Patient Testimonial Videos

Pete’s story

Who I am

I grew up in San Bruno. Born in San Francisco. I have 3 kids, 2 sons and a daughter. My wife and I have been married for 36 years. I’ve been a glazer for 36 years, glass and metal worker. I love to play golf and weighlifting. After that, I’m just a family man.

When I first became aware of my tremor

I was in a meeting. My son… had mentioned to me afterwards that I had a shaky face. My face was quivering. I didn’t realize it. My wife of course thought the worst — it was Parkinson's. We went to a neurologist, and he diagnosed me after numerous times with essential tremors, which I had no idea what that was at that particular time.

How I felt when I was first diagnosed

I was relived because I didn’t have worse than what it was. But then I didn’t even know what it was. I couldn’t make a judgement call on that. Finding and educating that there is a cure to it, that there is a way to slow it down or control it, that made me happy. That was a plus. And it was a direction and something I could look forward to, something I can work towards and fix.

How my tremor affects my life

It affects me in golf. It affects me in my penmanship. What I really started noticing, and my wife did too, is eating. I would lean down to eat because I couldn’t bring the spoon up and I would shake all around. Stress at work. I get affected a lot by sports, weightlifting, adrenaline.

Eating is really hard for me to do; lifting the hand. Eye hand coordination is really hard with the shaking. You get around certain things by holding a little stiffer, using the bigger muscles, paying attention to it, making your self-conscientious of whatever you’re doing all day long, which is not really what you want to do. Being conscientious and not being free and just kind of moving around to your ability kind of affects you a little bit.

The biggest thing about why I wanted to get diagnosed… when I’m in a conference room, is I felt like I was being intimidated by the surroundings, which is not necessarily true. I’d shake, and somebody would see that and think ‘I have an edge on him. Something’s wrong with him. Why is he doing that?’ I didn’t like that feeling. I don’t like to be like I don’t have that control of my body.

How I talk about my tremor

I’m really open-minded about it. I’ll be frank with people to tell them that I do have tremors. I’ve been diagnosed with it. This is the side effect. I try to educate people about it because they need to know why I’m doing what I’m doing. It affects you internally when you’re talking to people. You want to make sure you’re aware and you’re making other people aware about why you’re doing it.

What’s a day with Cala Trio therapy like?

I get up in the morning, and I put the watch on. I’d charge it at night. First thing I would do is a session. I would go brush my teeth and take a shower. I would go downstairs, make my shake and do another session. I’d go to work.

I kind of learned how to setup the time to use it prior to playing golf.

During the day at work, I would maybe use it once or twice. And then I use it late at night just to settle in.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

After my initial therapy, I noticed a great change, immediately. It really worked, and that’s what got me intrigued to it. The amount of 40 minutes compared to the amount I would stay off and not have the tremors was well worth the time to me… I got to a point I had them (tremors) under control and the device was doing that for me.

Using the Cala Trio changed my personality and my life. It made me more confident. It allows me to be free, and I’m not feeling like people are looking at me.

Bob’s story

Who I am

I grew up in Pennsylvania. After college, I went into the army. After the army, went back to college, finished up grad school, (and) I came out to California. This was in the early ‘70’s. I worked in a variety of accounting and finance jobs. I’m retired now, but my last job, I was the CFO of an engineering company headquartered in San Francisco.

When I first became aware of my tremor

I was in a gym doing leg presses. My left leg was steady, but my right leg was shaking. I couldn’t understand that. So I went to the doctor. He said I have essential tremor. He asked if my parents had it, and I said I don’t know because it had been a long time since I had been back home. Shortly thereafter, I called my parents. Sure enough my dad had a tremor, and I never knew it. I noticed he always used two hands to drink a glass of water, but I never really put together why that was.

How my tremor affects my life

For someone who doesn’t have a tremor, it looks like you’re about to fall apart. But you just kind of learn to live with it the as the best you can.

Given what I’ve learned about it over the years, I have to say that I don’t think (my tremor) is all that bad. It changes over time. It’s not the same every day. Sometimes, I’ll say “this is a good day” even though I’m still shaking. Other times, it’s a bad day. Or depending on what time of day it is. It’s worse in the morning. It’s usually better off in the afternoon. It varies to some degree depending on the day. And of course, activities, they have a big effect on how good or how bad it is.

