Trigeminal Neuralgia and Essential Tremor

  Dear Sirs
  I believe, at least according to my doctor I have essential tremor, shaking of head (not aware of it until pointed out to me). Hands, both left and right shake
  (slightly) although very noticeable when using a mouse on computer. I suffered nearly 30 years with Trigeminal Neuralgia and took 1600 mgs of Tegretol for
  most of those years. The last six years the pain still affected me even though on medication. (Through other forms of natural medicines this now seems to be
  under control). I wondered if there was a link with the tremor and the neuralgia or if it is a drug side effect? I have not taken the drug since November 1997.
  I am also being treated for Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma (second occurence) but the tremor started before I was diagnosed in April 1997, although I could
  have been suffering for many years before.
  Thank you in anticipation.
  Richard Courtier
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Essential tremor is a "benign" entity which often runs in families (but doesn't have to). Typically, one gets a so-called postural tremor of the outstretched arms or experiences increased tremor with use of the hands. This postural tremor is distinct from the resting tremor seen in parkinsonism, and also differs from the action/kinetic tremor seen with damage to the cerebellar system in the brain.
Essential tremor may also affect the head, voice, or lower limbs. It does NOT signal some underlying bad neurologic disease, though sometimes other diseases produce tremors which must be distinguished from essential tremor.
People live with essential tremor for decades with minimal or no progression. I personally have seen patients who began to experience their tremor before their teenage years, or waited until their 70s before the first manifestation.
Essential tremor is unrelated to trigeminal neuralgia. The site of action in the brain is different in these two entities, and as far as I am aware, there is no link. Both are fairly common afflictions. I am also unaware of any relationship to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Certain medications can produce postural tremors. These include lithium, caffeine, etc. In my experience, such medications are not usually the sole culprit. Rather, they aggravate a pre-existing tremor. Tegretol may be a contributor, but doubtful.
This information is provided for your general medical education only. Any specific comments regarding your diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment options must come from your doctor after appropriate evaluation. Hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.