The Orthostatic Tremor Forum (archive)

I started a physical fitness program after my health insurance cut off my yearly maximum of PT visits. I' m working a circuit of machines that allow you to sit down. I start with a 15 minute treadmill walk at a slow pace and elevation to warm up. I hold the emergency shut of cord for dear life.

Unfortunately, my leg tremors intensify the next day and beyond. Has this happened to any one else ? Can exercise (treadmill walking) be an OT trigger ?

Hello
I found walking on the treadmill made me very unsteady once I got off it and that would continue for 24 hours, so I gave up using the treadmill and now just walk daily between 3-4 kms. We bought the treadmill just after I was diagnosed with OT because my Neurologist told me to continue walking and I needed something to keep me going during the winter months when it was too unpleasant to walk outside. Now I just walk in all weather regardless of the conditions. I do have another incentive to get out, with a young basset hound who needs a daily walk to get rid of some of her energy.

Unfortunately I have been suffering from very painful feet for more than six months and after trying different remedies, went to an Orthopaedic Specialist for advice. He believes I have a Planter Plate Tear, apparently very common in women my age (58), and I am waiting to have an MRI to confirm that diagnosis. If it is a PPT, he has advised that the only way to fix the pain is to have an operation which will keep me off my feet for 6-8 weeks. I'm a little anxious about having an operation because it was after an earlier operation that my OT really kicked in and my legs never felt 'right' after that. However, I'm willing to go through with the operation if it is going to cure the pain in my feet and I can then continue walking pain free.

Lynette

To add to your conversation I thought I'd post this chart. There aren't any specific studies that I could find on OT and adrenaline, so this is a chart of the effect of adrenaline on physiological tremor (the tremor that everyone has). Although many people have mentioned here on the forum the same effect that drochs and Lynette stated that the adverse effects of exercise can last for quite awhile.

http://bit.ly/adrenalineTremor

drochs & Lynette : In my opinion from years of experience of ways to exercise my OT legs is not with the use of machines. They are not working our legs in a natural way. Even the treadmill because we are stepping on a moving thing is a very stressful event and then coping to walk with a set pace and not the one we do when walking on a normal still base. That experience alone can help spike one's adrenaline and strain our OT for a period of time. However, the most important exercise for OT is walking at a comfortable good pace, not a slow stop and go pace like shopping but one that works our misinformed leg muscles to move in a normal way. I try to take a good walk everyday.......

Lynette, sorry to hear about your foot but I agree with you it is necessary to relieve the pain. Pain really exacerbates OT !!!

All the best, Gloria