Neurologist says Essential Tremor, but symptoms of MS...

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
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Hi all,

Like many on here I’m scared and confused , but humbled by the amazing support from people on here, while dealing with their own struggles and pain with this disease.

Basically 2 months ago noticed shaking in both my arms and trunk when i put them under load, or when i simply make a fist and pull back on my arms. I also started with those “pre sleep” muscle twitches (myoclonus) pretty much all the time, and at the time I also had bad shaking in my hands/arms.

GP thought I was having a stroke and had a CT (clear) and MRI (clear) done - although this took 2 months because of backlogs.

In the meantime my left leg started to “give way” when walking and I also noticed tremors in my jaw/neck as well , a new symptom, although my hand shaking disappeared and now its just when i make a fist.

I’ve been to the GP so many times over lots of new symptoms like the above and he got angry at me, so I got him to refer me private , as there is a long waiting list for NHS.

Not really knowing anything about anything I saw a private Neurologist who saw me for about 15 mins, said it was Essential Tremor and gave me beta blockers which i’ve started today.

However researching now that it seems my tremors are “action” tremors perhaps even postural, and combined with my muscle twitching myoclonus, and legs not working correctly, i’m not sure it was the correct diagnosis.

should i see another different neurologist - i still have no idea when the NHS will send me any letters.

should I pay for a private cervical/spine MRI as I’ve read MS can show up on them and not the brain MRI.

i’m a little lost to be honest .

best wishes to you all.

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15 minutes to see a neurologist you paid for sounds a bit rude on behalf of the neurologist, but it may be that how you present was a clear cut case, so didn’t need further time. Or you may have seen one of the ‘can’t be bothered’ neurologists.

Are you on the NHS waiting list to see a neurologist? If so, then wait for that appointment, assuming that it isn’t the same one you’ve already seen, and just make brief notes between now and then of what your symptoms are, how long they lasted each time, if they resolved, so you have a brief but accurate history when you do get seen.

If they also diagnose essential tremor then you should be pretty sure that is what you have.

If you continue to get the leg weakness then perhaps think about seeing a physiotherapist. In some areas of the country you can self-refer, and don’t need to ask the doctor about this. Ask your doctor’s receptionist to see if that is the case where you are.

1 Like
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Thankyou Ziola for your reply and the advice - much appreciated.

Yes I am waiting still for NHS even for a letter for an appointment - its been 2 months since this “attack”/when it all started.

The Myoclonus / Night twitches are really upsetting me and they started the exact same time as the tremors, but Neurologists do not seem to care about them as part of the diagnosis.

best wishes.