Dystonic tremor?

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So for the last year I've had problems with tremors, mainly in my left hand. But it's odd, it's triggered mainly by some sort of activity, very specific activity, like cutting the hedge with shears, or holding my kids bike for them for a length of time, or holding a heavy cake for a while. Then after I'll have pretty intense tremors, for quite some time, but only in one position, like bending my wrist, or gripping. But the tremors are severe. Its a bit like when you sit with your leg on tippy toes on one side and your leg starts shaking and gets worse and worse until you put your leg down, it's like that, but ongoing. Brain scan was normal, I have uctd/lupus. I have suspected gastroparesis, I suspect heats makes it worse, enough that some days after a shower I'll have a tremor with no trigger. My movement specialist said its likely dystonic tremors. But I'm not sure it fits. I definitely suspect muscular. I had hyperthyroidism, and had a half thyroidectomy which helped a lot of other symptoms, but not this. Does anything link tremors and my gastroparesis? That doesn't show up on brain mri? 🤔

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3 Replies

  • Posted

    I was diagnosed with dystonia and the tremors associated with it 18+ years ago. Fingers would contort involuntarily. I've seen many specialists over the years but not specifically for that. I've had numerous MRIs, genetic testing, nerve conduction tests but again nothing specific for the tremors.

    The tremors were primarily in my right hand and would appear with muscular stress. I can hold out my right hand limp and there is a slight tremor. When I try to hold my hand/fingers straight out the tremors are prominent.

    I saw "were" because I believe they aren't as bad as they used to be.....or I've learned to work around or through them. I don't like hand writing as the quality will diminish the further I go. I believe all my neuro symptoms have been in remission for 4 years and I'll include the tremors with that. I became more active and pushed through the muscle pain. Today I'm in the gym 3 days a week. My grip on my right hand is slowly improving.

    I do have muscle atrophy in my right thumb/forefinger that no one was able to diagnose either.

    Also whole body muscle calculations that are visible to the eye and show up in testing. I do not have Parkinson's or any other neuro degenerative disorder.

  • Posted

    I have tremors due to my dystonia. Tri hexyphenidryl definitely helps. It is used to help with Parkinsons tremors.

  • Posted

    I have had something very similar for about the last 10 years, in both hands. It is mostly set off when holding a book or newspaper. It starts within seconds of that activity. Like you, it is much worse after specific activities like cutting a hedge. Interestingly, I also thought it was my whole hand that was trembling, but a work colleague noticed one day that it was mainly in my two index fingers. So, if I lift them above the book I'm reading, for example, the tremor is much reduced.

    My osteopath says it's muscle fatigue but I'm not entirely convinced. Having had a long history of neuropathy, for which no cause has ever been found, I tend to link it to that. That said, thankfully, I don't think it's got any worse over the years. I've no idea how it can be treated so have just learned to control the symptoms.

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