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My name is Erika.


I was diagnosed with tremors at 13.

I am a full-time Nanny for a two year old girl while being a social media consultant for a local Parkinson's nonprofit and beginning my own nonprofit. 

I'm training for a NPC fitness competition. 

I've been a support group leader for an Essential Tremor Support Group for 7 years.

I've created this blog to create awareness and be advocate for my condition because over 10 million Americans have Essentials Tremors and I run into people everyday who have absolutely no idea what Essential Tremor is. 

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Essential Tremors: Bodybuilding

M ore than 200,000 people are diagnosed with Essential Tremors each year. Essential Tremor, also known as ET, has no known cause yet is the most common movement disorder. ET is distinct from but often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, although some patients do have both conditions.  ET and Parkinson’s patients can both benefit positively by the integration of physical activity into their daily routines.     I recently came across a research study that studied the effects of strength training on individuals with Essential Tremors.  Their goal was to see if when ET patients incorporated just a seemingly minimal amount of training into their weekly routine, could it help their symptoms of essential tremor?’ These symptoms they defined as dexterity and reduction of their tremor . The exercises included bicep curls, wrists flex and wrist extensions.  All done with dumbbells and on both the most affected and least affected limb. Th...
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Deep Brain Stimulation: Have you ever considered it?

Have you ever considered Deep Brain Stimulation? That question threw me for a loop this past week during my most recent Neurologist appointment.  I have been asked this question by a handful of people but I hadn’t paid much thought to it until this week Deep brain stimulation. DBS. Brain Surgery. Drilling into my brain.  “A Brain Pacemaker.” Neurostimulator. Neurosurgeon. Electrodes. Just a very small handful of the thoughts running through my brain over this past week. The definition of Deep Brain Stimulation is a neurosurgical procedure involving the placement of a medical device called a neurostimulator (often referred to as a brain pacemaker) which sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to a specific targets in the brain for the treatment of various movement disorders.  Heavy stuff, right? Average female in their mid/late twenties isn’t weighing the Pros and Cons of brain surgery.  But hey, I am definitely not someone ...
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There's a difference.

Parkinson’s versus Essential Tremors: similar in some regards but extremely different.   I currently serve on the board for a local grassroots nonprofit here in Louisville--The Parkinson Support Center.   I highly recommend them if you need a resource for anything related to Parkinson’s.   The purpose of this blog will to be compare and contrast the two conditions.   I often find that when individuals begin to tremor, especially at the typical onset age, it is very easy to jump to the conclusion one has Parkinson’s Disease.   It is important to remember that every case is different, there is no hard and fast rule.   Once you notice any tremor at all you should go see your primary care physician who should then refer to a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in movement disorders.   I always recommend a second and third opinion, if possible.   Essential Tremor Parkinson’s Disease         ...
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