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What Do Hand Tremors Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Aug 2016
Question: Suddenly have been having shaking hand when holding fork, holding book open etc.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Parkinson's disease?

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

hand tremor is commonly the first symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). If you have a family history of PD then the chances are higher. In PD the hand is usually trembling when the patient is anxious and stops when sleeping or being more calm (at least during the first stages). Since this is the first symptom, perhaps it's too soon to speak about other symptoms like shortened steps, bladder problems, etc.

A visit to a neurologist for clinical assessment and appropriate radiological investigation (if necessary) is recommended. The investigation may become necessary mostly to exclude other potential causes like central nervous system lesions (multiple sclerosis for example) or peripheral lesions (neuropathy for example).

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
I have suffered with trigiminal nuraglia (ms) for the last several years and also suffer with incontinence. Could this mean if it is Parkinson's that it is in a more advanced stage? The neurosurgeon placed a normal pressure hydrocelphus drain in my brain about 4 years ago to hopefully help the trigiminal problem, but it has had no affect on it. Take medications every day to cope with the pain.....Gabapenatine, Tegertol, and Lyrica. Could this be causing the shaking?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
do you have MS?

Detailed Answer:
If you have MS (multiple sclerosis) then perhaps we should look no further... MS may cause tremor. Your drugs may cause tremor too (particularly lyrica and tegretol). And the hydrocephalus itself may cause tremor...
Tremor alone does not mean advanced PD. Advanced PD has more symptoms. Rigidity is one of the most troublesome and characteristic.

The neurologist should help you to sort things out. There is no easy answer as to the root of your new problem. All the aforementioned causes may apply or contribute to it.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (20 minutes later)
No, no MS, and at 75 I feel I am a little past the age for that to be the answer to my shaky left hand( my dominate one). Have been relatively healthy till the trigiminal problem arose, and that hit like an electrical shock!! Took a while to find out exactly what it was, went to dentists, oral surgeons, more dentists, till I finally figured it out and contacted a neurologists with the answer to what my problem is and he confirmed it
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I see

Detailed Answer:
A misunderstanding then! I though you meant multiple sclerosis because MS is indeed a cause (albeit rare) of trigeminal neuralgia. Anyway, the drugs and hydrocephalus may cause tremor and the neurologist will have to distinguish between these disorders and Parkinson's disease. MS is indeed a disorder of the young women (mostly).

Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Do Hand Tremors Indicate?

Brief Answer: Parkinson's disease? Detailed Answer: Hello, hand tremor is commonly the first symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). If you have a family history of PD then the chances are higher. In PD the hand is usually trembling when the patient is anxious and stops when sleeping or being more calm (at least during the first stages). Since this is the first symptom, perhaps it's too soon to speak about other symptoms like shortened steps, bladder problems, etc. A visit to a neurologist for clinical assessment and appropriate radiological investigation (if necessary) is recommended. The investigation may become necessary mostly to exclude other potential causes like central nervous system lesions (multiple sclerosis for example) or peripheral lesions (neuropathy for example). I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!