I've had ET for approximately 7 years. I try to play golf (used to be pretty good, until ET) and a few beers does help with the swing. But take my word, I use to drink 6 to 7 days a week, years ago.........you don't want to take that path either. So far, I've been lucky. If you can drink it when you really need it and can stop until you need it.......this is great! I've been able to keep it at a bare minimum at home.......fortunately! So my lesson for the day.......keep the alcohol drinking to a bare minimum........VERY GOOD video, by the way!!

I was absolutely floored when I found this video. I had been trying to figure out what my shaking was related to when it started 20 years ago in my early I mid 20s. I started noticing gag alcohol would make them completely stop so i started drinking just to go out, to go to work, to function, cuz the head shaking was so embarrassing. My husband still thinks my shakes are only when I'm upset or have anxiety but he doesn't realize it happens while I'm doing my makeup or watching a movie. It's so random. Yes some emotions can make it worse but I also suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder and CPTSD so my emotions are very strong. Maybe that's why certain emotions can make it worse.

It is very touching to hear from a medical professional validate our suffering. All the blessings this world can give.

💌 I just got a call from my 25 year old daughter tonight. She had 40 minutes of tremor today. She isn’t saying she may have ET, but with your informative talk I just listened to ...she may. She has made a virtual appointment with her physician and will begin this journey tomorrow. Thanks for offering your expertise to the public. Jennie from Muskoka, Canada.

Thanks for this post it helps so much that my tremor has progressed since a small child and the only person that seems to understand is my neurologist. Knowing that there are people like yourself want to help raise awareness. I have all three elements and it’s upsetting when people blatantly stare and assume it’s drink or drug related.

I have had ET since I was a child (long before I ever had a drink). I remember being embarrassed by my tremors constantly. I started drinking to self medicate with my adulthood. Recently, I tried to detox, but I couldn't stop the shakes. I have tried this twice, but every time I tried I would get to the point where my shakes were low enough but then I would encounter insomnia and the shakes wouldn't stop. ET runs in my family and my cousin has it. My family doctor when I was little suggested to my mother that I had simply had too much caffeine, via pop (or soda, as you may). I really appreciated this video. Thank you, Dr.Sullivan. Not sure if I can recover from this because I've been self medicating my tremors for so long, but this was so very informative.

Wow. Your video jest taught me more about my ET and relationship with alcohol than any literature, group (therapy/AA) or doctor ever had before. I feel like I have more agency over my alcohol use and am 1 step closer to getting it under control. I can't thank you enough!

This is very educational. I have an allergic disease to alcohol. Addiction and abuse which I am now 1month 20days sober and have gone through a lot to get to finally work the program with help from my doctor and outpatient programs. But one of the best reasons I used and felt the need for alcohol is it stop all the shaking and other then the negative effects I never felt a better relaxation and ability to get relief from any shakes.

3/9/2023 Approximately 1.5 years ago a I realized that when I stepped on the scale to weigh myself my legs were trembling/shaking on the inside (not visible to me) and my legs wouldn’t stay still enough for me to get a reading on the scale. This came on suddenly. I had been successfully weighing myself every morning for a couple of years. And then one morning it took me 20 - 12 attempts to get a reading. I kept trying for many mornings and then just gave up. And that was the beginning of my journey. I was diagnosed with dystonia and the most important thing I’ve learned - and practice daily is self care. I’ve seen a few of your videos and I am going to become one of your biggest fans. I crave reliable information. And I’m blessed with a PCP that has been leading me through my discovery period. And I have a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

For years I had a problem with tremors in my hands, I stopped smoking and drinking coffee and I drink fresh lemon juice while I want to get fast enough on the tremor

This clicked on so many levels for me. Thank you!

It makes me feel much better knowing im not alone. the shakes, the social anxiety, the depression... over the last few years, i have started having more and more frequent pin a needle feelings in feet and lower legs, eye lids twitching. Im about to go see a neurologist next week. Im tired of living like this. waiting til i was 36 to address this is my own fault

After watching this video I have discovered that a 7oz glass of wine about 1 hour before eating actually allows me to actually hold a fork steady and get food to my mouth without frustration, humiliation and embarrassment. I also suffer from low thyroid, pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency). Now I understand another piece of this puzzle about what is going on and put some kind of balanced approach to this horrible condition. Thank you so much! I’m so glad I found this. Even typing this on a phone… which I usually have a lot of trouble doing, is easier.

