Question:
On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 17:53:32 -0600, "BJ" <B…@sk.nojunk.ca> wrote: >Hi Kcat,<snip> >afraid, but doesn’t want to say so. He is likely mentioning it to others in >hopes that they may be able provide a reason and put his mind at ease. You >didn’t say how long this has been going on. Does it affect any other part of >your body?
i think the answer is yes – but of course my feet and such needn’t be quite as dexterous as my hands. As far as how long – it’s been a slow steady worsening over several months and probably years. I have blamed lack of exercise in the past – well, being "out of shape" but it’s gotten so frustrating with my handwriting – i’ve never been able to draw a straight line or cut with scissors neatly. it’s just so much worse now. i mean, it’s legible and apparently people who have nothing to compare previous samples to can’t see what I’m all fired up about. I can’t help but wonder how much of it is me freaking out over it and tensing up when I start to write. maybe I should set my fountain pens aside for a while and use a pencil – can’t worry about pretty writing with that.
Response:
On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 21:32:29 +0100, Andy <a…@kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk> wrote: >In article <3t84mvo0sv7uk3c27eeppv5ppkkpr16…@4ax.com>, kcat ><kca…@newsguy.com> wrote >>not what you might think.. >>I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. I’m ready to give up. >>My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected >>by this.. >[] >What has changed from your previous steadiness? Medication? Blood sugar? >Salt intake? Weather? Infection? Relative- or dog-induced stress?
hard to know – been this way for months and just seems to worsen in tiny increments. no med changes in a long time. diet – still awful as it has been for about 4 years now. dog and family – well, yeah that started ramping up last August… <shrug>
Response:
"Gretchen" <DGM…@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:d2a1bf69.0309140051.57c78adb@posting.google.com… > I get shaky when flaring or fatigued. My family really notices it at > the table, too. Especially when I eat with chopsticks (my hubby is > Japanese American)
Hi Gretchen 
)) After two years of not able to stop shaking " I am steady now for over one year now " You made me smile thinking back . With chopsticks I would have looked like the drummer for the Rolling Stones )) Bruce " thanks for the mind pic )
Response:
In article <lv77mvodml6ea2rm71it2in8js65bgp…@4ax.com>, kcat <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote [ >thanks again - I'll look into weight - can't weight the pen but maybe >the hand.
You could maybe borrow a gauntlet from a suit of medieval armour? -- Andy [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk/lupus for more!
Response:
I get shaky when flaring or fatigued. My family really notices it at the table, too. Especially when I eat with chopsticks (my hubby is Japanese American) or handle something heavy, like a full glass of water. My doctor noticed once when I was handing him something, but didn’t say anything. I’ve complained about my arms and legs getting weak and feeling like their quivering – but no explaination from the doc. Mine seems to be directly related to my lupus, but hasn’t affected my livelihood or hobbies. Those losses can be devestating. I feel for you 
( Is there any family history of a tremor? Familial tremors are harmless, but frustrating. They do progress over time, but usually much more slowly than you are describing. If I remember correctly from nursing school the doctors distinguish constant tremors from "intention tremors", which means the tremor doesn’t become noticeable until you go to "do" something. My feeble brain is pulling up a recollection that intention tremors are less "serious" than constant ones. You and your hubby could probably relax a little if you were to get it checked out – maybe the doc CAN help. I know when my hubby has funky symptoms, I react in weird ways (usually get angry and want to protect him from the medical people) because I’m afraid there will be something major wrong (there was a few years ago). I’m "okay" with my own aches and twitches, but his make me behave strangely. It is very stressful to have an ill spouse. Here’s to brighter days and steadier hands. Gretchen
Response:
Marg Watson wrote: > P.S. Giving you the weekend off, J : )
Thank you so much Maggie I knew you could do it. Good job ! I’ll be saving this in case others could use it, hope you don’t mind? Hugs J
Response:
Hi Kcat, I did find another site, while looking for "adaptive" writing aids for calligraphy. I found nothing for this, BTW. I did find a few more alternatives at this site, but not sure they will help with your hobby. Hopefully, the shaking will stop & you won’t need them anyway. http://www.ilp-online.com/products.asp?dept=1003 Also, J, this is an excellent site, with many different adaptive devices & IMO, they’re reasonably priced. Hugs4uBoth, Maggie p.s. Another thought, Kcat, if you know what that vintage device is called, you could put in a search at eBay for it & they’ll email you if one appears on the listings. I did look for fountain pen(s) device(s) & adaptive writing & errr, something else. : ) I would think it would have appeared with the words I used, but……
