Living with Essential Tremor

I first realized that I had a tremor at the age of 17. At the time, the tremors were intermittent; sometimes they were there, sometimes they weren’t. Since then, they have become progressively worse. I’m now 35 years old and the tremors are always there. Sometimes they are worse than others. Stress certainly intensifies the tremor.

I find it frustrating when there are things I can%u2019t do, frustrating to ask for help. I also find it embarrassing and worry that it will impact my career growth. People usually assume that I%u2019m shaking because I%u2019m nervous, though I have had people think I was a drug addict in need of a fix.

I%u2019ve tried Propranylol, which did work for reducing the tremors; however it also made me very tired and caused rapid weight gain.

I%u2019ve learned a few techniques that have helped me manage my tremors some. My job requires me to meet with new people regularly, I often have to lead or present at meetings, work with new clients, and attend business lunches, all of which is challenging for me with my tremors. I hate to even try and explain it to people because they just don’t get it, I usually won%u2019t say anything unless someone else says something first. Here are a few things I do to help hide or manage my tremors:

- At business lunches, I pick foods that are “sticky”, like mexican food, because it stays on the fork better. And, I always drink with a straw (otherwise I may end up wearing my drink).
- Before business meetings, I practice some breathing techniques to slow my breathing and heart rate. I also ball my hands into tight fists and tighten my arm muscles and hold it as long as I can. This seems to wear out my muscles and eases the tremor for a little while. Sometimes I use this technique if I need to do something intricate, like threading a needle.
- When I have to point to something at work, I never point with one finger, rather, I point with an open hand with my muscles flexed, as this gives me a little more control over the tremors.

My bosses who give me evaluations, have said that although I seem to shake in the meetings, they don%u2019t get the impression that it is because I am nervous. My understanding of my work and my verbal delivery counteracts the shakiness. That provides me with some comfort.