Essential tremor

Dizziness can be caused by heart problems, low blood pressure, and even migraine. I think you should phone 111, and they will probably send you to A and E. The shaking could be unconnected. That's what I would do. I felt dizzy recently and fell over, and was advised to do this.

Some years ago I watched that operation on a tv programme Heathcliffe, the result was amazing.

I'm so sorry I hadn't come back to read all your further comments; I didn't expect any more replies - thank you all for your excellent suggestions. I shall ask my GP to refer me privately (provided it doesn't cost more than £300). At least I may then know more of what I'm dealing with.

harrigran, I belly laughed at that!

Again, some helpful comments here. Thank you!

My partner had an essential tremor. It progressed to where he was unable to write or hold any cups drinks etc. he was under the care of Addenbrooks hospital. After several years of medication they offered him an operation. It sounds scary but they inserted a wire in through his brain which leads down to a simulator they inserted in his chest. He was only in hospital overnight and it is controlled by Bluetooth so he can switch it off at night! It had transformed his life. His hands no longer shake, he can write hold drinks and do everything he had been unable to do for years. Addendbrooks have been amazing.

I must be really lucky (perhaps that is the wrong word!), my consultants appt was within 10 days and the wait for my brain scan is about 6 weeks. At least I now understand some of the problems I have been having .

I hope your shaking is just essential tremor but for years that was what the GPs told me. Unfortunately I do have Parkinson’s and the wait time to see a consultant was initially 13 months which gradually pushed back to 19 months (James Cook, Middlesbrough). I found a private consultant, who diagnosed and prescribed appropriate meds - which the GP provided on NHS. Eventually I fitted into NHS system (not in Middlesbrough) but the initial fee of £250, then £100 for follow up appointments was so worth it.

My SIL has essential tremor and has had it for the 38 years I have known him.
I have never discussed it with him but suspect it dates back to the loss of both his parents when he was a teenager.
He does not get special treatment, I still delegate the wine pouring to him when we have dinner together.

It’s no good second guessing! GNs offer good advice but the main thing is that you get a diagnosis soon. I wish you well.

I'm trying for the third time to type this. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago. In the US the fashion is to change the name from essential tremor to Kinetic Tremor.

For my treatment I was prescribed primidone. We started with 50 mg and added 50 mg until the tremor was controlled. This medication is most useful taking it at night.

It seems to be that here in the US the Mayo Clinic is the leader in research. I don't know if anything you can find online will help. But it can be a guide.

My friend suffered fro tremors for quite a while , she the started to feel dizzy at times.Shewas waiting to see the neurologist at our local hospital,but the wait was too much so she went privately.She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

I am so sorry reading your description to hear of your work-load and that you have been the victim of an attack at work.

The are two things I can say that might just help: I suspect there is a bug going the rounds that causes dizzyness, as I woke up one day last week feeling sick, was not sick, but did have a very slightly upset tummy. Later on in the day, I felt dizzy when I bent down to pick something up off the floor.

This continued for a couple of days, but I found it helped to make quite sure that I drank enough fluids - mainly water, even at the risk of feeling I was going to wet myself before getting to the toilet.

So make sure you are drinking enough. And if the attack you mentioned was physical, could you possibly have a slight concussion?

Two of my sisters have Parkinson's which in both cases became visible after a big workplace stress incident.
People a right to say look after yourself. I have had some ear problems thus last year which has caused giddyness at times. Balance as someone rightly said is connected to the inner ear. But trembling is different. Could be trauma related, could be excessively long shifts. Very worthwhile asking about Union advice and support if you are in one, and if not, worth joining one for the protection afforded.

I paid to see a consultant privately (£200) as I was having problems walking after watching me walk down the corridor he said I had Parkinsons. He referred me to an NHS specialist who I am now under. An MRI showed scaring on my brain and I am now on medication that has improved my mobility. If you can afford to see a consultant I would recommend it as a way of cutting down the waiting time.

I have this. I see a specialist in 2018 when it was only in my left hand. He told me back then that to persevere as long as possible before going on tablets as all they do is make tired. I have seen my GP recently as my symptoms have progressed to my dominant hand & my head sometimes. I have been prescribed Primidone. I haven’t noticed much difference yet but I’m only on a small dose which increases for the next few weeks. I do know that the more tired I am the more I shake. Which could explain your dizziness when you were very tired. Hope you get seen soon to put your mind at rest re diagnosis.

Do you work in the NHS? If so could you access your appointment earlier via Occ. health? Especially as it was a workplace accident/ assault that caused it. Would it be worth considering going private for the 1st appointment with follow ups on the NHS.

I know it's expensive but could you perhaps get approximately £250 together to consult someone privately? What can happen if you do this is after you've been seen, they'll put you back on the NHS list for any tests to be done,but you are often seen much, much sooner. This has now happened to me a few times with various problems with long waiting lists. Could you perhaps borrow the money, if it is too much. I think it's important that you are seen for your own peace of mind as much as anything else.

I am so sorry to hear you are experiencing this. You mentioned a 24 hour shift ! As an aside, being overtired can cause the same symptoms as alcohol intoxication including dizziness lightheadedness and falling to one side/loss of balance. I’ve experienced this myself and it was pretty unnerving until I realised what the problem was. I’m so sorry to hear that you had a fall. In light of the tremor please look after yourself and have good quality sleep and rest if at all possible and stay well nourished and properly hydrated. I hope that helps you a little.💐

Beta blockers are helping a close family member with their head and hand tremors. A low dose to begin with, prescribed by their GP didn’t have to see a specialist

This does not sound like essential tremor. My daughter has had essential tremor all her life and was diagnosed in her late teens when MS,Parkinson’s and Friedrich’s Ataxia were considered but thankfully ruled out. It has not progressed in over 20 years and certainly does not cause loss of balance. She was offered beta blockers but declined them because she says they slow her down mentally.

I love dragonflies why not get a picker upper, not expensive and very handy for avoiding bending. Which is a good idea if dizzy. . I used to use mine to pick up things but also put washing in my machine and taking it out, all sorts of things.
Nearly as good as long handled shoe horns, another favourite aid.
I am sure if you can relax a bit you will start to feel better. Assume you are ‘off sick’ for now?
Sorry about the wait, I have a referral to a hospital consultant and my appointment is mid June next year. Over 9 months. What happened to the under 18 weeks wait? The glory days…

I know someone who has this and he was given a beta blocker, Propranolol, by his GP. I can understand them wanting to do further tests etc but your GP could have tried you on this in the meantime. I do hope it settles down a bit and you can speak to someone soon.

Could you ask your GP if a referral to a different hospital is quicker?

I did this for my mother-in-law and the wait was only weeks instead of months for a particular speciality.

If it started after an assault it could be FND or psychogenic tremors formerly conversion disorder. Also dystonia. Hopefully the neurologist can diagnose it. There's a poor man's test for essential tremor which is to have some alcohol if you are able. If it quietens down it's probably ET.

And your suggestion, LtEve. I suppose, in the meantime, I'll have my daughter doing the bending over for things I drop...

I really wish there was a way to acknowledge all replies - something like the 'like' button on other forms of SM. @silverlining48, I shall ask about those tablets in case that's the issue.