Treating Benign Essential Tremor: Treatments and Side Effects

Benign Essential Tremor, or BET, is a movement disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking in the head, hands, arms, and legs. According to an Essential Tremor Fact Sheet, Benign Essential Tremor is the most common movement disorder worldwide, affecting between four and 40 people per thousand.

Benign Essential Tremor is a slowly progressive disorder, but it does not lead to any serious or life-threatening illnesses. For some though the symptoms can be severe enough to make daily living very difficult.

Symptoms of Benign Essential Tremor include uncontrollable, rhythmic shaking, severe tremor upon wakening, and neck pain for those with head tremors. The tremors can get worse when holding objects or when the patient moves the affected body part against gravity.

Although Benign Essential Tremor is an incurable disorder, there are some prescription medications that will reduce the shaking. As in all illnesses, these drugs work better for some people than others. With any prescription medication you take, there is a chance of the side effects being worse than the actual illness. Depending on how severe the BET symptoms are will determine the treatment route the physician will take.

Primidone and Propranolol

The most commonly prescribed Benign Essential Tremor medications are Primidone and Propranolol. Primidone is an anti-convulsant medication used to treat Epilepsy and seizures. According to the Essential Tremor website, approximately 60% of BET patients have successful results with Primidone. I personally have had great success with using Primidone. Within 48 hours after I started taking Primidone I saw a great reduction in my hand tremors. Primidone should be taken at bedtime to avoid initial side effects. Some side effects of using Primidone are fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms. Even though some of these side effects can occur when you first start using Primidone, there are very few long-term problems associated with its use.

Propranolol is a beta-blocker and is typically prescribed for treating high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. I have never tried Propranolol to treat my BET, so I have no personal experience with this prescription. Like Primidone, approximately 60% of patients have successful results with using Propranolol. Some side effects include decreased blood pressure and pulse rate, diarrhea, weight gain, rash, nausea, impotence, fatigue and depression. BET patients who have heart problems, asthma and diabetes may not be able to take Propranolol.

Botox

For the more severe cases of Benign Essential Tremor that do not respond to medication, Botox may be injected into the affected muscles. These injections must be given by a trained specialist. A side effect of using Botox is possible weakness in the affected muscles.

Surgery

Surgery would be a last resort in treating Benign Essential Tremor and only in the most severe cases. A brain stimulator is surgically placed that controls brain waves and reduces BET tremors.

The Bowen Technique

An alternative treatment used to treat Benign Essential Tremor is the Bowen Technique. This treatment is a form of therapy where the muscles and tendons are massaged to reduce stress. The Bowen Technique is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses. The Bowen Technique is said to help BET patients by promoting a healthier nerve supply, which in turn tells the brain to heal the body. Some side effects that may be experienced with this therapy include stiffness of the joints, headaches, temporary worsening of symptoms and fatigue.

I have found that my BET symptoms will wax and wane. I am currently not on any medication, but my symptoms are returning. As with any illness, always consult your physician before trying any treatments.

Resources:

Essential Tremor Fact Sheet - EssentialTremor.org

Essential Tremor Info Symptoms - EssentialTremorInfo.com

Essential Tremor FAQ's - EssentialTremor.org

Essential Tremor Info Alternative Therapies - EssentialTremorInfo.com