What is Essential Tremor?

Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders in the world, characterized by shaking hands, head, voice and even torso of the body. Though not life threatening, it can be life-debilitating, making every tasks a challenge. This video showcases some of the physical challenges and triggers. Special thanks to the Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Foundation for their generous gift that helped make this video possible.

[jonpalkowski]

I am 30 years old, and have been shaking as far back as I can remember. Mostly in the hands, but when I get nervous, it’s everywhere. My whole body and my voice in this video is going to help me get diagnosed I appreciate it.

[sherigibbs]

So glad to see others have this, I have been feeling very alone and worried. Just started testing at doctors and hoping I do not have parkinsons.

[none]

My neurosurgeon failed to look at ordered imaging results for an entire 4 months. Bottom line - I couldn’t safely have the focus ultrasound surgery. I was informed 1 week prior to the surgery.
This was at a premier medical school. I was so upset after all the tests and the anticipation. The excuse for the 4 month delay was “staffing issues”! 😮 This implicates medical interns. On the plus side I now have botox injections every 3 months. Big plus / can treat both hand tremors vs focus ultrasound only treats 1 hand. My injections are 5 in each arm and for chin tremors 1 each side jaw muscle 2 in chin. Positive results. Not 100% but much improved.

[rigelestbit]

Thank you for spreading awareness of the psychological issues that come with the tremors. I'm aware of my huge shame of going out because of it, and although I can speak freely with some friends and closest family, it's an usual topic during social events and family gatherings, which leaves with more anxiety and makes me shake even more

[steve]

When I get stressed, my whole body shakes. Especially my head. It's so embarrassing. It has caused me to develop severe social anxiety and now I am to the point where going to work is extremely distressing. I don't know how much longer I can keep going on like this.

[bobbimeleshaallen]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve been shaking from as long as I can remember. Growing up kids and some family members would joke and say why are you shaking but I was kid so it didn’t mean anything to me. As an adult I find myself not going places or doing things because mentally I think that’s all people see. About a year and a half ago I was officially diagnosed and I put on propranolol which I took for a little over a year upping the dose from 20mg to 40mg per day but I didn’t see any difference so I came off of it. I am 45 years old now and I have noticed progression over the years especially when I’m presented with a situation where stress is involved, public speaking or presentation etc. I’ve even limited myself career wise for this reason. I was told that this was mainly found in older people so I’m glad to see that your video illustrates this in younger people also.😊

[adamwood]

40 years old and I finally learn what I've had my whole life. Everyone always asks why I shake so much and I never knew and my doctors never diagnosed it but this has got to be it. I get it in my legs, hands, and arms but 90% of the time it's only about twice as bad as an average persons natural tremor. Does anyone else notice that it can get substantially worse when weight lifting - not all the time maybe 10% of the time? Feels like all your strength gets completely zapped and then intense tremors for the next few hours?

[selfconfidenceee]

24 y/o here, just got diagnosed with this and I always thought my body was so weird when it started shaking whenever I would hold anything. Can’t even drink anything on the car while everyone else could, it was a very embarrassing experience. At first I kept thinking “wow is this Parkinson?” But my Neurologist laughed and told me I had this. I do get medicine for this and sometimes it helps.

[sWavrDude]

I first discovered I had tremors when I was in my early 30s. It for worse in my late 30s. My head would shake when stressed, angry, or nervous. I am now 53 and it has calmed down some, but still there. My head shakes and I don't even realize it until friends tell me that I am. My left hand used to shake pretty bad when holding a glass or water and stretching my arm outward. When I drink out of a large water bottle, for instance, and tilt my head back to guzzle, my head shakes bad. It was discovered 2 years ago that I have a massive calcium deposit where my lower neck meets my upper back. It's a knot there. I have been taking vitamin K2 and D3 in hope it will dissolve it over time, but won't know for a while. It is embarrassing. People think I have early signs of Parkinson's.

[TrinityGarcia-si]

I did cashiering today at work…and when I was ringing up this lady I noticed her tremors…and she seemed very anxious when looking for a coupon on her phone, and her hands wouldn’t stop shaking and it was getting progressively worse, I asked for permission to touch her phone so I could help her, she said “yes go ahead, this is so frustrating”. I said, “I totally get it, I actually have hyperhidrosis and it’s mostly on my palms, my hands are sweaty almost all the time and it’s hard for me to do things sometimes” she smiled and said “I guess we have something in common, both our conditions are frustrating” and then we both laughed a little, and I noticed her tremors got a little better, then she wished me a good day and I couldn’t stop smiling… she was so sweet

[jamesjackson]

Am preparing for MRI Focused Ultra Sound procedure in a few months-looking forward to this next mile on my journey with ET- Doctors at Okla University Neurology Dept are GREAT!! Tku - Dr. Conner!

[tracylast]

A blend of CBD and THC oil works on mine. Give it time to set in. In a month’s time a significant difference is seen and felt, at least for me.

[ogswanger]

I suffer on a daily basis due to so many medical issues, including essential tremor. I've fallen so many times from my leg tremors, my hand/arm tremors get so terrible, and head/voice tremors are getting worse for me overtime too. It's so difficult to live with😢

[roahir]

I got diagnosed about 2 years ago, before then I had no idea what it was at all.

[tonechild]

Yeah 44 years old and I have the shakes and the quakes! Haven't been diagnosed yet, but my dad has ET (now we can be tremor buddies and share tips)

[deewade]

I have ET and BFS. It's hell! Feels like my body is glitching 24/7

[combatepistemologist]

Beta Blockers (propranolol, metoprolol, etc.) have helped me a lot. These meds are normally used to treat high blood pressure and are generally safe for the gen. pop.

[j-nlfz]

I’ve been diagnosed with ET in my early 30’s, I’m taking propranolol, it works for past few months, but now it seems not work well, btw I’m a hair stylist, and sometimes I couldn’t even hold customer’s hair, I’m so embarrassed

[aryanbhardwaj-mwki]

i have been facing this disease since childhood

[karenwisusa]

My tremors affect my head at rest. They move my upper body. No tremors in arms, hands, legs, or feet. I move and the head tremor seems to disappear. I have been diagnosed with Essential Tremor by two neurologists. Still questioning the diagnosis… The heavier vibration tool the dentist used today made them worse for a few minutes.