Hi again. (I'm getting brave and finally posting a couple of questions. )

A neurologist I recently went to (to rule out several dreaded diseases) said I have developed essential tremor, also known as familial tremor. My head shakes a little from side to side, but inside it feels much worse, and I quiver down my middle when I'm having a bad day.

The "shakes" seem related to my heart palpitations and anxiety, and they started around the same time my peri/meno symptoms did. So is this really hereditary and permanent, or might it go away once I survive this nightmare? Has any one else been given this diagnosis? And is there anyone who has had this go away as their other meno symptoms did?

I'm grateful to be alive and managing (on the outside); but worrying about becoming a "bobble-headed granny" just adds to my anxiety, and I'm crying as I even think about it. I worry about keeping my job... Any advice or comfort would be greatly appreciated.

JC

An internist said I had essential tremor and prescribed beta blockers which made me feel lousy so I quit taking them. This was during the worst part of my symptoms. I also had internal shaking and sometimes external, like a chill. I had the pounding heart with occasional thumps.

Now I'm 2 years post, have been on HRT for a year, and have added extra magnesium, calcium and vitamin D to my multi-vitamin. I hardly ever have the chill-like thing anymore and the tremor in my hands is barely noticeable. Still have some pounding heart issues. I think mine is related to anxiety which is related to sleep deprivation. I wasn't sleeping more that 4 hours/night back then and that not consecutive. Now that I'm sleeping better all symptoms are better.


I'm no dr. This is just my experience.

Oh, thank you, Ohme, for sharing your experience. This gives me some hope for improvement over time. How did the beta blocker affect you? I am taking propranolol, and it does help with tremors, anxiety and heart palps; but I'm wondering if some of my other symptoms are being intensified (depression, fatigue).

I definitely think it caused me fatigue and depression. I had no energy. I would just sit. My heartbeat would get so slow I really felt unwell but if I took less it would wear off, then my heart would beat really fast and I felt short of breath. I tried both propanolol and atenolol. Both reacted the same. I just decided that whatever they were, I didn't need my betas blocked.

I am 33 and my oldest son is 14,we both have a problem with our hands shaking.I believe it is the familial tremor.Magnesium is a big help,I try to take 500 mg per day and eat foods with magnesium.It has made my shaking almost completely go away.GOD-bless

This was one of the first things I noticed before the full-blown peri-anxiety, tachycardia, palpitations started. At first my head would jerk, just slightly, just once. But after the rest of the symptoms started I felt like I had parkinson's. My head would jerk and "bobble" on the pillow before I got out of bed but would get a little better when I was upright. That's when the hand tremors would start. I would pick up things and immediately drop them (which is a pain if it happens after you get the lid off the ativan bottle). I've picked up more pills off my floor in the last six months! Fortunately, one time they all fell in the drawer.

I'm so glad you posted this because I was really worried about the head shaking thing. I have had many days of anxiety without the tremors but when I have the tremors, those are the days when my anxiety is the worst.

Thanks, Lady E. I am taking magnesium (200 mg), but I will increase the dose and see if that helps.

Gee, Alinam, my tremors started out the same way. I had an occasional "twitch" in my neck for a year before things got crazy. Yes, the tremors make my anxiety much worse too. So do you have days with no tremors?

I could have posted the original question on this thread. I also went to a nuroligist several weeks ago after my regular doc said essential tremor. The nuroligist agreed and I also didn't like the way the meds made me feel. Both doctors said exercise, my regular doctor said cut caffeine and eat more protien. Well...I started treadmilling..and for the last 4 days, no tremor. I think its a menopause thing since I was supposed to get my period on the 26th of june and haven't yet gotten it...I am still fairly regular except for like 3 times a year when my body gets strange..anyway, I think and hope mine went away...and I also had the head shaking...which made me very self conscious...
tina

I have quite a few days with no tremors during the "good days" of my cycle, which are very few. The hand tremors seem to have gotten better but I still have the "head bobbling" alot. Especially when my head is still on the pillow. They seem to get worse with the worst part of my cycle--the week before my period. That's also the week when my anxiety is the worst.