Tremors in Hands

MrsMommaRN · Jun 1, 2006

i have a fellow classmate that has tremors and is doing just fine in nursing school. don't let something that can be treated get in your way. if you want to do this then go for it. see your doctor get the treatment you need and you will be fine. best of luck to you. :)

gr8rnpjt, RN · Jun 1, 2006

I have essential tremors and am wondering if i should even attempt to become a nurse. My hands shake kinda bad at times and my handwriting isn't what it once was. I have been doing some research and there really isn't alot of options on treatment. The meds that are available give bad side affects. I am not on anything for them.
What do you think?

How is your typing? If you are able to type, a lot of hospitals are using online charting and this may be an option for you if you can type.

Beary-nice · Jun 1, 2006

I have benign familial tremor syndrome. I have lived with tremors since my elementary school days and over the years they have gotten worse. I went through LPN school many years ago and did okay, now that I am in school again and will be starting IV's I was anticipating a huge problem.

The tremors I have are not noticable unless I am doing something that is fine motor like writing, typing, taking a radial pulse, etc. They are worse if the situation around me is more stressful. I tried many things over the years to try and get a handle on it myself like things to relieve stress, deep breathing, meditation, watched my caffeine intake, made sure I wasn't having blood sugar issues because I have missed many a meal. None of these self remedies seemed to help.

I consulted with my PCP this January and explained my situation. My father and one brother have the same problem. I started on 25mg of Atenolol daily...that is a small dose, but my BP normally is 100's over 50's and 60's, my PCP didn't want to bottom me out. So far, I must say, the Atenolol has done the trick, my tremors are barely noticable (they were very noticable and embarassing before), and I am able to exhibit a little more control over them. I hope you find an answer for your tremors. You can still be a nurse...I have been a nurse for over 16 years and here in my 17th year have done something about the shakes. I am soooo thrilled!

cdietrich404 · Jun 1, 2006

I have benign familial tremor syndrome. I have lived with tremors since my elementary school days and over the years they have gotten worse. I went through LPN school many years ago and did okay, now that I am in school again and will be starting IV's I was anticipating a huge problem.
The tremors I have are not noticable unless I am doing something that is fine motor like writing, typing, taking a radial pulse, etc. They are worse if the situation around me is more stressful. I tried many things over the years to try and get a handle on it myself like things to relieve stress, deep breathing, meditation, watched my caffeine intake, made sure I wasn't having blood sugar issues because I have missed many a meal. None of these self remedies seemed to help.
I consulted with my PCP this January and explained my situation. My father and one brother have the same problem. I started on 25mg of Atenolol daily...that is a small dose, but my BP normally is 100's over 50's and 60's, my PCP didn't want to bottom me out. So far, I must say, the Atenolol has done the trick, my tremors are barely noticable (they were very noticable and embarassing before), and I am able to exhibit a little more control over them. I hope you find an answer for your tremors. You can still be a nurse...I have been a nurse for over 16 years and here in my 17th year have done something about the shakes. I am soooo thrilled!

Well that is good to hear!!! Maybe i will take to my PCP about that med.

cdietrich404 · Jun 1, 2006

How is your typing? If you are able to type, a lot of hospitals are using online charting and this may be an option for you if you can type.

No problem typing.

banditrn · Jun 1, 2006

Well, I can give you the down side to it. My tremors have become very bad after years of treatment with various meds - I had a surgery for a deep brain implant last October that helps, but I don't think I'll ever be able to do IV's again.

When I went thru nursing school, I had a small problem with my left hand, but was still able to do IV's and did them for many years. Then the problems started in my right hand. And got worse. I've been on Primadone and Topamax for a long time.

I worked for years in ICU and they didn't have a problem when I was no longer able to do IV's - I'd been there for years, had a lot of other skills, was good with patients and family, etc.

Then I transferred to post-surgical, where IV's were almost never done, and things went well for a couple of years - then the dept. head decided that I must go thru re-training for IV's - she couldn't seem to 'get it' that it was a neurological condition.

