The Orthostatic Tremor Forum (archive)

My OT's seem to come more in cycles. I am at my worst from the first day of menstruation and that will continue for the following two weeks and then the third week will get a little better. Then the week before menstruation, I hardly have any symptoms. Then it starts all over again as soon as menstruation starts again. I have mentioned this to my doctor and he seems to think it has to do with the fluid loss and hormone levels changing that is going on with the cycle. Just curious if anyone else also has this going on.
Thanks,
Theresa

Hi Theresa,
I too have noticed a direct link between my menstrual cycle and the severity of my tremors - although I follow a different pattern to you. Ten days before menstruation starts (to the exact day) I notice a marked increase in the OT. I am then at my worst until menstruation is over, when things start to improve again. I have discovered that taking a magnesium supplement (especially pre-menstrually) has helped this pattern a little. The difference is far less obvious. Perhaps this could be of help to you?
All the best,
Lynda

Thanks. So, you only take the magnesium supplement before the time of the month you would feel the symptoms coming on or do you always take it? Because I started taking magnesium about 6 weeks ago, every day, along with zinc, selenium and biotin, because of something I read about regarding a medication I was taking that was causing hair loss. Since I've been taking those vitamin supplements, my hair loss has really slowed down and my hair has started to grow back in. But I haven't noticed any difference in any of my OT symptoms.

Hi Theresa
I actually take a magnesium supplement throughout the month but have sometimes increased the dose premenstrually, which seems to help. When I had a hair mineral analysis done, my magnesium levels were extremely low, so I figured that I probably needed to take a supplement - and that's when I noticed a difference to my tremors premenstrually. Hope this makes sense. I'm writing it in a bit of a hurry! Lots to do for Christmas.
All the best. Keep persevering to find some answers!
Lynda

I no longer have periods. Infact I had a hysterectomy about 26 years ago but I do have one ovary. I find your information interesting as I have been on a low dose of get Estrogen for the past 3 years to help me through menopause. I had severe hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings before this. I am now only 54. I did notice my legs shaking more at that time and that is when I started wondering if something was wrong with me. I was only officially diagnosed this past July. I have mentioned it to my doctors and none of them seemed concerned with the low dose I was on. It would be interesting to see if I stopped my Estrogen if it made a difference. I am afraid to though because I don't need menopause on top of everything else. Has anyone else experienced a difference with taking hormone therapy. It would be interesting to find out.