Anyone else suffer with essential tremors?

[foul bore]

we are all glad you have found some relief, and pray that it continues. Get back to shooting my friend

 

[Locknload]

I would suggest to you that you get an internal medicine specialist that really knows their stuff. Forget the insert, removal or surgeries that permanently alter what they can not fix. Go to a clinic that is well known, like Mayo, develop a base of knowledge, and forget the local yokels.

I have been a care giver for 36 years to an early onset Parkinson's patient. First thing I did was to take her to the Parkinson's Foundation Center to see the senior physician. She was 32 years of age and she is still fully functional today, not due to neurologists but due to one world class internal medicine specialist. Dozens of idiots have wanted to drill, cut, insert or remove, NO! if you can not repair what you want to do, you are not going to touch her, period.
Ed

 

[Will D]

That's fascinating. I'm interested to know exactly what the internal medicine specialist did to moderate or cure the condition.

 

[Ratdog]

Would it be ok to talk to you via private or email.ive been a permanent pain patient since 2014. I would love to pic you brain for other possibilities.

William I'd be glad to talk with you and we can pick brains!

 

[Ratdog]

G'day Ratdog and Wolf76
I hate to say ,but I've tried the Boston and Nevro implants, neither worked for me
just made things worse ,
I've met a heck of a lot of people who have tried the same and some different implants and have never heard a kind word for any of the implants,all these people have had the implants removed
My advice I'm sorry to say is don't allow them in your body find something else
I've had 9 1/2 years of hell with them, 19 surgeries with two more to go shortly
And that has cut into my shooting time ,big time!

Cheers Paul

Thanks for the input Nowoolies, you obviously walk the talk and prayers sent for upcoming surgeries, God Bless.

 

[Ratdog]

I've been living with Essential Tremor (ET) for 67 years, since age 10. It's a hereditary condition, mine came from my mother. Two of my five siblings have it also. Fortunately, neither of my children got it from me; so far.

I began taking Primidone about 30 years ago. It's a powerful drug. Folks who suffer from epileptic seizures take 500 mg or more. I started with 25 mg tablets and am now up to 250 mg once a day with the option of taking another half tablet when needed.

Recently, being concerned about the amount of pharmaceuticals I was consuming and having my neurologist suggest Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as well as hearing ads in the local media about the availability of laser surgery as a possible cure; I decided to explore the possibilities.

My neurologist provided a great deal of information and had me take a number of tests, including a MRI brain scan and psychological evaluations. What I learned was that I have not one, but THREE tremors; i.e., left hand, voice and right hand. That would require THREE procedures to possibly become completely steady. In addition, he discouraged me from considering the laser procedure because even though it is non-invasive, it is a one shot deal; i.e., they get it right the first time or you live with the consequences.

DBS, on the other hand, while being invasive, is adjustable. There is a great deal of information on the internet about it, including YouTube videos, being used for ET as well as Parkinson's disease. Having a hole drilled in my skull, a probe wiggled around to find the right spot while I was awake and then having a wire strung under the skin of my skull, down my neck to a control unit under the skin in my shoulder; didn't appeal to me.

By the way, ET is a "movement" condition; i.e., it is apparent when hands are moving. Parkinson's disease, which is non-moving; i.e.; your limbs shake even when sitting still. Advanced conditions of both will result in head shaking like the actress Katherine Hepburn, who had ET.

Having considered all the information, I cancelled the scheduled DBS procedure and asked my neurologist to bump my Primidone prescription up a bit. Then, I asked several of my customers (I'm still fully employed in my own business) if my tremors bothered them. All said it didn't bother them so long as I deliver the products they need on time. One customer intimated he suffers the same condition along with his two sons. I referred him to my neurologist, who is now caring for them also.

Regarding shooting with a tremor, this is what I do. First, I'm resigned to not being capable the fine accuracy enjoyed by my steady handed friends. However, I've compensated. I have all my rifle triggers set to exactly 4.5 lbs. The extra weight tends to steady my hand. I shoot semi-autos (1911's) in a "run, dodge & jump" (IPSC) league where I have good runs interspersed with not so good runs. My biggest problem is with single action revolvers at 100+ yard targets. I actually do better shooting revolvers double action so long as they are S&W smooth.

My recommendation? First, insure your neurologist specializes in movement disorders (ET and Parkinson's disease.) Review all the information you can get about all the possible procedures from your neurologist, study the wealth of information on the internet and then decide. You may decide, as have I, that living with Primidone isn't so bad.

