Tremors in Hands

[cdietrich404]

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?

[yankeesrule]

Thank you to whom ever started this post. My sister 26yrs has been tested for everythign under the sun and this dx of benign familial tremors has never been brought up. She is contacting her doctor this week. And for once hopeful and optimistic her tremors will stop. She has had them since she was a child. The doctors always felt it was due to her breech birth. Thank you for your bravey on speaking out on this subject..

Maranda (aka yankeesrule)

[middleageNP]

Here is a trick I've learned at being a manicurist for years. Use your pinky finger to steady yourself by leaning it on something steady, like the patient's arm, wrist etc... See if that'll work. I don't have any tremor but I would have polished people's fingers if it hadn't been for the pinky trick. Keep in mind this is a suggestion, not sure it'll work since I haven't even begun nursing school.

[bw358]

Wow, I cant tell you what a relief it is to see this thread. I was diagnosed about a month ago and am on propanol. I am seeing a mild improvement. The PCP I intially saw said I should reconsider being a nurse, which was so distressing since I just graduated with my LPN in May and am in the RN program now. The neurologist said I would probably be disabled within 10-20 years. But I figure I could be disabled tomorrow from a car accident so I'm not going to focus on that. Thanks for all the encouraging words.

[speti4]

I also have benign familial tremors. I say go for it!! When I was a student I made sure I told each of my instructors that I have benign familial tremors. Not out of the blue, but rather at nursing arts and clinicals when the shakes become more obvious. I figured telling them straight out stops any speculation.

I work in a med/surg ward and have found ways to help steady my hand as I fill syringes, etc. I am pretty matter-of-fact about my shakes ..with everyone. No apologies. It's part of who I am and doesn't impact the care I give.

A few months ago I was learning a new wound care dressing technique and the nurse demonstrating had to be one of the most tremulous non-patient I have met. She eyeballed the wound and sissors in one shaky hand and large dressing in the other, she cut that dressing in the the exact shape of the irregular wound bed. I have never seen a steady hand accomplish what she had. I was duly impressed.