My Mom has ET - never heard about the wrist weights - I think I'LL get some for her. If I were close I would cut for you. See if your local quilt guild would be of help to you. Good luck.

I do have a tailbone injury from way back, the chiropractor found it in an ex-ray about 15 yrs ago. And I do have a problem with my neck, bothers me to look up for more than a few seconds. But unless I go to the chiropractor several times a week, it just doesn't do a lot of good. And with no medical insurance, treatments can get quite expensive when you are on a fixed income.

Thanks for all the suggestions and offers to cut my fabric. I am not quite ready to give up any part of the quilting process, but I know eventually I may have to ask a friend to do my cutting for me. This thread has given me much insight and I am amazed at how many people on here have or know someone with this disease. Essential Tremors has just recently been assigned a medical code by the insurance industry, so hopefully now more research will be done for the disease and new drugs developed especially for it. Hopefully the side effects won't be worse than the disease.......lol. I am 55 and have been sewing since the age of 12, not willing to give it up EVER. It is my therapy and escape. I am slow, but I've never been competitive so who cares as long as I finish a project eventually. This board and it's members are the greatest! HUGS to all!

Katherine Hepburn had tremors of some kind and she drank!! helped her but I wouldn't suggest that and cutting!.......................................... ........................................Katherine Hepburn had this very same thing. And alcohol in any form does help, because it is a central nervous system depressant, as is the medication which is prescribed for essential tremor. One thing to avoid is caffeine in any form, which makes it worse.

i was sitting in the neurologist's office waiting to see her about migraines. i picked up a magazine and the cover was about essential tremors. i noticed as i was reading, the magazine was bouncing up and down. i have to hold it far enough away due to presbyopia and the combination sometimes stops me. i love going out to eat, not. i have hit perfect strangers with peas and corn. i now know to always get a 'sticky' vegetable so i can eat the smaller ones without sharing across the room. i have arthritis in my hands too, and i swear by the accuquilt. i buy a die every now and then when they go on sale. i can crank some out for friends too. there is a lot of confusion about et and parkinson's, but to be honest, they seem practically the same. if it is progressive and involves all body parts and the voice, where's the difference? i wonder if , when i was in 6th grade and tried to do the balance beam, and nearly shook myself off the beam, if , in fact i had it then? not that it makes a difference. has anyone noticed a relationship of weather and shaking with et? i am amazed how many of us on this board have it, and fibromyalgia, and bad backs, and arthritis. i feel right at home! and the people who have indulged pets. there are so many more similarities than differences! birds of a feather flock together! lol

This is a really fabulous idea!

Check around I bet you can find a cutting buddy. They could cut for you while you sew your quilt and you can sew while they cut both their quilts and your too. Besides think of all the friendship you can get with your cutting and sewing. WOW Good luck and hope you find a solution that works for you.

I've had ET since 8th grade (I'm 75). When it finally got really bad (in my 40's) I saw a neurologist who prescribed primidone (used for seizures) and propranolol (heart medication). They have worked really well, although I still shake
to varying degrees. Cutting fabric calms me, so hasn't been a problem. I plan on looking into the Fiskars when it comes out.
If you do try the medication route and it DOESN't work, try a different propranolol. Generics are not the same, no matter what you're told! Good luck. It's a pain, but there are worse things.

My DH has the same thing. The doctor put him on propranolol and diazepam and it made a lot of difference. He still has some shakes but nothing like they were. PM me if you want more info.

Beckalou, I too have the ET's have had them since I was 18 their start date, I'm 78 today. there are times that I just
want to scream but that won't help, I just work slower, found that larger objects I handle better than small. I cut very careful, I bought one of the Fisk strip cutters. It's the small one would like to get the larger one. they are like big paper cutters.
Straight pins are a big no no for me ,I have to use clips. Quilting I use safety pens the big ones.
Sorry you have to live with them, I worked full time for 35 years in the electronic industry managed some how or the other . Cut safely . Grace

I understand where you are coming from as I have advanced Parkinsons. Ask your doctor if DBS would help you. It is just for tremors and it has helped me a lot. I have 2 DBS and my quality of life has improved, especially my quilting.

