Re: hand tremors

by Noella on Tue Oct 04, 2011 11:47 am

The table I mentioned isn't my shelves - that's where I store my stuff - the table is attached to the chair and it folds out across where I'm sitting - like in a lecture hall. You can see it in the picture in the down position.

It is a "deck chair" from the camping section - I got it at Canadian Tire - the table makes it perfect for them to lean forward and practically be in my lap (as well as give my arms support), but because of the table there is still enough separation they aren't leaning on me (my nerve issues give me huge flares of pain if anyone touches me).

Boy I sound like a real basket case.... really I'm not, I just have to make things work for me... would you believe I took up makeup because I couldn't do what I used to do before MS?

by elantaura on Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:20 pm

Noella It is good to see you found somthing to take up with MS it in itself is inspiring. I have a friends mother with MS she is now only at home. If I have learnt anything from disabitys of any sort is that those who are the happyest are the ones that make things/life work for them. but whenever you try to explain it to others it seems to sound potty- dosn't mean it is. usually it is well thought out. but whenever I try to explain things to others I get that your nuts look. It is great you have found a way, that works and that you can share it with others. Very Happy

by srbolton on Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:39 pm

wow- what a response. Yes, pain and fatigue are truly the two most pervasive issues that I have had to learn to work around. I greatly appreciate all of the suggestions and support, and although I am not happy that anyone has to face this condition it is good to know I'm not the only one here dealing with it. That helps me to have a little bit of hope as to whether I might be able to keep doing this or not.
I love painting, and I hate when some stupid issue with my body gets in the way!
Noella, I get you on the pain (allodynia) flare ups- I get similar flare ups with FM and my husband hates it because I can't stand to be touched. You don't sound like a 'basket case' at all- you just have some challenges to cope with. I agree that it is quite inspiring.
Thanks again to everyone- I love this forum!

by Psalmbook on Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:32 pm

Would holding wrist w/ your non-painting hand help steady your painting hand? I do this sometimes & it helps.

by fluttersby on Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:13 pm

This post is helpful to me because it shows me that I am not alone with this fibromyalgia issue. I deal with the shakiness also, haven't quite come up with the right way to deal with it myself either. What I hate the most about it as far as painting goes is that I get excited and nervous before a gig and nerves/excitement for me = headaches, fatigue, and extra muscle and joint pain. It doesn't matter what event or thing going on in my life that I get anxious or excited for, it seems like I will have a migraine and/or other fm flare-up. I have just come to expect it. I'm sure if I were going on a wonderful cruise or vacation, I would spend the majority of it in pain due to fm. I really hate fibromyalgia and I can relate to all of you who have it also, as well as other medical conditions you deal with on a daily basis.

by 1HappyNut on Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:37 pm

For you fellow FM'ers out there... Look up on the Internet the links between FM and celiac disease. Not to say that you have it! But just saying that trying a gluten-free diet (no wheat/rye/barley or derivative) might help with the symptoms. If you have an intolerance, or an auto-immune reaction/celiac disease it is supposed to make the FM symptoms much less frequent and intense, and exacerbate them otherwise.
I have FM and celiac. I am not far enough into my gluten-free journey to say with any certainty that it definitely helps. But as with most debilitating issues, it might be worth looking into. Of course, you'd want to start by discussing any major dietary changes with your doctor and maybe even get tested for celiac if you think you might have it. It's certainly not as rare as many people/doctors think. It just isn't often tested for and many doctors dot even know/much about it. If anyone wants to know more, you are more than welcome to PM me. I'm no expert but I'll share what I can.
Good luck with it all.

by 1HappyNut on Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:39 pm

Sorry for any spelling errors...frantically typing on my phone at work while on a very short break!

by Pinky1249 on Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:51 pm

Must be something in the water. I have FM too, at least they can't figure out what else it could be. I have to take painkillers to function. I had tremors when I was on Cymbalta, but when I went off that, they went away. Some days my hands are just steadier than others. Sending good thoughts your way....

by vivi_o7 on Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:36 pm

Have you tried acupunture? it helps a lot!!!