The Random Yak

I like coffee.

A lot.

Probably more than a lot. In fact, probably too much (particularly considering the amount of half and half I drink along with said coffee is best summarized by the expression: “leave the cow” – which is my standard response to restaurant servers who ask whether I’d like cream in my hot beverage of choice)

But I definitely like coffee.

As it happens, I drink coffee both because I like it and because it keeps a medical condition under control without other forms of medication. Like The Random Paternal Grandmother, The Random Father, The Random Paternal Uncle and The Random Sibling, I inherited what’s commonly known as a benign familial tremor, aka “essential tremor“. Although caffeine is often considered a “no-no” for people with tremors, I once had a doctor who took a slightly different approach – as it happens, to great benefit. This particular doctor didn’t want to treat my tremor with prescription drugs, primarily because it came on at a relatively early age (in my 20’s) and the doctor had concerns about long-term use of the drugs used to treat the condition, along with a general preference for non-pharmaceutical solutions wherever reasonably possible. After considering my condition, health and other factors, the doctor asked whether I liked coffee and other caffeinated beverages (Editor’s Note: when asked this question by your doctor, yelling COFFEE! YES!! may not actually be the best response, and may in fact cause some health care providers to think you’ve already had more than enough.) and asked whether I was willing to try an unusual form of therapy: hypercaffeination as a form of tremor control. (From what I understand, the theory is that caffeine, in large enough doses, stimulates the nervous system in ways which compensate for the tremor. All I know is, it works.)

On doctor’s orders (and under doctor’s supervision) I started consuming 4-8 cups of coffee a day. Within days, my tremors disappeared almost completely. In the twelve years since I started my unusual “therapy” I notice the shaking only when I go “off” caffeine for more than two days. (For the record: I do not suffer headaches or other forms of caffeine withdrawal when eliminating caffeine from my diet – and yes, I’ve heard all the jokes about the shakes being a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. Now back away from the mug.)

Let’s be clear: I’m not recommending this for anyone else, whether or not you suffer from essential tremors. I’m not a doctor and I’m certainly not qualified to dispense medical advice. (Case in point: I cut my finger over the weekend and let it bleed for two hours instead of going for the stitches I probably deserved…. Listening to me on medical topics is probably about as smart as letting your kindergartener fix your laptop. On second thought – the kindergartener is a much safer bet.)

I’m also aware the idea goes against “common medical knowledge” – and I cannot explain why it works for me, but I know the results are tested, proven and excellent. Without coffee, I literally have trouble holding a pen. With coffee – rock steady.

Which, combined with the fact that I really, really enjoy that morning cup of steaming, coffee goodness (and the second-breakfast one, and the midmorning one, and the noon one, and the midafternoon one…), makes coffee One Good Thing.

Linked to One Good Thing, Post III at Alabama Improper.

Trackposted to Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Planck’s Constant, Big Dog’s Weblog, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.