I have a simular proplem. I line my ruler up then ask my husband to just hold it in place for me. Do you think that might help?

My fatherinlaw had the same thing. He had a deep brain stimulator implanted and this worked great. It is something like a pacemaker and used a powerful maganet to turn it on and off. You are awake during surgery so that they know they have hit the right spot. He turned his on of a morning and off at bedtime. It sure made a difference in his lifestyle, might check into this,

Fiskars ruler
 

Perhaps you could write or call Fiskars. I would think they would have a 'customer relations dept' - and explain your problem and see if they would send you one at a discounted price..... and if so, maybe after using, you could give them and us a recommendation for folks with problems like yours. Wouldn't hurt to try as it would be expensive to purchase and have it not be usable. Good luck.

What a marvelous idea Granny! I think I will do that today and see what becomes of it. I could be part of their research & development team, perhaps some of the other board members who are afflicted with this disease or any other movement disorder could benefit in the same way. Definitely worth a try, thank you.

My favorite part of quilting is cutting. I know, I'm probably the only one. I have many UFOs that are all cut out only! If you would like, I would love to cut for you. I could do it in a day or two. Right now my right hand is weak, but shortly it should be fine and I could help you! I would love to help you!!!

I would cut for you I like to cut and I work for free I feel so bad for you let me help

The concurrent thread "Great news from Fiskar" notes that Fiskar will be putting out their ruler/rotary cutter combo once again, and also mentions the one listed above at Quilt in a Day, but for $20 less! http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/sto...3&Item_ID=8117

susanprincess - it's not the same brand as fiskars is it?

I was going to suggest that. Can you join a quilting group or guild? I'm know for a fact someone will jump in and do your cutting. Maybe you can trade with them if they don't like to do something like the binding. (just an example)
I know I'd be more than willing to help

I had hand surgery and could not cut ofr quite sometime. I found a person, (I think on ebay of all places) who did cutting for me. I had to mail her the fabric and directions and in a very short time I received my pieces. I thought her price was very reasonable. I can pride you with her name and contact information if you wish.

My husband has these, he recently visited the VA and they tell him there is a medication that will help, if you e mail me privately, I will give you the name. As for cutting, perhaps the Accuquilt would be a good answer for you although I personally do not like it I can see where it could be a real plus for someone with your condition as I see what my husband struggles with on a daily basis, he has had them for about 10 years.
Pat

beckalu

I do not have ET but may I suggest you investigate patterns that don't require lots of cutting. They may not be your first design choice but would help you stay independent. What comes to mind are quilts for which you RIP the pieces:

First, consider 'strippies' made with multiple full lengths or widths of fabric. By carefully selecting prints/stripes/checks/solids you could compose attractive tops.

Second, Amish Bars or square-in-square made with large pieces; how about a one-block log cabin or giant pineapple.

Third, log cabin or other string patterns. If you feel these are too narrow to 'rip' this is where a helper could quick cut loads of strips.

Fourth, machine crazy quilting utilizing scraps "as is".

I bet lots of quilters can think of patterns that are not so tedious to cut.

While proof-reading I had another thought--if you shop at a LQS, explain your predicament.
They could (IF they're careful and willing) cut your purchases in strips right off the bolt which would save you some cutting.

I have a friend with the same problem. She has had tremors all of her life, but they definitely are worsening. She does all the things suggested above and sometimes I help her too. She has considered the brain surgery that was suggested, but not terribly excited about the proceedure. She just told me that they have put her on a new medication that is helping and she is doing better. Good luck to you.

They need to bring down the cost of the accuquilt and the stuff that goes with it. Perhaps you can save and buy the accuquilt, then make a list of the dies that you want and let your friends and family know so you will get them for Christmas, birthday or anniversary? You might also check Ebay and Craigs list for a used one .

