Essential Tremor

[Kristie]

Hi! I’m a 25 year old female. I, as well as everyone else, noticed I had this tremor in my hands since I was in high school. I can hold my hand out still, but when I’m doing something meticulous or even when I’m writing, my hands shake. It happens more when I’m under stress or when people are watching me do something with me hands…like take a picture. I was so scared to even sign my marriage license on my wedding day, b/c I was so stressed and everyone was watching.

It hasn’t been that big of a deal for me until I started dental hygiene school. What a profession to pick for someone with tremors I know, but I feel like I can’t let this get in the way of what I really want to do. Anyways, my doctor put me on Innopran XL, 80mg. While I feel that it makes a big difference in my hands, now my heads shakes when I’m stressed and doing something with my hands. Is this weird? Has this happened to anyone else? How do I make it stop? I feel like doctors don’t really understand. Everyone just tells me I have type A personality and I’ll be fine, but it’s embarrassing and I can’t work on patient’s while my head is shaking. They are going to think I’m nervous and I don’t know what I’m doing, which is not true.

Oh, and the tremors don’t happen at all when I’m sleeping or drinking alcohol.

[DCIrvine]

Really sounds like ET. But you should see a neurologist and be further tested.
There are many drugs that "help" ET and it is important to work with a good Doc to find the right combination that works for you. Especially in the profession you want to follow.

I have had ET for 20 years now. It gets worse over time, so it is important to find a way to live with it as you will have to deal with it for a long time. So invest some time in finding a good Doc you will listen and understand your situation.

It is tough and embarrassing at times, but at least it is not life threatening. Could be a lot worse things to have.

Good luck, and have a Happy new year.