I have been diagnosis with Parkinson's and have a tremor in my dominate right hand. It can be extremely frustrating to do simple things like use a mouse or use eating utensils, take photos, or even type this. I have had it for 5 years and it has gotten a lot worse. I tried all the medications but none of them worked and some had very bad side effects. Read up on it so you can talk to the doctor and try them. They usually start out with the mildest at a very low dose. You won't know what works until you try them. The only thing the two neurologists suggested was to have Deep brain stimulation (DBS) done. I am not ready to do brain surgery yet. That is a procedure that is also used to treat essential tremor. Good luck.

My mom has essential tremor and finds it very frustrating. She can't do her needlework (and was very talented) and even writing causes her embarrassment.

Her GP tried an anti-seizure (?) type med and it worked well right out of the starting gate but had too many side effects, balance issues not acceptable for a woman living alone. She has never had high blood pressure, but a small dose of beta blocker - propranolol - decreases but does not eliminate the tremor. It's an improvement, not a total fix, but she seems to have no side effects from the propranolol (is generic Inderol) so continues to take that - finding 'better' at least acceptable. She'll be 89 in April....

My DH had 'essential tremor' in his right hand diagnosed around 1995. He is actually left-handed, but was forced as a child to write and play some sports right-handed. His is not Parkinson's. No medication has ever been suggested.

His has gotten worse in the last couple of years, and his left hand also has a very slight tremble now. It's noticeable in his right hand when he is holding something light -- like a letter or the newspaper. I sometimes notice it now on the steering wheel; it's more evident when he is tired.

phoggie -- How does your MD pronounce 'tremor'. DH's internist would say "tree-mur".

A friend with Parkinson's finds it easier to use *heavy* knives, forks, and dishes.

(We recently enjoyed a not-so-new -- and poignant -- movie on DVD in which the female lead had Parkinson's: "Love and Other Drugs".)

How about acupuncture or PT?I'm sorry for anyone suffering this and wish you well. How frustrating to not be in charge of your hands.

I have been plagued with essential tremor since my teens. Have been taking Inderal now for about 30 years. Actually started on the Inderal for migraine headaches, but when menopause hit, the migraines became very infrequent, so I tried going off the Inderal. That is when I realized that the Inderal was also calming the tremors. Inderal also is prescribed to treat high blood pressure. Since that runs heavily in my family, I guess I will keep taking it.

My writing looks rather wavery ... and I find that if I've written for a bit, it improves.

Haven't taken anything to cope with it, as it hasn't bothered me that much.

ole oyful

Why not get a second opinion?

I have had three opinions and they agree on "essential tremor"....I can not figure what is "essential" about it. I take a beta blocker for HBP, but hasn't helped this terrible shaking. I get so aggravated with it...if I write something on the calendar, I have no idea where I was supposed to go! Signing my name is getting so difficult and writing checks is almost impossible. I am so embarrassed eating with other people...I need a bib! And yes, I have tried weighted utensils...my DD is an OT and she has given those to me to use.

Igmd...bless you for having this for so long. I noticed mine started in 2000 but lately, it is driving me nuts. I tried writing and eating with left hand, but that is now tremmoring also. Oh well, old age does not come alone!

In your case "essential" sorta means "basic". As opposed to Parkinson's type. Some folks, not all, have tremors as a result of MS.

Jim's opinion - make sure that your primary health care provider is involved with whatever any neurologist indicates. You need to get everyone to take into consideration all things that are going on. Without offering medical advice, please consider a support group of those who have your affliction. Ask for a referral.

I have had a tremor for awhile now...and each year it does get more noticeable. I don't do many needlecraft or sewing; between failing eyes and tremoring it's pretty funny....and sad, as I still want to. My MD noticed it before I really did and ruled out other reasons for it. It, to me, is just another challenge in this journey of aging. I do have a friend who has a tremor that is inherited and it began rather early in his life...his father had it as well. I admire that he is able to do everything in spite of it...as did his Dad who passed at age 87.

I was diagnosed with essential tremors in my hands and head about 3 years ago. I had noticed my hands trembling when driving and writing.

My doctor sent me to a neurologist who tested me and gave me the diagnosis.

I remember he had me walk down his long hallway. If you swing your arms when you walk it is not Parkinsons. Also had me write my name and draw spirals. A very close friend has Parkinsons and we swap stories. He had his second deep brain stimulation done and he is so happy he can eat soup in public again.

My doc put me on a low dose (50mg) of Primidole and slowly raised it to 250mg a day. It has definitily made a difference in my life.

Good luck, there are worse things you could have.

P.S. Don't ask me to sign my name,

I find that when I have a tremor while eating, that sometimes if iput down my utensil and wait a minute to try again it does improve. Also, I only print these days, it's not perfect, but readable. DH can't read my scribbles on the calendar tho, I need bigger squares!

kathyg, how about one of those large desk calendars? Just a thought :-)

DH has had ET since his late 50s. Is weaning off his second trial of primidone, which just isn't working after 6 months. He is 88, so has lived with it for a long time. Gets very frustrated and sometimes angry at himself when he can't manage something. It is in both hands. Has tried several other meds, and after giving each a fair trial, none have worked. He is taking propranolol, but that's mainly for BP. Alcohol does steady his hands, but that obviously that has to be limited.

