Essential tremor

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok, all, I know you can't give medical advice, yada yada yada, insert poster-specific disclaimer here.

Here's the thing: I have a slight essential tremor. Sometimes its barely noticeable. Other times it looks like I've just had a boatload of caffeine, diet pills, or both. Those times I affectionately think to myself, "Wow, I look like a f*cking drug addict." Its pronounced enough that a doc I work with in the ER noticed and asked about it.

Here's my concern. My nana recently passed away, she had parkinson's disease and emphysema. Could this tremor be the beginning of parkinson's for me? Its one of the hallmark symptoms. Am I being overly concerned?

I have no other neurological deficits that I've noticed.

Appreciate any input.

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My husband has essential tremor...did a bunch or research on it, ended up filing it away in my brain under "non-life threatening problems"...will look up the links for you. Do you want them in the thread or as a PM?

One thing I do recall is that it can be mis-diagnosed as Parkinsons and that my FIL got worse on Parkinsons meds.

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kids-r-fun, I'd appreciate your posting the links as well. My dad has an essential tremor. Thanks!

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Either is fine, and I appreciate the effort.

Generally even if I *have* the tremor and its bad on a certain day, I can steady my hands enough to perform certain procedures, but I'm wondering if that will always be the case. Is it something that perhaps gets worse with time?

I just recently had a head CT with my cancer follow up screenings, so everything's kosher with the brain (as in, yes I have one and it appears normal)..... would parkinson's show up on a CT/MRI? I just don't know enough about it.

I'm terrified of it, if you can't tell.

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I got on a roll and put them in the thread :) I think these may help you feel better.

http://www.essentialtremor.org/

http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic129.htm

http://www.parkinsonsinstitute.org/movement_disorders/essential_tremor.html

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Thanks... I'm checking them out now....

Seems like its usually something that only middle aged to older people have? (over age 40?) Or maybe its not diagnosed until then?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Could it be a thyroid thing? My sis started having tremors first, then eventually showed other signs over about a year, when she had Graves disease. Just a thought. She was about 42 when hers showed up.

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Not skinny enough for Graves disease... :o

Oh well, a girl can hope.

Just kidding.... I'll have to get my thyroid checked. This is one of the things that has been going on for a loooong time and I never even think to go to the doc about it. It just is.

I think I'll mention it at my next appointment.

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MsPurp,

My husband also has Essential tremors and he is 27. He was diagnosed at about 25, so yes young people do get it. I heard something about lavender oil, but we never tried it. Alas we filed it under "non-life threatening" just as kids-r-fun did. I wish I new the factors that made it worse but I imagine dehydration and stress are hugh factors.

Sarah

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Get yourself checked out. Go see a neurologist if it is worrisome to you. It's too early for my brain to be working, but I recall having a patient with E.T., and she was treated with a cardiac drug.....starts with a P. Need more coffee. Anyone know?

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Propanolol, maybe. A beta blocker. I read about that being a treatment for it.

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My hands shake when I get hypoglycemic. Just told to eat frequent small meals.. is worse when I have a beer the night before, or I'm swallowing lots of coffee and eat a light breakfast. Also worse when my TSH is high and my synthroid needs adjusted.

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