Essential Tremor

[livingwith]

I am a 57 male and for the past 6 years have been experiencing hand shaking when I write. The shaking gets worse when I am rushed, feeling stress in nervous or when someone is watching me write. This situation is very embarrassing now and I try and avoid writing as much as I can. I will avoid going to places if I know I have to fill out some application, or take notes in a Professional situation. Sometimes I feel I have panic attacks knowing I will be in a situation where I have to writ...Read the full article

[Unicorn71]

I am going to tell you that you should see a neurologist because they will be able to tell you if you have essential tremors. My doctor didn't try to tell me what I had, she told me she knew but wanted to be sure so she sent me to a neurologist and he diagnosed me with essential tremors. That was a little over 4 years ago. I know what you mean about your hands shaking when you write and like you I do what I can not to write. I not only have hand shaking but I have head,arms,stomach,legs,feet. I can tell you that I have good days where I hardly shake at all, but then I have bad days where I can't even walk right. I use a cane for balance.

Laurie Faust

[daz926]

Hi, The experiences you have talked about are very much like myself. I'm 38 at the moment and am at the stage that whenever signing my name in front of someone in a shop or filling in an application form, my writing becomes shaky and it feels I have little control. It also affected me when at work having to go up and write on flip chart paper etc or at the bank filling in a deposit slip etc. So I know exactly how you feel. It is embarrassing beyond the point, I avoid things too. Actually, I am waiting to see a neurologist as I went to the doctor and he has referred me. I feel I could have Essential Tremor (Kinetic) as I also notice shaking of my hands after exercise, doing weights, when I am upset & sometimes when I'm holding a glass outwards my hands will begin to move back and forth. It is interesting, I find it is worse in public or places where I am not confidant, which makes me feel part of it could be anxiety also. Maybe the anxiety has developed over years due to trying to hide the tremors. I remember as a child, I would shake when writing and have realised it but not done anything until now but it has been getting worse in the last few years. I get a weak feeling, say for example after I've been for a walk at lunch then I come back and sometimes can't even sign neatly a cheque or write well. I will let you know what the neurologist says for me as it sounds we are similar. I find though I can shake for example when using a screwdriver or returning the oil dip stick back into the motor.
Keep your mind positive as possible and I am trying to not let it rule my life but it certainly restricts me. Also I hadn't spoken about it with friends/family and am grateful for these forums and advice.

Regards Darren.