My tremor sometimes rouses the attention of people wherever I am, and some people find it necessary to make a comment, like "are you alright?" or "do you need help bringing the groceries to the car?" I resent these comments, considering I am an extremely physically fit individual who can hike 10 miles, lift heavy weights and practice difficult yoga, and the comments are made by people who are probably not as fit as I am. I regard this as an intrusion and wish it would not happen. What should my response be? I sometimes say "why are you asking?" but they never come out with "because you are shaking", or I say "I'm fine, and how are you?" although I really would like to say "that's not none of your business" or something to that effect. I'm sure I am not alone!
I have been diagnosed with benign essential tremors. I head shakes as though I 'm shaking my head no. Some days it's not bad; however, on some I can feel it. It was brought to my attention about 4 years ago. After that, family members began to tell me how they had noticed it.
Thanks for replying with your advice. My neurologist already knows about the tremors and my gait with my balance. I already take Klonopin. I don't want to make changes to my meds. I've had testing. My seizures are being controlled with the meds and surgery. I'm also sick as hell with hospitals and testing. I do hand and finger exercises to make them stronger. It's also hereditary. What's an EMG? Until it gets worse I'm not doing anything. I'm almost 43. I'll keep your advice in mind. Thank you for your time
Yes, my dad had it and now that my brothers are getting into their late 60s 2/4 have it. My sister has it but she has been on such a cocktail of meds in her lifetime that its hard to distinguish what is hereditary and what not. I find now that an aggravation is probably 5 years of adjuvant therapy for cancer that has compromised my mobility and heart functioning with the oxygen starving muscle approach of some of these meds. I am trying to work it through. like you...with slow but sure exercises...what else can we do..I hesitate trying more drugs....I eat fish (salmon ) head soup...my elders say its got healing properties...
I have been diagnosed with benign essential tremors. I head shakes as though I 'm shaking my head no. Some days it's not bad; however, on some I can feel it. It was brought to my attention about 4 years ago. After that, family members began to tell me how they had noticed it.
I have been diagnosed with benign essential tremors. I head shakes as though I 'm shaking my head no. Some days it's not bad; however, on some I can feel it. It was brought to my attention about 4 years ago. After that, family members began to tell me how they had noticed it.
An EMG machine measures your nerve conduction. My electrical activity of the neck is LOUD! THE EMG is Very Loud, and I have so much electrical activity in my neck, I can light up New York City. Don't use a neurologist who does not perform an EMG! That is of utmost importance. Plus many neurologist still say we are CRAZY, and that's at Emory in Atlanta. Many neurologist don't care, are lazy and treat us like lab rats. I will not permit them to treat me in that manner. They should be fired.
GrammyKay,
I too have essential tremor but have had the surgery and am now 95% better on
my right side. I have the left side scheduled to be done in October. I can't tell
how much this has changed my life. Do you have a hospital with good neuro.
department? I was so sick of people asking me why I was so nervous, spilling
coffee, receiving change was a nightmare! You can get this fixed!! katsgotit
GrammyKay,
I too have essential tremor but have had the surgery and am now 95% better on
my right side. I have the left side scheduled to be done in October. I can't tell
how much this has changed my life. Do you have a hospital with good neuro.
department? I was so sick of people asking me why I was so nervous, spilling
coffee, receiving change was a nightmare! You can get this fixed!! katsgotit
Do you have pain? I have pain, pulling and tremors. I think the worse is the pulling. I had to get drunk and take Klonopin on my wedding day. My neck was pulling really bad and I could hardly walk down the aisle. I just kept on drinking Champagne. I hate this disease. It has ruined my life and I came out of the womb with this mess.
My tremor sometimes rouses the attention of people wherever I am, and some people find it necessary to make a comment, like "are you alright?" or "do you need help bringing the groceries to the car?" I resent these comments, considering I am an extremely physically fit individual who can hike 10 miles, lift heavy weights and practice difficult yoga, and the comments are made by people who are probably not as fit as I am. I regard this as an intrusion and wish it would not happen. What should my response be? I sometimes say "why are you asking?" but they never come out with "because you are shaking", or I say "I'm fine, and how are you?" although I really would like to say "that's not none of your business" or something to that effect. I'm sure I am not alone!
I guess I'm different, because I want everybody to know what I have. I have been with NSTA and Dystonia, Inc., and it was our duty to inform everyone about ST, spasmodic torticollis - the works. If I saw somebody with a shaky head at the store, I would ask them if they had ST, Dystonia, or tremors. Some would be grateful because no doctor could help them and some were in denial and didn't want to talk about it. I guess it's part of being a RN and wanting to help people with this monster. I'm a fighter! I ain't gonna let this monster get me down.
