Essential Tremors
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Essential Tremors
I guess the "benign" part has been dropped as people didn't consider them very benign. Anyways, I've always been a bit shaky. Even young I would joke I wouldn't do well as a surgeon. I've noticed lately (last couple of years- which kind of coincides with the start of my MC) that it seems to be getting worse. Has anyone else experienced them? Is there anything you've done that has helped (other than the beta blockers my doctor has suggested)? I've been exploring thyroid issues and know that shakiness, etc can be a symptom of hyper but also sometimes with hypo. I'm in a study at Mayo for bone density and they couldn't get a good reading of my arm as there was too much movement (and I was uncomfortable sharing a hymnal in church because I was shaking). Jeesh!
I had tremors years ago (which, IMO, were due to neurological damage caused by gluten-sensitivity). I was even diagnosed with Parkinson's disease because the gluten also affected my balance and my gait. Since then, I've been taking a prescription vitamin mix called Metanx (B-12, B-9 and B-6) that's often prescribed to treat peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes (I don't have diabetes) and my neurological symptoms have significantly diminished. I have even managed to convince another neurologist to un-diagnose me from Parkinson's disease, because my symptoms have diminished so much during the last few years.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Deb,
I also have Essential Tremors. Mine began many years ago, but have gotten worse since the MC started. Last Dec. I saw a neurologist who specializes in tremors. She did not want to prescribe any medication at this time, and I really didn't want to take any. She said my body is under attack due to the MC and thinks that's why they have gotten worse. It was interesting because she has done a lot of studies and has found that tremors like this seem to be more prevalent in people with French Canadian nationality, which I am. I don't think that is too significant as it doesn't change anything, but I guess scientifically it does mean something to the researches. I will see her again in Dec. It is tough sometime, especially when trying to eat something like soup. I also knock things over pretty easily.
Tex, I am going to take that information with me the next time I see her.
Nancy
I also have Essential Tremors. Mine began many years ago, but have gotten worse since the MC started. Last Dec. I saw a neurologist who specializes in tremors. She did not want to prescribe any medication at this time, and I really didn't want to take any. She said my body is under attack due to the MC and thinks that's why they have gotten worse. It was interesting because she has done a lot of studies and has found that tremors like this seem to be more prevalent in people with French Canadian nationality, which I am. I don't think that is too significant as it doesn't change anything, but I guess scientifically it does mean something to the researches. I will see her again in Dec. It is tough sometime, especially when trying to eat something like soup. I also knock things over pretty easily.
Tex, I am going to take that information with me the next time I see her.
Nancy
I've never done any statins....only drug is an occasional sleeping pill. Is there such a thing as an over-the-counter vitamin that could provide some version of your prescription? I've been looking around online and it doesn't look too promising. I'm not sure how accomodating my doctor will be (especially when she learns I'm looking to self-treat my thyroid.)
Deb,
I told my PCP that a neurologist had given me a sample of Metanx to try, and I asked him what he thought about it. He said that he takes it himself to prevent age-related decline in memory and cognizance, and then he asked if I wanted a prescription.
Metanx contains:
L-methylfolate (Metafolin): 3 mg
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate: 35 mg
Methylcobalamin: 2 mg
L-methylfolate is simply the active form of folic acid:
http://www.discount-vitamins-herbs.net/ ... folate.htm
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is the active form of vitamin B-6:
http://www.raysahelian.com/pyridoxal5phophatep5p.html
Methylcobalamin is simply the active form of vitamin B-12:
http://www.raysahelian.com/methylcobalamin.html
You should be able to find these supplements available individually. Using the active form eliminates problems caused when some people fail to produce the enzymes necessary to convert conventional forms of vitamins into the active forms.
Tex
I told my PCP that a neurologist had given me a sample of Metanx to try, and I asked him what he thought about it. He said that he takes it himself to prevent age-related decline in memory and cognizance, and then he asked if I wanted a prescription.
