Living With Essential Tremors: BACK ON THE BOTTLE AGAIN!

Living With Essential Tremors: BACK ON THE BOTTLE AGAIN!: Mary Helen Vasquez, born with ET (Essential Tremors) has to put life on hold. Hi everyone, I don't know if anyone has realize...

BACK ON THE BOTTLE AGAIN!

Mary Helen Vasquez, born with ET (Essential
Tremors) has to put life on hold.

Hi everyone,

I don't know if anyone has realized I havent been very productive here with my blogs for almost a year now. Quite depressing I must say. It's been such a joy to live without all those medications and alcohol. I had to take hundreds of pills monthly, just be somewhat normal...so I thought. Since my brain surgery almost four years ago, my tremors have progressed this last year to the point where I have had no choice but to get back on the bottle again...pills.

For those who don't know, I was born with major full body essential tremors. It runs on my mothers side. So at a young age I started on tranquilizers, beta blockers, anti-depressants, and alcohol. They all worked somewhat. I never really drank a lot, just to tranquil my shakey body when I went out with family and friends. I will be the first to say alcohol and drugs don't mix! I would totally black out in my mind, not in body. I had no idea what I was doing...but I was so out of character. Imagine waking up and to remember nothing the next day. I would feel so bad not knowing what really happened. I've ruined a few beautiful moments in my lifetime. Not purposely! Like I said, I hardly drank because alcohol and drugs don't mix.

For three years I've taken no medications at all. It was like a new beginning for me. My brain was really going. I felt such a creative surge come over. I started blogging, photos, cooking (which I couldn't hold a knife or camera before) making beautiful flowers recycled from plastic bottles, and jewelry. I even played with clay. Every day I woke up with such clarity. I was on fire so to speak, always busy and needing little sleep. I never felt better untill my tremors came back along with it's sidekick, depression.

Last year I had several major falls because of my tremors making my body rigid. Not a good thing for an elderly lady. Against my wishes, the doctor started me back on medications. Every month adjusting and changing my meds. Presently, I am on an anti-seizure medication with my DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) implant on, and anti-depressants. Needless to say, I've had no desire to be creative, and I barely have control of my hands, so it's difficult to hold a glass of water, type or hold a camera now. What a couch potato! I had no desire to do anything until he added vitamins. Especially vitamin D. 5000 mg. daily!

I think the Vitamin D is really helping at least with my depression. I feel so much better. I still have the tremors. They are progressively getting worse. I pray my doctor recommends me for surgury to replace the battery in my pacemaker. Then again, I would not have to take the anti-seizure meds that make me so foggy and tired.

Till then, there would be not much blogging, cooking or photos simply because I cannot. however, I will be patient and positive. I pray the surgery will happen real soon. I will conclude that the DBS implant was the best decision I could have made for myself. To have a life with full control with your hands is simply amazing! It was and is a blessing, and I am so grateful. Thank God! Many blessings to you all and haven a wonderful new year!

Sincerely,

Mary Helen