Interesting. Glad to have accidentally stumbled on to it

I first noticed tremors when I was 20 while shooting competition...couldn't hold the rifle study/noticed minute shaking. Now 53 and tremors are visible to others. Never was a heavy drinker but certainly partied in college. But being an engineer my career always took precedent over alcohol. Started a very special medication in 2008 for narcolepsy. It doesn't mix with liquor at all. I primarily have action tremors if I understood your video. Overall my health is good except for narcolepsy. Definitely looking for answers.

Thank you so much for that I just watched your video for the first time and it really touched my heart I've had tremors my whole life and I've tried every medication under the sun and the only thing that helps me is alcohol and I have to drink a beer first thing in the morning and the last thing before I go to sleep so that was very inspirational and I'm looking forward to seeing more!! Thank you very much for what you do it certainly means a lot because I felt so alone in this world and thought I was the only one that had this condition!

Well i either have this or parkinsons..i should see a vet

Myself and others online have found that heavy strength training (e.g weighted squats), particularly stuff that hits the legs or back hard, helps ET hugely. For me there is a night and day difference between doing this or not. Other kinds of exercise don't really seem to have an effect. Can anyone speculate on how that could be possible in relation to the cell loss talked about here?

Thank you. Great info and I look at it as self care and love. People that care about you would encourage and not gas light. Have a blessed day. :)

New subscriber here. I love the way you talk and I could listen to you all day. That was so straightforward and so non-judge mental. I am going to listen to some of your other videos.Thank you

Very good information, I like the way you look the whole person in your diagnosis and recommendations. I have just recently been diagnosed with essential tremor, at this point it is very minor and only affecting my right hand. I have been a moderate/heavy drinker most of my life and will be following your recommendations to reduce my alcohol. Another method for people to reduce their alcohol consumption, is to buy and consume lower alcohol beverages. Their are many good beers available with alcohol levels as low as 3-4% and also some very good non alcohol beers available.

Thank you Dr Sullivan for talking about this issue in such an intelligent, sensible way. All I had from my GP is that alcohol stops tremors....I didn't realise it was causing more damage. Food for thought.

VERY helpful information. Thank you Dr. Sullivan.

I learned a lot,my husband is heavy drinker,he has tremors in his hands,ty for the information

Just found you today! So grateful but sorry I missed the virtual conf. I hope I can find it on youtube. TY for all the info presented here.

This is a powerful discussion and it is scaring me. Thanks! I take mentioned drugs.

Thank-you so much for posting these videos. They sure help me understand my symptoms better.

If alcohol can stop tremors why isn’t someone finding out what it is and use it in tablet form

God help me, I have this. It’s life changing and reliving the worst day of my life, ever damn day

I control my ET by practicing Taichi/chigong 3 hours daily over the past 30 years. I can eat with chopsticks/fork & spoon and write normally. My doctor initially misdiagnosed my ET and gave me medication to treat Parksonson. I discontinued the medicine after 1 week - that was more than 30 years ago.

Thank you that was very informative I never knew there was more to it.

Interesting video. I developed tremor late teens and never sought diag from doctor as in my 20s I noticed the temporary alcohol fix and was made aware of ET and alcohol connection. Now in early 40s working through migraines, sleep problems, intermittent pain/tingling, and tachycardia I was placed on beta blocker for successful treatment of tachycardia. Saw improvement in ET, but the best improvement occured after started taking GABA supplements. All my research says this shouldn't occur because GABA supplements don't cross blood brain, but it dramatically improved tremor and eliminated migraines. The only kicker is i can still have tremor flare ups that are more pronounced than in my 20s, but frequency has dropped using GABA.

I randomly came across this and I learned so much about my et! My bf told me recently that I should pay attention to interrupting people. I have been paying attention and I do have difficulty stopping myself. Interesting to know this is related to et.

