Essential tremors: any ideas on coping and managing tremors?

Posted by jmb73 @jmb73, Aug 23, 2019

I saw my neurologist yesterday and he said that I have essential tremors. He said they will get worse and progress to my other hand. Do any of you have this and if so is there any way I can slow the progress. He said it will probably take 3 years to get really bad. I am on Gababentin for fibromyalgia and restless leg and that is one of the drugs that is for these tremors. I am dropping things from my left hand and he said that will get worse too. I am buying plastic glasses as I dropped a real glass in the dishwasher- what a pain that was to get all the glass slivers out of the dishwasher. I would appreciate any ideas on coping with this and how I can manage it. Thank you

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thankful | @thankful | Aug 30, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@thankful and @kathystl You have both provided some great information for @jimb. Most physical problems are..." + (show)

@hopeful33250, @jimb- I still have some triggers though I just checked another one off my long held list. Just got back from Victoria B.C. and went out on a small whalewatching tour boat quite a ways out into the ocean. Luckily is was very calm and there were lots of Humbacks & Orcas for distractions!
All in all walking for me is a great stress reliever. I generally go 4-5 times a week on a 3 1/2 mile trek that is mostly wooded and on some boardwalks through some ponds & creeks that always have lots of wildlife.
Also, since writing is the toughest for me I try noy to put myself in situations that when I need to do it I do it earlier in the day and if it's out in public I try to move down the counter out of the way or simply have my wife sign for me. Seek to be joyful! Jim @thankful

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 30, 2019

In reply to @thankful "@hopeful33250, @jimb- I still have some triggers though I just checked another one off my long..." + (show)

Good thoughts, @thankful. I appreciate you sharing!

jstewart2019 | @jstewart2019 | Sep 1, 2019

I’ve had mine eight years and now have in whole body, none of my treatments have been effective.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 1, 2019

In reply to @jstewart2019 "I’ve had mine eight years and now have in whole body, none of my treatments have..." + (show)

Hello @jstewart2019 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see this is your first post. You say that your tremors are in your whole body. If you don't mind sharing a bit more about yourself, what is your diagnosis? You mention also that none of the treatments have been effective. Are these treatments meds or have you tried other therapies as well?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

jstewart2019 | @jstewart2019 | Sep 2, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @jstewart2019 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see this is your first post. You say..." + (show)

I started on essential tremor meds with no luck, I’m now are carbo/levodopa 3 times a day lowest dose with some luck, but now getting worse. I take a muscle relaxer and get trigger point injections as muscles seem to get rigid over time.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 2, 2019

Hi @jstewart2019
Did you ever try Amantadine/Symetrell? It is used by people with Parkinson's (PD) to control tremors. Rigidity is also a symptom of PD. Have you had any physical therapy?