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My mother is currently in the hospital. She was diagnosed eight years ago with PD. Her current problems are depression, rigidity, slapping, nausea, pain, etc. Her Parkinson's meds don't seem to be helping her much any more. She has a new neurologist who offered a startling explanation as to why the PD meds seem to doing her little good: She has a bad case of essential tremor (which runs in our family for at least 4 generations)--but a slight case of Parkinsons at most. I know have seen some discussion of essential tremor earlier on the list. This doctor may either be a genius (in my book) or -----. The doctor has taken her off all PD meds including sinemet and eldepryl. It is too early to know where this will lead. The meds were stopped two days ago. So here are the questions: Is the difference between PD and essential tremor easily diagnosed? What are the more obvious differences? What is likely to happen if my Mom does have PD and stays off the meds? What treatements are there for essential tremor and how effective are they? (Yes, I apparently have essential tremor.) Thanks. Bryce Jones