Essential Tremor Support Group
Essential Tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder characterized by shaking of hands (and sometimes other parts of the body including the head), evoked by intentional movements. The incidence is unknown, but is estimated to be as common as one person in 20, and it is the most common type of tremor and also the most commonly observed movement disorder.
I know it's not healthy to dwell on the past but I really miss so much of what I used to be able to do before I got the ET in my 20's, I'm 42 now...I really wish I could do things that people who don't have ET probably take for granted...before ET: I could drink without a straw...I could apply my mascara & eyeliner perfectly...I could eat soup without it spilling off of the spoon...I could draw...my neck & back didn't constantly ache because of my head shaking so much...I didn't have to worry about taking ET meds that either made me drowsy or nauseas...I didn't walk into a room & feel like all eyes were on me...I didn't have to listen to strangers ask me all the time if I'm cold...those are the main things I really miss before my ET invaded my life & have forced me to make accommodations! what do you miss before ET?
angievandermey
I miss all of the above. I feel envious when I watch actors on tv and see their head so still. I dislike people thinking I'm nervous or a drug addict needing a fix. It seems to be getting worse for me. I struggle...seems some days are better than others?
luvmygirlz
yeah I get so sick of people asking me if I'm cold all the time! I used to be bothered by the stares but now I just smile & stare back while smiling, it seems to detour people's stares! some days are better for me too.
Biatta
I so much relate to you and to others. I miss my old self when I was outstandingly self confident person. I was perfectly comfortable to give speeches in front of my peers and older people. I felt comfortable in any crowd and public places. Now, I am all lost and scared when it gets to socializing.
micromini
I miss a lot of things that I used to do smoothly. Writing, typing, eating, brushing my teeth, holding things, applying makeup, hitting the same letter on my phone or gps several times instead of once. I just started taking bridge lessons and my tremors are so noticeable when holding a hand of cards or taking the hands out of the boards. I believe I'm affected cognitively as well. I try not too worry about it because that just makes things worse. I don't brush my teeth first thing in the morning or cook because the tremors are much worse when I first get up. I just ignore the possibility of people staring, in fact, I don't even know if they do because I choose not to notice. I'm 53 and getting worse all the time but I try not to get upset about it.
justme3511
I do not know what life before ET was like because I was born with the condition. As a child i took the meds and they caused me to sleep all the time. When I had my daughter i choose to stop taken the meds because i did not want to sleep through my childs growing stages. it may come a point i have to go back to the meds. I wish i could know what life would be like without the shakes and people making fun of me. I wish i could know what it is like getting a drink at Mcdonals and not being embarrassed because i spilled it.
tamithaslaydenjohnso
I don't know what it's like to not have ET I was born with it my mother had me on medication for it but I slept all the time so she took me off the medicine. I learned to control it to a certain extent but it has gotten worse.
patriciasurgenor
I miss all the above like you have said , I retired because of it last Nov. 2015 . I'm 55 and I didn't realise just how much we take our movements co.ordination and balance for granted. Sometimes I feel like saying it could be worse other times I think could it be any worse. I think we need to keep positive and find a way to turn good out of a bad situation .
misslizziegirl
I miss being me. So much of my life was photography.
Liz
I miss painting and cooking without making a huge mess. These are the things I used to do to relax and simply be me. People do ask if I'm cold but more often they will ask if I'm okay, anxious, or simply what's wrong with me. My entire body shakes, with my hands being the worst. I simply say no I'm fine but inside I cringe. What do people see when they see me on a bad day? Is it really that bad? My husband does his best to make me feel better but I kinda miss the days when people didn't stare.
diamionique
Go see specialist and ask for Propranolol that is good for ET, I know it works for shaking in my hand, but it did not work for the head tremors, so now for the head tremors I take Primidone which is a very heavy duty medicine ur body has to get used to it my doctor started me off slowly half tablet, then 1 whole tablet, now I am on 2 tablets a day with a increase of it for next 4 weeks so far I see a difference. God bless
tamithaslaydenjohnso
There was no before ET for me it's something I was born with and my son was born with it as well that makes me very sad.
roger77
I have had ET since my early teens and blame it for ruining my life. I am not able to function, neither professionaly nor socially. My hands shake so much that I can hardy type, I can't eat or drink.
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