Am I Just Getting Older or Is Something Wrong?

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tribdog
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I've noticed that my hands aren't as steady as they used to be and if I'm trying to anything involving super tiny items, like watch parts, I can't just place things where I want to. I have to sort of poke around until I hit the right spot. I'm turning 40 next year, which isn't that old. I also don't think I'm nearly as smart as I used to be. Where do you draw the line between just getting older and something might be wrong?
 
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Any time you notice changes that alarm you, you should see your doctor, regardless of age.
 
tribdog said:
I've noticed that my hands aren't as steady as they used to be and if I'm trying to anything involving super tiny items, like watch parts, I can't just place things where I want to. I have to sort of poke around until I hit the right spot. I'm turning 40 next year, which isn't that old. I also don't think I'm nearly as smart as I used to be. Where do you draw the line between just getting older and something might be wrong?

How much caffeine do you ingest? Taking any medicines that have shakiness/tremors as a side effect?
 
No. And when I look at the other people I know who are about my age I seem to be healthier than they are. I know I'm still smarter than them, and I can see a lot better than them. I'm not sure about how steady their hands are, but I think most of them are probably less steady than I am. And, don't take this as bragging, I think I started out at a higher level than them so it makes it hard to judge. And, you can take this as bragging with just a grain of truth, maybe the closer you are to perfection the more the slightest defect stands out. I don't know, I'm just rambling now I just feel like I've hit the "other side of the hill"
 
tribdog said:
No. And when I look at the other people I know who are about my age I seem to be healthier than they are. I know I'm still smarter than them, and I can see a lot better than them. I'm not sure about how steady their hands are, but I think most of them are probably less steady than I am. And, don't take this as bragging, I think I started out at a higher level than them so it makes it hard to judge. And, you can take this as bragging with just a grain of truth, maybe the closer you are to perfection the more the slightest defect stands out. I don't know, I'm just rambling now I just feel like I've hit the "other side of the hill"

Forty is a good age to start getting a physical every year(if you don't already). It wouldn't hurt to go early and tell your doctor about your shaking. They may ask you if you have noticed any other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, nervousness/agitation, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, fatigue, decreased concentration, and/or a rapid heart beat.
 
Go to the doctor, if for no other reason than to get a baseline for the future.

You should see me trying to thread a needle nowadays. First, I have to find a needle that I can see...