Anyone else adapting to tremors, or have tips for doing so?

[RyanColyar]

My MS hit me with tremors. It cost me my job. But I've found I can do some handwork for short periods, particularly if I can keep my hands together. I've carved a few crosses lately. I even engraved a buck on the back of one recently. I don't know how long I'll be able to engrave, but I'm wondering if any of you have used or seen adaptions that you think may be helpful. I'm running an old gravermax with a standard GRS ball vise under a generic bench microscope.

 

[oniemarc]

I would think that if the tremors came from your lower arms, you might be able to get away with some sort of support to rest your arms on so there is less stress on your arms. I don't have a clue if it would work or not, but it's worth a shot. Should keep your arms from getting tired a little.

 

[John B.]

Sorry to hear of your problem, Ryan.
Keep trying and you are sure to find the answer.

 

[Sinterklaas]

CBD oil might help. It doesn't contain THC. THC is what gives a high. CBD doesn't. I believe also some people with Parkinson use it to help reduce tremors.

 

[DKanger]

I saw this when I studied with Brian Marshall. He had a sling rigged that hung from the ceiling over his ball. The sling supported his engraving hand/arm as he worked.

 

[RyanColyar]

I saw this when I studied with Brian Marshall. He had a sling rigged that hung from the ceiling over his ball. The sling supported his engraving hand/arm as he worked.

That's an interesting idea. I could see that possibly helping. I'll give it some thought. My garage ceiling is a bit high. But there's got to be a way. Thank you.

 

[DKanger]

My garage ceiling is a bit high. But there's got to be a way.

Screw an eyebolt into the ceiling, attach proper length of nylon rope to sling and adjust to working height. I don't remember the sling design but that shouldn't be a problem. Your hand/arm will be fully supported and only your ball vise will move.

 

[sam]

@monk had tremors and had some corrective surgery. Maybe he can advise.
Sorry to hear of this, Ryan.

 

[monk]

sam is correct. i had nasty head and right hand tremors. i had deep brain surgery to correct both. i was under the blade for 4 hours. i had to be awake during it all to communicate with the surgeon. a 2 channel pulse generator implant in my chest. all was a blazin success for me. whether or not such would work for you--- only the docs could say.
if i had to do it all over again, i'd do it. it sounds grizzly, but there was very little pain. hospital stay post surgery was just overnight just to make sure everything was ok. if you are a candidate for the dbs procedure, i'd thiink such would be a blessing. good luck in your quest fpr relief.

 

[Si si]

Sorry to hear about your health situation. I myself have MS when it hit me about 7 years ago I was forced to medically retire from my prior trade. Since Ive learned to engrave taken a few class and now engrave full time. My best advice is to set your work area bench ect up to your body a good scope and a brace for your arm. I myself have refused all MS medication just never wanted to get on pills but I’ve heard great things about cbd. If you have any further questions send me a private message we can talk. Cheers

 

[silvermon]

That's an interesting idea. I could see that possibly helping. I'll give it some thought. My garage ceiling is a bit high. But there's got to be a way. Thank you.

The high ceiling will be an advantage. It will allow side movement with less effort while providing more consistent height support. Good luck.

 

[RyanColyar]

CBD oil might help. It doesn't contain THC. THC is what gives a high. CBD doesn't. I believe also some people with Parkinson use it to help reduce tremors.

Thanks. Good tip. But I already use it for some other symptoms. I likely would be worse off if I didn't.

 

[RyanColyar]

sam is correct. i had nasty head and right hand tremors. i had deep brain surgery to correct both. i was under the blade for 4 hours. i had to be awake during it all to communicate with the surgeon. a 2 channel pulse generator implant in my chest. all was a blazin success for me. whether or not such would work for you--- only the docs could say.
if i had to do it all over again, i'd do it. it sounds grizzly, but there was very little pain. hospital stay post surgery was just overnight just to make sure everything was ok. if you are a candidate for the dbs procedure, i'd thiink such would be a blessing. good luck in your quest fpr relief.

Thank you for sharing Monk. I don't know if that's a possibility for me or not. I recently moved and may have access to some MS specialists soon. We will see.

