Lithium and Hand Tremors?

[6un6silent6]

Sorry for the onslaught of topics but I'm new here and the search function yields varying results.

Since I started Lithium last November I noticed a fine tremor in my hands. While it is not bothersome it does make certain tasks such as handwriting or working with parts very difficult. My Pdoc says over time it should subside but even with me blasting water through my system and taking .5mg of clonazepam for anxiety as needed it still tremor from time to time. For those of you who haven't read my other threads, I was on 600mg for the last 7mo and upped to 900mg 8 days ago without any major side effects besides GI irritation.

I really don't want to keep stacking med upon med but if it does become bothersome is low-dose Propranolol or some other Beta-Blocker an option?

There have been days in past months where the tremor was noticeable (probably didn't drink enough water that day) and co-workers asked, "what are you on?". It's a bit embarrassing and I'd like to hear what options are out there for us.

Thanks again!

[sorrel]

Propanolol's all right, doesn't get rid of it all the time for me (anxiety is a killer) but it's pretty good. I have never (BTW) noticed a correlation with how much water I drink and the tremor. Anxiety, yes, and also higher than normal amounts of caffeine.

[AirMarshall]

I use a Beta blocker, Metoprolol, for several years and it helps tremendously. My pdoc chose it vice proponolol in order to minimize interaction with my asthma and asthma meds (which are Beta agonists). My pdoc also has strongly urged me to use the beta blocker PRN for anxiety, which is an accepted use.

a.m.

[gizmo]

I have a noticeable hand tremor (both hands) for the past three and a half years or so. I've been on the lithium for about four years. I do not think a tremor from lith goes away over time, nor does it get considerably worse.

You can take a beta blocker for the shakes, but I take 8 meds (MI and non MI) a day and I just had to draw a personal line at what was essential for me and what wasn't. And I can live with spilling my food when I eat - I can't live without the pill that stops my legs from jerking around when I'm trying to sleep. But I've been told that they are very effective for the shakes, and I have been told by the pdoc that he will write me a script any time I want to start.

I do not notice a correlation between fluid intake and tremors or caffeine and tremors. Of course, the amount I intake is roughly the same each day.

[6un6silent6]

Good points made, I do notice an increase in tremor when I'm in public or having a panic attack so a lot of it may be anxiety exasperating the Lithium tremor. Since I started the medicine I notice if my water is not where it should be I will tremor more, it could be coincidental or just in my head but for me keeping plenty of water onboard helps all around. I'll probably deal with the tremors and down the road discuss a beta-blocker with my Pdoc. I'm to the point now where I'm letting him drive for the most part.

[Guest]

My doctor basically got my levels stable on lithium, Then asked if I wanted to lower the lithium and raise seroquel (for same effect but less tremors) or go for something to try and stop the tremors. I chose the later because I'm a lot more afraid of seroquel than lithium =)

I'm currently using Propranolol (Inderal), and I find it works at lower doses when I'm not anxious, but as I start to get anxious, the tremors return with a vengeance. I haven't really played around all that much with increasing dose yet however, so the dose could be a tad low still.

[etkearne]

Hey, folks. I have a question.

I take 1200mg LiCO₃ a day and my hands shake terribly. It is made worse by the fact that I already have essential tremor (as does all of my dad's family). I figured I would take some Propranolol and be fine. Which was the case for a day or two. No shakes. No side effects.

Then, I went into a period of dypsnea, that is, I could not inhale enough air to satisfy my perceived needs. If I tried to yawn, it was unsuccessful. I read that this is a big beta-blocker problem, so I stopped taking it. I was only on it for like 5 days so there was no WD. It took two days for the dypsnea to stop and now my chest and diaphragm are pretty painful (took some Tylenol haha).

But, now my hands and lips are shaking like crazy again. I love LiCO₃. It is the best psych med I've taken my whole life, and other than the shakes, I have no side-effects.

SO:Is there a medication that I can take in the long term that will diminish the Lithium Hand Tremor??

[sorrel]

What dose of propanolol did you take? The dose for tremors is typically very low, far too low to induce side effects like dyspnea. Don't take this the wrong way but are you easily suggestible? The sensation of dyspnea is very easily perceived in someone who is expecting it, without a physical cause of it.

[etkearne]

What dose of propanolol did you take? The dose for tremors is typically very low, far too low to induce side effects like dyspnea. Don't take this the wrong way but are you easily suggestible? The sensation of dyspnea is very easily perceived in someone who is expecting it, without a physical cause of it.

I had never even heard of dypsnea until I started to research why I couldn't breathe properly. I only took 20mg twice a day. I had asthma as a child and teen, so maybe that contributed? Do you know of any other meds I could take?