Monday, August 25, 2014

Essential Tremor - Progression







With my knee surgery right around the corner, I am now wrapping up loose ends before I go 'in'.  With the knowledge that I will not be able to do much of anything in the short term following the surgery, I really need to get my affairs in order beforehand. So, one of the items on my seemingly endless lists things to do, was a visit to my Doctor today. To fill prescriptions until the New Year.

While at my Doctor's office, in the midst of going over stuff, I reached into my purse to pull out some paperwork that I needed to give to him, and as I pulled my hand out of my purse, I was hit with a tremor. The funny thing is that it took my brain a moment to realize what was happening.  The not so funny thing was that when I held the papers out to him, we were both shocked at how violently they were shaking.  I think because you could easily see the papers thrashing about, it really punctuated the intensity of the tremor I was having.

We then switched gears and he asked how the progression is going. I explained that the tremors are not really getting more frequent since I last saw him - in June. And that they were not really lasting any longer - a few seconds to a minute or two or three. However, they were increasing in intensity.

He could tell that the tremor I had today was significantly more pronounced than the one he had witnessed only two months ago.  Clearly my Essential Tremor is progressing.

In June, he told me that I was in the early stages of this disease and that we did not need to worry about medication - just yet.  Today, he told me, "It's time."  After I heal from my surgery, and see him in January, I will be starting the Beta Blockers.

*Sigh*

I was really hoping that the progression would not happen quickly with me. But I also have a gut feeling that this disease will not take it's sweet time.  I just know that I will not be one of those people who progress slowly, over a decade.  I'm not saying that I will be using a sippy-cup in six months, but I do think that I will be forced to make some serious life adjustments in the very near future.

My prayer is that this disease slows, and that the Beta Blockers work. That I do not need to switch to Epilepsy medication - or do a cocktail of both. And I certainly have no interest in brain surgery!

Please keep me in your prayers.

Love & Light
-Laura

If you are just now following this new chapter of my life, or experiencing tremors yourself. Please read my first post on Essential Tremor, which can be found in the index.  Or by clicking the link below.

Essential Tremor - The New Chapter Of My Life