Metanx contains:
L-methylfolate (Metafolin): 3 mg
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate: 35 mg
Methylcobalamin: 2 mg
L-methylfolate is simply the active form of folic acid:
http://www.discount-vitamins-herbs.net/ ... folate.htm
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is the active form of vitamin B-6:
http://www.raysahelian.com/pyridoxal5phophatep5p.html
Methylcobalamin is simply the active form of vitamin B-12:
http://www.raysahelian.com/methylcobalamin.html
You should be able to find these supplements available individually. Using the active form eliminates problems caused when some people fail to produce the enzymes necessary to convert conventional forms of vitamins into the active forms.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks, Tex. I had read this 
on the same site you linked. http://www.discount-vitamins-herbs.net/ ... folate.htm Just another sign of our times.L-Methylfolate
Metafolin provides pure L-methylfolate. Unlike regular folic acid, Metafolin does not require enzymatic conversion to L-methylfolate in the body. By providing L-methylfolate directly, this patented form of folic acid may have benefits for those who do not produce enough L-methylfolate in response to folic acid supplementation. For those who take proper doses of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, and TMG (trimethylglycine), but still suffer from higher-than-optimal homocysteine, Metafolin may be the solution.
Unfortunately, Metafolin is now only available as a prescription pharmaceutical. We were led to believe that Metafolin is no longer available in the market as a nutritional supplement because it is far more profitable to sell it exclusively as a pharmaceutical.
Hi Deb,
I didn't know what you all were talking about until I saw the description of eating soup. My grandmother had the hand tremors in the 1970's. Mom and I suspect she was celiac. She was always a tiny woman who had stomach issues all of her 96 years which she blamed on being dosed with liquid mercury for migraines as a child. Mom is celiac, her younger brother had schizophenia and was on a GF diet for about 30 years and Mom's older brother got early onset alzheimers in his 50's. I suspect the whole family had gluten issues. Anyways my grandmother got hand tremors in the 1970's. She was descended from French Hugeunots and mentioned that her father also had hand tremors so there seemed to be some kind of genetic issue. The doctor diagnosed them as benign and no meds but told her she could have a stiff drink and that might help.
My grandparents were both non drinkers but she tried some kind of cocktail with Chevas Rigal in it and sure enough the tremors stopped temporarily. She essentially stayed a non drinker unless she had a society event in Philadelphia at which time she had the stiff drink. As she was always an extremely tiny woman I don't think it took much alcohol. I just thought I'd throw that out there. I know hard liquor is not really good for us due to leaky gut but for a one time event might be worth a try in moderation. Best wishes Brandy
I didn't know what you all were talking about until I saw the description of eating soup. My grandmother had the hand tremors in the 1970's. Mom and I suspect she was celiac. She was always a tiny woman who had stomach issues all of her 96 years which she blamed on being dosed with liquid mercury for migraines as a child. Mom is celiac, her younger brother had schizophenia and was on a GF diet for about 30 years and Mom's older brother got early onset alzheimers in his 50's. I suspect the whole family had gluten issues. Anyways my grandmother got hand tremors in the 1970's. She was descended from French Hugeunots and mentioned that her father also had hand tremors so there seemed to be some kind of genetic issue. The doctor diagnosed them as benign and no meds but told her she could have a stiff drink and that might help.
My grandparents were both non drinkers but she tried some kind of cocktail with Chevas Rigal in it and sure enough the tremors stopped temporarily. She essentially stayed a non drinker unless she had a society event in Philadelphia at which time she had the stiff drink. As she was always an extremely tiny woman I don't think it took much alcohol. I just thought I'd throw that out there. I know hard liquor is not really good for us due to leaky gut but for a one time event might be worth a try in moderation. Best wishes Brandy
.jpg){kind=avatar}
Chris Kresser discusses essential tremors here:
http://chriskresser.com/the-afternoon-s ... xification
It is the second topic.
Jean
http://chriskresser.com/the-afternoon-s ... xification
It is the second topic.
Jean
I've had benign essential tremor since I was a child. My sister always pointed it out 
. A neurologist said it was nothing to worry about. It's mostly noticeable when my arms and hands are outstretched. I notice it gets much better, if not almost disappears, when I remember to take my B-complex and cal-mag supplements. I do think it's made worse by these vitamin deficiencies, which explains why MC and the malabsorption that goes with it, would make it worse. I've tested normal for Vit B-12, so I don't know which B is involved. I used to get restless leg symptoms too, which I also attributed to B-vits and magnesium deficiency.
. A neurologist said it was nothing to worry about. It's mostly noticeable when my arms and hands are outstretched. I notice it gets much better, if not almost disappears, when I remember to take my B-complex and cal-mag supplements. I do think it's made worse by these vitamin deficiencies, which explains why MC and the malabsorption that goes with it, would make it worse. I've tested normal for Vit B-12, so I don't know which B is involved. I used to get restless leg symptoms too, which I also attributed to B-vits and magnesium deficiency.