim, and all the everyday things that people do and I can tell you your tremors will get worse when you do things and in the heat, and when it's cold out. My husband has told me that I sometimes shake in my sleep. I won't let my tremors control my life, although there are some days all I want to do is sleep from being worn out from shaking. I never know from one day to the next if I'm going to have a good day or a bad day, and I live everyday the best I can.

[macacoza]

Yours is worse than mine. I can walk, swim, do just about anything...it is the fine things that throw me..like writing..sewing...and putting on my make-up. Have nearly poked my eyes out with the mascara wand..haha BUT, when I sleep I rest peacefully...I dont move at all..which I am thankful for because I get rested to face the next day. Like you..I never knwo wht the day will bring or be like. I can tell though first thing in the morning if it will be a calm day or a bad shaking day...BUT, either way I dotn let it stop me....Lot's of folks live with worse...Keep fighting...maybe oneday womeone will figure it all out!
Deb

[Unicorn71]

I am going to fight because I'm not letting this take over my life. There is one thing I would like to know and that is, does anyone else with ET feel tingling in there body? I do all the time and when my tremors aren't that bad I barely feel it but when they are bad so is the tingling. There are times that I feel like I haven't gotten enough sleep at night so once in a great while I sleep until lunch time. I used to enjoy being out in the summer but now when it's hot out my ET gets bad and I have to be in the cool air. I hope that no one else is experiencing this because it's no fun. Oh and Deb I used to crochet and it didn't take me long but now it takes me forever to make anything because I can only crochet for about 1/2 hour and then I have to stop. But as you said I don't let ET stop me from doing the things I need to do. Although if it was up to my mother-in-law I would be doing nothing all the time. Stay strong because like the saying goes "What doesn't kill us Makes us Stronger"
Laurie

[macacoza]

YOU GO GIRL!!!!! Never let thsi get the best of me...I look at it this way..my sister died at age 49 from massive heart attack..I am still here..i can play with my grandbabies...can love my family and friends...I can do most what I want, just may not do it as well..BUT..I am ALIVE and I thank God for giving me every day to be with these I love..shaking or not! Life has changed...I guess the thing that saddens me most is the fact that I can NOT sing any more...have cried over THAT one...but...it is all part of the package of ET...you cope...you try to find ways to help it..and you go on living! Keep it up! I love your attitude!
deb

[Unicorn71]

Hey! I love your attitude too. Together maybe we can get others to have the same attitude because this is a battle I don't intend to lose. The one thing I can't do is go fishing with my husband like we used to because the places we go you can only stand and fish. But I don't let that get me down because I can lay in the sun and get a tan (don't worry I use sunblock) and I have puzzle books I can work on. They are word search and the lines I put in the words may be scribbly but I don't care. I am working on crocheting a blanket and I know it's going to take me a long time to finish it but I have something to look forward to. The finished product. Keep on Smiling

[macacoza]

I do SUDAKO puzzles at nite..the numbers may be a tad shaky, but hey..they say it is good for the brain...lol...Keep working on yrou crocheting! Never give in!!!
hugggggggs
deb

[Unicorn71]

I don't know how to do Soduko. Although there are more of those books out there anymore than word search. And Deb I won't give in to ET. I think it's really nice to be able to discuss things with you and a lot of other people.
Hugs to all
Laurie

[macacoza]

I love Sudoku...it relieves tension..well..nmto always..If I cant find right number it is frustratiing..lol..LAurie..I am gla dyou showed up here on thsi forum..I am enjoying sharing info and just visiting with you!
huggs
deb