Functional tremors: Anyone had this?

Posted by Nemo @nemo, Dec 11, 2016

I've been diagnosed with functional tremors. Anyone else ever had this diagnosis.

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Hi Nemo,
I haven't found anyone currently on Connect who has talked about functional tremors. @johnjames has talked about shaking related to Parkinson's however.

Nemo, what part of your body is affected by the tremors? Is the shaking constant or do certain situations calm the shaking or make it worse?

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@colleenyoung

Hi Nemo,
I haven't found anyone currently on Connect who has talked about functional tremors. @johnjames has talked about shaking related to Parkinson's however.

Nemo, what part of your body is affected by the tremors? Is the shaking constant or do certain situations calm the shaking or make it worse?

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I have had functional tremors for 18 months. I usually shake at my hands and feet. Not as bad when first diagnosed. I take Ativan 1 milligram when I have a tremor. Tremors usually don't last very long but they are very exhausting as my hands and my legs and my feet tighten up. Doctor tells me It can stay with me for the rest of my life or I can just go away. Doctors don't seem to know too much about functional tremors. Tremors seem to come on with stress.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi Nemo,
I haven't found anyone currently on Connect who has talked about functional tremors. @johnjames has talked about shaking related to Parkinson's however.

Nemo, what part of your body is affected by the tremors? Is the shaking constant or do certain situations calm the shaking or make it worse?

Jump to this post

My hands used to shake and I was told it was due to my medication. My Doctor said as long as I can function ok I should be ok. That was 5 or 6 years ago. Last year I noticed that I am no longer shaking anymore.

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@colleenyoung

Hi Nemo,
I haven't found anyone currently on Connect who has talked about functional tremors. @johnjames has talked about shaking related to Parkinson's however.

Nemo, what part of your body is affected by the tremors? Is the shaking constant or do certain situations calm the shaking or make it worse?

Jump to this post

My tremors have become less the last few months and less severe. But stress does seem to be the cause.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi Nemo,
I haven't found anyone currently on Connect who has talked about functional tremors. @johnjames has talked about shaking related to Parkinson's however.

Nemo, what part of your body is affected by the tremors? Is the shaking constant or do certain situations calm the shaking or make it worse?

Jump to this post

@dvdlyo7519, welcome to Connect.
So glad to hear that the shaking hands have lessened or even stopped. Have your meds been changed? Or has something else changed? Less stress perhaps as @nemo suggests?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi Nemo,
I haven't found anyone currently on Connect who has talked about functional tremors. @johnjames has talked about shaking related to Parkinson's however.

Nemo, what part of your body is affected by the tremors? Is the shaking constant or do certain situations calm the shaking or make it worse?

Jump to this post

No I am on the same meds. Not to sure what I did that made my hands stop shaking.

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Hi I have tremors all over my body most of the time when I sit down for a meal, usually starts in the stomach. My Doctor said it was Afib this was 18 months ago I think he is wrong about this! It is getting worse . Has anyone had this problem

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@nemo

I have had functional tremors for 18 months. I usually shake at my hands and feet. Not as bad when first diagnosed. I take Ativan 1 milligram when I have a tremor. Tremors usually don't last very long but they are very exhausting as my hands and my legs and my feet tighten up. Doctor tells me It can stay with me for the rest of my life or I can just go away. Doctors don't seem to know too much about functional tremors. Tremors seem to come on with stress.

Jump to this post

I have Essential Tremors. My right hand shakes and I take 50 mg of Primidone. It definitely does help. Don't know if Functional and Essential Tremors are the same thing.

REPLY
@nemo

I have had functional tremors for 18 months. I usually shake at my hands and feet. Not as bad when first diagnosed. I take Ativan 1 milligram when I have a tremor. Tremors usually don't last very long but they are very exhausting as my hands and my legs and my feet tighten up. Doctor tells me It can stay with me for the rest of my life or I can just go away. Doctors don't seem to know too much about functional tremors. Tremors seem to come on with stress.

Jump to this post

Do these tremors come while you are sleeping and are you aware your having them? Are You responsive during these tremors? If you have these while sleeping do you begin to vibrate or shake the bed. Heavy breathing? Just asking?

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@grammlyn

I have Essential Tremors. My right hand shakes and I take 50 mg of Primidone. It definitely does help. Don't know if Functional and Essential Tremors are the same thing.

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Hi, @grammlyn - This Mayo Clinic article talks about functional movement disorders https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/movement-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20363893

In contrast, this other Mayo Clinic article addresses essential tremor https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350534

Has the primidone been helpful with your symptoms?

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