Essential tremor

[TexLaProgressive]

There was a post that first said that Susan Collins had a tumor when what she has is essential tremor. Collin’s voting record as a senator is abysmal - but her health issue is one that is common across all demographics. I have it, my Dad and Uncle had it - fortunately for us it is just in our hands.

There are drugs that are helpful but as I have historically low normal blood pressure and heart rate the Beta blockers would probably cause me to pass out from low HR and BP. So those are out, the rest are mostly anti conversant including the last in this list brand name Valium are just not something I want to take. So I live with it and my horrid handwriting.

Here’s the list of drugs:
Propranolol Beta blocker
Primidone anticonvulsant
Topiramate anticonvulsant
Gabapentin anticonvulsant
Atenolol Beta blocker
Sotalol Beta blocker
Clonazepam Anti Anxiety, anti-seizure
Nadolol Beta blocker
Diazepam anti-anxiety, sedative, anticonvulsant

[Borogove]

1. I have it too. It's the primary reason I decided not to go to medical school.

[TexLaProgressive]

2. Ah, Borogove, you would have made a great surgeon.

Actually if you got through Med school there are several fields that essential tremors would not be an issue. You already have doctor’s handwriting.

[joho260]

3. Trifecta

I am left handed and have a left hand trifecta: essential tremor, carpal tunnel and osteoarthritis. My "signature" now looks like a 2 year old's scrawl on the bedroom wall. I have had to ask for help in filling out a form at the doctor's office and I dread having to write out a check to pay a bill. Sometimes it's a challenge to keep soup in the spoon long enough to get it to my mouth.

I'm 83 and am still able to live in my own home (wife passed last March). I'd like to keep going long enough to see that pos in the White House cash it in.

[CareyOn]

5. Yes, eating soup is a nightmare!

I also deal with osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis along with the essential tremor. Heck, even trying to respond to DU posts can be taxing which is why I seldom have done so over my many years reading here.
Please read my post about my experience with the focused ultrasound procedure. This procedure is helping many of us in our seventies and eighties.

[CareyOn]

4. Amazing procedure for Essential Tremor

Two years ago I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of this new treatment called Focused Ultrasound. My essential tremor began when I was a teenager. My right hand would shake and people just assumed I was nervous. It wasn't until I was in my late 50s that I was diagnosed. At that time my head would sometimes shake, both hands were shaking and it was noticeable in my voice. By age 65 my hands shook so much that activities like writing, cooking and my art hobbies were in the impossible zone. I concentrated on gardening because delicate motor skills were not involved. Even eating could be a precarious endeavor as I would knock glasses over and preferred eating with my hands over utensils. I was not able to tolerate any of the suggested medications so that was never an option.

I live in Portland Oregon and at 79 I discovered the new program at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) that was doing Focused Ultrasound for essential tremor. Within two months a team especially trained by two OHSU doctors were performing this procedure on my brain . The team of doctors and nurses were amazing in their skills and kindness. After three and a half hours in their care I left the hospital with no shaking in my right hand. I cannot go into all the details of this procedure which requires shaving the head and drilling some holes to attach the equipment which keeps the head so it will not move. One must be awake for the procedure so the doctor can find the correct small area of the brian to be zapped by the MRI. I had 3 zapps (of course that is my non-medical verbiage, but I feel it describes what transpired) and in-between I tried to draw a straight line and circles on paper so any progress could be observed. It was all quite an experience but in one morning the tremor my right side that was so frustrating for years was gone. I have the option of returning to have my left side done, but it does not feel as necessary since I now have full use of the right hand. In November I was able to vote for Kamala and actually sign my name.

OHSU is doing four of these procedures a day as there is quite a demand. The doctor told me they were working to have the procedure cleared for Medicare so they could begin working with Parkinson patients. I worry that in this political climate wonderful treatments like this will not progress or be available to so many who would benefit. I know this procedure is being done in other states and would encourage anyone whose life is impacted negatively by essential tremor to check it out.