Do I have essential tremors?
 

Hi,

I am a 20 year old male. I have noticed my hands shake since at least 5 years ago. I don't have any anxiety problems, and the shaking can be recreated any time. It gets worse after working out at the gym, but I think that's normal.

I first noticed it when I was bringing a spoon to my mouth. I noticed that the lifting was very twitchy. I had dismissed it at the time and since then, I have gotten used to it. The shaking happens when I move a part of my body, but only if I move it deliberately, slowly, and as relaxed as possible. The motion will be jerky and not smooth. It also happens when a muscle is contracted slightly. For example, while sitting in a chair with my feet flat on the ground, if raise my heel a bit and try to keep it still, my leg will shake.

I am worried that I might have, or will develop, a neurological problem. I live in a small town where it is very hard to find a specialized doctor, and If I do, it will probably take forever before being able to set up an appointment. Is my problem worth seeing a doctor?

Movement Disorders
 

[QUOTE=RednBlack;978661]Hi,

I am a 20 year old male. I have noticed my hands shake since at least 5 years ago. I don't have any anxiety problems, and the shaking can be recreated any time. It gets worse after working out at the gym, but I think that's normal.

I first noticed it when I was bringing a spoon to my mouth. I noticed that the lifting was very twitchy. I had dismissed it at the time and since then, I have gotten used to it. The shaking happens when I move a part of my body, but only if I move it deliberately, slowly, and as relaxed as possible. The motion will be jerky and not smooth. It also happens when a muscle is contracted slightly. For example, while sitting in a chair with my feet flat on the ground, if raise my heel a bit and try to keep it still, my leg will shake.

I am worried that I might have, or will develop, a neurological problem. I live in a small town where it is very hard to find a specialized doctor, and If I do, it will probably take forever before being able to set up an appointment. Is my problem worth seeing a doctor?[/QUOTE
Any movement that you have no control over is not normal. I started out with the hand shaking a long time ago. I went to my doctor who told me I had benign essential tremors. I started having pain in my neck from head tremors. He then sent me to an neurologist who diagnosed me with cervical dystonia. My advice to you is to get an appointment with a neurologist. You need to see one. As I said earlier it is not normal to have movement that you cannot control. Best Of Luck To You

Hey, I have had essential tremor since I was 26, I am now 52. Last year I had dbs surgery. If you do have it, it's fixable and worth it for the quality of your life. I tried all the drugs, but they made me feel drugged. It took many years to get around to dealing with it, lots of embarrassment, humiliation, you name it. The real reason I did it was to show my kids bravery and strength in the face of this - it is inherited and one of them may develop it. Now they know there is a solution. This condition can be very very depressing.