Not enough protein in my daily diet triggers my ET. It might be today but will show up tomorrow. Monitor your protein intake daily. 50 g's daily keeps me ET free. Not medical advice. Just my experience.

This Dr. is a fabulous speaker ! This was like Neurology 101. 😊😊

Thanks for a very insightful video on the origins of ET. I keep coming back to this one.

I have had ET since I was a teenager. I agree with other comments that it’s great to find factual information. Oct 20th I will have DBS surgery.

Thank you for this informed real world video. Ive been looking for something like this for years. Im a woman, 48. I have multiple sclerosis. Dx 2008. I have problems with vision, vestibular stuff and tremor. Im on propanolol. I use alcohol. Im still drinking too much but i try to... Never drink on empty stomach. Stay under 4% ABV and dilute with water to dilute alcohol. C. 1-2 units/hr. If i drink its with the objective of achieving/doing something. Yes, people around me think im alcoholic. But im very very rarely drunk. But i do tend to have a drink in my hand, often diluted. Its difficult. Thank you for the information. Strength and prayers to all 💪🙏

I appreciate you. I'm undiagnosed. My legs and voice, eyes are all affected. I don't have Parkinson's. All tests are negative. I have action tremors of legs, hands. Having no diagnosis is most exasperating 😢

Thank you Dr. Sullivan for this very informative video on Essential Tremor and alcohol.

I wish I had found this in time to attend the virtual conference. I hope I can find the recording of the co Terence so I can replay it.

I’ve been diagnosed with ET. I’ve had it since the age of 15 and got the diagnosis at the age of 35. One doctor previously dismissed it as a twitch, but now I’ve been prescribed propranolol which seems to help. I do drink, but not a lot. My GP did ask if I’d ever noticed if having a drink helps and I’ve never noticed that it does. Now, when I find myself having a drink, I’m monitoring how it affects my ET. On a few occasions, I’ve had relatively bad tremors even after a drink or two. Although, I don’t tremor constantly and it’s also possible that alcohol may have helped on other occasions when I wasn’t experiencing any tremor. I guess it’s possible the relatively bad tremors could have been more severe if it wasn’t for the alcohol I’d consumed. But, still very difficult for me to determine if it helps me at all and I’m not prepared to start drinking everyday to find out. This was a very interesting video though and thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for all you do. You have taught me so much about my ET and managing it. You are such a blessing.

Thank you for the post. My father had essential tremor, and quite a few of my father's side of the family have it too. The last years of his life he couldn't even sign his own name, or try to drink enjoy is coffee. The harder he tried to hold anything, the more pronounced his tremor. Much to his relief, having a beer lessened ET. He died of prostate cancer when he was 90. What you describe of the symptoms were exact symptoms he had. My 2 older sisters have it, but I don't.

I've Had Tremors since I was a teenager, I remember I first noticed it on my fingers than it went to my whole hand. eventually I felt it on my foot as well, This was all before my senior year was over. I was in school sports and music programs, I really enjoyed music and sports. As soon as I graduated I went to college and started drinking to make my tremors not present while I was in class taking notes. I noticed I was drinking everyday on campus and I just quit college cause I though It would just be a waste of time. After that I realized that my life would be different than others forever. I started working construction because it fit around my issue better at the time, I could also drink around my work friends (after work hours). Eventually I started a business of my own in construction but every time I have to go meet with a new client it gives me anxiety to think that I have to be in front of them while my body shakes. I started drinking before meeting to ease the tremors and it did help but that means that I have to drink Every time I have to go on a meeting? Yes My drinking habit has been built up around my tremors. I am 37 now and Have serious problems because of this, They just divorced me because my Ex thinks I'm just an alcoholic, I have a 3 year old daughter. I have yet to see how the rest of my life is going to unfold from this point on. As I think back of why I have this tremors, I remember that I played with mercury. I would grab mercury place it on my hands thinking its was cool, as my dad was a dentist and had it at reach. I have yet to try to detoxify my body from heavy metals to see what happens. This disease has taken control over me more than I thought and I'm working to see if I can live a better life or if this is it. I dont think anyone wants to use alcohol as resource, You can also become an alcoholic and have more problems down the road such as liver problems. Just thought of sharing my life story because I know this is a hard condition to have. Thank You for listening.

