Tremor at the dentist

[Frances24E]

I have an embarrassing problem. My anxiety arcs up at the dentist and I cant stop the tremor in my left arm. Is there anything I could take before I go to ward off the tremor?

[drumhead]

Maybe try a proponolol? It seems to help me. Do you take anything currently? Of course, always consult a doctor first 😀

[jeffmayer]

No one could blame you for that dentists scare me to death

[bandmember in reply to jeffmayer]

I once kicked my shoe off when I was in the dentist’s chair!

[cjCardio53 in reply to bandmember]

I have done that too! LOL I think that is true for most of my appts. (nerves)

[jeffmayer in reply to bandmember]

Every time I go Iincluding.when I was well I used to have kittens

[Parko2021]

my husband with PD went to a new hairdresser. Not even thinking about his tremor he couldn’t at first work out why the hairdresser, a young woman, stopped, stepped back and stared at him. When he explained and showed her his arm tremor, they were both in laughing!!

[cjCardio53]

work appts around your meds. Ask for the "weighted' x-ray blanket and put on your L arm. Ask your MD for anti anxiety pill. Hook up to music, ocean waves or your favorite tunes.

[IUPUOSU]

The first time that I had dental work done after my diagnosis I had a similar experience. The dentist and staff were aware of my diagnosis from when I had previous cleanings and medical history was updated, but I never had tremors. At some point during the procedure I was able to explain what was happening and informed them that it was a combo of being towards the end of a dosing period and slight anxiety. We had a good laugh because they thought that I was super anxious and I really wasn’t! My arm just did its thing for the rest of the procedure! I did my best to try and relax and either kept my hands folded together or used my other arm to hold my arm that had the tremor to minimize the tremor.

The next time that I had dental work I was able to alter my med dosage schedule so that it was at its peak effect while I was at the dentist. For me, that solved the issue! I will say that I am fairly early into my diagnosis so that I was able to adjust my medicine timing with no issues (I just had to postpone a dose by 30-45 minutes). Other options would be to schedule your next appointment at a time when you know your feeling your best with least symptoms (could be at a certain time of day, based on your dosage schedule if you are on medication, etc.).

Or if you ever take medication for “breakthrough” symptoms, you could do that. For instance, with approval from their PD medical provider, I have read/heard from others with PD that they will take an extra partial to full dosage of Sinemet when they are exercising heavily (biking, for example), gardening/working outside in the heat, in certain social situations like giving a presentation or meeting with a group of people - the occasional times when they are “using more dopamine” for lack of a better phrase than typical for them and may need “extra” to help minimize symptoms. Some people will dissolve a portion of their Sinemet pill in a carbonated beverage or water and drink it during heavy exercise to help minimize symptoms (per David Phinney Foundation podcasts of their Parkinson’s ambassadors). After discussion of this situation with my neuro NP, I will take a half dose of Sinemet on similar occasions and it helps me.

Again, I’m still fairly early in my diagnosis (around 3 years), am not tremor dominant, and discuss dosing with my PD providers, but have found these suggestions helpful.

As is common with others, any time I feel more physical or social stress, those tremors sure can kick in/worsen! My husband and I attended a lovely wedding this past weekend and after we were seated in the church waiting for the ceremony, I looked down and there was my left arm and hand just tremoring away! Even though I was happy to be there and did not feel anxious in other ways, the rush of getting dressed and there on time and not wanting my PD symptoms to be noticed by others was enough to get the arm going! I was in the middle of a medication dosage and normally would have been just fine!

I am hopeful you will find a strategy(ies) to help you during your next oh-so-fun dental appointment!

[SAGoodman]

I actually have the same problem, I take propranolol when needed at lowest dose of 1 0mg, it's a beta blocker. Lasts about 8 hrs for me. You will need to get Rx from Dr.

[akgirlsrock]

muscle relaxer ask your neurologist, also when they numb your gums, ask them for the kind without the stimulant, makes my tremors worse, sorry I can’t remember the name, the dentist should know.

[gomelgo in reply to akgirlsrock]

No epinephrine ... novocaine has that in it to hype the adrenaline and make it last longer. My whole life I have had horrible anxiety as a result. I think now, I would tremor right out of my seat, and they would get nothing accomplished. Valium might help, but not if there is epinephrine involved. my.clevelandclinic.org/heal... I'll have to try this propanolol stuff some time ... need to know more about it first. But the dentist is tremor hell just thinking about it now.

[DopamineWarrior]

Hi, I have the same problem, I normally put the arm under my back or hold with other hand😁

[Meg024]

I take 40mg propranolol to curb the adrenal response with medical consultations and social meetings. And all the above suggestions I find helpful to increase dopamine flow and decrease adrenaline flow. Ask for local anaesthetic without adrenaline.

[gomelgo in reply to Meg024]

otherwise known as epinephrine

[Hirric]

I always take a stress ball to squeeze and to move around in my hand. Works brilliantly as a helpful distraction. (See voidbiov Hand Squeeze Stress Balls on Amazon…. Shaped like an egg and fit the palm of your hand very effectively).