Ray’s Story | Essential Tremor Treatment | MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

Ray returns to work as a welder and enjoys more time with family after receiving MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment (MRgFUS) for his essential tremor in both hands.
Learn more about the advanced diagnosis and treatment options available for essential tremor at Stanford Health Care:
Essential Tremor: stanfordhealth...
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS): stanfordhealth...
Dr. Vivek Buch, Neurosurgeon: stanfordhealth...
Dr. Margaret Ferris, Neurologist: stanfordhealth...
Movement Disorders Center: stanfordhealth...

[@ericstephenson9038]

I have known I had an essential tremor since I was in my early teens. It was extremely slight then, and even now it is nowhere near how bad this is. I am an electrician and me and my coworkers all joke about “shakes mcgee” but despite the fun, I still worry about the end result of worsening tremors. This gives me a great amount of hope that if my tremors progress to the point of not being able to do my job, that there is actually a possible treatment, not just medication, or switching careers

[@dajahvue]

I would love to take my dad fishing again. We are going to his neurologist appointment this weekend. Hoping to change our lives around

[@johndutton3679]

This is a great story Ray, and it resonated deeply with me.. the reason being I had massive tremors due to an aggressive form of Parkinson's. I had FUS surgery last year and the tremors were totally abolished in less time than it takes for a long lunch. Like Ray, the feeling of being given your life back is overwhelming and will bring a grown man to tears. If focused ultrasound surgery isn't a miracle, it is damn close. Should anyone want to see the step-by-step process, I made a documentary that is on KZbin called Tremor Documentary 2022. It has won awards at 22 film festivals and will offer you hope and inspiration. Proud to be on the same team as you Ray!

[@doughuie7578]

I have an evaluation for this procedure this summer, if not sooner, at Emory University in Atlanta. Been suffering from essential tremors for 25 years and love seeing and hearing successful stories of this treatment. I am on the same team with you guys as well and hope everything is going great!

[@johndutton3679]

@@doughuie7578 We'd welcome you to our team Doug! It's a good one to be on.. I have gone two years without Tremors and I couldn't be more happy about that. It's an amazing feeling and every day I smell the roses. Best of luck my friend!

[@kristancasey6801]

Ray suffered with essential tremors from as early as 12 years old. He was 35 when he had his first procedure. Now 40, he is living his best life and tremor free. I will not sugar coat it and tell you that it is all perfect. There were some challenges along the way with his recovery process (to be expected after brain surgery). However, the second procedure and recovery was much smoother and faster. Good luck to you Doug. You will do great! If you have any questions or concerns from a patient standpoint, Ray would speak to you about his personal experience.

[@I.H931]

@@kristancasey6801Hi Kristan, glad to hear Ray’s recovery story ❤️‍🩹. I also suffer from essential tremours and knew about this surgery about 5-8 years ago but there wasn’t enough research in it at the time. There was invasive with a needle but wasn’t comfortable. One reason I kept away from it was because it made me work harder in life as an hvac technician. Haha I remember the days of brazing copper pipes. Long story short, I’m among the highest paid in the family. Anyways I came across the thought of this again as I recently hit 30 and life needs to get serious. I would like to know what kind of problems Ray is having post surgery if you don’t mind sharing. I have instagram and facebook or can be contacted via email. Hope to hear from y’all. ✌🏼

[@I.H931]

@@kristancasey6801 Hi Ray glad to hear your recovery went well ❤️‍🩹. I suffer from Essential tremors and have been since about 10. I’m in the hvac field and I remember the days of brazing copper pipes. I actually knew about this procedure but it was relatively knew at the time about 5-8 years ago. The invasive surgery with needles wasn’t an option for me. I was reading the comment your wife made and have some questions regarding difficulties that you may have post surgery. I have facebook and instagram or can be contacted via email or even a phone call. Hope to hear from you! :)

Thank you for all the kind comments! This procedure saved my life!

[@I.H931]

Hi Ray glad to hear your recovery went well ❤️‍🩹. I suffer from Essential tremors and have been since about 10. I’m in the hvac field and I remember the days of brazing copper pipes. I actually knew about this procedure but it was relatively knew at the time about 5-8 years ago. The invasive surgery with needles wasn’t an option for me. I was reading the comment your wife made and have some questions regarding difficulties that you may have post surgery. I have facebook and instagram or can be contacted via email or even a phone call. Hope to hear from you! :)

[@peterpeterfreimark4869]

Good afternoon from Cleveland, Ohio. Ray, I am delighted to hear about your success. I have had essential genetic tremors since I was 12. I am now 73 and it is getting much worse. Yesterday I started on Primidone. I hope I can stand the side effects. I also hope it works. If not, I hope to have a brain procedure in my future. By the way isn't voice texting and voice Recognition a wonderful use of technology. All the best to you and all of your loved ones.

[@marieoldlace]

Thank you for making your video. I have been watching many of them since I was told I have essential tremor. It is much worse than yours, and I did lose the ability to perform my profession (hair stylist) many years ago. I am waiting to hear if the ct scan that I had done today will allow me to have the focused ultrasound done. I pray it will show results that will allow the procedure so I can write and use my hands as normal again.

[@unclegeorge7845]

Thanks for the hope.

[@areguapiri]

I stopped watching once I saw those awful masks.

[@bornsinner-sr5in]

Trauma?