Thank you so much! It's just the info I've been looking for.

i was on Depakote for 9 years for a seizure disorder This is how Depakote affected me it caused massive weight gain, memory loss, a hand tremor a one point i stoped eating i had no appitite i was severly depressed and suisidal . i was taken off but still had a small tremore this is my personal experience of the medication and i know that everyone will react diffrently to any kind of medication now i have a tremor in my left hand as it is my nondominante and my right hand also shakes not a big shake but i can feel it even if no one sees

I can only say a big thank you to you for your video and your knowledge of ET and especially the connection between ET and alcohol ism. I am in my 70s and have had ET since my late 30s. Needless to say it has impacted my life enormously. My mother had ET and was also an alcoholic. I assume she drank during her four pregnancies. I am also an artist but the conflict with my tremor is overwhelming I am thankful that alcohol does not help my tremor, alcoholism will not be me. Looking forward to your upcoming videos and will look for the ones I’ve missed

I'm glad you cover issues with ET. I have ET and it's not covered enough. I'm 47 and have had it most of my life but as normal it's gotten worse the older I get. I wish more was known about it. My nuero wants my to have dbs surgery but I want to cover all bases before I even consider it. You cover way more than my Neuro covers. I do drink occasionally and you are so correct on the rebound. The rebound tremors are terrible. My Neuro has never covered this with me. I would love to be part of the zoom meeting. I don't have anyone to connect with that has tremors.

Dr. Sullivan? That has a nice ring to it. Thank-you for focusing on this issue. I'm 69 years old. My ET kicked in about 5 years ago. I had no idea that there is an explanation for my left hand trembling whenever I am trying to use a pen. For me, there is some irony. 1) Only my left hand is afflicted and I happen to be left handed. 2) Alcohol supposedly gives temporary relief and I can't stand even the smell of alcohol. As a diabetic, I had assumed that the tremors and glucose were somehow related. Compared to many, my ET is very minor. Although, I'm assuming it will gradually get worse as I get older.

Excellent. I learn something new each time. Danke

Fascinating, easy to listen too, easy to understand. I don't know about ET but the information about Gaba and Alcohol is useful. Gabapentin is very useful to help get alochal use down to its usefulness. Perhaps you can examine the brains of us that have been in high control relationships. I have both experiences. I was in a cult and basicly drank my way out. Looking back, the cult became an addiction. It's no wonder - from the beginning I told my family it was like being high without drugs. It was. I got out of both only with self education. Now I get high learning new things from people like you ❤️ Thank you for your (free 😀) help 🙏

Thank you for this. I truly needed it.

I'm 52 and have been living with ET since high school. At some point in my 20's my neurologist told me alcohol would help. Worst advise I ever got. Yes, alcohol made it better while I was drinking, but the tremors got worse over time so I drank more, and the next thing I knew I wasn't drinking just for the tremors. The tremors were so bad when I was not drinking that I could barely write and it was messy. No problem, couple of drinks later and I was steady as anyone, but the next morning they were back. I finally decided to quit drinking for good 5 years ago and after a few days I realized that my tremors are NOT NEARLY as bad as they were when I drank. Not at all. I now choose to just live with it and take a couple of drugs that help (I was on those all along anyway). I know that if I drink, the detox shakes will be much worse than they are normally and that vicious cycle could start again. DO NOT use alcohol to control your ET. It is a very slippery slope.

Very well explained....👌👌👌👌👌👌

Excellent educational content Thanks so much Sincerely Babur Ejaz

My tremors seem to have gotten worse since I stopped drinking alcohol 4 months ago.

Alcohol is a relief.

Refreshing to see a practitioner with a global view of the condition. Most--almost all--physicians focus solely on the symptomatology and not the etiology; and if you treat just the symptom and not the cause, the best for what you can hope is management and not remedy. The condition is challenging, for even minor compression on the spinal cord or excessive use of a computer mouse can generate or exacerbate ET. Indeed, the therapist must also be a detective to sleuth factors contributing to the condition.