He was originally diagnosed with Parkinsons and subsequently turned down for long-term care insurance. After several years (and a move from CA to NY state), and no progression of "Parkinsons", I insisted that he see another neurologist, who UN-diagnosed Parkinsons, and confirmed that it is ET. He does have trouble with balance at times, and uses a cane or walker when out. It is VERY frustrating for both of us, and he, being a control freak, has no control over this and it is maddening.

What is a trackball mouse?...never heard of one....but I am not tech savvy.

Yep, I meant Primidone, no L. Oops!

Phoggie, this is the one he/we use in the next post. If you Google Trackball Mouse, there are many different variations. The advantage of this one is that it is thumb controlled, using just the ball, rather than with the whole hand or several fingers on a ball.

Logitech M570. Well, this is not going to let me post a picture. Google that model and number. It will come up. Ours isn't wireless, but looks about the same. Main thing is to have the ball on the side, not on top.

Hmm, a trackball mouse might be a good idea for me. My mouse has a mind of its own and goes crazy sometimes. Very frustrating.

I googled them and they can be purchased on Amazon and also Walmart.

wantoretire, do you operate this ball with your thumb? Doesn't the hand still tremor on the mouse? This is so frustrating!!!!

My late father in law suffered from ET for all of his adult life. The older he got, the worse they got. He took some meds for awhile and that helped. I don't recall what kind or why he discontinued.

We did find him some eating utensils that he was able to use with out having so much difficulty. I believe it was called "Liftware." (It's not cheap, but very helpful) Here's a link from a google search for "eating utensils for tremors" there is quite a range of items.

There are also special pens designed for those with tremors too.

Here's the link for that.

I'm willing to bet the prices for the aids will be less expensive on Amazon.

A good friend of mine has this. It isn't Parkinsons either and it started when she was quite young at age 35. Three years ago she got an electrical implant (DBS) in her brain to help with the shaking. It has made a huge difference in her, as it was very bad just before the surgery. She had been on medications for 10 years, previously, which didn't help her too much. She jokes now that the tremor helped to keep her weight off because she gained 15 lbs as soon as the tremor subsided. I also wish you luck.

Phoggie, yes, the thumb operates the ball and the index and middle fingers are on the 2 buttons. He says that he hasn't noticed his hand shaking while using it. The hand rests on it. HTH.

Pudgeder, thank you for the links. I'll investigate for sure, as eating comfortably is sometimes a problem.

One suggestion that may or may not help you with your calendar.... I have a cheap android phone. On it, I have Evernote. You don't have to have it. You could use Google calendar just as easily, for instance. On my phone, my keyboard has a microphone icon on it. When I enter an appointment into my electronic calendar, I use that and don't worry about typos as it types it for me. Maybe this could help you in that one area? All you have to do is press one button and talk.

Also, it could work on your computer

I know this is an older post but just came across this article...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/essential-tremor-health-surgery-clinical-trial-brain-disease-1.3732875

Cookie8 - I saw a news story on that procedure. Sounded interesting. Funny the two neurologists I saw did not suggest it. Maybe they don't get to charge as much as they can for DBS. Sorry, hate to be so cynical. Just fed up with my doctors.

I'm wondering if aside from medication, if possibly one of those hand braces worn by people with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, might be of any use to help diminish the tremor?

Cookie, I just visited a friend at Sunnybrook, who had some brain surgery after suffering a stroke. They are famous for their amazing and revolutionary work in various fields. Although DH and I are considering moving to a smaller community now that we're retired, we are hesitant to move from the Toronto area, where we're surrounded by world renowned health care. It's even better when one knows the procedure or surgery won't cost them a penny!

My friend had/has to travel to Toronto and all her adjustments for her implant. You probably would still get referrals to all the specialists in Toronto even if you move further out.

This has been on our local news. A lady was diagnosed with the severe hand tremors as Phoggie has mentioned. She had "surgery" via ultrasounds and 50% of her tremors had stopped. She was literally unable to drink water out of a cup, or even think of writing. Now she can hold a cup without it jumping all over the place. Here is a video of it being done.

Essential Tremors

Cookie, that's true, but I have a feeling if you live locally and your G.P. is from Toronto, your specialist appointment might be speedier, with the exception of emergency referrals, which of course should get precedence. On the few occasions when I was referred to a specialist, my appointment was within a few weeks. My daughter lives in a small city in a different province and it can take several months to get an appointment with a specialist.

Jasdip, that was an interesting article....wonder if that surgery is done in the US? Thanks for sharing it... I appreciate using my IPad....I can touch the screen with my middle finger, which does not shake as much as index or thumb does.