Hello everyone,

I recently have been noticing tremors in my hands and sometimes my legs. I went to a general MD and she thinks that it is ET. I still have to go see a neurologist.

I am currently 23 years old and am a physical therapy student. I feel really depressed from those tremors as my career choice is mostly hands on. My tremors are currently really slight and it only affects my daily activities when I'm on caffeine or stressed. I know it is a progressive disease and am really worried about it progressing to the point where it would affect my work and my independence.

I really need support and advice and I would really appreciate it if you help me with a few questions that I have?

1. If you have ET, how much did it progress each year? Do you notice a significant change each year?

2. If you are on any medication, does it help decrease your tremor to the point where you feel independent?

3. If you feel like your tremors interfere with your daily activities, how long did it take from the time of diagnosis to start interfering in your activities? In other words, was it quickly progressing or did it progress slowly? And at what age did you start getting it?

Thanks in advance and I am looking forward to hear from you!

I do not have it so can't help you there. However, did you know that Katherine Hepburn and others had it.

I have had tremors in my hands, arms shoulders and upper chest and legs for at least four years.
Neurologists continually prescribed stronger and stronger medication which sedated me to the point where I could hardly function.
The main University where I live has set up a separate clinic dealing with people that are affected with "Body Motion Disorders".
I have a body disorder that has not been identified as yet. New MIR tests should possibly point me in in the right direction.

Now, on to your question about something to stop or settle down your tremors.
CLONAZEPAM is the only one I would personally recommend.
I have been using it for a over two years and it works wonders when the shakies/tremors or whatever we call them show up.
I take a 0.5 mg tablet as required. I take them as I need them which is not a regular basis. Someday one pill does the trick other time I take more. Depends on what I have been doing. Slight labour will get things going. Which makes me useless in using a keypad or simply trying the handwrite a note or take down a telephone number.
Best of luck to you. CLONAZEPAM, you have nothing to lose.

David
Canada

I have had an ET since I was quite young and first noticed it in my 20s. It has got no worse in 30 years but does vary with stress, and I've learned to compensate for it. Hope this helps.

HhHHHHhhhiiii,

i haaavveee EEETTT sssinncee ii reemmmeemmbeeerr mmmyysseellfff bbbuut theeeerrrre''''ssss nnooooottthhhhiinnng nnnnoottiiiceeaaabbbblleee iinnn aaannyyttthhiiing iii dddooo. Just kidding. Not about having it since I was little. But you learn to live with it, like anything else in life. Mostly you become more aware of yourself and need to take care so people notice it less. Not that there's anything wrong with it, other than people associating your tremor with extreme nervousness. Which is annoying. While it doesn't occure only when nervous it does, however, increase in nervous situations (in my case).

I tend to drink with two hands, one holding the cup and the other slightly supporting it. I can never manage holding a saucer and cup in one hand. Just the thought can make cups fly out of my cupboard. Nor can I hold a drink in each hand (to serve guests as an example). What else? computer keyboards can be tricky when I make presentations. Generally I try to keep my hands and fingers resting on something at all times because they can start shaking without my noticing (others notice immediately...).

Given the opportunity I tell people that I have ET, that it's herditary, etc. Nothing apologetic. Just a fact. You may choose to tell your patients the same.

I'm not an old man, but I've seen my share. And if ET is the worst thing that happens to you, you're a lucky man.

Hello IETS,

I’ve had Essential tremor since birth. It has progressed. I believe it progresses and presents in each person differently. I’ve tried two medication and they have not worked on me. But don’t despair….talk with your dr. and keep working away at it. I wish you the best.

Oh for me how its interfered. Many embarrassing moments with people thinking your afraid. Sometimes punching in my debit card numbers and typing are difficult. Signing my name. Just movements and handling small objects are issues….. My job…this was a problem I could no longer hold a cuff key and restrain an inmate..

So, enough about me,
Hang in there~!

Fhawn