Since you have a tremor that increases with intent maybe somehow you can figure out how to have your cutting hand/arm at rest when cutting. If you have ever seen a painter making letters on a project you might have noticed he rested his painting arm on top of his "resting" arm; he uses the resting arm as a brace decreasing the chance of shaking while trying to make a straight line. Perhaps you could "rest" your cutting arm on the cutting mat and this would lessen the shaking enough for you to continue to cut your own pieces. Good luck. Stay safe.

I've enjoyed this discussion with so much info about tools, meds, and work-arounds. It's amazing the knowledge and willingness to share represented here.

My husband has the same thing. He is on a medication for it but it doesn't control it much. Just this past Monday he went in for acupuncture. They told him it would only last for three days. It is now Thursday evening and he has not taken any medication all week and the tremor is very minor. Hopefully this is a good sign

No, it is Sew Easy. From the link: The Sew Easy Ruler Cutter is 4 1/2" x 27 1/2". It takes a standard 45mm rotary blade and will cut up to 6 thicknesses of fabric. Unlike the hand rotary cutters, the blade is fully enclosed and spring loaded. When the cutting action is finished the blade retracts automatically into the carriage. $48.95.

If I lived near you I would help you out if I could. We are all God's earth to help others (my belief anyway). I know you said you like to do your own cutting. Maybe a grandchild or would there be a 4-H group in your town who would want to do something like that for a community service project or just to help someone out? When my youngest daughter was in high school, she read the weekly newspaper into a tape recorder and then mailed the tapes to the legally blind people in our community. She has been out of school for 13 years and of all those she read for only 1 is left. They all remembered her on her birthday and at Christmas with little homemade things that they made to pass time and she still has them. They are some of her most prized possessions. God Bless. Amy

There are medications to help control the tremor (I have it too an have taken a variety until my doctor was able to balance things out.) I have found that pressing my elbows into my sides while I am using my hands certainly helps. I do my cutting when my medications are at a peak controlling the tremor. It is never gone completely but better. I am no longer able to write and use the computer to communicate with family and friends. My signature is terrible but more legible than my doctor's is (LOL) Good luck in working with your doctor to find the best combinations for you. You may PM me if you want more details. Donna

My Mother had Essential Tremor, and so do I. For me, I find when it's bad the more support my arm can get the better. Are you in a Guild? You may find some friends there that can help you out. My Bee meets in our local quilt shop, and they have cutting tables set up with mats, we just bring our rotary cutters and specialty rulers. I have found the ruler that has all the slits every 1/2 inch for 12 inches is a favorite. The channel really helps you keep the rotary cutter in position. There isn't much walking of your hand, I fold my fabric in half again line it up and go from there. I've had pretty good success with that. On another topic on the board today they have someone that got a letter from Fiskars stating that they would be manufacturing a ruler that had a rotary cutter attached. The woman wanted to get if for her Grand daughter, she still had hers and loved it.

At one time I had a great deal of neurological pain and had trouble lifting and keeping my arms raised, I was really upset because this pretty much cancelled quilting for me. But I decided I just wasn't going to go down with out a fight, and tried hand piecing. I felt so victorious when I finally finished that quilt. I am so much better now, and this isn't an issue. I guess what I am trying to say, is what you are doing, trying to find a solution to this problem, is great. I thought the comment about the weights was quite interesting.

I have not found the family connection. As far as I know, no one else in my family has this. My sis, who is left handed like me, has dystonia. She has actual pain in her hand when she writes, but no tremors. I have tremors but no pain.

I guess my plan of action is to try the Tremodone. I tried Chelated Magnesium, but that didn't seem to help. I am also going to invest in a strip ruler and wait for the new Fiskars cutter to come out. In the meantime, I have plenty of UFO's to work on that will require minimum cutting.

