Nearly every time when I play pool, when I first get on the table I notice that my arm shakes a little all throughout my strokes. This usually lasts for about 10-15 minutes, and when I start to get warmed up, it completely goes away. I'm not cold (temperature wise) or anything, but this really hurts me if I play a tournament or a match without warming up at all. Tonight for example I barely made it on time to the tournament, so I wasn't warmed up when my first-round match started. I didn't get many chances to shoot, since the guy played the hook/runout game against me. On my few opportunities with an open shot, my stroke was so shaky I missed an easy 9-ball. I am positive that pressure has nothing to do with this, because even when I practice by myself and nobody is around, I still get the shakes. Does anyone else get this? Should I try stretching my arm or something before I play?
The Shakes
- Thread starter LastTwo
- Start date
Wanna play some...........cheap? 
LastTwo said:
I have Parkinson's Disease and I can't stop "the shakes". I have found little tricks that stop the tremors long enough to complete a shot. After what I've been through, my advice is to get it checked out. You never know what it can be. For me, this started out as something very minor, and it progressed. It could be nothing more than just nerves, but you won't know til you get it checked out.
Blackjack said:
That's good to know Dave, thanks. Do symptoms of Parkinsons show up when you're this young? I'm only 24. Like I said, the shakes don't last the whole time, just when I'm not warmed up. I hope I didn't make it sound worse than it is, because they are these mild tremors usually during my backstroke. I can hold the cue still and not shake, just during the stroke. Once I get warmed up they go away completely and I don't shake at all.
LastTwo said:
LastTwo, I don't think you have disease or something. I'm 28 and experience the same thing. My stroke in first 10 minutes always feels funny even when practicing alone...yes, I make balls even then, but don't ask for anything fancy with the cue ball until I'm warmed up...
It's probably when you just start playing, maybe you stand slightly different, perhaps your alignement and grip are slightly different too. All this could be going on without you realizing it. For some of us, it takes time for all to settle.
Has anyone info about Michael Coltrain ? I believe his career is somewhat over because unexplained shaking in his hands. It wasn't Parkinsons nor something known and the doctors couldn't really help him. They thought it was psychosomatic or something. Anyway, I think Michael is still able to play, but not in the same level he used to...
I really look up to Blackjack and how he is openly talking about Parkinsons disease and how it was apparently self-inflicted by excess amount of drugs decades ago. Many people would still hold up a facade and claim that they have never done drugs. All the best to Blackjack ! And keep those instructive articles coming, I've read almost all of them and they are very informative and helpful !
I really look up to Blackjack and how he is openly talking about Parkinsons disease and how it was apparently self-inflicted by excess amount of drugs decades ago. Many people would still hold up a facade and claim that they have never done drugs. All the best to Blackjack ! And keep those instructive articles coming, I've read almost all of them and they are very informative and helpful !
I have hypoglycemia.
I wish I could explain why, but sometimes when I am stressed, my sugars crash...even though I have eaten etc...
There seems to be some kind of trigger in the stress.
If I am just playing for fun, I never have a problem, but add some money and once in a while, sugars go haywire.
I sincerely hope it is nothing as life altering as Blackjack's condition, but I concur, get it checked out.
Dave
I wish I could explain why, but sometimes when I am stressed, my sugars crash...even though I have eaten etc...
There seems to be some kind of trigger in the stress.
If I am just playing for fun, I never have a problem, but add some money and once in a while, sugars go haywire.
I sincerely hope it is nothing as life altering as Blackjack's condition, but I concur, get it checked out.
Dave
mjantti said:
I see 'Train every now and then. He still plays a little, but he can't play at the level that took him to two Jr. World titles and a top five world ranking on the Camel Tour. His shaking problem has something to do with a degenerative muscle/nerve disorder in his right shoulder. Take Varner's slightly wobbly stroke and multiply that by a hundred and you've got Mike's. And, unfortunately, over the last couple of years, it's gotten worse. He could still give a lot of players a run for their money, but he doesn't consider it worth the effort because of the time and money it takes to play professionally. Even when he was at the top of his game, he couldn't find a sponsor to help with the expenses. Add to that a certain lack of faith in his stroke because of his shaking, and it becomes impossible to truly compete with the likes of Corey, Neils, Johnny, Earl, et al.
Mike is such a great guy, and it's really a shame that someone so young who used to be one of the best in the world can't compete because of a medical condition. He was well on his way, in my mind, to being THE best in the world. His accomplishments at such a young age only hint at what could have been....
-djb
drivermaker
Banned
Mr. Wilson said:
Did your problems start right after DENNIS moved into the neighborhood?
LastTwo said:
I have the same "problem." My elbow doesn't feel comfortable until I've hit 30-50 balls. I don't think there's anything physically wrong, I just have to warm up a little. If I haven't played in a week or more, sometimes it takes me well over an hour to completely stop the "high speed wobbles." I think it's probably just purpose tremor. If you don't know what that is, look up Max Eberle's article here on AZ. I think it's called "Threading the Needle." Excellent article.
