Being Tested in October 2009 for Orthostatic Tremors

[sharonmathews]

Hi:
My Tremors began in 1997 after having ears and sinus infection where I was actually in bed for two days. My husband was on a business trip to Ohio at the time. When he returned home he took me to the Emergency room. They put me on antibotic for two weeks. After two weeks I was not better so they told me to take another course of the antibotic for 6 weeks.

Before the infection I was painting my daughters room. As I recovered from the ears and sinus infection I could not stand to finish painting. Everything I tried to do in a standing position became more and more impossible. If I managed to get to a chair the symptoms would stop when I sat down.

The tremors begin in the legs. My legs feel like they will not support me, shake violently. I feel unstable, dizzy, sweat and feel extremely weak. I do panic if there is no place to sit down because my legs become like they are locked in place and I won't be able to move. I have fallen many times.

With these tremors I also have back pain, pain in my legs and heels of my feet. In 2007 I had a Spinal Fusion. The Spinal Stenois became I problem in my early 20's. I also have Oteoarthritis in my spine that gives me a lot of pain.

Everything from taking a shower, cooking, social activities, shopping are all impossible unless I have a place to sit down to do them. In the shower I have a shower chair. For cooking and other house chores I use a rolling chair. I do have a walker that a friend bought for me. The problem is getting turned around to sit down. Sometimes my legs lock where I can't move to sit. People are very rude to when you are out. Instead of helping you they tell you to move out of the way or run over you. Because of this I stay at home mostly where I know I can get a hold of something. I use the counters, walls, rolling chair, walker, shower chair to help me cope at home. I am suffering from depression because I see what this is doing not only to me but my whole family. Especially my hubby.

Sharon, Brandon, FL

[Jitterbug]

We can all sympathise with your plight having shared similar experiences and suffered the jibes and ridicule. This forum is a good starting point for increasing awareness and understanding. keep the comments flowing!
When you go for your tests ask the neurologist to check your arms as well as the legs. I believe the few textbooks that exist refer to our condition as affecting the lower limbs but my neurologist was surprised to discover that the same tremor (15Hz) is evident in the arms. That explains the dyspraxia that some of us have had to endure (often to much laughter frm others).
Try to stay positive and seek out the most effective medication.