Hand Tremors

[roo613]

I am new to all of this, and I'm just trying to learn what this disease does to me! I am not sure if what I am experiencing is the disease or just age!

I have had hand tremors with all 3 of my flares. When the flare goes away, the tremors go away---except under moments of extreme stress (like if I get really mad or upset). Do you think that is the disease, or is that just age (I'm 33)?

I am flaring right now, but the tremors haven't been too bad. I play trumpet, and last night was opening night for a musical I am playing for. I have this opening solo fanfare, and while it makes me nervous, I thought I was ok. But then my hands were shaking so bad, I could hardly continuine playing after I finished it. It took about 20 minutes for the tremors to go away.

I guess I'm wondering if this is just a case of developing a huge case of nerves in the past few months, or is this how the disease works?

[SNOOPY]

Tremors are a symptom of MS.

Although the tremors may feel the same, one type is caused by the disease and one is a reaction to emotions (anger, fear, anxiety, ect.)

There are also some medications that can cause tremors.

[skeezix]

Hi roo,

Tremors are a common symptom of multiple sclerosis. They are produced when muscles repeatedly contract and relax.

There are two types that I am aware of:

Intention Tremor: This happens when you reach for something, the smaller the item is or the closer you get to your target, the more your hand will shake.

Postural Tremor: Shaking while sitting or standing when the muscles are trying to hold your body still, or when an arm or a leg is held in one position against gravity.

Things that can make tremors worse are stress, anxiety and fatigue.

[hunterd]

HI ROO,
I GET TREMORS ALSO. THEY ARE PART OF MY "MS GIFT PACKAGE". THEY CAN BE CAUSED BY OTHER NON-MS FACTORS TOO, HAVE YOUR NEURO CHECK INTO THEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, I USED TO PLAY TRUMPET IN HIGH SCHOOL. BAND WENT TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA AND GERMANY FOR A COMPETITION. TRIED TO RESUME PLAYING, BUT TREMORS AND STIFFNESS PREVENTED IT. GOOD LUCK.

DAVE

[fishead]

I also get hand tremors, and they abound when I am in a relapse/flare.

[kellygrn]

Intention Tremors

A weighted bracelet or silverware helps with my intention tremors.

Still have a hard time with catching the computer mouse. LOL!!!

KK

[SNOOPY]

They are produced when muscles repeatedly contract and relax.

No. That would be spasms/spasticity.

"Tremor occurs because there are plaques—damaged areas—along the complex nerve pathways that are responsible for coordination of movements."

Here is some information on tremors:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...mor/index.aspx

[Tingly Girl]

I was wondering the same thing just yesterday!

I am new to all this...Doctor says he's is sure I have MS, but I need more tests to confirm. Anyways, before I visited Dr. in Jan for the first time, I had started to notice slight shaking in my left hand when doing fine motor activities, like tweezing eyebrows, holding a make-up container still while applying, putting silverware in dishwasher, etc. Funny, I never even have mention this to the doctor...but I have since read that that is what the finger to nose test was for...huh. So, over the last few weeks I have been noticing it coming on more often. In the past week, a few others have noticed in me as I've been "talking with my hands" holding them out...shaking has started! Yikes. Now in both hands, it had just been
the left. Then again Thursday and Friday as I sat in meetings holing pen to write...shaking and others notice. I guess I' going to have to get used to that, huh?

Anyways..I too went looking to see if stress was causing this or if I was just getting worse...I'm still not all that sure, but I'll copy a bit of a good article I found below. I think, as it says, our emotions or stress can enhance any MS symptoms... but other, more experienced members may know more.

"Some will develop a tremor during relapses and like other symptoms it will often lessen when a relapse is over. However, some level of tremor does tend to remain after a relapse. Even with almost complete recovery, it sometimes remains noticeable because it is associated with such precise, fine movements that are involved in reaching for and picking up objects, for example coins, amongst many other things.

Similar to many other MS symptoms, emotions, stress, and fatigue are known to worsen tremor."

Take care!

[cocopuff]

question about tremors..I myself do not know if I am having tremors..
sometimes I feel as if I am having a personal earthquake in my body..no one can see me shake but I am shaking inside..especially when I walk. I do get the shakes when reaching for something, not everytime though..
thanx cocopuff

[skeezix]

Tremors/Spasicity.

[QUOTE=SNOOPY;1221258]No. That would be spasms/spasticity.

"Tremor occurs because there are plaques—damaged areas—along the complex nerve pathways that are responsible for coordination of movements."

Hi Snoopy, No. That would be tremor.

I know tremor occurs as a result of lesions, what I was getting at was the reason you shake is that the nerves controlling the muscles, misfire or send contradictory signals to the muscles, which in turn cause involuntary, muscle contraction and relaxation.

With spasticity there is no contraction and relaxation of the muscles, just contraction.Spasticity is involuntary muscle contractions that are not coordinated with other muscles. Most muscles in the human body come in pairs that work in opposite ways to each other. When one is contracted, the other is stretched. In spasticity, the system gets things wrong and contracts both at the same time.

[SNOOPY]

[QUOTE=skeezix;1221320]

No. That would be spasms/spasticity.

"Tremor occurs because there are plaques—damaged areas—along the complex nerve pathways that are responsible for coordination of movements."

Hi Snoopy, No. That would be tremor.

I know tremor occurs as a result of lesions, what I was getting at was the reason you shake is that the nerves controlling the muscles, misfire or send contradictory signals to the muscles, which in turn cause involuntary, muscle contraction and relaxation.

With spasticity there is no contraction and relaxation of the muscles, just contraction.Spasticity is involuntary muscle contractions that are not coordinated with other muscles. Most muscles in the human body come in pairs that work in opposite ways to each other. When one is contracted, the other is stretched. In spasticity, the system gets things wrong and contracts both at the same time.

I don't know where you are getting your information but the part you are disagreeing with is a Quote from The national MS Society.

Apparently not only am I wrong about hand tremors/shaking but so is the National MS society

Tremors are a movement disorder and not about muscle contractions.

[SNOOPY]

sometimes I feel as if I am having a personal earthquake in my body..no one can see me shake but I am shaking inside..especially when I walk. I do get the shakes when reaching for something, not everytime though..
thanx cocopuff

cocopuff,

I can get what you are describing, they are internal tremors/shaking. It involves my entire body. Unlike hand tremors which can be seen the internal tremors/shaking is not visable. It doesn't matter if I am sitting doing nothing or trying to get things done.

I use Klonopin.

It's also important to understand there are medications that can cause tremors/shaking.

[ShakespeareMama]

Well, it's good to know (although, not so good to know) that I'm not the only one that has that internal shaking feeling.

I am not an any medications... Everything is a mystery.

I hope you feel better, soon!