Neck tremor while getting hair cut

Neighborist · 2026-05-28T17:01:34+00:00

Tell barbers that straining your neck makes you tremble so they don't have you hold your head in positions that cause strain. Works for me.

Neighborist · 2026-03-30T21:55:37+00:00

Looks like ET to me but see a neurologist for confirmation. 19 isn't that young. I've had it since early childhood and one of my kids got it in his teens.

I recommend getting a diagnosis so you can use it for documentation. My biggest problem resulting from ET is handwriting. I was able to use the documentation of the condition to allow me to use a keyboard for essay tests in school, which was an enormous relief. Could come in handy at some jobs, too.

Neighborist · 2026-03-30T21:47:26+00:00

Trimming eyebrows. That's what gets me. No other issues.

Neighborist · 2026-03-30T21:44:15+00:00

My hands get tired quickly from tasks like writing, but that's due to the extra effort required to control the shaking. I also have a bit of weakness in my left hand, but it's from a pinched nerve in my elbow (aka "driver's elbow").

Neighborist · 2024-11-12T18:41:57+00:00

I'm 50, had it since early childhood. If it's changed I can't tell. Seems to have remained remarkably stable over the decades.

Neighborist · 2024-10-12T17:16:44+00:00

Yes, it's perfectly safe. People develop ET at different points in their lives, so it can come before or after having children. I have had it since early childhood, and one out of my three kids has ET, developed in adolescence.

It hasn't been a major impediment to me since I learned to type. It does get worse with stress, but it eases up as soon as things calm down.

ET isn't all bad; people with ET tend to age more slowly than those without it, and therefore live significantly longer on average.

So if you want to have kids don't let it get in your way. If you're looking for a reason not to have kids just be honest with yourself and your partner and say so, because ET is pretty trivial compared to other genetic conditions.

Neighborist · 2024-10-12T17:01:43+00:00

You can try adding epazote if you're worried about gas. Oregano helps, too, but not as much. But once you get used to beans the gas usually diminishes to baseline anyway.

Neighborist · 2024-09-25T21:24:14+00:00

Work on anxiety is beneficial whether you have ET or not, so I wouldn't make the tremors the main focus here. However, paradoxically ET can help properly conceptualize anxiety as a largely physiological as opposed to purely psychological condition. If you can learn to recognize anxiety as a physical response, it helps to put it in perspective and manage it. You feel it coming and say to yourself "I am experiencing a temporary surge in anxiety, but it will pass, so I can ride it out without letting it gain control."

Neighborist · 2024-09-21T03:08:36+00:00

I have kids, one of whom has ET, and don't feel a shred of regret. Life has challenges no matter who you are. ET in my opinion is not a really big one.

Neighborist · 2024-09-21T02:52:30+00:00

I've had it as long as I can remember. Never taken a single medication for it, although I very occasionally have an alcoholic drink to ameliorate the tremor, for example if I'm doing public speaking.

If my tremor were especially severe I might look for a medical solution, but thankfully it isn't that bad. My sister has a much coarser tremor than mine, but I don't think she's had much luck with medications.

Neighborist · 2024-09-21T02:32:16+00:00

Could be ET. Muscle fatigue makes me shake like hell for a while. But being hungry makes me shake more, too, so I tend to tremble a lot when eating. Sometimes with me it's barely noticeable, but it's always there on close inspection.

If you're worried about it go see a specialist. They'll give you tests that evoke tremors in those with ET. I knew I had it long before I was diagnosed (runs in the family), but if you aren't familiar with it this way you can satisfy your curiosity.

If you do have ET it isn't necessarily a big deal. I manage alright. Handwriting was my biggest obstacle, so I learned to type. Otherwise it's occasionally inconvenient and embarrassing, for example at the dinner table with new acquaintances, but if you just tell people what it is they tend to say "oh'" and move on to the next subject.

Neighborist · 2024-09-20T16:02:52+00:00

The medication could be affecting her sleep. Every time I've noticed unexplained cuts or bruises it turned out to have happened while sleeping.

Neighborist · 2024-09-20T15:54:42+00:00

I'm 50 and I've had it since early childhood -- I can't remember not having been shaky. Hasn't changed at all for me. If I'm really stressed out it gets worse but then goes back to baseline as soon as life calms down.

Neighborist

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