I have been diagnosed with benign essential tremors. I head shakes as though I 'm shaking my head no. Some days it's not bad; however, on some I can feel it. It was brought to my attention about 4 years ago. After that, family members began to tell me how they had noticed it.
"Essential" tremors is a cop out diagnosis. This is an older belief that just because of age people get tremors. We now know that while some people may get tremors there is an underlying condition that causes the tremors. There is no guarantee ("essential") that someone will develop tremors with age.
If you really want to discover the actual cause of your tremors go to a good neurologist that is willing to take the time to perform the necessary tests to determine the actual cause of the tremors. If you are lucky it is treatable in your case. If not treatable, then you will actually have a good name for your condition rather than "Essential" anything.
On a quick side note, "Essential" anything is an old statement. Doctors used to say "Essential Hypertension" which is now considered silly since being older does not cause the HPT.
My mother had essential tremors in both hands at the age of 16, so the ill-logic of ET having to do with the aged is a misconception. This disease effects anyone, any age, male and females and many times it's hereditary.
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Do you know why you're having tremors-meds, hereditary, and if you have seizures they can too. Hand and finger exercises can help as well
Thanks for replying with your advice. My neurologist already knows about the tremors and my gait with my balance. I already take Klonopin. I don't want to make changes to my meds. I've had testing. My seizures are being controlled with the meds and surgery. I'm also sick as hell with hospitals and testing. I do hand and finger exercises to make them stronger. It's also hereditary. What's an EMG? Until it gets worse I'm not doing anything. I'm almost 43. I'll keep your advice in mind. Thank you for your time
Yes, my dad had it and now that my brothers are getting into their late 60s 2/4 have it. My sister has it but she has been on such a cocktail of meds in her lifetime that its hard to distinguish what is hereditary and what not. I find now that an aggravation is probably 5 years of adjuvant therapy for cancer that has compromised my mobility and heart functioning with the oxygen starving muscle approach of some of these meds. I am trying to work it through. like you...with slow but sure exercises...what else can we do..I hesitate trying more drugs....I eat fish (salmon ) head soup...my elders say its got healing properties...
Hello @12271997 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate your posting.
You asked about an EMG and I found a link to Mayo's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/emg/about/pac-20393913.
As a Parkinson's patient I have had several of these.
If you have any specific questions about the EMG, please ask. There are probably many of us that answer your questions.
I look forward to hearing from you again!
Teresa
An EMG machine measures your nerve conduction. My electrical activity of the neck is LOUD! THE EMG is Very Loud, and I have so much electrical activity in my neck, I can light up New York City. Don't use a neurologist who does not perform an EMG! That is of utmost importance. Plus many neurologist still say we are CRAZY, and that's at Emory in Atlanta. Many neurologist don't care, are lazy and treat us like lab rats. I will not permit them to treat me in that manner. They should be fired.
Please find a movement disorder, neurology specialist and demand they use an EMG!
Do you have pain? I have pain, pulling and tremors. I think the worse is the pulling. I had to get drunk and take Klonopin on my wedding day. My neck was pulling really bad and I could hardly walk down the aisle. I just kept on drinking Champagne. I hate this disease. It has ruined my life and I came out of the womb with this mess.
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Helpful -
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1 ReactionI guess I'm different, because I want everybody to know what I have. I have been with NSTA and Dystonia, Inc., and it was our duty to inform everyone about ST, spasmodic torticollis - the works. If I saw somebody with a shaky head at the store, I would ask them if they had ST, Dystonia, or tremors. Some would be grateful because no doctor could help them and some were in denial and didn't want to talk about it. I guess it's part of being a RN and wanting to help people with this monster. I'm a fighter! I ain't gonna let this monster get me down.
"Essential" tremors is a cop out diagnosis. This is an older belief that just because of age people get tremors. We now know that while some people may get tremors there is an underlying condition that causes the tremors. There is no guarantee ("essential") that someone will develop tremors with age.
If you really want to discover the actual cause of your tremors go to a good neurologist that is willing to take the time to perform the necessary tests to determine the actual cause of the tremors. If you are lucky it is treatable in your case. If not treatable, then you will actually have a good name for your condition rather than "Essential" anything.
On a quick side note, "Essential" anything is an old statement. Doctors used to say "Essential Hypertension" which is now considered silly since being older does not cause the HPT.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy mother had essential tremors in both hands at the age of 16, so the ill-logic of ET having to do with the aged is a misconception. This disease effects anyone, any age, male and females and many times it's hereditary.