Would this be considered Essential Tremor? I have tremors only when under stress such as in medical procedures [during prep for surgery, during an ER intubaton, during 2 different local hand surgeries, and once in a dermatologist's office during a lazier treatment - for all of these situations the nurse/doctor had to stop the procedure and inject me quickly with a medication to get it under control as my whole body goes into uncontrollable spasms]; when I have a high fever; and when scared [once when I was about 10 or 12 yrs old they had to stop a roller coaster to get me off as they thought I was having a seizure]. Other neuro related difficulties: When I'm tired I have trouble retrieving words, my voice becomes weak, and I get clumsy and have gait issues. I get shaky if I skip meals or eat sugary foods [hypoglycemic like reaction]. I have visual auras, frequently preceded by eye twitching with either no headache or mild headaches --recently, I have started taking Topiramate [Topamax] for this as regular migraine meds don't seem to help. By the way, this is nothing new. I am 70, but never been diagnosed.

I've been doing lot's of research on the internet since posting last and think I now have an answer to my own question. I believe what I described is a type of Essential Tremor although not nearly as serious or as life altering as many of you may be dealing with or have been experiencing it. Thinking back now, I can remember many other times when tremor has been a problem for me, but did not recognize it for what it was at the time, because it was not as dramatic a presentation as it was in a medical situation when I literally shook so bad that it caused the doctor to have to stop to sedate me. There have been more subtle situations: I am thinking of the voice weakness when stressed or anxious and shakiness with nervousness [like chills] at a job interview or during a serious talk or presentation. It has affected me socially, too. I know that when I am getting tired, especially at night at social gatherings, I start having trouble talking and my coordination gets bad--- it is time to get quiet and just listen, and if I can, to go home early. This was particularly a problem when I was young and dating. Over the years I have learned how to hide it better. Perhaps some of you can relate.