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Thread: Essential Tremours
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28th July 2014, 12:34 PM #1SENIOR MEMBER
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Essential Tremours
I have not been able to turn safely for over a month due to a condition known as 'essential tremours' (Think I spelt it correctly?). Statistically, 1 in 5 males over the age of 50 have or will have the condition, so I am hoping there are some turners who have defeated the condition and still enjoy thier turning.
For those readers who are not familiar with the condition, it is the uncontrollable and involuntary twitching of the muscles - most commonly in the arms and hands. The symptoms are similar to Parkinson's Disease (but not directly related); the major difference is that with Parkinson's Disease the twitching occurs when the muscles are at rest - in essential tremours the twiching occurs when the muscles are in use and is exacerbated by 'stress' associated with attempting fine detail, eg threading a needle or using a shew!! (Trying to control the mouse while editing this post is a real task as the hand is twitching every time I try and position the cursor.)
When turning, the major concern is 'catches' caused by twitches; particularly when turning detail or attempting light finishing cuts to remove tool marks. My last attempt resulted in a major 'digin' which pulled the gouge out of my hand and sent it flying across the garage. No damage to me, the gouge or the shed, but gave the heart rate a good workout and completely demolished the edge of the bowl.
And some idiot had the cheek to call it an 'essential' tremour!!
Unfortunately the twitching is not something I can control, it does not happen all the time; in fact there may be several days between episodes which may last for only a few minutes or several hours.
I have been looking at some images of captive tool rests designed for deep hollowing and wondering whether something similar could be adapted or some other modification to the tool rest might be of assistance.
I would appreciate any advice or suggestions, but I am not ready for a garage sale just yet
Bob
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28th July 2014 12:34 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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28th July 2014, 02:03 PM #2
Hmm. It might depend on which bit twitches. More transverse movement is needed with spindle or bowl turning. Might need a bit of actual observation to see what is going on and how it could be minimized or assisted.
anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.
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28th July 2014, 02:07 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
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Hi Bob, never heard of it so I consulted Dr Google, not good at all. The site i read did list a lot of helpful things, so lets hope the medical fraternity can help you, as it sounds very frustrating. Hopefully someone else can offer you some help.
rgds,
Crocy.
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28th July 2014, 02:15 PM #4Deceased
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Sorry to hear that Bob and I hope you recover.
In regards to the tool rests for deep hollowing I have the Vermec deep hollowing set which holds the tool so that you cannot have a catch as it is designed to cut on the wrong side, being the up cut.
I'm sure you could adapt that for general scrapers and if you would like to have a look and feel of the system send me a pm and we'll arrange a suitable time.
Peter.
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28th July 2014, 03:43 PM #5.
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I've had a mild case of this for many years. It's supposed to get worse as one gets older but it hasn't done so except that when I get tired it gets a bit worse than it used to. This makes chainsaw carving a bit tricky - have to take more rests.
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28th July 2014, 04:04 PM #6SENIOR MEMBER
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Thanks for the comments.
Tea Lady- the twitch is generally horizontally and forward (into the work piece). Unfortunately the randomness of episodes makes observation difficult - at this point.
Peter - I will pm you shortly. Unfortunately there is no cure and no effective treatment. My GP believes it will get worse over the next 6 months or so and that may be good in the sense that it may be possible to predict when twitches are more likely to occur.
Bob
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28th July 2014, 05:22 PM #7Skwair2rownd
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Not good Bob!! Let's hope you can, and will, get over this!
I know from my NPH and subsequent recovery just how frustrating things like this can be.
All the best mate!!!
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28th July 2014, 06:01 PM #8
I sympathise, Bob, and hope you can find a work-around. Not good at all.
I have a very minor version or something similar, too, but it only affects my fingers.
I can't hold a finger above a mouse button or keyboard key for more than about 30 seconds before it involuntarily jerks and clicks the button, usually when I least want it. Doesn't cause any 'real' problems, though, unlike your condition.
Sorry I can't offer any advice.
Edit: I just did a quick bit of reading, never having heard of 'essential tremor' before, and apparently there are a couple of medical options that can produce good results - deep brain stimulation or surgery. If it gets bad enough these could be options worth exploring.
Also, some drugs normally used for heart conditions, (beta-blockers), or epilepsy have been used with success. More possibilities.
Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/b...sential_tremor
And a bit more info: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neuro...al_tremor.html
(Here it's even suggested that you tie a weight to the affected body part! )... Steve
-- Monkey see, monkey do --
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28th July 2014, 08:59 PM #9
Geez Bob not good news . Sorry I cannot help only sympathise
Neil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
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28th July 2014, 09:42 PM #10SENIOR MEMBER
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I just had a look at this link - definitely written by bureaucrat or politician !!
"There is no cure for essential tremor. Treatment aims to suppress the involuntary movements, and can include:
- Avoidance of known triggers, such as alcohol or caffeine
- Stress management techniques
- Some drugs used to treat other medical conditions, such as heart disease (beta blockers) and epilepsy (anticonvulsants). These drugs have been helpful in some cases
- Other drugs, including tranquillisers
- Deep brain stimulation, a surgically implanted device that helps to short-circuit the impulses or brain waves causing the tremor
- Brain surgery to alter the part of the brain causing the tremor has been successful in some cases
- Regular monitoring and observation – if the tremor is mild and doesn’t stop the person from performing their usual activities, this may be the only treatment.
In some cases, alcohol may reduce the tremors. However, this is not a recommended treatment, because long-term consumption of alcohol has significant health risks. "
Note emphasised sentences (my emphasis).
Perhaps I should have a scotch, but that would trigger the "shakes" so then I could have another scotch to reduce the effect. I could drink to that
Thanks for the advice
Bob
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28th July 2014, 09:43 PM #11GOLD MEMBER
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Sorry to read of your ailment. I wonder if it's possible to make a sliding tool gate and have a stopper on the tool so you don't have dig ins.
I have something partly set up that came with one of my lathes. It's a hand held copy attachment but could be modified for other tools.
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28th July 2014, 09:56 PM #12Skwair2rownd
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Good to see you still have your sense of humour Bob!!!
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28th July 2014, 11:09 PM #13GOLD MEMBER
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29th July 2014, 01:24 AM #14Retired
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See a neurologist.
I'd wager they'll put you on tegretol, carbamazapine and/or Dilantin.
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29th July 2014, 09:47 AM #15SENIOR MEMBER
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Thanks Crocy and Evanism, I have an appointment with the neurologist, but earliest available not until late September.
Regards
Bob
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