Essential Tremor

[livingwithhands]

Hi,
I am new to this board and only a few months ago I had learned about ET by doing a Google search on shaky hands.
Let me start by saying that I've lived with shaky hands most of my life not knowing what it was or due to. My older brother and my father have it as well. Even my in-laws are always commenting on how my hands shake when they observe them. A lot of times I can't hold a full cup of coffee or worse, the dreaded champagne or martini glass for toasts.

Come to present day. I am a professional musician and have been trying to deal with this all along blaming it on performance anxiety or just the plain old "jitters". I was told that that was just the way I was wired and to just deal with it.
On most performance days I would abstain from any nicotine or caffeine knowing that it would affect my performance that night. This usually helped but lately it doesn't. I've noticed in the last couple of years (I'm 40 now) that it has gotten worse even when keeping "clean" for the day. I've actually quit smoking altogether for obvious reasons but I did notice that my hands would shake profusely after smoking a cigarette. It can be debilitating and embarrassing when I'm called to do solo spots in front of large audiences.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've been reading about how some beta-blockers can help however I would really like to see if there is a way this can controlled naturally or holistically.

My apologies if I sound a bit ignorant here. Again, I'm am just learning about all of this as of recently and I'd like to think I'm on the beginning of the road to help.

Thanks for your help

[JohnP]

My advice is to see a neurologist. There are medications that can lessen the tremors dramatically and a neurologist will help you find the right one or the right combination. As you've already noticed, avoiding caffeine and nicotine help. I don't believe there is any way of controlling ET naturally.
I was on propranolol for 3 years for ET and the tremors had increased recently. My neurologist prescribed primidone in addition to the propranolol and the effect was amazingly effective.

[livingwithhands]

Thank you so much JohnP. I'm going to see my doctor this Thursday and I'll see if he can refer a Neurologist. Other than the benefits of taking propranolol and primidone, have you notice any detrimental side effects? I've read about the possible side effects of taking these and I am concerned. Plus I hate being dependent on prescription drugs on a daily basis. But if they are my only hope, I don't have much choice.

Thanks again for your help!!!!

[JohnP]

I share your dislike of being dependent on prescriptions, but the alternative is worse. There were no side effects from the propranolol, but after taking my first 125mg of primidone at 9 p.m. I awoke about 7 hours later dizzy and slightly nauseated. I was lightheaded for two or three days, but after that there were no problems.
Good luck.

[livingwithhands]

Thank you so much JohnP.....

Yes I have to agree I have to do something as my career is dependent now on my hands not shaking! I was able to control it somewhat but now that I know what it is, I can address it properly. It has been getting progressively worse over the past year so prescriptions may have to be looked at now.

Thanks again for all of your help and insight!

[macacoza]

ET can be a problem with our jobs. I am a Realtor..I deal with people and paperword everyday. Each yr my tremors get worse. I have learned..with my Dr's help that the best way to deal with it is to be up front with folks and tell them i have ET..and give a short explanation of what it is..If they want to knwo more they will ask. IT has helped me to be more comfortable. Every yr it is worse though..even with meds. About a yr ago it started to effect my voice. That is heartbreaking. It is gettign harder for me talk on bad days! BUT I keep takign the meds. I also take the propranol and primdone. HAve been takign them for yrs. The primdone at times still makes me dizzy. Especially in mid afternoon, but without the combination it woudl be very hard for me to work. 3 weeks ago my Dr added Gabatandin..I can not tell it helps and actually it may make them a tad worse. Giving it the full 4 weeks, but I will tell D. that it is a waste and may be worse...ugggg...I wish you all the best and many blessings..It does help to talk with folks that have the condition...we are all in this together!
Take care
Deb

[livingwithhands]

Thank you Deb,

It is nice to know there is a lot of support here. I have an appointment with my doctor on Friday and we're going to go from there. Like I have mentioned, I just grew up with this attributing it to shaky hands and it was just something I was going to live with. But when I noticed it started to affect my performances, I had to do some research on it. My livelihood depends on it at this point.

I noticed my shaking gets worse especially if I try to hide it. When I'm around my family though and they notice it, my shaking gets better when I talk to them about it.

Thanks Deb and JohnP

[martin67]

I have a new friend/colleague who suffers with ET and I am acting on her behalf with her permission. I am a registered disabled person myself (not ET) and I am new to the ET condition. I am looking for some help on IT keyboards, Mouse and ancillary equipment hardware and software to assist my friend so we can communicate to each other and fellow travellers on the Internet.
My friend shall shortly be getting a PC with ordinary fitments but these are not sufficient for her needs. Any help and advice on ancillary hardware and software for ET sufferers would in my opinion make a tremendous difference to her learning and communication on the PC.
Is there anyone out there who can help me to help and advise my friend.

Warmest Regards

martin67

[macacoza]

You are very welcome!...Any time that we HAVE to do soemthing it seems to worsen the condition....Please keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing!
deb

[DCIrvine]

I am a professional IT person. Work with computers everyday.

I have had ET for 20 years now. Have not had much trouble working with computers, although it can affect my typing at times. My father however has a very tough time using a mouse.

I think the best thing you could try to learn to use, is a piece of voice recognition software called "Dragon Naturally Speaking" . It allows you to use voice commands to control a Windows based PC and to dictate messages, using your voice, instead of typing.

I have not specifically seen other equipment designed to make computers easier for ET sufferers, but a lot of work has been done because of Stephen Hawkings (a famous Physicist with a serious decease). He does a lot of computer work and needs special equipment. You might check out his stuff and see if their are any vendors that are making use of equipment developed for him