1. < Brain & Nervous System

Hand tremors

Posted by basketcase @basketcase, Dec 8, 2018

Hi Im not sure if this has been discussed before please point me in the right direction if it has. I ve been having hand tremors for a few years now and I reckon its getting worse. I have been on Chlolipmarine Hydrochloride for about 20 years for anxiety, depression and obsessive thinking. They have always worked for me but i think one of the side effects is hand tremors. Ive had blood tests and all ok there. the Doctor suggested coming off the CH and trying Sertraline, which I did but just felt like sleeping all the time, so back to CH. Its like Ive got too much adrenaline! It is worse in company and at work even though Im not stressed or anxious. As Im typing this my hands are shaking. It doesn't stop me doing anything but its annoying and I often have to drink holding the cup or glass with both hands and my writing is awful. My Uncle had awful hand tremors but was also on antidepressants, my mother too but less so. Any advice would be most welcome.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | May 13, 2019

Many of you have shared in this Mayo Clinic Connect discussion about experiencing hand tremor, what you learned from your neurologist and how you are managing these symptoms. Thought it would be beneficial to check in with you all and see how things are going, anticipating that your responses will be helpful to all the members here.

@kathystl - how is it going with your reduced dosage of propranolol? Are you still finding your tremors to be worse?

@thankful - how is your left hand doing recently? Did you end up looking further into taking propranolol for the tremor?

@odikaflog - how is your right hand tremor you mentioned? Is the combination of propranolol, lorazepam and clonidine you talked about working for symptom control?

@basketcase - wondering how the hand tremor is recently and if you and your doctor determined a medication that might work for you and not have this side effect?

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kathystl | @kathystl | May 13, 2019

Thanks for asking. The reduced dosage of Propranolol doesn’t completely stop the tremors in my left hand, but it’s only noticeable to me so far. As the tremor worsens with time I will probably have to increase the dosage, and hope it doesn’t cause my blood pressure to dip too low.

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thankful | @thankful | May 14, 2019

@lisalucier- My ET is not bad enough that I would want to take a script for it, but I am planning to give Accupuncture a try. Right now the main thing that suffers is my handwriting. "The nuns would find it unacceptable"!

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1 reply
bettyusa | @bettyusa | May 14, 2019
In reply to @sjd416 "Hello, everyone, I’m not responding to any particular person. I came across these posts and glad..." + (show)
@sjd416

Hello, everyone, I’m not responding to any particular person. I came across these posts and glad I did. I’ve been diagnosed with ‘Benign Essential Tremor’ AKA ‘Familial Tremor’ by a neurologist. It started several years ago, and was mild at first and only in one hand. Fast forward about 7 years and it’s in both hands, and noticeable, especially when I’m eating or doing things that require dexterity. I also have mild tremors in my head, which only my doctor has noticed so far. My father has it in his hands too. His followed the same course of intensifying over time, and is especially self-conscious when eating, and that only makes it worse.

For the time being, I’m not taking medication specifically for the condition other than 5MG diazepam occasionally to mask the tremors when I’m around people, as long as I don’t need to be alert for driving, and that helps some. I have chronic pain from degenerative disc disease, and don’t want to add another medication. The doctor has offered deep brain stimulation, which doesn’t appeal to me either.

I’d like to follow this forum to learn more about the condition. Thanks for reading.

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So sorry, I hope by now you are much better. I have had hand tremor for several years off and on but my Dr. says that many older people have it, and they do get better if I get my rest /sleep and do not get excited are upset they get bad then. Have not had any for a few years, mine is not as bad as yours. I do know how you feel. I just came across this and it was posted DEC.2018.

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1 reply
dmk6663 | @dmk6663 | Jul 12, 2019
In reply to @rigalevin "I have ET for 30 years and getting worse. Recently I started research on CBD oils..." + (show)
@rigalevin

I have ET for 30 years and getting worse. Recently I started research on CBD oils to relief symptoms. Does anyone have experience with using oils?

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Have you had any luck finding out about CBD oil? I live in rural area and would have to order. Side effects?

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anndomico | @anndomico | Jul 14, 2019

It have. head tremors for awhile. I met with a neurologist and after she tried primidone with me and it did not work she suggested I try Botox inthe back of my neck which paralyzer my neck.muscles
And keeps my head from shaking. I still get tremors
In my hands but only when I am anxious. You might see if you neurologist could recommend something like this.

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mabargaol | @mabargaol | Jul 16, 2019

You may need a Beta Blocker which will help in stopping your hand tremor, it maybe also essential tremor, or something else have you try to put your hands in your feet sitting? if you do and there is no tremor, that is great is there is a tremor, it may not be essential tremor, it maybe something else, so I may suggest that you visit an specialist in movement disorders, (a neurologist) which can check you out and tell you what is going on

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @mabargaol "You may need a Beta Blocker which will help in stopping your hand tremor, it maybe..." + (show)
@mabargaol

You may need a Beta Blocker which will help in stopping your hand tremor, it maybe also essential tremor, or something else have you try to put your hands in your feet sitting? if you do and there is no tremor, that is great is there is a tremor, it may not be essential tremor, it maybe something else, so I may suggest that you visit an specialist in movement disorders, (a neurologist) which can check you out and tell you what is going on

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Hi, @mabargaol - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds as though you have some experience with hand tremors? If so, will you share a bit about your story?

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1 reply
mabargaol | @mabargaol | Jul 17, 2019

No I dont have tremors, I had an experience with a friend that have tremors, and did not go to the doctor, and after researching I learnt a lot about it, so much that finally I told him to go to an specialist, I know a lot more about many other medical situations, so much that I had saved two lives

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oakbourne | @oakbourne | Jul 17, 2019
In reply to @kathystl "True they could have been carriers, plus my Dad died young so no telling what he..." + (show)
@kathystl

True they could have been carriers, plus my Dad died young so no telling what he may have had. Did any of you have vocal cords affected also?

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NO, that's Dysphonia. I have heard many people with this disease. This is also considered a disease under the Dystonia umbrella.

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