Will D
Well-Known Member
I've been living with Essential Tremor (ET) for 67 years, since age 10. It's a hereditary condition, mine came from my mother. Two of my five siblings have it also. Fortunately, neither of my children got it from me; so far.
I began taking Primidone about 30 years ago. It's a powerful drug. Folks who suffer from epileptic seizures take 500 mg or more. I started with 25 mg tablets and am now up to 250 mg once a day with the option of taking another half tablet when needed.
Recently, being concerned about the amount of pharmaceuticals I was consuming and having my neurologist suggest Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as well as hearing ads in the local media about the availability of laser surgery as a possible cure; I decided to explore the possibilities.
My neurologist provided a great deal of information and had me take a number of tests, including a MRI brain scan and psychological evaluations. What I learned was that I have not one, but THREE tremors; i.e., left hand, voice and right hand. That would require THREE procedures to possibly become completely steady. In addition, he discouraged me from considering the laser procedure because even though it is non-invasive, it is a one shot deal; i.e., they get it right the first time or you live with the consequences.
DBS, on the other hand, while being invasive, is adjustable. There is a great deal of information on the internet about it, including YouTube videos, being used for ET as well as Parkinson's disease. Having a hole drilled in my skull, a probe wiggled around to find the right spot while I was awake and then having a wire strung under the skin of my skull, down my neck to a control unit under the skin in my shoulder; didn't appeal to me.
By the way, ET is a "movement" condition; i.e., it is apparent when hands are moving. Parkinson's disease, which is non-moving; i.e.; your limbs shake even when sitting still. Advanced conditions of both will result in head shaking like the actress Katherine Hepburn, who had ET.
Having considered all the information, I cancelled the scheduled DBS procedure and asked my neurologist to bump my Primidone prescription up a bit. Then, I asked several of my customers (I'm still fully employed in my own business) if my tremors bothered them. All said it didn't bother them so long as I deliver the products they need on time. One customer intimated he suffers the same condition along with his two sons. I referred him to my neurologist, who is now caring for them also.
Regarding shooting with a tremor, this is what I do. First, I'm resigned to not being capable the fine accuracy enjoyed by my steady handed friends. However, I've compensated. I have all my rifle triggers set to exactly 4.5 lbs. The extra weight tends to steady my hand. I shoot semi-autos (1911's) in a "run, dodge & jump" (IPSC) league where I have good runs interspersed with not so good runs. My biggest problem is with single action revolvers at 100+ yard targets. I actually do better shooting revolvers double action so long as they are S&W smooth.
My recommendation? First, insure your neurologist specializes in movement disorders (ET and Parkinson's disease.) Review all the information you can get about all the possible procedures from your neurologist, study the wealth of information on the internet and then decide. You may decide, as have I, that living with Primidone isn't so bad.
I began taking Primidone about 30 years ago. It's a powerful drug. Folks who suffer from epileptic seizures take 500 mg or more. I started with 25 mg tablets and am now up to 250 mg once a day with the option of taking another half tablet when needed.
Recently, being concerned about the amount of pharmaceuticals I was consuming and having my neurologist suggest Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as well as hearing ads in the local media about the availability of laser surgery as a possible cure; I decided to explore the possibilities.
My neurologist provided a great deal of information and had me take a number of tests, including a MRI brain scan and psychological evaluations. What I learned was that I have not one, but THREE tremors; i.e., left hand, voice and right hand. That would require THREE procedures to possibly become completely steady. In addition, he discouraged me from considering the laser procedure because even though it is non-invasive, it is a one shot deal; i.e., they get it right the first time or you live with the consequences.
DBS, on the other hand, while being invasive, is adjustable. There is a great deal of information on the internet about it, including YouTube videos, being used for ET as well as Parkinson's disease. Having a hole drilled in my skull, a probe wiggled around to find the right spot while I was awake and then having a wire strung under the skin of my skull, down my neck to a control unit under the skin in my shoulder; didn't appeal to me.
By the way, ET is a "movement" condition; i.e., it is apparent when hands are moving. Parkinson's disease, which is non-moving; i.e.; your limbs shake even when sitting still. Advanced conditions of both will result in head shaking like the actress Katherine Hepburn, who had ET.
Having considered all the information, I cancelled the scheduled DBS procedure and asked my neurologist to bump my Primidone prescription up a bit. Then, I asked several of my customers (I'm still fully employed in my own business) if my tremors bothered them. All said it didn't bother them so long as I deliver the products they need on time. One customer intimated he suffers the same condition along with his two sons. I referred him to my neurologist, who is now caring for them also.
Regarding shooting with a tremor, this is what I do. First, I'm resigned to not being capable the fine accuracy enjoyed by my steady handed friends. However, I've compensated. I have all my rifle triggers set to exactly 4.5 lbs. The extra weight tends to steady my hand. I shoot semi-autos (1911's) in a "run, dodge & jump" (IPSC) league where I have good runs interspersed with not so good runs. My biggest problem is with single action revolvers at 100+ yard targets. I actually do better shooting revolvers double action so long as they are S&W smooth.
My recommendation? First, insure your neurologist specializes in movement disorders (ET and Parkinson's disease.) Review all the information you can get about all the possible procedures from your neurologist, study the wealth of information on the internet and then decide. You may decide, as have I, that living with Primidone isn't so bad.
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