Gaining control of an arm tremor

[dwhite572]

My mother had a hemorrhagic stroke in 1998 that left her with a tremor in her left arm.  I'm looking for ways to control or, at least, diminish the debilitating impact of the tremor (she's 81 and the tremor is severe enough at times to disrupt her walking, eating, etc.)--it's made her life miserable.  I've read other similar posts that indicated weights or a brace as an answer.  My mother has discovered that if she applies pressure to the end of her left hand between the second and third finger, the tremer is significantly diminished.  She also found another one on her forehead.  Is this a common phenomena?  Are there other "pressure points"?  Is there an appliance available that she could wear that would apply the pressure without her having to do it?  Medication hasn't helped and we've talked to a neurosurgeon about a "pacemaker" for her brain but the doctor isn't very optimistic.  Any help or other thoughts?

[G1DAT]

I had a minor stroke in September 2007 which affected my left arm and left leg. 6 months after the stroke i developed a severe tremor in my left arm. Several different drugs were tried with no effect. so i underwent DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) which eleviated 90% of the tremor and made my life worth living again. the remaining 10% of the tremor is slightly controlled by drugs but varies from day to day.

[evo2010]

Thank you for your post re your mom's tremors after her stroke.  Hope she is doing even better now, 12 years post-stroke. My husband's tremors began a good month or so after his stroke on January 13 of this year. Would greatly appreciate it if you could clarify where the exact pressure points are that your mom used successfully, as we'd like to try them also.  You did specify the "end of her LEFT hand between the 2nd and 3rd fingers (which ones are those please?), but am wondering which wrist, LEFT (affected one) or RIGHT. Please specify.  Also, where specifically on the forehead. I realize the locations may vary a bit for my husband, but it would be helpful to have the exact "coordinates" that worked for your mom and then we can adjust if necessary.  Thank you.  Evonne

[dwhite572]

Further testing indicates that just thinking about moving her right arm causes a significant reduction in the tremor in her left arm.  Any therapy methods or alternatives that could take advantage of this?

[dwhite572]

After further discussion with my mom on the "pressure points" she also said she had one on her wrist.  Suspecting that something else was causing the tremor to calm, I asked her to hold my hand with her right hand as hard as she could.  Sure enough, the tremor in her left arm calmed.  I suspect that the physical activity in the right arm either jammed the signal to her left arm or distracted her.  Short of Deep Brain Stimulation, are there other therapy methods that could create this same "jamming"?