My Life With Orthostatic and Essential Tremors

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My story begins when I had severe ear and sinus infections.  An ENT doctor put me on 6 weeks of antibotic.  When I recovered and started my housework and shopping I had great difficulty standing for more than a few minutes.  It became impossible to go grocery shopping and finishing my daughters bedroom that I had started stenciling before my infection.  Any time that I had to stand more than a few minutes became more and more difficult.  I was constantly looking for a place to sit down even if that meant sitting on the floor.  As soon as I was sitting all the shakiness would stop.

I finally received a diagnosois of Orthostatic Tremors.  Doctors tried me on all kinds of medications and none worked for me.  A neurologist at the University of South Florida suggested that I get surgery where they would implant a device into the brain to help stop the tremors.  Having that done really scared me so I just have been dealing with the tremors progressing.  

In the past couple years I have been diagnosed with Essential Tremors too.  My arms and hands shake.  I have a lot of difficulty trying to prepare my own meals, eat and drink.  My husband helps me with most activities.  I use a walker and hold onto the walls and furniture to get around.  If I go out of the house I use a wheelchair, especially for shopping.  Most of the time I stay at home.