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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

jstewart2019 | @jstewart2019 | Sep 5, 2019

In reply to @jstewart2019 "No" + (show)

But had a dermatologist appt yesterday my facial Rash and on my head are directly related to PD

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 5, 2019

In reply to @jstewart2019 "But had a dermatologist appt yesterday my facial Rash and on my head are directly related..." + (show)

Hi @jstewart2019, Did the dermatologist suggest any treatment for the rash?

jstewart2019 | @jstewart2019 | Sep 5, 2019

Yes, products that control dandruff

Robin | @2016dodge | Sep 5, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "That is not childish at all, @2016dodge. It sounds like a great system, and especially if..." + (show)

Thank you very much Teresa, I just know that anything I can do to make it bearable and be able to carry me in to the next day.

Robin | @2016dodge | Sep 5, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @kathystl, I'm so glad that you shared your methods of reducing stress. It all sounds..." + (show)

Thank you Teresa if I find anything else out I will pass it on, Robin

jmb73 | @jmb73 | Sep 6, 2019

Thank you everyone for some great ideas- I will try the tapping on my leg. Sorry I haven't responded sooner but I developed an infection at the pin site from my gamma surgery last Jan! I have a low immune system and that doesn't help. The neuro surgeon's PA's are fixing me. On the ET, my writing is not good and like you Mr. Thankful, I went to parochial schools and used to have good penmanship. I now use the computer to print out anything and then just sign my name. Checks are a problem but I am lucky as my husband writes them out. I did purchase from Amazon 2 very lightweight double handle mugs. They are stainless steel but look like regular mugs and I have bought plastic glasses for myself and my family so I can use them when I visit. I do take CBD with a little THC for my pain (from lots of other issues) and glad to hear it might help with the tremors. My left thumb no longer has any cartilage in the joint and I went to a hand surgeon to check it out. He wants to operate but I refused as the recuperation period is too long. I think that is contributing to the dropping of things. He said it was the ET. Now that the thumb has fully collapsed, it's not as painful. Does anyone have that issue and could it be related to my ET? Does anyone deal with occipital neuralgia? I just got diagnosed with it. I am just taking the Gabapentin. Originally it was for fibromyalgia but now I hope it helps with the ET. I was going to cut back on the dosage as I am putting on weight. My PC said weight gain is common with that drug. Have any of you had weight gain with it? Thanks for the help.

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Sep 6, 2019

In reply to @jmb73 "Thank you everyone for some great ideas- I will try the tapping on my leg. Sorry..." + (show)

Hello. I was treated for occipital neuralgia by having radio frequency ablations, on both the greater and lessor
occipitals, for 2 years. I'm on Lyrica CR and have had minimal weight gain. I try to make provisions to my eating now.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 13, 2019

In reply to @jstewart2019 "I started on essential tremor meds with no luck, I’m now are carbo/levodopa 3 times a..." + (show)

Hi @jstewart2019

As I read your post I see that you are on carbo/levodopa, three times a day. As this is used primarily to treat Parkinson's has your doctor given you a diagnosis of Parkinson's?

I would encourage you to visit our Parkinson's discussion on Connect. Here is the link,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/parkinsons-disease/
You say that the carbo/levodopa has helped some. In what ways do you feel better with this med?

jstewart2019 | @jstewart2019 | Sep 13, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @jstewart2019 As I read your post I see that you are on carbo/levodopa, three times..." + (show)

No but my dermatologist says my face rash is seen in PD, next visit my neurologist is going to increase that med

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 13, 2019

In reply to @jstewart2019 "No but my dermatologist says my face rash is seen in PD, next visit my neurologist..." + (show)

Thanks for that clarification, @jstewart2019. I'm not familiar with rashes related to PD, could you explain what it looks like? Does it cause itching?

When will you be seeing your neurologist for an appointment?