Back in the day when I was growing up my father and all his brothers called it The Shakes. More recently my neurologist identified the problem simply as Benign Familial Essential Tremors. Lucky me! I call it annoying. The Golden Years have begun. It’s clearly not fatal the experts told me and it likely won’t get worse. It did though to the point that holding my head still, keeping my arms and hands steady and drinking a cup of coffee without spilling became a major problem. Also other problems include, using a camera, holding my binoculars for birding still and even typing (now called word processing). So what to do?
The experts recommended testing various epilepsy pills. Thanks a lot. I got some bad headaches. Finally, I decided to adapt. Plainly filling the coffee cup only half-full or using a straw seemed a reasonable adaptation. Then I discovered Kwick Trip Coffee. It seems the miraculous lid has a small opening which allows the drinker to cover it with his mouth thereby preventing any spills. Amazing!
That was followed by a telescope sitting on a tripod for birding. And best of all my computer guru Brian added the Dragon to my computer. The Dragon quite simply listens to me talk and it types what I say. I could email and blog again.
Wow with that positive note all stop for my morning coffee and six boxed doughnuts for the ride up to Rochester and Cottagewood memory care. If Mrs. T knew of my morning diet I'd definitely be in trouble. Actually though my real danger in the morning is not my bad diet but the fact that thousands of Iowans are racing north, passing on yellow lines darting in and out and all because there late for work at Mayo Clinic. This happens on a two lane narrow curving highway with lots of small dips. This definitely places a safe driving cautious law-abiding Minnesotans in serious danger. Of course, they do the same thing later in the day when they're anxious to get home.
Catch you later dear friends, I'm looking forward to a good day
Catch you later dear friends, I'm looking forward to a good day
I know some other people who have that tremor problem. It's a nuisance but not dangerous. Good fixes for your needs, TB. Have a great day! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy father-in-law had the same thing, and like you, he learned some tricks to work around the annoyances. A sense of humor helped tremendously. Once, my MIL was annoyed with his hands shaking and yelled at him to put them in his pockets. So he did...and then his pockets were shaking too. He just giggled...and we giggled along with him.
ReplyDeleteExplore alternative healing solutions like diet (grain-free seems to be a helpful one) or treatments. Sometimes Western medicine prevents us from exploring other not-so-common treatments. i.e. I am currently using CBD lotion to help manage pain in my knee and it seems to help??? Or it's just a placebo. Either way, I am feeling better.
FYI...you can buy those coffee cups with travel lids at your local Walmart. They sell them in a pack and are really handy.
So glad that it is not a scary condition but an annoying one and that you have found some great tools to make life easier. Camera would be hard but the tripod and remote would work. Kind of takes the spontaneity out of a quick shot but it is one I use regularly.
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful adaptations and I’m so glad to hear you can use your binoculars to see the birds again. You are very clever to figure these out and continue on with your life.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle had the same but it affected only his head. Kudos to you for adapting. Stay safe on the road. With summer here we have the idiot tourists who cannot maneuver the mountain roads. Thank goodness they cannot get cell service as they come up the mountain.
ReplyDeleteHard boil six eggs. Peel them and put them in a plastic container for your trip up. Wouldn't hurt to substitute them for the doughnuts every now and then.
You are a smart man and have adapted! A tripod will work for your camera too...and get lots of cups! Cause you would get grumpy without your coffee! My best to Mrs T...hope you are staying cool:)
ReplyDeleteAdapting to new ways is a must as we age. Life gives you detours but there are ways around it and who knows what new things we will discover.
ReplyDeleteHey Ray....wish there was some magic I could offer, there are none. It's age. Your manifestations are at least benign, in terms of long range. Hope otherwise you're doing well. All the best to you and the missus.
ReplyDeleteMike
Good on you for adapting to the tremors. I'm on this same kind of schiz / bipolar medication for seizures where I don't make new memories. It's called global amnesia. The medication controls it well. However it does have some sneaky side effects.
ReplyDeleteMy hands actually don't shake as much as they used to. I hadn't thought about it much. Maybe the shoulder exercises are helping.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to use a camera with a viewfinder, but one that's not heavy. Maybe the improvement is because I got a mirrorless camera!
Hi Ray - love the photo ... and am glad 'the shakes' are just that and you've very sensibly adapted. Take care and all the very best - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI too love the photograph. Such a handsome couple. It is pleasing to know that you were/are able to cope with the shaking hands.
ReplyDeleteThankfully as a photographer hobbyist, this is one problem that I don't have. Yet.
ReplyDeleteRay...have you thought about swapping out donuts for hard boiled eggs? Not a bad idea, but suggest not eating 6 yolks..too much cholesterol. Fruit is always a good swap and Kwik Trip has fruit. Maybe one donut! Ha!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you found solutions to the challenges you face. As we age we face the reality of giving in and giving up or trying to adapt and find ways to work around the conditions that crop up. Best wishes.
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