Essential Tremors

[Ruth]

My 15 yr old had surgery last Dec. for pectus carinatum. During surgery his Bracial Plexis (sp?) was damaged leaving his left arm paralized. He regained full use after 2 months of phyiscal therapy, but not suffers from tremors. We have no family history of tremors. Could this be a result of the trauma he went though? I can't seem to get a reasonable answer.

[Dr. Joshua]

He suffers from tremors only on the left side (side of previous paralysis)?

[Ruth]

In both hands, but more pronounced in the left. Our GP says he can feel them in his feet when he pushes his feet back toward his body as well. It has not affected his voice as of yet.

[Dr. Joshua]

It's very hard to say anything based on such a short description. Tremor in a 15 year old is rare. He needs to be examined by a neurologist in order to determine the cause of the tremors. A comprehensive physical (neuro) exam is required. Short of seeing a video, online evaluation of tremor is impossible. Also, a thorough symptom history is needed - If the tremors keep bothering him I recommend seeing a neurologist. Please keep us posted.

[Ruth]

Thank you for your prompt replies. I addressed the problem with my GP when I discovered my son shaking about 11 months after surgery--he had been keeping it a secret from us.I then discussed it with my son's thoractic surgeon at his 1 yr post op check up-My GP had already requested a neurology appt at the Childrens Hospital where the surgergy was performed, but we were told there would be a 3 month wait-I expressed my unwillingless to wait that long to our surgeon and told him I would seek and outside opinion. In less than 24 hours, we got a call that he had an appt with neurology at Childrens'. However the Dr. did nothing but look at his hands and feet, tell me that it was genetic and that the complications of surgery had nothing to do with it-no tests were done; we were just dismissed with 'if it gets to be a problem we can precribe medication'. I'm sure you can sense my fustration---The surgery was gruesome in itself, not to mention he develped a Staph infection in the wound and pneumonia afterwards-the paralysis (sp?) was a nightmare. I appreciate your time and your interest.

[Dr. Joshua]

Thanks for the update. I'm sorry you are not satisfied with the visit to the neurologist. However, I cannot second guess a doctor who has examined your son first hand - I am more likely to be wrong. It is your right to get a second opinion if you feel your questions have not been satisfactorily answered. Keep us posted!