Good morning everyone -- My mom is experiencing an upsetting new symptom called orthostatic tremor. I told her I would post here to see if anyone could shed any light on this. Many thanks in advance. Elizabeth

"I think I have developed a condition called Orthostatic Tremor. Recently I have been experiencing intense leg tremors especially in the front of my thighs, when I stand for more than a few minutes. Occasionally it happens when I first stand up. It is becoming more frequent and limits my ability to stand in the shower, stand at the stove or to go into a store. I find myself on the lookout for places where I can sit if the tremor becomes worse. It seems to affect my gait and my feeling of balance. Occasionally if my medicine is fully ON, which happens less and less, I am able to stand for about 15 minutes without the orthostatic tremor starting.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how has it been treated? I read that there are medications for it, but my reactions to pharmaceutical drugs is very atypical and I usually experience side effects Anyone trying any natural treatments? All suggestions are much appreciated."

I was Dx by one of my partners in 1992 with PD. The Orthostatic Tremor(OT) declared itself in late 2014. (Dx confirmed by EMG complete.) There are several books (+ eBooks)on OT. My experience was it declared itself when I was tired, had done physical activity, was stressed and/or was at the end of the dosing cycle. It changed my life. When ever I went out of the house, I was always looking for a place where I could sit down. The unique aspect of my OT was when I would feel the (OT)tremor coming on,if I could set down, even for 10 seconds, the OT would disappear. In, Jan. 2015, an intern looked at me, went through the meds + supplements that I was taking, made several recommendations, which I followed through on. Since 1/23/2015 only 2 very mild tremors. I have PD.
Rainbow676 if you would contact me with the names of the meds you had mentioned you had read about, it would be appreciated. Also, ask your Mom's MDS about a Dx, and then get another Dx. Remeber, OT is rare.

Hi Rainbow..I also am on here for my mom, hoping to get her on next time I visit. She has Orthostatic tremors also , she takes gabapentin, she says it helps some but knocks her out. She can out walk me and seems more like a 50yr old than 75, while moving, but once she stands still the tremors start. I joined this forum because she likes to travel and has to order a wheelchair and be pushed by the airport personnel. She could easily walk and enjoy herself but you have to get the chair at point A and be wheeled to point B. Then there is the issue of anywhere she goes she has to get to the front of the line, yet when someone who appears to be fine walks up to the front that can cause problems.
So I am looking for the best light weight wheel chair to unfold when she needs it but not be a burden to carry. As far as treatment goes, I am thinking some type of electrical stimulation unit might help more than meds, so I want to check into that. If we can get our moms to get on here that would be great, being in her 70's technology is not her thing, so it may very well be up to us to figure this out. But sounds like your mom has the same thing so we should update each other along with others. Thanks Darcy