Thank you Will D
I have consulted Neurologist about options, I have neuropathy caused by nerve damage L-5 S-1, work related injury that was fixed 30 years ago, came back with vengeance 7 years ago and led to my permanent disability. I fully agree with no intrusive procedures, not had good luck with surgery.
I was able to go to consult at Johns Hopkins, 3 day trip where a panel of specialists look at diagnostics, history bla bla bla and you know what they told me? When my back was fused 30 years ago, L4 L5 is not in-line with S1, causing nerve root to be pinched for too long until it tells my brain to hurt. Orthopedic surgeon did not stack the vertebrae before building bridge. They went in and basically used a Drexel to grind bone/calcium deposits away around that nerve roots, a portion they could not get near due to high % of further damage. To make a longer story shorter, after 7 years I am finally ok with what has happened. Lost my wife of 33 years due to divorce, career and higher standard of living but met a beautiful woman that has 3 horses, 2 dogs, a cat and her father lives with her in her owned home. I am content, she understands the need to take pain meds and all that goes with that, but will be happier if I can get back to shooting and hunting.
, My symptoms are pain in area above and left heal, just on the edge of heel to arch of foot, feels like a marble is stuck in my shoe. Anyway, I have had a procedure called tarsal tunnel release with no benefit .
that's interesting about trigger, I have a black gun AR and put in 2 stage trigger at 4 lb/1 lb. and absolutely love it. My A-Bolt now has but tremors got to bad to even shoot. Since I started Primadone 3 months ago as I said life is so much better, we have a date to go plinking 22's this Sunday, been 2 years and stoked!

 

[Will D]

Thank you Will D
I have consulted Neurologist about options, I have neuropathy caused by nerve damage L-5 S-1, work related injury that was fixed 30 years ago, came back with vengeance 7 years ago and led to my permanent disability. I fully agree with no intrusive procedures, not had good luck with surgery.
I was able to go to consult at Johns Hopkins, 3 day trip where a panel of specialists look at diagnostics, history bla bla bla and you know what they told me? When my back was fused 30 years ago, L4 L5 is not in-line with S1, causing nerve root to be pinched for too long until it tells my brain to hurt. Orthopedic surgeon did not stack the vertebrae before building bridge. They went in and basically used a Drexel to grind bone/calcium deposits away around that nerve roots, a portion they could not get near due to high % of further damage. To make a longer story shorter, after 7 years I am finally ok with what has happened. Lost my wife of 33 years due to divorce, career and higher standard of living but met a beautiful woman that has 3 horses, 2 dogs, a cat and her father lives with her in her owned home. I am content, she understands the need to take pain meds and all that goes with that, but will be happier if I can get back to shooting and hunting.
, My symptoms are pain in area above and left heal, just on the edge of heel to arch of foot, feels like a marble is stuck in my shoe. Anyway, I have had a procedure called tarsal tunnel release with no benefit .
that's interesting about trigger, I have a black gun AR and put in 2 stage trigger at 4 lb/1 lb. and absolutely love it. My A-Bolt now has but tremors got to bad to even shoot. Since I started Primadone 3 months ago as I said life is so much better, we have a date to go plinking 22's this Sunday, been 2 years and stoked!

 

[Will D]

Good for you! I wish you a long and pain-free life. Fortunately, my condition is the result of heredity rather than injury. If Primidone helps with your tremor, terrific. Otherwise, follow advise of your physician.

 

[Doug Herold]

William Bonnie, l have been a cronic pain sufferer since 2004, too many motorbike accidents and broke my back in a few places, found pain medication not good (especially for shooting) until last year l started a trial of Suboxone, am now of almost all other meds and feeling much better in myself (&can shoot a lot better), in Australia Suboxone is very regulated, hope it's easier for you to try, good luck and l hope this helps you,
Turtle.

If you have tremors and would like to hunt, Google Nate Vance in Cody, Wyoming. That is his specialty. He is one amazing man. Nate has decades of successful outfitting experience.

 

[Ratdog]

If you have tremors and would like to hunt, Google Nate Vance in Cody, Wyoming. That is his specialty. He is one amazing man. Nate has decades of successful outfitting experience.

Thanks Doug I'll keep him in contacts.

 

[Ratdog]

I had said we were going out plinking last Sunday and the weather got in the way, clear this weekend so I'll report back. Can,t wait

 

[KyCarl]

Have any of you tried those CBD products? I've read several promising reports
on treating several neurological issues?
I have a friend in a study now for his Tourrets Syndrome I hope it helps him!

 

[Ratdog]

Have any of you tried those CBD products? I've read several promising reports
on treating several neurological issues?
I have a friend in a study now for his Tourrets Syndrome I hope it helps him!

I am trying CBD for chronic pain, after 2 weeks nothing to report.
However, a strain of Afghan Kush is extremely helpful in stopping tremors because I go to sleep for 6 hours at a time which is uncommon for me, lol

 

[Doug Herold]

Ratdog,
Sounds like you are a veteran. All veterans are my heroes. You will like Nate Vance. He operated alone in Vietnam. I can't imagine the nerves he had considering what he did night after night. He'll be a great friend to you. Nate was once attacked by a grizzly, sewed himself up in camp, and went out and killed an elk. The dude is humbling.