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -kcat <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote in message <news:qor4mvkmj6fgkiq011l5rv7g6rinq6e0ap@4ax.com>… > On Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:18:57 GMT, "bruce" <mcode0…@rogers.com> > wrote: > >Hugs Kcat > >I cut down your words for you to see what I do . Hubby should go with you to > >DR.’s to see if it is your bod or your feeling. > >You remember when my post stress thingy and thyroid crashed. I went 2 yrs. > >unable to hold anything " looked like Dt,s " I thought Parkinson’s , was > >not but looked like it. > >If you think a cranial ct will make you feel better , have it done. > >Fear is a big downer but can be put in it’s place. > >Bruce On. " if you wish me to e-mail you please let me know " > Thanks Bruce – I may get hubby to go with me. I clam up with docs more > now than ever. I did mention it to the rheumy in February and she > took note of it but she couldn’t really judge deterioration since we’d > never talked about it. she did check for neuropathy in hands and feet > and there was nothing outstanding there. I think I’d be okay with it > if it didn’t come up at least once a week. > It’s especially bad if I put any weight on one arm or the other – IOW, > if I lie on my side and prop my head up on my arm for more than say 30 > seconds, when i come off my arm it will shake and be so weak that I > just have to let it lie for a while. When we eat a meal, I tend to > perch my arm on the edge of the table (ya know, no elbows on the > table!) and the shake is magnified then. But it’s always there – just > worse at those times. > ah well – I’m just tired of it and tired of feeling like a frail old > woman at 39 freakin’ years old!
I’m so sorry KCat. I wish I could help. Meds do it for me, but it does not sound like meds for you, especially since it is progressive. CT or MRI sounds like a good idea. The more tired I am, the more pronounced the shaking. I know this is no help. I wish my wife could talk to your hubby. Our mates go through a lot, don’t they?
Response:
Can’t really say J. I guess anything that takes on a life of it’s own. You got any parts like that? <g> BJ-Sk. Canada "J" <TotallyF…@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:3F6264E3.5C0C0353@execulink.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> BJ wrote: > > Does it affect any other part of > > your body? > Any particular one you’re interested in? <g> > J
Response:
On Sat, 13 Sep 2003 11:44:08 -0500 (CDT), JD…@webtv.net (Marg Watson) wrote: >Hi Kcat! >Here’s a couple of writing aids I found. >This one is like 58.00, but it looks really neat & could be used with >your fountain pens. You may be able to find this cheaper or even come >up with an idea of your own after looking at it. It’s called the >"Steady Hand." >http://www.hemiglide.com//id12.html
Thanks for all the suggestions – the Steady Hand might be usable in some situations. My pens are largely "edged" pens – meaning they require a particular rotation of the pen and angle depending on what I’m trying to accomplish. But it might be fine for the non-edged pens. There were devices made decades ago that supposedly aided writing with fountain pens (as indeed, FPs were the major pen in use many years ago) They’re hard to find these days and are of course "collectors items." thanks again – I’ll look into weight – can’t weight the pen but maybe the hand. kc
Response:
Hi Kcat! Here’s a couple of writing aids I found. This one is like 58.00, but it looks really neat & could be used with your fountain pens. You may be able to find this cheaper or even come up with an idea of your own after looking at it. It’s called the "Steady Hand." http://www.hemiglide.com//id12.html These others are just for plain old writing with the pens that come in the device: http://lifewithease.com/ringpen.html http://www.evopen.com/ You know that no-skid stuff they make to line your kitchen drawers? I used that stuff all over the house with my Mom. Bath bench, food tray. If you cut a piece of it & put it under your hand, it may help to steady it some. Also, I saw a weighted pen. Wondering if weight added to your fountain pens would steady your hand? Maybe hubby has some fishing weights he can secure to a regular pen to see if it helps. Do you have one of those ankle or wrist weights? It may help to secure it (or something else that’s weighted) to the top of the hand to weigh it down. Wishing you the best, Maggie P.S. Giving you the weekend off, J : )
Response:
In article <FfG8b.9685$8g2.9…@news1.central.cox.net>, "Cindy" <cmath…@cox.net> wrote:
~I am the worlds worst for going in and just smiling and nodding when I am ~talking to the doctor. I forget how bad I am feeling and any thing I want to ~tell them…. yea and i tend to answer the "how u feelin?" question wrong, since i tend to have an adrenealin rush when im in there cause of nerves so i feel good and always answer "oh ok…" last time hubby went with me and i did that he lost it and went off on me (verbally) in front of the doc. and of course hubby started with ‘but you have been complaining of xxx and xxx and xxx, etc……." and i kept arguing with him to shhhhh SHUT UP! i grew up in a family that you dont tell ‘those’ things. now im considering a weblog or diary to try and teach myself how to complain about my symptoms to the doc, it aint going well…… — Paula from AL.
