Unbased first published on 10/21/2015
Ok. So doctors can bore a little hole in my skull. All sorts of scans and pictures will tell them where. Those same scans will guide the little electrode to the area of my brain which controls my shaking hand. I’ll be awake through all this procedure so my reactions can be accurately judged.
They’ll turn on the current. Burn a small hole. Check for positive results. When my activity has been properly modified, they’ll do a permanent small burn which should relieve my hand tremors.
There may be side effects. I may talk funny for a while, somewhat same as following a stroke. My balance may be temporarily affected and my stride modified. These side effects should lessen and disappear with time, but how much time is unknown. No guarantee they won’t be permanent.
I Googled “hand tremors”. First sensible looking hit was a paper by National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS). First paragraph entitled “What is Tremor?”. Subsequent paragraphs, Causes, Characteristics, Categories, Diagnosis, Treatments, Research, led me to my final conclusion.
“They” don’t know what causes tremor. Diagnosis is problematic and permanent cure appears limited to brain burning I described above. Various pills may reduce isolated symptoms at least temporarily, but it looks to me like a doctor’s playground and a pharmacist’s dream.
I take enough pills already as far as I’m concerned. Pills for blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood thickness, all carefully sorted and swallowed at proper times may be all that’s keeping me alive or they may only be burdening my life with unnecessary interventions. I don’t really know.
So far only my right hand trembles annoyingly. My shaking is hard for other folks to ignore, but I don’t notice it much except for sounds it makes. Incessant shaking, but not tiring. Nothing hurts. Hand just wobbles all the time.
So far mine is not really limiting. NIH paper mentions inability to make directed movements as a definitive characteristic. I’m still a search and destroy (hunt and peck) typist and I make no more typos than I ever did. When I can’t type right handed, I’ll depend on my left hand. When I can’t type left handed, I’ll quit typing.
Talked to a man the other day who has tremors. His has progressed to both hands. He’s taking pills with limited and apparently lessoning efficacy. Shaking getting worse to the point his wife sometimes has to button his cuffs. He’s afraid driving may be affected.
My cousin who has tremors recommends vodka for symptom adjustment. NINDS suggests limiting both caffeine and alcohol in my diet but mentions use of alcohol in diagnosing tremors. On cousin’s advice, I keep a couple miniature bottles of Grey Goose vodka on hand only for test purposes, of course. I’m wondering if folks might not find a perpetual grin and slurred speech more disconcerting than shaky hand.
At seventy, going on seventy one, I believe I’m qualified to make some judgments about quantity of life versus quality of life. Treatments which may prolong my life but will limit my enjoyment of or get short shrift. I’ll make judgement calls based upon subtraction of quality rather than addition of time. Why should I live long more miserably if I don’t have to.
My final conclusion? I don’t plan to let anybody burn little millimeter holes in my brain any time soon.
