Larry and "All" I find it interesting that those of us who have "internal shakiness" don't seem to have a VISABLE tremor. Periodically I've used that term in describing how I feel to various MDI and the ONLY ones who indicated they knew at ALL what I referred to was Dr. Robert Iacono (movement disorder specialist at Loma Linda University Hospital and the neurosurgeon who did my pallidotomy) and the new neuro (NOT a movement disorder specialist) I saw recently at Kaiser. Every other MD I've seen over the years has hotly denied that there even IS such a thing as "internal shakiness" or "internal tremors," and IF there is such a thing (which they insist there isn't!) it's not related to Parkinson's! And reading your messages here has merely confirmed to me this IS a PD-related symptom. That said - WE know there's such a critter as "internal tremors," 'cause we HAVE 'em, and we have 'em in correlation to having Parkinson's! SO THERE, ALL YOU MDs! <rueful grin> Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Lawrence Fleming Sent: Sunday, September 14, 1997 7:01 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Internal Shakiness Mary, Before I was diagnosed I also experienced an internal shakiness. I attributed it to anxiety and my GP prescribed a beta-blocker (the kind that entertainers take to ease their stage fright). It worked great and relieved my tremor. It also lowered by BP. Unfortunately it did nothing for the rigidity and soreness in my arm that soon appeared. Now I take selegiline and atenolol (beta-blocker). It's an interesting combination and I don't think I've heard of any others on the List taking it. It does work and on a regular basis I take 25mg/day. My GP told me to step it up as high as 100mg if I'm anticipating a stressful day. It even slows my tremor after exercising for long periods. Are any others taking a beta-blocker? Larry Fleming [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange On Behalf Of Mary Legan Sent: Friday, September 12, 1997 8:46 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Internal shakiness I'm glad this topic has been brought up, as I too have very much wanted an explanation of this phenomenon. I experienced this before my PD diagnosis, when I described it to my neuro (who was treating me for migraines & insomnia) as an "internal revving motor..........at that time I was taking a low dose of Sinequon with Xanax......then the Xanax was replaced with Buspar (needless to say, my "anxiety" didn't improve). At that same time, I was experiencing hot flashes, etc. because of menopausal hormonal fluctuations, which may or may not be relevant. When I then received the pd dx, I was started on Sinemet, Paxil, & Trazadone (for sleep). No further problems with internal shakiness until several months ago. At the time I was taking estrogen & progesterone, & having severe daily migraines. Also, the internal revving was happening again, & a difficulty which I don't remember having before - the need to breathe deliberately & deeply. After some ado, I discontinued the hormones ~6 wks ago. The migraines have shown moderate improvement, but the other symptoms remain. I'm hoping that soon whatever confounding effects the hormones have contributed will be out of the picture. It will make things much easier if whatever symptoms remain can clearly be tied to the pd. Perhaps one or more of our list members can at least explain the internal shakiness, for my benefit & for the others who experience this. Explanations of the other issues I mentioned are also most welcome! Mary Legan 55/5+ <My mother Joyce (68/6 months) changed doctors recently. She was taking 25/100 Sinemet 4.5x/day, .25 Permax 5x/day, 10 mg. Paxil 1x/day. Her new doctor wanted to reduce the Sinemet a bit and start her on Eldepryl. This required her getting off the Paxil. About 4 days ago, she stopped the Paxil and started feeling shaky inside-a nervousness that wouldn't quit. She decided today to continue the Paxil again (she hadn't started the Eldepryl) and felt better. She suspects this internal shakiness/nervousness is a side effect of the Permax. Any thoughts on this? Has anyone had a similar sensation? Was it related to a particular drug. Thanks. Debbie White [log in to unmask] --UPIMSRGSMTP01)_rDjmkpelJu)R)?xeNmTftYan-