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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on January 25, 2003, at 13:36:02
i am considering going on lithium and wondering how frequent/severe the tremors are
can anything be done to prevent them? start low, go slow? inderal? a extended release form like lithane?
i imagine it just wouldnt be cool to have an anxiety disorder and twitch like a freak :(
on the other hand, i hear it has excellent antidepressant properties :)
Posted by JackD on January 25, 2003, at 14:30:28
In reply to lithium tremors, posted by cybercafe on January 25, 2003, at 13:36:02
They're not too bad even when i go as high as 1800 mg (forgot the blood level). They get bad either when I'm nervous or scared or anything to raise my adrenaline, which kind of sucks cause that's exactly when you wouldn't want that. Also they do not seem very much dose depedendent; I get them pretty much as band even at 900mg.
Here's an example of how bad the tremors are: I had a presentation in front of my class, and my hands were trembling as I held my paper and the sides of my mouth trembled as I tried to smile, making me look about 100x more nervous than I was. No big deal though, I stuck through it. Oh, also when I hold say a phone or glass of water up to drink it i have to tighten my muscles so as not to let my arm/hand tremble.
It definitely has a nice AD aspect and anti-anxiety qualities(if your anxiety is truly mania related then especially so).
The best meds that I can think of to block this would be beta blockers like you mentioned, taking the extended release of Li which you also mentioned (also easier on stomach), and finally don't get excited, heh. Oh, Klonopin works really well too.
Good luck bro.
Posted by cybercafe on January 25, 2003, at 19:25:29
In reply to Re: lithium tremors, posted by JackD on January 25, 2003, at 14:30:28
> They're not too bad even when i go as high as 1800 mg (forgot the blood level). They get bad either when I'm nervous or scared or anything to raise my adrenaline, which kind of sucks cause that's exactly when you wouldn't want that. Also they do not seem very much dose depedendent; I get them pretty much as band even at 900mg.
>
> Here's an example of how bad the tremors are: I had a presentation in front of my class, and my hands were trembling as I held my paper and the sides of my mouth trembled as I tried to smile, making me look about 100x more nervous than I was. No big deal though, I stuck through it. Oh, also when I hold say a phone or glass of water up to drink it i have to tighten my muscles so as not to let my arm/hand tremble.that sounds kind of bad man :( i think i had the same problem on depatoke/valporate (fingers and lips)
were you taking extended release at the time? beta blockers and klonazepam?
>
> It definitely has a nice AD aspect and anti-anxiety qualities(if your anxiety is truly mania related then especially so).
>yeah! is that important? i notice i get nervous when i get excited about doing fun stuff
> The best meds that I can think of to block this would be beta blockers like you mentioned, taking the extended release of Li which you also mentioned (also easier on stomach), and finally don't get excited, heh. Oh, Klonopin works really well too.
>
> Good luck bro.hey did the tremors get better or worse with time?
thanks a lot for the info bro
Posted by judy1 on January 26, 2003, at 11:48:08
In reply to lithium tremors, posted by cybercafe on January 25, 2003, at 13:36:02
May I ask why you're considering going on it? If it's for anxiety/depression, then have you addressed the anxiety with xanax (has some nice AD qualities). Personally, I think lithium should be reserved for bipolar disorder- especially bp1 with true mania, which it works very well for. I have bp1, but I couldn't handle the side effects of lithium (yes, tremors) and went on to try all the AEDs which have their own nasty side effects. wish I sounded more positive, if you decide to go on it, start at a very low dose and carefully monitor it and stay hydrated. take care- judy
Posted by cybercafe on January 26, 2003, at 12:06:45
In reply to Re: lithium tremors » cybercafe, posted by judy1 on January 26, 2003, at 11:48:08
> May I ask why you're considering going on it? If it's for anxiety/depression, then have you addressed the anxiety with xanax (has some nice AD qualities). Personally, I think lithium should be reserved for bipolar disorder- especially bp1 with true mania, which it works very well for. I have bp1, but I couldn't handle the side effects of lithium (yes, tremors) and went on to try all the AEDs which have their own nasty side effects. wish I sounded more positive, if you decide to go on it, start at a very low dose and carefully monitor it and stay hydrated. take care- judy
i'm bp 2 + ADD .... i'm coming off zyprexa (to help my horrible ADD), and wondering what i might like to take if i start becoming hypomanic....
i guess i'll go back to valporate if you think lithium is that bad
Posted by judy1 on January 27, 2003, at 10:44:13
In reply to Re: lithium tremors, posted by cybercafe on January 26, 2003, at 12:06:45
Did you have problems with depakote (valproate)? What dose were you taking? I have a great pdoc (and have developed insight with my manias and have lots of support) so I only take depakote to stop an episode- so maybe 1 week out of 4 months. 99.9% of pdocs would not go along with this, but I couldn't take the depression that was my side effect of depakote, so it was either this method or none. I'm glad you'retapering off of zyprexa, another drug that caused EPS for me- and one I only take if I have psychotic symptoms. best of luck-judy
Posted by Chloe on January 27, 2003, at 11:42:48
In reply to Re: lithium tremors, posted by cybercafe on January 26, 2003, at 12:06:45
Hi Cybercafe,
I am bp2 and I love lithium (controlled release is a must!) Out of all the Mood Stablilizers, that is really the only one that makes me feel calm and controlled. It also seems to prevent the horrible crashes into depression too. I do have a minor tremor in my hands. But, I must confess, that I kind of like it. I feel alive when I am shaky! And you do learn ways to control or lessen it for you. The tremor is really quite minor, I think. And I am on a rather high dose for my size. It seems that my body metabilizes it well. Phew, finally I have found a med. that agrees with me...And I like the idea that Lithium is somewhat "natural." It's the third element on the periodic table, so I feel like I am somehow connected with the earth!
I do have diazapam (klonipin knocks me out cold!) as a prn if I get anxious. But I must say my anxiety level is not as high side since I got on lithium CR.
As I said earlier, I would take Li over the AED anyday, and I have tried most all. Valporate made me feel so lifeless and blah.
Good luck!
Chloe
Posted by cybercafe on January 27, 2003, at 13:23:20
In reply to Re: lithium tremors » cybercafe, posted by judy1 on January 27, 2003, at 10:44:13
> Did you have problems with depakote (valproate)? What dose were you taking? I have a great pdoc (and have developed insight with my manias and have lots of support) so I only take depakote to stop an episode- so maybe 1 week out of 4 months. 99.9% of pdocs would not go along with this, but I couldn't take the depression that was my side effect of depakote, so it was either this method or none. I'm glad you'retapering off of zyprexa, another drug that caused EPS for me- and one I only take if I have psychotic symptoms. best of luck-judy
no i didnt have problems with depakote.... i went off it when trying to get out of a depression... then when mild hypomania hit, my doc put me on zyprexa
the only things i didnt like about depakote was tremors and blood tests
the reason i wanted to try lithium is because i know it also has an antidepressant effect... plus in the local support groups i go to everyone seems to be taking it and doing fine
This is the end of the thread.
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