Response:
"kcat" <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:bhr4mvs8fu11hs07ffcsogg0im6a8fhiu6@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 17:53:32 -0600, "BJ" <B…@sk.nojunk.ca> wrote: > >Hi Kcat,<snip> > >afraid, but doesn’t want to say so. He is likely mentioning it to others in > >hopes that they may be able provide a reason and put his mind at ease. You > >didn’t say how long this has been going on. Does it affect any other part of > >your body? > i think the answer is yes – but of course my feet and such needn’t be > quite as dexterous as my hands. As far as how long – it’s been a slow > steady worsening over several months and probably years. I have > blamed lack of exercise in the past – well, being "out of shape" but > it’s gotten so frustrating with my handwriting – i’ve never been able > to draw a straight line or cut with scissors neatly. it’s just so much > worse now. i mean, it’s legible and apparently people who have > nothing to compare previous samples to can’t see what I’m all fired up > about. > I can’t help but wonder how much of it is me freaking out over it and > tensing up when I start to write. maybe I should set my fountain pens > aside for a while and use a pencil – can’t worry about pretty writing > with that.
Perhaps a gel pen, or something that requires very little pressure to produce lines? It’s possible you are trying too hard, getting frustrated, and just making things worse.
Response:
Andy <a…@kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk> wrote in message <news:fTotAtCd1iY$EwHv@kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk>… > In article <3t84mvo0sv7uk3c27eeppv5ppkkpr16…@4ax.com>, kcat > <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote > >not what you might think.. > >I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. I’m ready to give up. > >My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected > >by this.. > [] > What has changed from your previous steadiness? Medication? Blood sugar? > Salt intake? Weather? Infection? Relative- or dog-induced stress?
I’m putting my money on medication. There are so many that can do that.
Response:
Hugs Kcat, The last time I went to see my rheumy, I typed out a letter a few days before explaining all my symptoms. How I felt and any questions that popped into my mind. When I went in, I just handed him that letter. He asked me questions and he had the letter for a reference. I have a wonderful Doctor…. I am the worlds worst for going in and just smiling and nodding when I am talking to the doctor. I forget how bad I am feeling and any thing I want to tell them…. I hope that you see your Doctor soon and maybe he will be able to help you. Might be a good idea to rule out all the bad stuff such as Parkinsons and give your husband some relief. I know that worrying about your spouse’s health is very stressful. Hugs Cindy "kcat" <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:qor4mvkmj6fgkiq011l5rv7g6rinq6e0ap@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:18:57 GMT, "bruce" <mcode0…@rogers.com> > wrote: > >Hugs Kcat > >I cut down your words for you to see what I do . Hubby should go with you to > >DR.’s to see if it is your bod or your feeling. > >You remember when my post stress thingy and thyroid crashed. I went 2 yrs. > >unable to hold anything " looked like Dt,s " I thought Parkinson’s , was > >not but looked like it. > >If you think a cranial ct will make you feel better , have it done. > >Fear is a big downer but can be put in it’s place. > >Bruce On. " if you wish me to e-mail you please let me know " > Thanks Bruce – I may get hubby to go with me. I clam up with docs more > now than ever. I did mention it to the rheumy in February and she > took note of it but she couldn’t really judge deterioration since we’d > never talked about it. she did check for neuropathy in hands and feet > and there was nothing outstanding there. I think I’d be okay with it > if it didn’t come up at least once a week. > It’s especially bad if I put any weight on one arm or the other – IOW, > if I lie on my side and prop my head up on my arm for more than say 30 > seconds, when i come off my arm it will shake and be so weak that I > just have to let it lie for a while. When we eat a meal, I tend to > perch my arm on the edge of the table (ya know, no elbows on the > table!) and the shake is magnified then. But it’s always there – just > worse at those times. > ah well – I’m just tired of it and tired of feeling like a frail old > woman at 39 freakin’ years old!
