Benign Essential Tremor — Update

Over a year ago I revealed my personal struggle with benign essential tremor and how it impacts my artwork. It’s been a constant struggle. Even with remedies that work well, I still have good days and bad days. In that post I mentioned a new treatment using ultrasound to cause a lesion in the part of the brain that causes tremors. My research didn’t turn up much more at that time. But due to another strange medical condition that nobody’s been able to diagnose, I’m being referred to a neurologist. I asked to have that condition and my tremors be addressed at the same time. The doctor who referred me agreed.

So, my first meeting with the neurologist is next month. I’m hoping that he can shed some light and provide more information on this ultrasound treatment. The next question after that is, does the insurance cover such a procedure?

One step at a time, I suppose. In the meantime, here’s that post from last year…

Benign Essential Tremor and Art

My Personal Struggle

What exactly is benign essential tremor? In a nutshell, it’s your brain misfiring and sending various parts of your body a signal to move, which causes a tremor. The most common area affected is the arms and hands…like what I have. Needless to say, this condition sucks for an artist. Essential tremor can also affect the head and vocal cords. The most famous example of this variety was Katherine Hepburn.