Casting/Marksmanship/Neurology

[BLTsandwedge]

I'll beg a bit of latitude from the moderators as this post has only a cursory relationship to casting- but a lot to do with shooting ability.

I've always had shaky hands. A bunch of you folks do too. It has affected my shooting ability for decades- not to mention detail work on engines and whatnot. The shaking started to get worse about 6 months ago- my shooting scores were dropping badly. I shoot offhand pistol and it was getting downright depressing- I could count on being one of the better shooters at the range.

I started to do a bit of research. My family physician couldn't do anything for me so he referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist ran a handful of simple tests- and then an MRI brain scan. After all was said and done, he diagnosed me with something called an "essential tremor." It doesn't have anything to do with Alzheimer's, nor does it have anything to do with Parkinson's. In fact, because it isn't Alzheimer's, it isn't Parkinson's....it doesn't have anything to do with anything else- it therefore it must be essentially a tremor- thus the name "Essential Tremor."

This tremor is most likely hereditary- if one of your parents has it, you have a 50% chance of inheriting it. The big deal- it is not known to lead to any other disease. It just exists- it is what it is. I post this today because the neurologist pointed out that a lot of people won't get a tremor checked for fear that it's some serious disease. While an essential tremor is not curable, it is very easily treated with medication. I'm now on a drug that has virtually eliminated the tremor- and I'm back to punching most of my 25yd offhand rounds inside a 3" circle (that's good for me!). My suggestion- if you've got a tremor, check it out. Yes, it may be something serious. But then again, maybe not and you'll suffer with something for naught. Besides, you may be a whole lot better shot than you think. Knowing the results of that brain MRI is helpful too. Look at it this way- I could once-and-for-all show the world that I'm NOT a s***-for-brains despite my intellectual capacity.

I do hope this helps someone out there.

[Three44s]

Thank you for sharing your story and insight!

I am very glad you were able to get help and resume your favored activity as well!!!


Three 44s

[ghh3rd]

Must feel good to get rid of the shakes and get back on target again.

[AZ-Stew]

I have the same problem. I am using Propranolol and Primadone. Both help, but certainly don't eliminate the shake which is mostly confined to my left (weak) hand, and only gets really bad when the hand is in a certain position. Unfortunately, that position is the one I use for putting cartridges in my single-stage press or when putting a boolit on top of a cartridge in the Dillon. The result is often spilled powder or a dropped boolit or cartridge. It's VERY frustrating! In addition, I had to quit shooting action pistol games many years ago because the weak-hand stages were no longer safe to bystanders with me shooting. I quit before I got tossed off the range.

It's also getting difficult to type. The letter "S" is particularly troublesome. On my laptop, I have great difficulty using the Shift key with my left hand. I almost always hit Caps Lock and make a mess of subsequent typing.

BLT, what are you taking. If it's more effective than what I'm taking, I want to talk to my neurolgist about it.

Thanks,

Stew

[James Wisner]

I have a friend how has the essential tremor as well. His meds work well most of the time.
I have had a tremor off and on since childhood in my one hand.
BUT my Aunt ( Mom's sister ) my Grandfather, and Great Grandfather on that side of the family all has or had Parkinson's.
So now that I just hit 50 years old, I have talked to my doctor, and what I got from him is if you see any change in anything, we will go thru you with a fine tooth comb, and that is one item that will be at the top of the list to look for.

Wish you the best.

James Wisner

[9.3X62AL]

Lotta great info in this thread.

I would add my own recommendation to get a second opinion FROM A SPECIALIST any time a diagnosis is made of a given condition by a general practitioner. I was diagnosed in 2003 with a peripheral nerve disorder that had likely onset 3-4 years earlier, and had been "masked" by another pre-existing condition (diabetes).

Specific to neurology, there is a large palette of medications available to treat many nervous system afflictions these days, and they continue to be developed. Avail yourself of what is out there.

[BLTsandwedge]

I have the same problem. I am using Propranolol and Primadone. Both help, but certainly don't eliminate the shake which is mostly confined to my left (weak) hand, and only gets really bad when the hand is in a certain position. Unfortunately, that position is the one I use for putting cartridges in my single-stage press or when putting a boolit on top of a cartridge in the Dillon. The result is often spilled powder or a dropped boolit or cartridge. It's VERY frustrating! In addition, I had to quit shooting action pistol games many years ago because the weak-hand stages were no longer safe to bystanders with me shooting. I quit before I got tossed off the range.

It's also getting difficult to type. The letter "S" is particularly troublesome. On my laptop, I have great difficulty using the Shift key with my left hand. I almost always hit Caps Lock and make a mess of subsequent typing.

BLT, what are you taking. If it's more effective than what I'm taking, I want to talk to my neurolgist about it.

Thanks,

Stew

Stew, I'm doing a combo too. I'd already been on propranolol for blood pressure. Now, in addition, I'm using Clonazepam (not to be confused with Clonodine). The Clonazepam is a weak form of Valium. It took me a day to get used to it. There are other things- for a bad case ask your MD about a mild barbituate. I know these things sound like they're addictive- as long as they're not abused, they're right as rain.

Best of luck Stew- keep in touch regarding your progress!

[AZ-Stew]

BLT,

Thanks for the info. I'll discuss these meds with my neurologist and see what he says.

Regards,

Stew

[BLTsandwedge]

I have a friend how has the essential tremor as well. His meds work well most of the time.
I have had a tremor off and on since childhood in my one hand.
BUT my Aunt ( Mom's sister ) my Grandfather, and Great Grandfather on that side of the family all has or had Parkinson's.
So now that I just hit 50 years old, I have talked to my doctor, and what I got from him is if you see any change in anything, we will go thru you with a fine tooth comb, and that is one item that will be at the top of the list to look for.

Wish you the best.

James Wisner

Hi James,

One thing my MD told me about Parkinson's is that the trembling is present 100% of the time- at rest or while moving. The essential tremor is what he called an 'active tremor,' meaning the tremor shows up only during movement....and most times the active tremor gets worse as the task at hand becomes more complicated. That fit my solution to a tee. But like our pet handloads, they work for our guns only.

There's something I forgot to mention- perhpaps the most interesting aspect of the whole experience. The brain MRIs have gotten profoundly sophisticated- and so have the MDs who know how to read 'em. The MDs know what parts of the brain are responsible for Parkinson's and Alzheimers. The astounding thing- by the time you are in your mid '40s, the MDs can spot early atrophy in those areas- they can, with reasonable accuracy, predict these diseases before symptoms show up. My MD declared me clear of any atrophied tissue and therefore not a likely candidate for these diseases. But if he had found something, early treatment is available and evolving constantly.

That's a friggin' miracle of medicine right there.

Tom

[mike in co]

me thinks you need no lattitude to post it..it is certainly shooting(ability) related.....


just my 2 cents.


mike in co

[AbitNutz]

I'll run this one past my HMO. Hi, I'd like a $megadollar MRI 'cause my off handed shooting has started spiral downward.

I do believe I'd have to demonstrate, first handed, on our HR person to get this one going. This is an excellent reason to pull a gun on our HR person! To heck with the tremors!

My brother is a neurologist. He only heightens my lack of faith in medicine....or our HR department.

[dragonrider]

9.3X62AL:
Neuropathy right? I am also diabetic and the worst thing about it is the neuropathy.

[MT Gianni]

IMO it belongs here rather than in of topic. I am glad things are working for you.