The Value of Patient Support Groups

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to join a support group for a relatively minor, hereditary condition, Essential Tremor. It is a progressive tremor. In my case, it is the right hand. I have had it since childhood. It showed up as a distraction to controlling the process of nailpolish application at first. Today, in my 60's, my one beautiful cursive (perfected by a series of grade school Nuns and their rulers) is eratic. I was curious as to what was the nature of this condition and possibility of greater progression. So I went to the monthly support group. This is where I found out it was hereditary. The bad news is that it is progressive and there is no cure. The good news is that it is a slow progression and I definitely will never die from it.
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What I realized was the benefits of Support Groups. Within a short time, I found out who were the best MD's in the area to treat this condition. I listened to stories of how others finally got the correct diagnosis. I heard what alternative treatments (sublingual B-12) seemed to work (at least for 1 participant). I saw others, some with limbs that tremored and one lovely lady who head shook constantly, who said to me that it was "nothing". And all I had was a shakey hand. Everything is definitely relative.

So, if you have a chronic condition or cancer or ?, and there is a support group available, GO! You'll learn something about your disease and, even more, you may learn something about yourself.