Conditions
Benign Essential Tremor
Benign essential tremor sends your hands to jelly. Tremor quite simply causes your hands to shake – considerably and constantly, thus shattering any aspirations of a career in brain surgery. Whilst it might not sound that serious if the condition deteriorates those afflicted may find it increasingly problematic to carry out the simplest of tasks such as writing, using cutlery, and – let’s not shy away from it – wiping their bum. Benign Essential Tremor has a habit of flaring up and becoming worse when a person is stressed, tired, angry, anxious, hot or cold. A high level of adrenaline in the body can also heighten the shaking as can caffeine and some prescribed medicines. It isn’t just the hands that can be affected; infrequently the voice, face and upper body have known to suffer too though there is some release as tremor usually fades when resting or moving. If the tremor is so bad that it’s affecting your day-to-day life then there are a few things that can ease the symptoms. Beta blockers, anti-convulsants or even a deep brain simulator have all proven affective in a high percentage of cases and (whilst it should in no way be relied upon) one or two units of alcohol have been shown to temporarily relieve the tremor completely, which can be particularly helpful before you give that important speech, or go out on that big date.
Comments and Questions
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I have had ET since I can remember but was about 18 when I was diagnosed. (22 Now). It's a shame there's not more research on it as I have so many worries like 'How bad will my shakes get?' At the moment it is just in my hands and forearms but can get it in other places if I am nervous/hungry etc. Glad Im not alone though!! I dont know anyone apart from my father who has it!!
Hi No you are not alone, I have had this tremour for many years but just laughed it off. (never had it checked over though)However it started getting a little bit worse and I started thinking maybe I had the start of Parkinsons so I had it checked and that was when it was given a name. Now I feel fine about it, because I was more concerned that people would feel sorry for me. So now I just look at it as another one of lifes little annoyances :0)
wonder if i could ask a question, i started having sniffles, nose running, last june, or earlier, then pain in ear, went to tinnitus, pain above the ear, drs said eustation tube disfunction, no ease, saw ent looked in throat, up nose, in ear, no problems, get on with it attitude, been back to drs, pain is now behind ear, where it was originally, had mri said a little opacification in the masoid air cells bilaterally, now my left ear is constatly painfull,my dr wants me to wait again to see ent, (7 months last time)i have a daughter of 19 with downs syndrome, and find it very hard , should i say ill go privately, and pay, or i feel its infection, as i am freezing sometime, with goosebumps all overy me then boiling, where the pain is, it is feeling as if its on fire, im at my wits end and need some help, any ideas, i think its infection of the mastoid cells, and would clear up with injections of antibiotics or simitlar.
Hi am 20 , ive had et since i was 3 its now. Caused me to have high dosages of beta blockers i get so embarrsed by the tremors , once i had a lady in work ask me if i was havin alcholol withdrawl which made me feel even worse now i just try and take it as every dqy comes x
I have had ET for quite a while,but at first it was put down to the medication I take for bipolar disorder.As I'm an astmatic as well there isn't a suitable treatment option for me.I shake from head to toe,including my eyes.The only thing it dosn't effect(toutch wood) is my driving,thank goodness.I work round my tremour as much as I can but it can be hard.I also get sudden spasms in hands normally which can and dose result in my dropping things.Oh well the joy's of being disabled.
i have tremors, and i have had them since i was 15 on and of i can't take some meds, because i suffer with raynauds, my teeth also madly chatter, my legs go jelly like ect. I find it embarrassing but find it more annoying when i loose part of my tea due tremors and i shake, but propornal works, but shouldn't take it because its bad for rayauds suffers. Drinking herbal tea, at the mo, with Valerian, i have tried in the past a completely caffeine free diet. i would like to be able to understand it.
Quite relieved to see all these comments. I've suffered with BET since I can remember. So far, only in hands/lower arms and left is worse than the right. Now 46 and it's getting slightly worse as the years go on. Carrying drinks a definite no-no, and picking up small things, quite impossible! Definitely in the family - my father, brother and nephew have it, though nephew is the son of my sister who doesn't have it. I remember seeing my father about 15 years ago (now estranged) and his tremour was as severe as a Parkinson's type. If there are any docs reading these postings, I was given an anti-depressant a few years back (for depression) - mirtazapine - and it worked wonders for the tremour and tinitus (didn't take it for long as it made me feel worse).
Would anyone be interested in starting some kind of online support group in this area? I have had ET since birth (26 now); at least 3 generations of my family have had it. At times a debilitating condition and I'd like to support others that have it, as well as increase public awareness.
Support group sounds excellent.
hi everyone,amazing im not alone! I have had a tremor since birth,I was bullied at school, and it has stopped me having the career i so wanted. I am now 46,cant carry a cup and saucer for love nor money, or sign my name with anyone watching, but have accepted im not a freak,its just part of who i am and im not going to let it ruin anymore of my life !!!!!
At last I feel I am not the only person in the land with a Tremor (mine is Familar ET, my mother had it in her hand in her 60's)I started to notice a problem in my 40's (I am now 69). It has got worse over the years, it affects my hands, legs, head, neck and mouth. I started on 80mg and progressed to 160mg propanalol but as it got worse I am now on 150mg Primidome which helps a little bit. The most embarrassing things are eating/drinking in pubs and restaurants. Life with FET is hell, but the way I deal with it is to laugh at myself and my friends and family will laugh with me. I go to Aqua classes at the gym three times a week and have time in the steam room to meditate, and a fantastic husband.
my son is 25, and was first diagnosed at age 12, from the age of 14 he has been taking 40mg propranolol twice a day which helped at first but not so much now, anybody out there have any ideas what to do next, i would appreciate any help
Hi, My daughter is 18 & was diagnosed with this condition a few years ago, shes had it for at least the last 10years, my daughters propanol works for the 1st couple of months, then they have to keep upping the dose-shes been to see her specialist today & hes going to up her dose again but put it in a slow release form-so she will be getting an equal dose over 24hrs, so maybe you could get your son to have a chat with his specialist about doing the same,hope this helps :)
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