Epileptic tremors and touchscreen technology

[car05161967]

Am I being unreasonable, or does anyone else here, have a problem with touchscreen technology?

I have trouble with fine-motor skills. I can ride my bike fine. I can type fine. I can use a remote control fine. But I can't use touchscreen technology. The days of 'buttons' are nearly over, and I don't know what I will do. Every time I am 'forced' to use a touchscreen device, I have bad tremors. Yes, I know. A microwave oven relies on touch, but it isn't a small device. I mean something like a cell phone. I got in a big argument with my mother today about it. She was saying I was "behind the times".

 

[Nakamova]

Hmm, I haven't run into that problem. Could it be a side effect of your meds?

 

[car05161967]

Hmm, I haven't run into that problem. Could it be a side effect of your meds?

I have always had the problem regardless of which med I have been on. The meds have, for the large part, controlled my seizures. But, When it comes to doing something exact that hasn't always been the case. I can work on computer build/upgrade/repair, because I don't have to use one finger, I use my whole hand. But touchscreen technology, only requires the use of one finger.

 

[Nakamova]

It could be what's called "cerebellar tremor", caused by lesions related to your epilepsy. It's a tremor that occurs at the end of an intentional movement of an extremity -- like trying to press a button or touch your finger to the tip of your nose.

 

[car05161967]

It could be what's called "cerebellar tremor", caused by lesions related to your epilepsy. It's a tremor that occurs at the end of an intentional movement of an extremity -- like trying to press a button or touch your finger to the tip of your nose.

Yes, I have had an 'intentional tremor' since I was little.

 

[masterjen]

I am thinking along the same lines as Nakamova. I have had neurological issues from the time I was little (probably from birth), although did not develop seizures until three years ago, in my early 40s. I've had minimally visible tremors since at least my 20's, mainly intention tremors. Usually they are visible only to the trained eye, however they become more noticeable when I do tasks like the "finger to nose" tests neuro's like to do.

 

[car05161967]

I am thinking along the same lines as Nakamova. I have had neurological issues from the time I was little (probably from birth), although did not develop seizures until three years ago, in my early 40s. I've had minimally visible tremors since at least my 20's, mainly intention tremors. Usually they are visible only to the trained eye, however they become more noticeable when I do tasks like the "finger to nose" tests neuro's like to do.

Exactly!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention_tremor

 

[Chel]

When I bought my current phone, I looked for one with as large a touch screen pad as possible, for a similar reason (sometimes I shake, sometimes I don't). Some of those touch pads are so ridiculously tiny, I don't know how people with large fingers manage! I also know of someone who has a pen-type implement to operate hers, giving her finer control. I just tried using a metal pen on mine, and it didn't work, so maybe it's a special tool. Might be worth asking at a good phone store, or major electronic store?

 

[car05161967]

When I bought my current phone, I looked for one with as large a touch screen pad as possible, for a similar reason (sometimes I shake, sometimes I don't). Some of those touch pads are so ridiculously tiny, I don't know how people with large fingers manage! I also know of someone who has a pen-type implement to operate hers, giving her finer control. I just tried using a metal pen on mine, and it didn't work, so maybe it's a special tool. Might be worth asking at a good phone store, or major electronic store?

I got a signal booster for my cell phone. So, In the house, it has 4G signal strength, and I go with 2G signal strength when I am outdoors away from the house. So I won't be going flat-screen any time soon.