I do not find that the essential tremors affect my sleep. I also have restless leg syndrome which is another diagnosis that may or may not be related to my essential tremors. I have had RLS since I was a child, way before I even knew what it is called. It is also an internal phenomena that is difficult to describe unless you have ever had it. RLS creates an intense urge to move my legs to find comfort. I do not have it every night, but it seems to come in waves. I may have it for a week straight before it subsides until the next episode. It mainly happens at night, although I also have it sometimes when I sit in a meeting, or church, or standing in line at the grocery store. I find that leg exercises sometimes helps with that.
Our bodies are complicated pieces of equipment. Sometimes I have to give up on trying to find out why I am experiencing certain challenges, and just go straight for learning to cope with diet, exercise, or medication as a last resort. At this time, I am not on any medication for my essential tremors or my RLS.
Just as a side note, my 45 year old son also has RLS. His is even worse than mine, and he frequently has difficulty sleeping.
I have had essential tremor for at least 35 years, and RLS for my whole life. I remember trying to explain to my mother about the uncomfortable feeling in my arms and legs that wasn’t pain.
I can at times stand in front of a mirror and see my entire body vibrate.
I have just experienced a number of very stressful life events that I believe have brought on a sudden and severe increase in my essential tremor symptoms.
You can get botox or myobloc injections in the arm muscle that causes the had tremor. In the fifteen minute procedure, the doctor uses a machine with a needle probe to locate the muscle in vibration. It can be completely effective and last about six months.
It may depend up on the cause of your tremor though. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11436131/
I have had essential tremor for at least 35 years, and RLS for my whole life. I remember trying to explain to my mother about the uncomfortable feeling in my arms and legs that wasn’t pain.
I can at times stand in front of a mirror and see my entire body vibrate.
I have just experienced a number of very stressful life events that I believe have brought on a sudden and severe increase in my essential tremor symptoms.
I have found that stress does indeed increase my essential tremor. It does not even have to be bad stress. It can be something as innocuous as being in a hurry to get ready or having to focus on putting on eye makeup. Sometimes my handwriting is perfect, and at times I can barely hold still to sign my name. At times I do not shows signs of shaking outside, but I can feel it internally.
Now, my restless legs on the other hand occurs when I have to sit still too long such as in a meeting or church. At times, it will prevent me from sleeping, but not often. I take Magnesium right before going to bed, and it appears to help with that.
Then sometimes I have nighttime leg cramps, and we all know there is no way to sleep through that. Lol
I have no way of knowing if the RLS is related to my essential tremor. Some doctors say yes, and some say no. Whether it is or isn't, I have to deal with it. End of story.
I have found that stress does indeed increase my essential tremor. It does not even have to be bad stress. It can be something as innocuous as being in a hurry to get ready or having to focus on putting on eye makeup. Sometimes my handwriting is perfect, and at times I can barely hold still to sign my name. At times I do not shows signs of shaking outside, but I can feel it internally.
Now, my restless legs on the other hand occurs when I have to sit still too long such as in a meeting or church. At times, it will prevent me from sleeping, but not often. I take Magnesium right before going to bed, and it appears to help with that.
Then sometimes I have nighttime leg cramps, and we all know there is no way to sleep through that. Lol
I have no way of knowing if the RLS is related to my essential tremor. Some doctors say yes, and some say no. Whether it is or isn't, I have to deal with it. End of story.
Hug. Whenever I see someone in public with essential tremor, my heart goes out to them and I often wonder how I would deal with such a thing.
Stress has some interesting ways of exhibiting itself.
All my life I have what I call "essential" anxiety caused by CPTSD.
When you mentioned "being in a hurry to get ready" or "having to focus" caused your tremor to go up; my internal anxiety levels shot up! I don't shake externally but inside it feels like a metal spring is being wound up - the tension starts....
You have such a wonderful attitude...."whether it is or isn't, I have to deal with it. End of story."