I have essential tremer when I was 18 year old I am doing masters in mathematics but I am badly affected by this it's really embarassing when people asking what's happening to you

Thank you Doctor for the information. I have had ET for decades and I am 55 now and it is significantly noticeable in times of stress and anxiety. It is embarrassing for me when people notice... I definitely notice my tremor go away when I drink. But with this information... I’m stopping.... ❤️🙏☕️

Those of you that have tremors, have you always had them? If not, at what age was onset? I'll be 54 in Nov, and have just recently started having tremors. I have not been diagnosed with diabetes, nor have insulin issues, but at first I thought maybe I was "shaking" because I was hungry. But, it isn't just my hands, and eating doesn't make it stop. My head/neck also tremors. It is jittery feeling, and it actually makes me nauseous. Seems to be worse in the mornings. I also wondered if it had anything to do with the damage in my neck, affecting my spinal cord, causing it. I have Syringomyelia. I'm trying to dodge so many surgeries right now (ankle, both knees, neck, back). Severe osteoarthritis. Just trying to figure it out.

I have had essential tremors since i was 15 years old . I am 63 now . My tremors are in both hands, but my left side is my worst one .

Mine goes bad trying to solder on circuit boards, so I've pretty much given up on that. This week I went through 4 forms before I could fill it out and sign my name. My sister told me about alcohol so later today I'm going experiment and see what happens when I feel light. All in the name of science.. I have been on asthma medication for about 20 years. I miss electronic work. Tremor is fairly common in the family.

Great video!! I have ET (genetic), diagnosed at 30. I am curious as to why benzo’s aren’t just as bad as alcohol with damaging p-cells? They both attach to GABAa receptors and enhance GABA in the brain. I think it worsened my tremor in the long-term, especially when I was prescribed high doses of Xanax. I was also a heavy drinker for a few years after a divorce. I had no idea that I was on cross-tolerant drugs and my dad’s ET was genetic. I no longer drink any alcohol and haven’t for years. Looking back now, I know I had ET for years and didn’t recognize the symptoms because they weren’t severe enough. I assumed it was bad anxiety, that I suffered with my entire life, social anxiety being the worse. I wonder if my anxiety was so severe due to the fact that I had ET and my brain wasn’t producing enough GABA. I’m dependent on Valium now and wonder if it will continually make my tremors worse and cause more severe damage to my cerebellum. I can’t come off Valium because my tremors will be 100x worse and I can’t go through that, plus benzo withdrawal again. I tried Gabapentin, but it only worked for a short time. They raised my dose and I couldn’t handle the cognitive issues. I now take 250mg Lamictal, 15mg diazepam, and 40-80mg Propanol daily. I know this in an old video, but I just discovered your channel and am binge watching it. Thank you for sharing such valuable information!

GRACIAS POR SU KNOWLEDGE AND TIME

I have MS and ET. The MS seems dormant. Tremor at 73 is progressing. There is information on this video I’ve never heard before. Our whole family has ET that seemed to start with paternal grandmother. Now we’re seeing it with my nephews in their 30’s. Where does MS end and ET start?

Anyone know of a relationship between ET and THC? I have ET and I feel like cannabis really helps sometimes...

thank you for your love !

Thank you. Extremely lucid and helpful. Best wishes. 👍🏻🇺🇸✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

Should I just detox? I am not sure I can be part of your June conference I am a dental hygienist and this is crippling my abilities to practice. I am now single after a nasty divorce and currently have NO income after the dentist hatrassing me to speak to my neurologist. I felt it was a hippa violation AND he cited that my co workers had seen my tremor. I’m scared and not sure what to do!

Great video!

Thanks!

Worst advice ever. You can still feel the tremors even if the alcohol is masking the tremor temporarily. The keto diet is calming my tremors significantly without being inebriated and it isn’t masking it.

Thank you Dr this is very informative

It does the same for me. Absolutely!

My father had it. My brother, my nephew and I have it. ET affects the male members of my family but not the women. My brother coped with it by drinking heavily all day and I know alcohol allows you to be functional to a point. I hate any alcoholic drink and beer is the only I can tolerate, so I drink a couple of pints about half an hour before I leave the house for an appointment, I drink just enough to get me through a social function. Moderate drinking has helped me to not become a total recluse but controlling the tremor is getting harder and harder as I get older.