Trying to cut vegetables you really have to be careful. If I see a recipe that says it takes an hour, well for me, it's going to take an hour and 45 minutes.

How I talk about my tremor

I was much more self-conscious (about my tremor) early on, and I would never say anything to anyone. I would sorta try to hide it. It felt like a disability. I didn’t like to call attention to it. As time goes on, it does get worse. You really can’t avoid it. So finally, I started to just tell people I had a tremor, which is what I should have done all along because most people are very understanding about it.

What did you think when you first heard about Cala Health therapy?

I thought this would be a terrific thing if it worked because it was noninvasive. I had tried medications, 4 or 5 of them over time, and either the side effects were something that I really couldn’t tolerate or they would lose their effectiveness over time so that wasn’t working. I didn’t want to go the brain surgery route unless I get desperate.

What’s Cala Health therapy like?

It’s very easy to put on. You know what setting that it is, although it’s very easy to change the setting if it’s too high or too low because the day is different or somedays are different than other days. Whatever level of stimulation you have can be changed very easily if it’s uncomfortable or not.

My results with Cala Health therapy

Using the Cala (therapy) has a significant effect on how your day goes. It gives you confidence that your day is gonna be easier than it might otherwise be.

I noticed how easy it was to eat. I could hold things with a fork and didn’t have any trouble eating. I thought this was great! So I texted my wife to tell her what my experience was. When I was texting, I thought how easy it is to text... You only hit a letter one time, you don’t hit it two, sometimes three times. You hit the right letter. So all of a sudden texting is very easy. After I texted her that, I still remember, I held up my hand, I thought ‘So this is what it feels like to feel normal.’

Yvonne’s story

Who I am

I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to California. I’m a retired speech therapist.

When I first became aware of my tremor

I remember my husband and I were at brunch, and I really had difficulty with tea, holding the cup. I was really surprised I had to actually ask him to hold the cup while I drank the tea. I felt very embarrassed about that.

How my tremor affects my life

I realize that my tremor isn’t really as bad as some of the others I’ve seen. I don’t take medication so I think that under the circumstances I do pretty well most of the time. Then there are those times that it’s just really difficult.

The main impact has been on food, eating, drinking.

Putting on makeup. I like to wear makeup and what I noticed is that the fine skill of putting on eyeliner is very difficult. Jewelry is difficult. I can turn the opening to the front of my body and put the magnifying side of the mirror so I can see along with my glasses. Sometimes I have success, but a lot of the time, I don’t for necklaces. For earrings it’s hit and miss. One ear is always easier than the other ear.

How I talk about my tremor

I was at a meeting. I always thought nobody saw it because initially when it started, I didn’t think anybody saw it. A fellow came up to me that I didn’t really know. We had been introduced, and I said, “I noticed you have a slight tremor in your head”. I’m thinking “how dare you” and I thought because he saw it everybody sees it. So now what I do is talk about it, and it takes the edge off of anybody staring.

What’s Cala Trio therapy like?

The Cala Trio really is easy to use once you get used to it. I say that because at the beginning I let the battery run out, and I did not charge it at night like I learned to do every night. Once I started charging it, it was a piece of cake to use.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

I had good results in my early therapy. I thought that I initially did not have good results because my tremor really wasn't as severe as others I had seen. So I was looking for zero tremor. And so I still have tremor. But in many cases, it was not as big.

When I look at the results of my testing, the before and the after, I can see where I have improved. The Cala Trio has really improved the tremor.

The Cala Trio has really impacted my life in a positive way. I am able to see results when I do the pre test and the post test.

Joyce’s story

Who I am

I grew up in the Midwest and moved out to California a few years ago. I am in IT for a retail company.

When I first became aware of my tremor

I have a familial tremor so it’s something that runs in my family. From the time I was 10-12 years old was the first time that I noticed it and through the years it has become progressively worse.

When I was younger the first time I really realized it was when someone pointed out that my paper was shaking, and it was that moment I realized that that wasn’t something normal and that most people, when they hold paper, their hands don’t shake.

