Does anyone else have Essential Tremor?

I was born with Essential Tremor Disorder. I shake all the time all over, but most visibly in my hands. The more I move, the more I shake. I've dealt with it all my life. I usually do a pretty good job of hiding it, but sometimes people stare - like when I'm paying for something in a store. I have no medicine to take for it. There is not a cure for it. Does anyone else have this and have a good way of dealing with the shaking? I'm pretty used to it, but it just gets frustrating sometimes.

Lisa, I suffer from essential tremor as well. Like you, it's predominately in my hands. I've not done any research on it, nor have I consulted with a physician since learning why I have the shakes all the time. I guess since it doesn't seem to be life-threatening, I don't give it a second thought.

There is a medication that I sometimes have to take that makes shake like that and it's really hard to work with. I understand the frustration. When I take that medication I stop wearing makeup or doing my nails because I can't do any of it without shaking really badly. I usually make my life as simple as possible and try to make all my bills electronic (because writing is hard then too). Don't try to make the shaking stop because it usually just becomes worse, but exercise does seem to help because you can gain a little more control over your muscles.

Hi Georgiagirl,
I can imagine how hard it is to live with such a disease. You see I´m in a wheelchair and some people look at me as if Iwere demented or had to be since I´m sitting in that disgusting chair, my left side has been paralysed after a bad stroke and I´m not 80 or 90.SO I have tried to give those people a charming smile.They are usually pretty embarrassed and try to be nice then.It´s the only remedy I can think of.This might not help you at all but nevertheless give it a thought.
Loving purrs
Elisabeth

Lisa,

My friend's husband suffers from this. I had found this link for them awhile back- so I pass it to you now in case you haven't seen it?

Essential Tremor

Just remind them it's not polite to stare, and usually they are embarssed by their action.
I only know this because I am often stared at, gawked at, and even some will point, this is how society (for the most) is. It's too bad.

Thanks for all the help everybody. It's nice to know there are nice people in the world who are willing to help. I really appreciate it. Thanks for the web site Hissy.

I don't know if that is what I have, but my hands shake. I never had this problem until after my doctor changed me to a different medicine. With my old medicine, I was tired all the time. After the change, the tiredness was gone. I decided I would put up with my hands shaking over feeling exhausted all the time.

I doubt that it's essential tremor. If it only started after you switched medicine, it's probably side effects. Essential Tremor is usually hereditary.

Lisa, have you ever taken medication for it? I don't know anything about these tremors but I do know that a lot of people take Sinemet (prescription) for tremors. It's a drug used for Parkenson's Disease, but it can be prescribed for other tremors.

I've never really taken anything for it. I didn't know if there was any medication for it or not. Doctors around don't help very much. I have lots of health problems besides the tremors and it's now gotten to the point where the doctors are not helping me with anything anymore. Two different doctors in the last year have told me that they knew something was wrong with me, but they did not know what it was. They never tried to find out anything further. After a while, I started to lose my faith in doctors. So, I have almost decided to give up and just suffer with my problems.

I'd recommend going to a Neurologist. I'm sure they see this kind of thing everyday. Sometimes General Practioners don't see things like this all the time, so they are as educated on it as they would be for the common infection.

Actually I've been to a Neurologist. Not for the shaking though. I was having other problems at the time, which have mostly subsided. He did a Cat Scan, but it didn't show up anything - thankfully. The other health problems I mentioned are mostly female related and aren't tied in with the shaking. I will look into finding some medicine for it though, now that I know there is some. Thanks for the advice.

Originally posted by georgiagirl8
Actually I've been to a Neurologist. Not for the shaking though. I was having other problems at the time, which have mostly subsided. He did a Cat Scan, but it didn't show up anything - thankfully. The other health problems I mentioned are mostly female related and aren't tied in with the shaking. I will look into finding some medicine for it though, now that I know there is some. Thanks for the advice.

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Lisa,
I'm not familiar with this condition, my years of practicing as an RN were spent in Labor and Delivery and high risk pre-term care. I did find this site, just in case you are not familiar with it, it looks like a great resource - perhaps for also finding a support group in your area and a recommended specialist.

http://www.essentialtremor.org/

best wishes in finding support via a good doctor, and an appropriate medication to help,