Response:
On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:29:23 -0400, J <TotallyF…@invalid.invalid> wrote: >BJ wrote: >> Does it affect any other part of >> your body? >Any particular one you’re interested in? <g> >J
<childish giggling>
Response:
On Sat, 13 Sep 2003 00:18:57 GMT, "bruce" <mcode0…@rogers.com> wrote: >Hugs Kcat >I cut down your words for you to see what I do . Hubby should go with you to >DR.’s to see if it is your bod or your feeling. >You remember when my post stress thingy and thyroid crashed. I went 2 yrs. >unable to hold anything " looked like Dt,s " I thought Parkinson’s , was >not but looked like it. >If you think a cranial ct will make you feel better , have it done. >Fear is a big downer but can be put in it’s place. >Bruce On. " if you wish me to e-mail you please let me know "
Thanks Bruce – I may get hubby to go with me. I clam up with docs more now than ever. I did mention it to the rheumy in February and she took note of it but she couldn’t really judge deterioration since we’d never talked about it. she did check for neuropathy in hands and feet and there was nothing outstanding there. I think I’d be okay with it if it didn’t come up at least once a week. It’s especially bad if I put any weight on one arm or the other – IOW, if I lie on my side and prop my head up on my arm for more than say 30 seconds, when i come off my arm it will shake and be so weak that I just have to let it lie for a while. When we eat a meal, I tend to perch my arm on the edge of the table (ya know, no elbows on the table!) and the shake is magnified then. But it’s always there – just worse at those times. ah well – I’m just tired of it and tired of feeling like a frail old woman at 39 freakin’ years old!
Response:
> I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. . > My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected > Hubby talks about it a lot. almost every time we have a > meal together lunch with him and one our dearest hubby made me show our
friend how much my hands shake. > his constant comments based on a fear he doesn’t want to voice? He > kcat the irritable
Hugs Kcat I cut down your words for you to see what I do . Hubby should go with you to DR.’s to see if it is your bod or your feeling. You remember when my post stress thingy and thyroid crashed. I went 2 yrs. unable to hold anything " looked like Dt,s " I thought Parkinson’s , was not but looked like it. If you think a cranial ct will make you feel better , have it done. Fear is a big downer but can be put in it’s place. Bruce On. " if you wish me to e-mail you please let me know "
Response:
BJ wrote: > Does it affect any other part of > your body?
Any particular one you’re interested in? <g> J
Response:
kcat wrote: > I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. I’m ready to give up. > My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected > by this.. > Hubby talks about it a lot. Mentions it almost every time we have a > meal together – yesterday I had lunch with him and one our dearest > friends and hubby made me show our friend how much my hands shake. Are > his constant comments based on a fear he doesn’t want to voice? He > has talked about how his dad, mom and others showed marked > deterioration in their handwriting as they neared death. I’m not near > that at all.
Well we thought it was low sugar with Z and/or maybe flares, so small meals frequently, but she hasn’t mentioned recently so unknown if it continues or not. Ya know those places that sell "aids" for older people like jar openers etc? Maybe Maggie could remember what those places or devices are called and we could search to see if there’s such for trembling hands? J
Response:
Hi Kcat, I don’t know what causes that shaking. I only know that I have that problem when I am in one of my flares. I can’t write then either. It also causes muscle trembling throughout my body. The doctor has never been able to explain it. I am such a big help, aren’t I ? <g> I can only tell you that it has happened numberous times and I’m not dead yet. I do think your hubby is afraid, but doesn’t want to say so. He is likely mentioning it to others in hopes that they may be able provide a reason and put his mind at ease. You didn’t say how long this has been going on. Does it affect any other part of your body? BJ-Sk. Canada "kcat" <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:3t84mvo0sv7uk3c27eeppv5ppkkpr16pnl@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> not what you might think.. > I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. I’m ready to give up. > My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected > by this.. > Hubby talks about it a lot. Mentions it almost every time we have a > meal together – yesterday I had lunch with him and one our dearest > friends and hubby made me show our friend how much my hands shake. Are > his constant comments based on a fear he doesn’t want to voice? He > has talked about how his dad, mom and others showed marked > deterioration in their handwriting as they neared death. I’m not near > that at all. > but today I tried to write a note to someone and it just is all > squiggles. > any suggestions – I mean – the most basic things you can think of.. > kcat the irritable
Response:
not what you might think.. I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. I’m ready to give up. My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected by this.. Hubby talks about it a lot. Mentions it almost every time we have a meal together – yesterday I had lunch with him and one our dearest friends and hubby made me show our friend how much my hands shake. Are his constant comments based on a fear he doesn’t want to voice? He has talked about how his dad, mom and others showed marked deterioration in their handwriting as they neared death. I’m not near that at all. but today I tried to write a note to someone and it just is all squiggles. any suggestions – I mean – the most basic things you can think of.. kcat the irritable
Response:
In article <3t84mvo0sv7uk3c27eeppv5ppkkpr16…@4ax.com>, kcat <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote >not what you might think.. >I’m really having trouble steadying my hands. I’m ready to give up. >My livelihood, my most treasured hobbies, my sanity are being affected >by this..
[] What has changed from your previous steadiness? Medication? Blood sugar? Salt intake? Weather? Infection? Relative- or dog-induced stress? — Andy [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk/lupus for more!
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.