I am really stuggling with.this I am a mechanical designer I have tremors all the time...

The most frustrating thing is that I can't write or type

I am so glad I also, stumbled on to your utube topic.

Great explanation I would like to join your zoon virtual conference

did u mention ultrasound treatment? i like to know more about it. please

I am interested in your opinion of DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION and FOCUSED ULTRASOUND. Very enlightening video.

Can you do a program on Deep Brain Stimulation - DBS vs Focused Ultrasound - FUS ?

I'm back and after a large glass of Bailey's it held back the tremor and was able to solder a small joint with 3 components just touching. So yes alcohol does seem to work, but I feel crap and unable to function normally, apart from fine control.

I came across this video and informed on OT by accident! How can I see and hear every one of these please

Thank you. Husband (68) has had ET for decades, getting worse all the time.Uses mysoline (since propanolol dropped BP too much). The tremor is bothersome and embarrassing. His mom and our daughter also have it. He is also type 1 diabetic. Is there a higher incidence of ET with T1D?). Anyway, thank you for your expertise. Will be watching more of your lectures.

Thank you so much for that information

I developed benign essential tremor after a high epideral.

Alcohol also helps many with dystonia. I'm a part of the cervical dystonia group and the majority have benefits from alcohol.

It’s funny you say Alcohol. 🍷 when I drink alcohol it calms tremors. I get embarrassed being out and drink a glass of wine 🍷 I have trouble with the glass to mouth but after a glass of wine. I’m good. But, the next day I notice increased tremors.

I am interested in what the research shows with ET and use of THC, CBD, and CBN… Positive and negative.

I have to ask, my neurologist told me the the frontal cortex normally suppresses the cerebellum vibration which is vibrating at a higher frequency and with ET it doesn’t for some reason. Every cell has a frequency that it vibrates at. I bought a tuning fork that vibrates at 430hz and placed the handle (after activating the tuning fork) on my forehead and on the base of my skull. After doing this over several days I noticed my signature improved back to my normal signature. When I quit using the tuning fork my signature decayed and the tremors returned. Have any studies been done on this?

I have ET’s and had stomach tremors I was brought up by Narssistic parents. Even after being married a few years I would stand on the parents door step and inwardly shake. I feel the ETs internal became external.?

My trimmers started at age 12. I'm 50 now and have learned to live with them but they have gotten worse over the years one or two shots of whiskey a month if I have something I really need to slow the trimmers for.

When I feel it, I actually look at the skin of my body to be sure nothing is moving anywhere. But what I am sensing internally is that every single individual muscle of my body is shaking violently and separately. Sometimes it only lasts an hour, sometimes it lasts up to two days. Talk about pure hell. Yes I have many other neurological issues going on and actively under treatment. But not Parkinson’s or epilepsy. And no alcohol intake at all because it would react negatively with several of my other meds. We should spend 3 hours talking face to face. I’ve only given you a tip of the iceberg. But what I have discovered along the way in various waiting rooms is the incredibly high number of people who have multiple brain health issues going on and it not being recognized or acknowledged by our docs.

Needs updating and shortened to the chase post-COVID.

Would this also be true in regards to chronic benzodiazepine use which also affect Gaba?

good idea

I might drink alcohol maybe 5-10 times a year. Mostly for family functions like Xmas and the like, that doesn't happen very often, thank god. One thing I do know.... that sometimes with alcohol I feel will temperarly help me with the shakes... Sadly, I don't really like drinking... and while it does seem to help, I don't think the the juice is worth the squeeze. So.... I don't think I fall into having a colation with alcohol and ET. I do drink coffee, and I thought that stopping because, I heard it helps ET to get rid of caffeine, however, I stopped for 6 months, and I felt it didn't improve my tremors, so....... I started drinking coffee, because I like it. lol What worries me most is thinking about a job. What kinda jobs can I get with ET? LOL, it's pathetic. Teaching would be ok, kinda, unless you had to write something on a chalk board, that would be extremely embarrassing.