[Sallie]

Howard –
I just saw your question about hand problems. It reminded me that I had a similar experience with my right ring finger and pinkie long ago. I went to a hand specialist, who diagnosed irritation of the ulnar nerve. It runs through the elbow and controls those two fingers.
The cure consisted of a splint for several months and giving up such things as raking leaves, washing windows and other “rhythmic” activities.
Have you seen a doctor?

[Sallie]

Sue, Thanks for the tip about photographing and the PDF tool. That should make the whole process much easier.
Sallie

[Sallie]

Gretchen, Wow, thanks for all the information. I think you told me everything I need to know.
Sallie

[Sallie]

I’m ashamed to say I have a stupid question:
How do you get your old music into the iPad? Photograph it?
I love my iPad Pro but have never thought to use it this way.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Sallie]

Good question, Julie. I wonder if anyone knows of public schools with young harpers who could use old music.

[Sallie]

Ann, I’m afraid we are twins, as far as ET goes. But of course we’re both right-handed, which must mean we have more control of that hand and less of the left. My problem also first became obvious in the left hand. My right hand can play the harp but can’t write or control a computer mouse. I use your two-handed routine for the mouse.
Yes, the medication seems to have an effect on my short-term memory but that’s all I’ve noticed. I’m sure that the various drugs and their side-effects are different for everyone. There’s an extended-release propranolol that I couldn’t stand, but it might be great for you.

[Sallie]

Hi, Ann —
I wish we could have this ‘conversation’ somewhere other than this public space:)
ET sort of sneaked up on me. I haven’t had stage fright in years, but I noticed my hands shake just a bit probably five years ago. But I could control the problem. I got married four years ago and we traveled some, so I was going without playing for a month or so at a time. Then it got worse.
I live in a small city with a big teaching hospital, so it was easy to get referred to a neurologist. She tried me on several different drugs, which I found brain-deadening, and tried to sell me on getting an implantable stimulator, which is similar to a pacemaker: a battery under the skin near the collarbone with a lead that runs up and enters the skull and is implanted in the brain. Gruesome! and No Way! is all I could say.
Luckily, she quit. And my new neurologist (daughter of a harpist) tried propranolol, which is often prescribed for stage fright. I take three 10 mg tablets a day.
ET is an electrical problem, and the drug calms the activity. It slows your brain, too. My mother had terrible ET from about age 75, and it often runs in families. Does your mother have it? Yes, it often gets worse, but it’s very variable.
What part of the country do you live in? I’ve been through a clinical trial using focused ultrasound (surgery-by-soundwaves), which I would highly recommend. There are two other trials starting up on the East Coast, I’m told, and you might be able to find out about them at clinicaltrials.gov.
Good luck. It’s a frustrating business, no doubt. Please feel free to ask questions if you have them.

[Sallie]

I’ve used something called Liquid Bandage quite successfully. You paint it on your finger(s) — think clear nail polish — and it produces a clear coating. Be sure to let it dry before you play!

[Sallie]

Ann – I think you must have Essential Tremor or ET, which I have. ET is an intentional tremor which means your hand shakes when you intend to do something, like pluck a certain string. There is a drug called Inderol, or propranolol, which tones down the electrical activity in the brain. The drug is not a cure, but it helps. ET differs from Parkinson’s, which causes tremors when at rest. I urge you to see a neurologist if you haven’t.

[Sallie]

I’ll hope to avoid that person!

[Sallie]

Thanks to both. I’ll check with Sylvia. She may have an idea.

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