How I felt when I was first diagnosed

I was embarrassed about it, and I definitely tried to hide it. I would do little things like putting a folder on top of my paper so it was a little sturdy and I didn’t shake as much.

How my tremor affects my life

The tasks that are the most difficult for me with my tremor for sure has to be putting on makeup in the morning. There's a lot of gouging my eye unfortunately, and a lot of clean up with Q-tips afterwards for any sort of eye makeup.

Eating soup at this point in my life is not something I do anymore. There's a lot of things I have to work around with my tremor.

If I have to give a presentation a lot of people always think that I’m nervous when I might not be. Holding a laser pointer or using the mouse to point to something on a screen in front of a large group of people is definitely difficult for me.

How I talk about my tremor

I’m not ashamed of it anymore. I think I tried to hide it before where now I don’t hide it. It’s part of who I am, and I’m usually pretty open about it to people.

My father and my sister both have tremors… I think that it made me want to investigate more and to understand it more. When I found out that a majority of people that have it are usually older I wanted to dive into it and I wanted to actually get into helping out with research.

What’s Cala Trio therapy like?

It’s a very unique feeling. It doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t tickle. It’s just a unique feeling, but it’s great I can go about my day doing the treatment so it doesn’t stop me from doing anything.

The Cala Trio is very easy to use. Just put it on like a watch and press a few buttons and you’re on your way.

What’s a day with Cala Trio therapy like?

I would always start my therapy with the Cala Trio in the morning when I first woke up. I would get my kids off to school so I prepare lunches and everything while using it. Then I would wait a few hours and do it again in the middle of the day, and then follow it up with a session of treatment at night.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

After I had my first treatment with the Cala Trio I was actually amazed at the results. Things that were difficult for me to do became easier and manageable and I was really impressed.

I noticed that even after the therapy, an hour or two hours after the therapy, I was still seeing the results. I would pick up a glass of water that would normally be shaking up towards my face was pretty steady so I was surprised at how well it continued to last a few hours after my treatment.

The Cala Trio definitely helped me feel more confident. Right after a session I was steady. My hands were steady. I was able to do things that I'm not normally able to do, and I could do those things with ease and that definitely made me feel more confident, less insecure about myself and about my tremors.

Beverly’s story

Who I am

I'm one of four children. Of the four of us, three have essential tremor. I am dealing with it better, thanks to my little miracle, my Cala Trio, which has helped.

When I first became aware of my tremor

In my forties. I'm now seventy-two. I began to notice that when I tried to write and use my hands, very often they would be shaky. I was not formerly diagnosed with essential tremor, until about fifteen years ago. Primary care dealt with my tremor until then. Fifteen years ago, I had a complete workup by my neurologist. He ruled out any other cause of my movement disorder and diagnosed essential tremor.

How my tremor affects my life

The hardest things for me are fine motor activities, like writing, feeding myself, eating and using my hands for little things, like putting in earrings. And lots of other things like grooming, trimming my fingernails, and taking care of my hands. There are so many little things that you take for granted if you don't have a tremor.

How I use Cala Trio therapy

I love a cup of coffee in the morning. And to do the Sudoku. Whenever I drink my coffee and do the Sudoku, I put on the Cala Trio. I can fill in the numbers. My hands don't shake out of the little boxes. That's a big improvement. Now it's my primary go-to for tremor management. It doesn't fix my tremor. It doesn't cure my tremor. It doesn't completely eliminate my tremor. But it reduces the intensity sometimes by half or more. I've gotten to the point now where I rely on it so much that if I leave home without it, I panic. Because I know that if I don't have it, my tremor can become out of control.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

It’s a very unique feeling. It doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t tickle. It’s just a unique feeling, but it’s great I can go about my day doing the treatment so it doesn’t stop me from doing anything.

The Cala Trio is very easy to use. Just put it on like a watch and press a few buttons and you’re on your way.

What’s a day with Cala Trio therapy like?

I would always start my therapy with the Cala Trio in the morning when I first woke up. I would get my kids off to school so I prepare lunches and everything while using it. Then I would wait a few hours and do it again in the middle of the day, and then follow it up with a session of treatment at night.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

Cala Trio has given me the ability to go back out into the world. Cala Trio has given me confidence. I'm an elected officer in my precinct, in my city. I had lost the ability to take notes in meetings. I can wear my Cala Trio now and keep it on when I go into meetings, turn it on at a low level, and leave it on throughout the meeting. It helps me to be able to write better and use my hands better.