I think acceptance is good for us all in dealing with whatever life hands each of us.
Hug. Whenever I see someone in public with essential tremor, my heart goes out to them and I often wonder how I would deal with such a thing.
Stress has some interesting ways of exhibiting itself.
All my life I have what I call "essential" anxiety caused by CPTSD.
When you mentioned "being in a hurry to get ready" or "having to focus" caused your tremor to go up; my internal anxiety levels shot up! I don't shake externally but inside it feels like a metal spring is being wound up - the tension starts....
You have such a wonderful attitude...."whether it is or isn't, I have to deal with it. End of story."
I think acceptance is good for us all in dealing with whatever life hands each of us.
Essential tremor isn't the worst thing I deal with - just one of the most annoying. I would be much more distressed to lose my sight or my hearing. But feeling like I need a bib whenever I eat...grr...drops and drips always land on my "shelf" so I am constantly on the lookout for stains on my shirts.
One thing people might not know - while essential tremor may be worsened by stress, that is not the underlying cause. Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350534
I am definitely in the "hereditary" group - essential tremor bedeviled my elders, on both sides of the family, for at least the past 2 generations. Now my generation is having its turn - among my siblings and cousins, nearly half have tremors, which started as early as our 20's; we are seeing it in the next generation as well. Strangely, about 1/4 of the people in my family do go on to develop Parkinson's -that is what scares me!
Stress and fatigue definitely make mine worse.
I take a drug called primidone, which helps sometimes.
I’ve had them noticeably since my 40s but I felt them as a child. My neuro says he’s holding off the primodone as I’m on gabapentin and Vimpat for seizures and tremors already and they help mostly. We’re hoping they don’t get worse as I’m on other meds including one for MG.
I’ve found stress, pressure and certain people cause me to shake and I have to get away immediately or I start to shake all over and can fall. So I just don’t tolerate stress anymore, or as some say, suffer fools. Who else would bother someone until they literally make them sick?
My worse symptoms are bad handwriting, dropping things, esp on my shirt when eating/drinking, cutting food, and speaking. So I try not to let myself get upset. I don’t do a lot of writing and use spoons a lot
I've had essential tremor for a couple of years. Personally I don't find it very "essential." I'd certainly be happier without it! When I'm standing up, my head shakes. It's not that noticeable. People only notice it if I ask them to look at my head when I'm standing. I'm going to be getting a full neurological workup one day in February. Hopefully I will eventually find out why I'm a bobblehead. I'll have to be at the hospital for 8 a.m. What's difficult is that I have to bring someone with me who knows me well. This isn't easy because I don't have a spouse or partner. I only have one friend who doesn't wake up before noon!
My first time posting. I have noticed that the tremors seem to be getting worse. It’s strange like internal tremors and my head jerks sometimes, although shaking a bit when writing. I was sent to a neurologist who did a nuclear test which showed normal but he said I could still have Parkinson’s that this test was just one that they run. When I hold my hands out straight they do not shake. I have noticed that they seem to get worse with stress. I am currently the caregiver for my 86 year old husband who has recurrent cancer, fractured his back and has the signs of either dementia or MCI. Does anyone else find this triggers their systems. Thanks
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Sorry you are seeing a neurologist.
I have had essential tremor for at least 35 years, and RLS for my whole life. I remember trying to explain to my mother about the uncomfortable feeling in my arms and legs that wasn’t pain.
I can at times stand in front of a mirror and see my entire body vibrate.
I have just experienced a number of very stressful life events that I believe have brought on a sudden and severe increase in my essential tremor symptoms.
I need help with this as well. I’ve tried “talking” messages but that has its own drawbacks.
You can get botox or myobloc injections in the arm muscle that causes the had tremor. In the fifteen minute procedure, the doctor uses a machine with a needle probe to locate the muscle in vibration. It can be completely effective and last about six months.
