Other reasons for arm tremor?

[kaypeeoh]

If Sinemet or other dopamine agonists have no effect on tremor does that suggest the root problem is not a dopamine deficiency?

[johntPM]

Although levodopa does not stop my tremor entirely, it reduces it greatly. You can see this by measuring the tremor during the dose / wear off cycle of about 3 -5 hours between doses.

[huffers in reply to johntPM]

Would you mind sharing how you measure your tremor please?

[johntPM in reply to huffers]

I've tried building tremor measurement tools using the touch pad on a laptop and accelerometer and magnotometer data on Arduino microcontrollers and Android smart phones, but I've not been happy with the results. I can't do any better than giving a subjective assessment of my performance.

[Hikoi]

I rely on scientists for the answer but if dopamine loss and tremor go together what about those with no tremor? Dont they have dopamine loss?

[pvw2]

You need to consult your neurologist. Could be essential tremor, brain tumor, west Nile virus, or limes disease. Some forms of PD don't respond well to Sinemet (someone posted a chart in a previous discussion). Have you had an MRI or DATscan?

[Dholplayer]

Good question... Love to know what professionals view

[kaypeeoh]

A resting tremor is distinctly different from an essential tremor. Three years ago an MRI showed signs of Multiple Sclerosis but ruled out brain tumor. Follow-up MRIs two and one year ago said the same. But also showed no progression.

Some here hate the word but I VACCINATED dogs, cats and horses for West Nile and Lyme 20 years before the MRI. Because of my job--Veterinarian--testing for West Nile and Lyme were done before the MRI.

I hoped the neuro would recommend a DATscan. He hasn't and I assume it's because of cost not covered by insurance. Also because he thinks if nothing else the treatment might slow progression. I've had the hand tremor for at least 3 years. Same for micrography in the same hand. Recently my balance has been 'off'. But a week ago I had ankle surgery and now need a boot for support. Maybe that's what is causing the balance problem.

So I don't have cardinal signs of PD such as bradykinesia or freezing in place. I'm glad for that but makes me wonder if I truly have PD. I stopped all PD drugs weeks ago.

[LAJ12345]

The C/L doesn't seem to help my husband's tremor which is pretty mild. He has noticed that it only starts when he is anxious or about to do something or waiting for something. Eg yesterday he was stacking the dishwasher and I was drinking a cup of coffee. He was waiting for me to finish so he could put the dishwasher on and the waiting made the tremor start. We are going to try to divert the attention / waiting to a different activity eg squeezing a hand exerciser to see if it helps. I feel his brain is like a computer doing a loop and if he can't do an action it goes back round the loop again until it can move on. If he is bored it gets worse and it keeps circling with nothing to do! Mine on the other hand wanders off and does lots of other things and forgets to go back to the

original loop so I start making the coffee then put the washing on pull the curtains feed the cat and he says half an hour later did you make that coffee😅😅