Essential Tremor

[livingwith]

I m 20 , I first noticed the tremors at the age of 11,at 14 I went to a neurologist but he just thought it was anxiousness, no one in my family took it seriously, they forcefully put me into medical college, as they wanted me to become a doctor, now I M in a medical college, on propanol and I don’t know how i m going to become a doctor, but I m scared to tell my family, as they will be heart broken.I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
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[drshdaifat]

Hi Doctor
I`m a medical Student the same story like u exactly..
i discovered my essential tremors when i was 14 my parents told me that it will disappear when u grow up.. but the problem worse more when i become older.. sometimes with stress i can`t stop my hand shaking
i entered to faculty of medicine.. just before one month i attend one of our professors clinic and he till me not to take any medication just u should have sport and fitness..
he told me that i should support my muscles plus 20 minutes running everyday.. just one day rest in the week..

and he told me that i can take one tablet of propranolol 40 mg before i attend a stress situation (exam, party etc..)

if u have any more information or want to share emails between us you are welcomed this is my email friend:
[moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]

[aprilstar]

Hi there don,t worry do you know many docs have the shakes, you'd be surprised anyhow i have tremors and sadly my son has them he's going to uni and then on to medical school so he will face the same problem as you , i feel i am to blame as they say it is in the genes . There is one main factor if you have noticed with the shakes its stress so the more you think about it the more you will get the shakes don't worry i'm sure you will make a fine doctor my advice just tell everyone upfront you suffer from the shakes and you will be alot calmer.

[ethomson]

I've read your post with interest, especially given the stress you seem to be under. I have also read the very encouraging replies you have received. "Steady on" seems to be the message. I am a university professor who first experienced tremors when I was in my late teens. You can imagine how difficult it is for me to mark my students papers or to chart out complex graphs on the board when I'm shaking like a little boy on his first date. My neurologist assures me that my condition is not Parkinson's, which is very good news. However, there was little suggestion of any drug therapy that would help to elleviate the symptoms. Does the drug you are taking help at all? As one of your respondents indicated, telling people that you have tremors often proves to be very helpful: my students derive a great amount of joy in hearing me tell them that I'm a shake-and-bake prof! If we can't laugh at ourselves .... I truly hope you carry on with your studies, whether in medical school or elsewhere. But remember that people can discourage you by trying too hard to point you in a direction that they feel you are well suited for. At some point you too should make your own choice concerning your education.

I would be happy to communicate again with you (or anyone else in the forum). I can be reached at [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed].

Steady on.
Shaki