The Orthostatic Tremor Forum (archive)

I have OT for three years now, it manifested itself after a bad reaction to SSRI antidepressants. I found it very helpfull to strenghten my legs in a gym. What i can advice to everybody is to ride a bike. When riding you hold your equilibrium with your upperbody, the legs work without sidewards stress. The sensation of moving through the area without effort is another plus. When its really bad I take a nap for 15 minutes, it relieves the tension on the legs adequately. I dont use medication because i am afraid of the "zombie" and the addiction effects. I hope this experience can be of benefit to anyone.

I have also found that riding a bike is much less strenuous than many other activities. My husband and I try to ride our bikes where benches are readily available. For instance, near a river or lake where the views are very relaxing when we stop to rest.

I concur wholeheartedly; bike riding is the perfect exercise for us OT-ers. To me, as a non-scientist, it's pretty amazing that I can ride like a 10-year old, even with OT! To be recommended to all sufferers......

And I agree with the risk of zombie-ness; I too will not go down the drug route. I play bridge at an advanced level, and that to me is far more important than trying to alleviate the symptoms of OT. And I am a pianist/organist, and no way will I jeopardise that. At my age - 76 - quality of life is everything. Being unable to stand still is not allowed to interfere with that. Thus I'm never far away from a seat, even if I have to take one with me.

Looking at what I've written, it sounds smug and self-satisfied. So be it; perhaps it's part of my coping mechanism.

Love to all


Richard

Somerset, UK.

I'm interested (and envious!) that bike riding is possible for all of you. I find it impossible to get on and off a bike because of my leg tremors + riding slowly eg going past others became impossible a good 5 yrs ago. I also have ME, which I am told exaccerbates the OT - perhaps this is the deciding factor?

Anyone else out there who cannot ride a bike?
I did think about looking at trikes but they are so expensive and I most definately cannot afford one right now.

We took bikes to Mexico this year on our R.V. holiday. We always use them while we are there and then leave them behind for Mexican families. This year our neighbours donated 2 men's bikes. Yikes!! I had a dickens of a time getting on and off that thing. I wouldn't get on until we were well away from the campsite as I was so wobbly getting onto it. I was okay riding to town but when we got to the internet I devised a system of throwing it to the ground, stepping over it and rushing into the internet while my husband "parked" it properly. I could never stop to talk to anyone either. One day when we were on our way to town I spotted a neighbour on the main street and I knew he wanted to visit. I decided to keep going and my husband stopped to talk. Why didn't Joan stop, he said. Oh, my husband replied, she doesn't know how. He visited me later at the campsite and was very worried that I didn't know how to stop!!!Anyhow this year the neighbours donated a womans bike, I'll let you know how that works. We need a bike that ejects us I think.

I have OT and am so sad that I can't ride a bike either. I got a three wheeler, but it's hard to pedal (and I have a bum left knee). What is the condition ME that you have?

Hi - I find that I'm able to ride a bike, but it's a slightly different bike. It's a Pedego, which looks like a regular upright beach bike but has an electric motor. I can either pedal it on my own, or use a little electricity to help me, or just use the motor without pedaling. It's great! The only downer is it's about 60 pounds which makes it a little heavier, but I have the seat low enough so I can put both feet down, which makes it almost like sitting on stool. Also, they have an electric tandem and I thought they were coming out with a 3 wheeler but I don't see it on their site. I highly recommend them! https://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com