Tremors---EEEEEEEE!!

[essdipity]

Hello all. I think those of you with hand tremors will be interested in what the neuro had to say during my Hopkins appointment today.

They did the usual hand and arm tests, my hands flopping as usual, and then the neuro had me say, or almost sing, 'EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE' for at least 10 seconds, maybe more, till I was running out of breath. Too bad for them if I didn't sound like Beverly Sills, they asked for it.

At the end of it he turned to the resident who was assisting and learning, and said, "Did you hear that slight tremulo in her voice? That's a sure sign that the hand tremors are the esential tremor kind, and not caused by a disease process."

Isn't that fascinating? Many others here have tremors, so why not 'try this at home.'?? Don't go diagnosing anything, of course, but still....

Just a note: I've had tremors since I was very young, and although they're getting worse, that in itself is not sinister, but is quite normal in essential tremor. Good. I thought so.

ess

[essdipity]

Zilla, I too have found the tremors embarrassing, to say the least. I first got them when I was in college, about 400 years ago. One day between classes I went to get some coffee from a vending machine when ZOWEE, my hands shook violently and hot coffee went all over me. All out of the blue. From then on my hands would shake regularly, though not that severely the great majority of the time. In those days I used to smoke, and when a date would light my cigarette (gee, that sounds like another world, doesn't it?), my hand would usually shake noticeably. I hated that, because I thought they thought I was so smitten that I couldn't control myself.

I've had tremors ever since to some extent, often aggravated by medications, sometimes to the point where I couldn't type or write properly. But even under normal circumstances people do notice noticeably, if you know what I mean, from time to time. But I figure they'll just have to notice. Getting embarrassed does just make it worse, you're right. When I exercise and then stretch by holding my foot from behind, my arm twitches like mad. Haven't seen anyone staring, though. All this is somewhat worse in recent times, but apparently is insignificant in the scheme of things. I guess neuros have fixed on this because it's something tangible and documentable. I've kept telling them it's nothing new, but in the past they've seemed to discard everything that didn't fit neatly into their molds, including that.

I of course don't know what's causing your tremors, but if it's the essential variety, just sort of rise above it. If people notice, give them an enigmatic stare! But I do hope the medical types get to the bottom of it fast. And I STILL think you need to ask for VEPs. Courage!

AMO, my speaking voice sounds normal, and I was surprised at the vibrato I produced. Don't go around saying EEEEEEEE much, I guess. I do have cerebellar symptoms, though, and my last neuro even had me tested for cancer antibodies that might be attacking my central nervous system. That does happen, but it's pretty far-fetched. My tremors, while apparently not having anything to do with anything, do vary considerably. Usually very fine, sometimes very coarse. With the last neuro, I almost hit him in the face when he told me to extend my arm. That was a good one, totally unexpected!

It sounds as if you have several things going on at once, hard to sort out for sure. I do hope they accomplish that soon. Best of luck.

ess

[Quixotic1]

That is SOOOO interesting and makes total sense, I think.  Wow!

Q

[AMO]

hi ess,

what does your voice and speech sound?
ok, this is   intersting.  i have had voice propblems almost sine i got  sick 7 years ago. not to be confused with speech problems, but i have that too.

DO you have cerebellar symptoms?
i wondered when you said yourhands flopping. I have the intension tremor, but it is not fine, but big (shoot, i can not think of thisdiscription)while i  do ohavescanning speech, my movement neuro detectedd what she thouuhgt was spasmatic dysphonia. Treatment for htat is botox.

I got to visit a wonderfully fabulious Otolaryngologywho works with opera singers and performers.  and from my videolyarnoscopy (sp) showed weak/paralsis  of my vocal folds(vf), not spasm like it soundded with the eeeee's and aaahhhh's. Glad to have that test so not have wrong treatment . I had alot of speech and voice therapy to try and help keepsafer while eatting and nsuch.

So what i guess i wan ted to say , is without actually looking at you vf, it can sound like one thing but be another. I googled 'essentail tremor vocal folds) and reading ES was interesting.
take care, amo

[Momzilla]

That isinteresting, indeed!  I am, at times, so embarrssed by my tremors.  It seems that my embarrassment just makes them more pronounced.  I get a little nervous about them, and they take on a life of their own.

I'm going to tryeeeeeeee your doctor's test!  Thanks!

Zilla*

[young at heart]

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING, WOW, THIS NEURO IS VERY IMPRESSIVE.

WHEN MY EX HAD PNEMONIA YEARS AGO THEY HAD HIM REPEAT THE LETTER H OR G  ,  I DON'T REMEMBER AS THEY CHECKED HIS LUNGS FOR DOUBLE PNEMONIA.

THIS ON IS A GOOD ONE TO KEEP FOR THE RECORD BOOKS.

T