“Before treatment I was slowly becoming almost reclusive… the tremor had become the dominant feature in my life.”

For more than two decades, ‘John’, a former patient at the Queen Square Imaging Centre lived with a tremor in his right hand. At first, it only appeared during moments of stress. But over time, it became a constant, invasive presence. His tremor affected daily tasks, social confidence, and his emotional wellbeing.

A Growing Struggle with Essential Tremor

“The first significant issue was in 2016. I was carrying two coffees at breakfast in a hotel, and my right hand shook uncontrollably. The drinks spilled everywhere. I was mortified.”

As the tremor worsened, life became increasingly restricted. Carrying drinks, buttoning clothes, gardening, and even eating in public became stressful or impossible. Social events were avoided, and hobbies like painting, photography, and piano playing had to be abandoned.

“Mealtimes were particularly stressful, and I frequently became angry at the table with sheer frustration. My wife was helping me almost continually, to my embarrassment and disappointment.”

Despite challenging himself to learn to use his left hand for everyday tasks, the tremor eventually forced him to give up his part-time job and much of his independence.

Exploring Treatment Options for Essential Tremor

After being diagnosed with essential tremor, the patient tried medications, including propranolol and an anti-epileptic drug. These had little effect, and the side effects outweighed any benefits. More invasive surgical treatments, such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), didn’t feel like the right path.

“I feared the idea of intrusive surgery. But then I found MR-guided focused ultrasound and started researching it.”

Finding MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound at Queen Square

MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an incision-free, one-off treatment that uses precisely targeted ultrasound waves to interrupt tremor signals in the brain. The procedure is performed under MRI guidance and requires no general anaesthetic or hospital stay.

“I saw MRgFUS advertised in the RHS members magazine and made enquiries. At my assessment, my wife was shocked to see how bad my tremor really was – I had seemingly hidden it for years.”

After being assessed at the Queen Square Imaging Centre, ‘John’ was told he was a suitable candidate for treatment. Despite some anxiety about the outcome, he and his wife decided to go ahead.

The Day of Treatment

“The treatment itself seemed almost uneventful, except for wearing the brain cooling helmet which was very cold, though not necessarily uncomfortable. The team kept me informed throughout. Then came the moment that changed everything.”

While still lying on the MRI scanner, he was asked to draw a spiral – something he hadn’t been able to do for years. To his surprise, the pen moved smoothly.

“Previously, I could only make scribbles. I was genuinely amazed. The tremor had gone.”

He was able to return home the same day, with only temporary balance issues, which gradually resolved over the following weeks.

A New Chapter After Treatment

“I would go so far as to say the treatment gave me back my life – and most importantly, that of my wife.”

Today, he has returned to many of the activities he once loved. He can eat in public, carry drinks confidently, and once again enjoy painting, photography, and music.

“My friends and family are amazed at the change. Even now, I sometimes pause before doing something delicate, like pouring wine – then I remember I can.”

Encouraging Others to Explore MRgFUS

“If you’re suffering with essential tremor, I would wholeheartedly recommend learning more about this treatment. The results for me have been truly life-changing.”

---

Learn More About MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound at Queen Square

The Queen Square Imaging Centre, based in London’s internationally recognised hub for neurology and neurosurgery, offers private MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease.

To find out more, or to begin your own journey with an initial assessment, complete our self assessment form available here, or contact our team directly at treatment@queensquare.com or 020 7833 2513.