It may depend up on the cause of your tremor though.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11436131/
I have found that stress does indeed increase my essential tremor. It does not even have to be bad stress. It can be something as innocuous as being in a hurry to get ready or having to focus on putting on eye makeup. Sometimes my handwriting is perfect, and at times I can barely hold still to sign my name. At times I do not shows signs of shaking outside, but I can feel it internally.
Now, my restless legs on the other hand occurs when I have to sit still too long such as in a meeting or church. At times, it will prevent me from sleeping, but not often. I take Magnesium right before going to bed, and it appears to help with that.
Then sometimes I have nighttime leg cramps, and we all know there is no way to sleep through that. Lol
I have no way of knowing if the RLS is related to my essential tremor. Some doctors say yes, and some say no. Whether it is or isn't, I have to deal with it. End of story.
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1 ReactionHug. Whenever I see someone in public with essential tremor, my heart goes out to them and I often wonder how I would deal with such a thing.
Stress has some interesting ways of exhibiting itself.
All my life I have what I call "essential" anxiety caused by CPTSD.
When you mentioned "being in a hurry to get ready" or "having to focus" caused your tremor to go up; my internal anxiety levels shot up! I don't shake externally but inside it feels like a metal spring is being wound up - the tension starts....
You have such a wonderful attitude...."whether it is or isn't, I have to deal with it. End of story."
I think acceptance is good for us all in dealing with whatever life hands each of us.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionEssential tremor isn't the worst thing I deal with - just one of the most annoying. I would be much more distressed to lose my sight or my hearing. But feeling like I need a bib whenever I eat...grr...drops and drips always land on my "shelf" so I am constantly on the lookout for stains on my shirts.
One thing people might not know - while essential tremor may be worsened by stress, that is not the underlying cause. Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350534
I am definitely in the "hereditary" group - essential tremor bedeviled my elders, on both sides of the family, for at least the past 2 generations. Now my generation is having its turn - among my siblings and cousins, nearly half have tremors, which started as early as our 20's; we are seeing it in the next generation as well. Strangely, about 1/4 of the people in my family do go on to develop Parkinson's -that is what scares me!
Stress and fatigue definitely make mine worse.
I take a drug called primidone, which helps sometimes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI’ve had them noticeably since my 40s but I felt them as a child. My neuro says he’s holding off the primodone as I’m on gabapentin and Vimpat for seizures and tremors already and they help mostly. We’re hoping they don’t get worse as I’m on other meds including one for MG.
I’ve found stress, pressure and certain people cause me to shake and I have to get away immediately or I start to shake all over and can fall. So I just don’t tolerate stress anymore, or as some say, suffer fools. Who else would bother someone until they literally make them sick?
My worse symptoms are bad handwriting, dropping things, esp on my shirt when eating/drinking, cutting food, and speaking. So I try not to let myself get upset. I don’t do a lot of writing and use spoons a lot
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI've had essential tremor for a couple of years. Personally I don't find it very "essential." I'd certainly be happier without it! When I'm standing up, my head shakes. It's not that noticeable. People only notice it if I ask them to look at my head when I'm standing. I'm going to be getting a full neurological workup one day in February. Hopefully I will eventually find out why I'm a bobblehead. I'll have to be at the hospital for 8 a.m. What's difficult is that I have to bring someone with me who knows me well. This isn't easy because I don't have a spouse or partner. I only have one friend who doesn't wake up before noon!
My first time posting. I have noticed that the tremors seem to be getting worse. It’s strange like internal tremors and my head jerks sometimes, although shaking a bit when writing. I was sent to a neurologist who did a nuclear test which showed normal but he said I could still have Parkinson’s that this test was just one that they run. When I hold my hands out straight they do not shake. I have noticed that they seem to get worse with stress. I am currently the caregiver for my 86 year old husband who has recurrent cancer, fractured his back and has the signs of either dementia or MCI. Does anyone else find this triggers their systems. Thanks