Holly’s story

Who I am

My name is Holly. I volunteer and conduct mission work with my husband. I’m also a grandmother.

When I first became aware of my tremor

In my late 40s. And I didn't think too much about it. When I was in my mid-50s, my son started telling me, “mom you need to do something about that.” I realized he was right. I decided that it was probably a good time to see a neurologist.

How my tremor affects my life

Essential tremor had affected my life, particularly in terms of being with people and in a dining situation. It would be difficult for me to drink without spilling whatever I'm drinking. And a little bit later, it was difficult keeping food on my fork. It's difficult to read. The tremors really make a difference holding a book, a magazine, or a newspaper. When cooking, I have trouble keeping a knife steady when the tremor is really bad.

How I use Cala Trio therapy

I usually use Cala Trio in the morning, because I frequently have a pretty severe tremor in the morning. Then I will use it periodically during the day and in the evening before I start cooking. And definitely before we go out to have dinner either by ourselves or with friends.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

My right hand is the one that gets the Cala treatment. And afterward, it's just so nice to be able to go about my normal business knowing that I'm not going to be trembling the way that I had prior. If I'm out, it's nice to know that people aren't looking at me and wondering what's wrong with her? I would say that the difference with Cala treatment is indeed the different between night and day. It's the difference between feeling very apprehensive and feeling more confident.

Greg’s story

Who I am

My name is Greg and I have essential tremor. Prior to my retirement I was a Utility Construction Supervisor. Watercolor painting is my primary hobby.

When I first became aware of my tremor

I noticed the tremor in my thumb in 1994. I was reaching for a paperclip and my thumb was moving kind of erratically. I thought that was kind of strange. I didn't think a lot about it. That went on for a few years. And then in 1999, I saw a doctor about it. I was officially diagnosed with tremor.

How my tremor affects my life

What's most challenging for me with essential tremor is anything that has to do with my hands. Writing anything. Drawing anything. What's most impacted is my watercolor painting. Anything to do with computers because I double-strike almost everything on the computer. I have to go back and correct a lot of things. The other part on a personal side is when I get up in the morning, brushing my teeth and brushing my hair is a problem. I've got a great dog. Walking her in itself is not a problem but getting the leash on my dog can be a problem.

What’s Cala Trio therapy like

One of the things that was particularly nice about Cala Trio was that it was the size of – of a wristwatch. It is comfortable to wear. The band is attached with velcro so it's easy to put on and take off. There's two marks on the band that tell you where you need to put it. The Cala Trio is easy to use.

My results with Cala Trio therapy

I can do things that I otherwise wouldn't be able to do, which are writing and painting and using a wrench or putting a screwdriver in the slot of a screw. I take my grandkids out for breakfast. Before Cala Trio, my grandkids would laugh at me for trying to eat. They'd say funny things like, “look at grandpa”. But today they don't do that; they appreciate that when I'm wearing the Cala Trio, my hands don't shake. So, it's clear to everybody that Cala Trio works. Even my grandkids know it.

Patient Testimonials

“I love a cup of coffee in the morning and to do the Sudoku. And now whenever I drink my coffee and the Sudoku I put on the Cala Trio. It doesn’t completely eliminate my tremor. But it reduces the intensity. Cala Trio has given me the ability to go back out into the world.”

“I noticed how easy it was to eat ...so I texted my wife to tell her what my experience was. When I was texting I thought how easy it is to text ... After I texted her that, I still remember, I held up my hand, I thought so this is what it feels like to feel normal.”

“I had good results in my early therapy. I thought that I initially did not have good results because my tremor really wasn't as severe as others I had seen. So I was looking for zero tremor. And so I still have tremor. But in many cases, it was not as big...”

“I would always start my therapy with the Cala Trio in the morning when I first woke up. I would get my kids off to school so I prepare lunches and everything while using it ... All those day to day tasks that I struggled with I was able to complete thanks to the Cala Trio.”

“Using the Cala Trio changed my personality and my life. It made me more confident. It allows me to be free and I’m not feeling like people are looking at me.”