Living with Essential Tremor

In retrospect, my squiggly writing on the chalkboard in elementary school was the first indication that I had ET Obvious tremors in my hands started at age 17; at that time I thought it was muscle fatigue from weightlifting. Eventually, the hand tremors progressed and I remember being afraid to lift a cup of coffee in a restaurant, usually leaving it untouched. If coffee was served in a mug (which I could grasp with two hands) I’d ask for it to be 1/2 filled then tried to work up the courage to pick up the mug.

Over many years I have avoided going out to eat in restaurants, usually choosing to get a takeout sandwich and bottled beverage. Long ago, I discovered that alcohol (temporarily)disguished my tremors; therefore, I have a few drinks before entering into a social situation. It works, but the tremors are worse for a couple of days after drinking. I was diagnosed ten years ago and my neurologist put me on Inderal and Mysoline. These drugs helped but I stopped taking the Mysoline a year ago because of side effects. My ET is progressing, eating with utensils is getting much more difficult, shaving takes two hands, keystroking and using a mouse is a real challenge, and my balance is poor.