 

[RyanColyar]

Sorry to hear about your health situation. I myself have MS when it hit me about 7 years ago I was forced to medically retire from my prior trade. Since Ive learned to engrave taken a few class and now engrave full time. My best advice is to set your work area bench ect up to your body a good scope and a brace for your arm. I myself have refused all MS medication just never wanted to get on pills but I’ve heard great things about cbd. If you have any further questions send me a private message we can talk. Cheers

I hear you Sky. I had to retire due to the tremors in 2019. I'd been able to fight through the other symptoms for eight years before that. I'm trying to keep busy now without aggravating the condition. I can usually only work at the bench for an hour, maybe two on a good day. But its something.
Thanks for the tips. CBC is great. I use it for other symptoms.

 

[markswill]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I’m an occupational therapist by profession and have come across a lot of people dealing with tremors. Question- are they resting tremors (they happen with no attempt at movement) or intention tremors (occur when you are engaged in an activity). T he reason I ask is that sometimes added weight can help (with both actually, but especially intention tremors). For example, you might go to a sports supply store and purchase some 1 pound wrist weights (the ones that Velcro like a bracelet). And vary the weight if needed. A support surface too is usually helpful. A shelf to rest your engraving forearm perhaps. I second the cbd oil, but would go one step further and suggest some with thc. Sorry if that is offensive to some, but it has been shown to have benefit. Feel free to reply to me- I’ll help you any way I can. We’ll figure out a way to keep you engraving. In the meantime, my best piece of advice is weighted wrist cuffs. You might be surprised. Best regards; let me know if I can help-
Mark
Winston-Salem,NC

 

[RyanColyar]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I’m an occupational therapist by profession and have come across a lot of people dealing with tremors. Question- are they resting tremors (they happen with no attempt at movement) or intention tremors (occur when you are engaged in an activity). T he reason I ask is that sometimes added weight can help (with both actually, but especially intention tremors). For example, you might go to a sports supply store and purchase some 1 pound wrist weights (the ones that Velcro like a bracelet). And vary the weight if needed. A support surface too is usually helpful. A shelf to rest your engraving forearm perhaps. I second the cbd oil, but would go one step further and suggest some with thc. Sorry if that is offensive to some, but it has been shown to have benefit. Feel free to reply to me- I’ll help you any way I can. We’ll figure out a way to keep you engraving. In the meantime, my best piece of advice is weighted wrist cuffs. You might be surprised. Best regards; let me know if I can help-
Mark
Winston-Salem,NC

Thanks Mark. It's intention tremor. I have tried wrist weights before, but that was to try to get me using a keyboard again. Didn't really make a difference there, but maybe with engraving it would. I'll try it. I agree with you on the CBC/THC. That is actually what I use.

 

[RyanColyar]

I am wondering how much switching to a positioning vise might help. Most of what I work on is small (jewelry) and I've been able to get along without one. I'm using a standard GRS vise. Any thoughts? Is it possible to convert a standard vise? Ive seen an article about doing that with a Lindsay ball vise.

No cost method of converting a ball vise into a positioning vise.

www.airgraver.com

 

[quickcut07]

I have a positioning vise and find a turn table easier to use

 

[monk]

Thank you for sharing Monk. I don't know if that's a possibility for me or not. I recently moved and may have access to some MS specialists soon. We will see.

my result was based on 2 electrodes implanted very deep at 2 different , tiny nerve spots firing when they shouldn't. the pulse generator sends out 2 different frequencies that cancel the nerve firings.. hopefully there's something similar that can help you. there's so many miracle medical things coming out these days. i forsee the day when all diseases and disorders can be eliminated. this is one reason i always donate towards medcal research.

 

[mtwheatley]

I am wondering how much switching to a positioning vise might help. Most of what I work on is small (jewelry) and I've been able to get along without one. I'm using a standard GRS vise. Any thoughts? Is it possible to convert a standard vise? Ive seen an article about doing that with a Lindsay ball vise.

No cost method of converting a ball vise into a positioning vise.

www.airgraver.com

For my work a positioning vise works well. I converted a standard 5" vise to a positioning vise. I made two and I'm planning to sell the second one for about $350. Let me know if you are interested.