Symptoms of Benign Essential Tremor include:
Symptoms can start at any age. The tremors associated with Benign Essential Tremor is a rhytmic tremor and the tremor mainly occurs when that particular part of the body is being used. In Parkinson’s Disease, the tremor usually occurs when the muscles are at rest and the tremors decrease as the muscles are in use.
According to the Essential Tremor Info website: “Some people report essential tremor symptoms to be an occasional or temporary occurrence or to happen only at sporadic intervals during their life. The tremors rarely affect the legs or feet and may not affect both sides equally. Many sufferers of Benign Essential Tremor also have a disturbance of gait (walking) even if the legs and feet are not affected.”
Symptoms Include:
– Rhythmic, uncontrollable shaking of a body part – usually the hands or head
– Alcohol will temporarily improve the tremors
– The tremors will worsen in extreme temperatures and in stressful situations
– There is usually a family history of tremor. I have an aunt whose head shakes uncontrollably. My mother feared that she had Parkinson’s. I think it is BET.
In severe cases of Benign Essential Tremor, the symptoms can be very disabling to where the affected person cannot even button their clothes, hold silverware or do other normal daily functions.
I have had benign essential tremor (recently diagnosed) since I was in high school. I’m now 59 years old. It is something which affects my voicebox when I become agitated or engage in nervous public speaking. Constant irritant. Very noticeable and embarrassing. Strange since I have been a sales person most of my life. My mother is 90 and has the same problem. Sometimes her voice shakes so much I cannot understand her. Taking propranolol as directed by our family physician. Seems to help when taken regularly. Are their support groups for this type of disorder??