When I originally posted, I never dreamt that there would be sooo many on this board who have, or know someone who has tremors. This disorder is a lot more prevalent than I realized. I have learned a lot from all who responded. I thank you all for your input, and hope that this thread has helped you as well.
Blessings

Essential tremor is when no one else in your family has it. If there is a family history I think it is called familia (spelling?) tremor.

as i've said, i have et, too. i thought it was very slight and not noticeable until one day a lady i was talking to asked me why my hands shook. shocking to me! i went to the e.r. from the shopping mall because i had double vision. while i waited to be seen my left leg started shaking wildly, and then my right arm! i thought, oh, no! this et is getting worse really fast! they rushed me in thinking i was having a stroke. but it turned out to be a complicated migraine. neurological problems are so strange. it's like parts of you are run by remote control. my dh was watching me use the computer and he told me i only needed to hit the key once. how nice that was, way back when, to have fingers that did what you want when you want. those days are gone. but it is not without its humorous side! i have hit family with flying vegetables. have dropped things suddenly and then over and over again, like bouncing a ball without the bounce. so far i have destroyed about 3 acrylic rulers by gouging into them, but haven't cut myself even once! threading needles is a little like a carnival game of chance. i think sometimes the angels take pity and help me, lol. i do have an accuquilt and without a doubt it has kept me going! it is expensive, but low-tech and easy to use. and very little chance of getting hurt. things take a little longer and are done a little less neatly, but bottom line is, they get done. i don't know how much longer my dh is going to let me do dishes-- probably until we are down to one of everything! paper plates just flip in the air so they're no good, and the same with plastic (solo) cups. i can see where weights could help. i've tried several drugs. one was so bad i was having terrifying nightmares and woke up screaming and crying. another took my sense of taste. nothing tasted like anything. recently i've noticed my head occaisionally shakes. i hope it makes me look very agreeable, like i'm saying 'yes. yes. of course.' there are so many things worse than this so i feel lucky it's not worse.

Has anyone on this thread had the doctor suggest the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for ET? My hubby had a couple of neurologist suggest it. (Hubby was reluctant and waited seven years before he consented.) The first surgery for his right hand was such a success that he is like a kid waiting for Christmas anticipating the second surgery to help his left hand. Yes, there are warnings that accompany the surgery; however, for him, ET is so disabling, frustrating and annoying that he is ready to face it again after experiencing the improvement so far.

If there is a local quilt guild you may be able to enlist their assistance. They are usually willing to support other quilters.

I spoke with a friend yesterday who has the tremors much worse than me. She has to use a straw to drink coffee and was ready to give up eating at restaurants because of the embarassment she suffers when she sends her forkful of food flying. Her sister in law out east found some special weighted silverware. It works wonderfully, so I'm going to give it a try if I can find a source. lol, Nancia. It's great you can find humor with this, I try to do that as well. People don't realize that when they draw attention to your tremors, it makes it worse. I have finally gotten that through my hubby's head, he used to make comments to the clerks about it whenever I had to write a check or sign something. He seldom does that anymore. A few months ago, hubby had to have stitches. He noticed the doctors hand shaking and asked him if he had ET and how much did it bother him. The doctor replied, "Yes, I have ET and now that you've pointed it out you've made the tremor worse." HaHa, loved the response.

I just wanted to tell you what a dr. told my husband on his first visit to him,,, he said the tremors are a condition, not a disease. and they won't kill you. I try and remember this when I see my husband shaking really bad.

OMG!!! I have Essential Tremor in both hands. I also have involuntary jerking in parts of my body! I have been to TONS of doctors as my neurologic issues that started with walking like a clown with big feet has continued to progress to mild tremor in my left hand, then my right hand, now the tremors are getting worse. I used to be a transcriptionist typing 130 words per minute and now I hit keys I don't mean to hit because of the tremor and jerking. I am CONSTANTLY dragging and dropping things when my hand tremors on the mouse and my arm jerks. There are some things I have "dropped" so deep I've never found them! My neurologist told me the Essential Tremor was nothing to worry about. No one said anything about it progressing or including jerking or dropping things, etc. You mean this could all be related????? Ughhhhh

I've tried propranolol (still on it, actually) and it has not helped at all. Different strokes for different folks I guess....