PD or Essential Tremor?

[Okra1950]

My left hand tremor started late afternoon after I got my J and J booster and the tech hit a nerve causing horrific pain to shoot down my arm and fingertips. That's been almost 2 years and the tremor remains.

I noticed some shuffling so stopped wearing slick house slippers and got some firm orthopedic shoes. I also am doing long fast steps, but my walking in only in our small house.

My g/grandmother (tiny head nod and 1 hand), grandmother (hand) and 91 year old mother (2 fingers and swallowing at times) all had/ have tremors but this was during a time when PD/ ET were just considered a part of 'old age'. My doctor has no idea since my only real symptom is the tremor in one hand.

Once our weather cools off I plan to start working toward 1 hour of fast paced walking.

Any thoughts?

[Bonnie51462]

I would suggest seeing either a neurologist or movement specialist they could have a better idea on how to diagnose you.. Parkinson's is a silent thief it can slowly creep up on the majority of us but sometimes it does hit fast and hard.. Please ask your doctor for a referral..

[Mechjack]

Don’t wait on anything to do serious exercise. Find a way that works for you and stick to it. Also, see a neurologist.

[TracyLaine]

Hi Okra! Do you think your booster triggered your PD symptoms? I am suspicious that my covid shots might have ushered in my symptoms prematurely (I am 54 and had no PD symptoms before my shots). My dad had essential tremor for 50 years and then after his shots, his PD symptoms kicked in. Not trying to start a political discussion but just wondering if you (or anyone else) has had a similar experience???

[bookish in reply to TracyLaine]

Both viruses and vaccines may affect one carbon metabolism (folates cycle) so it might be worth getting Vit B12, folate, homocysteine and MMA checked (easier said than done as may not show in bloods, especially if a functional/genetic difficulty further downstream). Tremor could be a straight B12/folate deficiency symptom, or relate to neurotransmitters, or PD. Some connections between PD and hypo- (even sometimes hyper-)methylation, as with B12D. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Cheers

[Shack2023 in reply to TracyLaine]

Tracy - I had a similar experience; within weeks of vaccination my resting tremor started at age 56. It may be coincidence? I do have family history of PD.

[TracyLaine in reply to Shack2023]

Hi Shack! Thanks for the response. I wonder if there are more of us?! Just curious— is your Parkinson’s tremor-dominant? Mine is. I do have some rigidity and bradykinesia on my left arm/hand however, left leg and hand tremor is my main symptom.

[Shack2023 in reply to TracyLaine]

Yes tremor dominant right side in my case

[Esperanto]

Various tremor types (rest, postural, kinetic and intention) may be seen in both essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, with time, the two diseases may coexist within a single patient

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[gomelgo in reply to Esperanto]

thanks for sharing this ... didn't know. But if the tremor is "pill rolling" type (I hate that moniker), then doesn't it confirm PD?

[Esperanto in reply to gomelgo]

Resting tremor is dopamine related and with that one of the features of PD. However, there are a number of patients who typically have only resting tremor for at least 5 years without development of other parkinsonian signs or symptoms. Recent research of these patients demonstrated a markedly decreased striatal uptake of fluoro-dopa to the range of PD. These findings suggested the existence of a separate subtype, namely, tremulous PD with a manifestation of resting tremor alone.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/858... tremor is one of,resting tremor is still obscure.

[Okra1950]

I can't see the specialist until 2nd week of October. She's the only outpatient specialist in 100 miles! I'm exercising up to an hour 5 days a week and doing posture, stretch, walk movements every day, too. Also doing word puzzles, jig saw puzzles and other mindful activity.

I am positive my tremor (left hand only) began the night of my booster and I reported it as a vaccine adverse effect immediately.