That's when all my years of experience, training, etc. just became useless. I was worth nothing more than a steady right hand. After a year of fighting with them, I quit.

cdietrich404 · Jun 1, 2006

Well, I can give you the down side to it. My tremors have become very bad after years of treatment with various meds - I had a surgery for a deep brain implant last October that helps, but I don't think I'll ever be able to do IV's again.
When I went thru nursing school, I had a small problem with my left hand, but was still able to do IV's and did them for many years. Then the problems started in my right hand. And got worse. I've been on Primadone and Topamax for a long time.
I worked for years in ICU and they didn't have a problem when I was no longer able to do IV's - I'd been there for years, had a lot of other skills, was good with patients and family, etc.
Then I transferred to post-surgical, where IV's were almost never done, and things went well for a couple of years - then the dept. head decided that I must go thru re-training for IV's - she couldn't seem to 'get it' that it was a neurological condition.
That's when all my years of experience, training, etc. just became useless. I was worth nothing more than a steady right hand. After a year of fighting with them, I quit.

Thats awful, i am so sorry. Do the meds help you?

chadash · Jun 1, 2006

Typing really goes better for me.

suzy253, RN · Jun 1, 2006

I have benign familial tremor syndrome. I have lived with tremors since my elementary school days and over the years they have gotten worse. I went through LPN school many years ago and did okay, now that I am in school again and will be starting IV's I was anticipating a huge problem.
The tremors I have are not noticable unless I am doing something that is fine motor like writing, typing, taking a radial pulse, etc. They are worse if the situation around me is more stressful. I tried many things over the years to try and get a handle on it myself like things to relieve stress, deep breathing, meditation, watched my caffeine intake, made sure I wasn't having blood sugar issues because I have missed many a meal. None of these self remedies seemed to help.
I consulted with my PCP this January and explained my situation. My father and one brother have the same problem. I started on 25mg of Atenolol daily...that is a small dose, but my BP normally is 100's over 50's and 60's, my PCP didn't want to bottom me out. So far, I must say, the Atenolol has done the trick, my tremors are barely noticable (they were very noticable and embarassing before), and I am able to exhibit a little more control over them. I hope you find an answer for your tremors. You can still be a nurse...I have been a nurse for over 16 years and here in my 17th year have done something about the shakes. I am soooo thrilled!

Sounds exactly like my situation with benign familial tremors. I have an appt with my PCP Monday and will mention the Atenolol to her.

But I just graduated nursing school, tremors and all. I thought that I would never, ever be able to be a nurse with these tremors and put off going to school for so long. Wish I had believed in myself way back when!!!

banditrn · Jun 1, 2006

Thats awful, i am so sorry. Do the meds help you?
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Somewhat, but even tho I'm still on them, and had the surgery, I'm not rock steady, especially under stress.
Oh well, it could be worse - at least the tremors aren't life threatening - and I met and educated a lot of people over the years with the same problem.

Beary-nice · Jun 1, 2006

Sounds exactly like my situation with benign familial tremors. I have an appt with my PCP Monday and will mention the Atenolol to her.
But I just graduated nursing school, tremors and all. I thought that I would never, ever be able to be a nurse with these tremors and put off going to school for so long. Wish I had believed in myself way back when!!!

It is so interesting how I am finding others with the same problem. I lived with it for many years not realizing that there was any kind of a name for it much less a treatment. I have been giving shots for years with the shakes and have gotten by, have had most of my pts say..."Did you give me the shot? I couldn't feel it." Which made me glad but there was many a time when just even taking a pts radial pulse that I'd be tremoring along. Of course, most people notice that and then assume that it is because you are nervous when indeed I was not and it was difficult to explain. I am glad that the atenolol is working, will it work forever? I really doubt that, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. The atenolol does come with the side effects of a typical beta blocker, but what I take is a small amt. Initially it made me very tired and my feet and hands are often very cold. But I live with these little issues because I would rather not have the tremors or at least would like to have some control over them. Thanks for sharing with us Suzy!