Simon shares his personal story about living with essential tremor.

I’m 57 and I have an essential tremor . I have been shaking since….. forever!!! My story is probably typical but as I’ve found other people’s experiences on this website helpful and reassuring hopefully mine will be too. 

My shake is always there but is exaggerated in stress situations but sometimes occurs randomly. For example eating breakfast in the morning, drinking a cup of tea. I can’t control it but it rarely results in major disaster/embarrassment. I tend to leave undrunk drinks or hold cups/glasses in two hands ! Overall I have lived with it. I can drive, cook, dress myself, I’ve brought up two kids and managed all day to day activities. 

I appreciate my experience might not be typical and I really feel for people whose shakes take them over. I am lucky! 

I have had my tremor forever but ignored it/lived with it. No one mentioned it at home as a child. I think my father shook but I don’t remember. We never spoke about it or addressed it. Perhaps it wasn’t that obvious as a child? I don’t remember being name called or bullied. Clearly it wasn’t that bad. I could live with it and it didn’t effect me. So if you’re mid teens then if you shake it’s certainly not ideal but equally it’s not the end of the world. 

In my mid 30s I felt I should do something so I went to my GP possibly adding to the appointment arranged to address blood pressure issues. The fact the GP didn’t leave me frightened was perhaps because I didn’t need to be. I remember he used the phrase “non-malign” which I connected on . He did recommend drinking alcohol which I found an “interesting” concept. I’m not sure I’d recommend it. For me a drink doesn’t seem to make much difference. I was prescribed propanol. I still take this. I’m not convinced it has any effect on my shakes. I continue taking it but possibly only because it’s prescribed to reduce blood pressure. I think it helps because I feel as though it reassures me that I am doing something medical to address the problem.

 Although I don’t see it as a problem. 

I’ve heard there are other remedies being developed which if offered I’d be very cautious about. Ive  lived with this for ever and it hasn’t deteriorated (not saying it won’t as I age) but I wouldn’t recommend something that might not be necessary. But if in the future availability and information  increases then it would have to be something to consider. 

So what would I advise! 

Personally I’ve found reducing caffeine helpful. It doesn’t stop my shaking but it certainly helps.

Anticipate shaking situations and think of avoidance tactics. 

Ask for help if you are carrying things. 

Use calming strategies. 

Talk about the issues. Don’t assume family and friends knows what is going on tell them you have an issue. I’ve only recently discovered the NTF and its work . The work of Rob Mallard has been outstanding in raising awareness. 

Be slightly educated. People have assumed I have Parkinson’s . Watch Rob Mallards interviews . He explains everything clearly.

Talk to your GP

Knowing there are plenty of people out there who share our issues. I havent attended any support groups but it’s reassuring to know that they exist . Although it would be nice to have a midlands based group!  

A final message would be that having a tremor is normal and can be lived with. Be honest and ask for support if you need it. I was a primary school teacher for 30 years and believe me 9 year olds  can be cruel but if someone mentioned it in class I used to respond with “it’s just part of me”. 

A final final message is that my tremor certainly isn’t “essential” and can be a complete pain and cause for embarrassment but you can live with it !!! 

Simon 

Do you want to share your personal story? Then get in touch.

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