-djb
I have what is called "essential tremors", as does my mother. It is a real pain when you are trying to play pool, but even worse in her case just trying to drink, or feed herself. I play in a lot of the local bar box tournaments around here, and try to have a beer in me before we start, to calm the tremors down. It is known to decrease the symptoms, and it does help. Nick Varner developed some sort of disorder later in his career, that was very noticeable to me, as he was my favorite pro to watch. Put “essential tremors” in your search engine, and see what comes up.
See a Doctor!!!
I have learned from the untimely deaths of my youngest daughter and my Dad ! Whenever anything physical is going on its best and safest to get it checked out! the same folks that tell you not to worry its OK will be saying ,, "Why did you wait so long to see someone?"
I hope its just nerves or possibly psychosomatic but being a type two diabetic I get that way at times and I know its low blood sugar so I will eat something! Do yourself a favor ask a doctor ! not us!!!!!!! 
I have learned from the untimely deaths of my youngest daughter and my Dad ! Whenever anything physical is going on its best and safest to get it checked out! the same folks that tell you not to worry its OK will be saying ,, "Why did you wait so long to see someone?"
I hope its just nerves or possibly psychosomatic but being a type two diabetic I get that way at times and I know its low blood sugar so I will eat something! Do yourself a favor ask a doctor ! not us!!!!!!! 
So you are only fooling yourself!
Sorry if I offend you but I have seen too many who listened to others tell them that a drug was OK ! it would help them ! I counsel people who fell into that trap with many different kinds of drugs and taking advice from many different "well meaning" people! Some were doctors and high level execs and the ones I see are now without family and homes! not to say you are in that class or your "drug" may get you there but all people who use drugs have a (in their mind) valid reason for using them or for continuing to use them! If they did not believe that they wouldn't!whitewolf said:
the shakes
Hello Last Two: Well you have advice from everyone by now, well here goes mine, i am a man of age 67 , i have been [ spelling} dignoised, with Beninge Tremers, there is a web site for us, but no cure. it is hertiorty my mom , brother and aunt had it, I dont think it is what you have. because it does not go away. I think you have anzity moments, try start playing your game in your heAd before your turn to play comes up,i used to do that in basketball before game time, i would go to the locker room dress out in my uniforme, rool up a towel lay down on abench close my eyes and start playing the game in my head. you will be suprised how this helps. OLD MAN STICK
Hello Last Two: Well you have advice from everyone by now, well here goes mine, i am a man of age 67 , i have been [ spelling} dignoised, with Beninge Tremers, there is a web site for us, but no cure. it is hertiorty my mom , brother and aunt had it, I dont think it is what you have. because it does not go away. I think you have anzity moments, try start playing your game in your heAd before your turn to play comes up,i used to do that in basketball before game time, i would go to the locker room dress out in my uniforme, rool up a towel lay down on abench close my eyes and start playing the game in my head. you will be suprised how this helps. OLD MAN STICK
I have been considering something for myself in the shaky area. People who know me, know that I take care of my body, and don't like to even drink a beer, unless it is once in a blue moon too. Whatever condition you can call it, I had the shakes really bad at one time. My adrenaline has always been super high in sports, and I have had it affect me elswhere. Racing motocross, before the gate would drop, I would feel like I was going to spontaneously combust. In boxing, I would have to get hit a few times before my heart would slow down to a working pace. My hands would tremble when I was drinking a glass of water. My confidence was pretty low at this point, and when I was jacked up on a shot, about to spear a ball cross-corner, and just hit it terribly, I had to ask myself if I liked the punishment. So I quit playing pool for quite a while. Couldn't stand it. I went back to the gym every day, and got myself back in great shape, and the shakes went away for the most part. When I play, or gamble, or even practice- There is a hint of it there. When there is something on the line, my adrenaline pumps up about 10 notches, and I am amplifying the movement in my body. If I were to choose to quit playing pool again, as opposed to taking something that puts my body back in check, and enjoying this game again, which one do you think I would choose? The only real thing that takes you over the top, is practice. I think it is bullshit to say that if you don't have the stuff in the beginning, that you just can't cut the mustard. Well- when they start gene splicing to make perfect people to play pool, I will bow out. I think I will check with my doctor for an alternative. On another note, I have diagnosed myself with remedies of my own. I will take protein powder to a tournament, mix it with water, and drink it an hour or so before. That way my muscles have plenty of it, and don't feel like breaking down later. I absolutely avoid caffeine, and try to stay away from sugars. If I am out of town playing, I have been known to test the nightlife. I have to weigh my priorities for the night, considering if my lack of sleep was worth it, because without a full night's sleep, I will shake no matter what. I have learned to deal with this my own way, and sometimes I even concentrate at the table more with it, because it is even more important now.
Last edited:
drivermaker
Banned
Josh Palmer said:
Yeah but what's worse... shaking from a lack of sleep...or shaking from a lot of sleep caused by a terrible case of blue balls and the hornies?
You're doing the right things though with the sugars and other stuff. Keep up the focus and good work, but don't forget what's MOST important in life....shall I say it for you or shall the entire group respond in unison....
POOOOOON!