Shake It Up! Essential Tremor

 China's story behind her essential tremor being , if not caused, but exacerbated by a physical illness is a new one on me! Her method of treatment is equally interesting and compelling. China serves as inspiration to everyone faced with a life-altering illness, as China was. 


Despite some video and audio issues we had, I invite you to watch and listen as she tells us her story. 

After some fits and starts, Marcus' appliance is finally turned on.  We discuss how his experience differed from mine


You can reach Marcus or me at: [email protected]

In this part three, we discuss the impact that 3 surgeries close together has had on Marcus. 


Marcus and I can be reached at: [email protected]

Marcus, from the Columbus, Ohio area, is undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery.  Marcus suffers from essential tremor, a neurological disorder affecting an estimated 4 to 10 million people in the US alone!  ET is about 10 times more common than Parkinson's Disease, which it is often confused with

This episode focuses on his second of this 3-part surgery, implantation of the second electrode.  If you include the turn-on phase, it becomes a 4-part surgery.

There are several different versions of DBS surgery, depending on the patient and the surgeon.  Mine was done differently than Marcus'.

As always, a video version of this podcast is over on YouTube.

I can be reached for questions or comments at [email protected].  You can also send me questions for Marcus, which I will forward to him.

Marcus is a Columbus, Ohio area resident.  He is undergoing a slightly different version of Deep Brain Stimulation ( DBS) than I had.  His will be done in 3 steps,  4 if you include activation.

This podcast discusses his thoughts after step 1 of the surgery, implantation of the first electrode.

As always, a video version of this podcast is over on YouTube.

I can be reached for questions or comments at [email protected].  You can also send me questions for Marcus, which I will forward to him.

BTW, I apologize for the quality of my audio.  I'm experimenting with different mic techniques.

Chelsea is a Therapy Awareness Consultant with Medtronic Corp.  Medtronic is a world-wide company with approximately 90K employees.

She is very articulate and makes a complex subject very understandable.  While her position deal primarily with deep brain stimulation (DBS), she advocates for the most appropriate treatment for each individual. 

Part 1 deals with her role and general ET information, Part 2 deals more with Medtronic and their place within the market

Some helpful links:

• www.medtronic.com
• https://vilimed.com/

Chelsea is a Therapy Awareness Consultant with Medtronic Corp.  Medtronic is a world-wide company with approximately 90K employees.

She is very articulate and makes a complex subject very understandable.  While her position deal primarily with deep brain stimulation (DBS), she advocates for the most appropriate treatment for each individual. 

Part 1 deals with her role and general ET information, Part 2 deals more with Medtronic and their place within the market

Some helpful links:

• www.medtronic.com
• https://vilimed.com/

In this first episode, I paint a picture of what life is like with Essential Tremor.  Most episodes will be on YouTube as well if you have the time to watch.

There is a minor error near the end of this episode.  Originally, I was going to discuss treatment options but a great opportunity came up to Interview Nichole Wilton, better known worldwide as Shakey Nan!  She is a great advocate for those who suffer from ET.

Larry is my older brother and also suffers from essential tremor as did our father and his father.  We discuss the differences in treatment as well as differences in how our tremors manifest themselves.

The Interview ends rather abruptly.  I'm new at this and forgot to transition properly so we could continue, what turned out to be, a rather private conversation! :)

In our second episode of Shake It Up, we talk  to Shakey Nan. Nan champions the cause of those afflicted with essential tremor.  We discuss a relatively new device, the Vilim Ball.  This is a device that maps your tremor and helps correct it, albeit temporarily.