@rspaulling, I have essential tremor in my hands and chin; I am also on psychiatric meds that aggravate the condition: Cymbalta and Klonopin. Some of my migraine preventitives also increase the tremor. My psychiatrist prescribed Cogentin to use as needed when the tremor gets too bad. Have you tried this medicine? I find it helpful, especially with the tremor in my chin. I wish you all the best with your mental illness and tremor. There are many of us who deal with adverse side effects from much-needed medications. I used to take more psych meds, to even out the highs and lows, but dropped them due to the tremors. I was dropping dishes, pans of hot food, etc. You have to work with your doctor to find the best combination for you as a whole person. I recommend a pharmacological genetic test such as Assurex to see which meds your body can optimally handle; it helps avoid the trial and error. Google this test; it is fairly inexpensive due to their sliding fee scale if not covered by insurance; it is free for Medicare patients. In the meantime, ask your doctor about Cogentin. Good luck!
I am still working with my psychiatrist. I have dropped Depakote and went to 150 Wellbutrin. Next week I will see her and am trying to see what drug works. Lorazepam works for some shaking and dropping things. It helps me with social anxiety. I am using cognitive behavior therapy to change the way I think about being anxious. It is helping that am a grandmother and go shopping with our daughter and our granddaughter. Rob and i entertain her in the cart while my daughter shops. The hard part is I am still on a cane for a hip replacement. I did participate in a study to use yoga to help my hip recover. That definitely works. Thank you for taking the time to write. My tremor does not help with typing. I bet it is hard for you.
So far Depakote, which I stopped. Now I am remembering what talking fast feels like. Also my psychiatrist halved my Wellbutrin. When I see her again, we will try other drugs that work with mania that don't have a side effect of tremors.
Thank you for sharing your friends. My daughter thinks I can slow my brIn down by willing to.
I can't stress enough on the benefits of knowing your genetic profiling. Definitely the trial and error process of medications. There really are plenty of other drugs to substitute for those meds causing terrible side effects. KLONIPIN horribly known for tremors and Depakote which also know to cause weight gain.
Hi @jbyrd. Welcome to Connect! My husband and I both suffer from depression (he had a bipolar diagnosis at one point, but we weren't sure it was accurate) and I also have anxiety, so I know what you are going through. We've both found that the right combination of meds and regular therapy helps a lot. Are you seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist? I know it sounds cliche but exercise really helps too. It's so hard to make yourself do it when you are tired and depressed, but it always makes me feel better. I think a lot of it is learning your triggers, trying out various coping mechanisms (reading, exercise, yoga, meditation, etc.) to find out what works for you to help improve your mood. Meds help with the chemical side but that's just half the battle. Tagging @mlemieux, @dhertenstein, @mikey155734 and @pj1959 who might be able to add to the conversation or offer some support.
Thanks. My psychiastrist is seeing me once a month...She is stopping Depakote because of the tremors. I had to wean off it. She halved my Wellbutrin for the same reason. Having social anxiety is the toughest. Ativan helps my tremor in my hands and when I am anxious. I talk really fast without it. My fast taking is annoying to others, esp daughter. Asking myself what is the worst that will happen if certain fearful things happen, helps me not to be aanxious.
I went through a rough depression/anxiety/panic attack period<br />
<br />
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I did the usual psycholigist sessions for 6 mos and wasn't getting anywhere<br />
<br />
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I finally realized that only I could set my problems straight<br />
<br />
<br />
I began to go outward and avoided going inward into my own trap<br />
<br />
<br />
I turned my attention to humor about the things that triggered my turning inward<br />
<br />
<br />
I began to share my feelings with similarly affected folks and found that i had very common maladies with others and recognized that there were others worse off than I<br />
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I now am able to overturn sinking regressive behavior int positive forward movement<br />
<br />
<br />
Do not let your thoughts have tine to be negative<br />
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You can overpower and control your thoughts by addressing them<br />
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<br />
hope this helps<br />
<br />
<br />
Ro <br />
Hi @jbyrd. Welcome to Connect! My husband and I both suffer from depression (he had a bipolar diagnosis at one point, but we weren't sure it was accurate) and I also have anxiety, so I know what you are going through. We've both found that the right combination of meds and regular therapy helps a lot. Are you seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist? I know it sounds cliche but exercise really helps too. It's so hard to make yourself do it when you are tired and depressed, but it always makes me feel better. I think a lot of it is learning your triggers, trying out various coping mechanisms (reading, exercise, yoga, meditation, etc.) to find out what works for you to help improve your mood. Meds help with the chemical side but that's just half the battle. Tagging @mlemieux, @dhertenstein, @mikey155734 and @pj1959 who might be able to add to the conversation or offer some support.
I'm sorry you're going through this. And please excuse my delay not responding sooner.
I know what you're going through. Although I am not bi-polar, I too battled a long time ago with depression and anxiety. Most anti-depressant medications had little to no effect, but for anxiety, at the time I found Clonazapam 0.5mg worked for the social aspect since it had few side effects and started working within minutes. Now please don't take my word, speak to a doctor (which I'm sure you have so many times).
In the end. A good diet, meditation once a day, changes in my behavior and a strong support system from my family and friends helped me to rebuild my life.
Diet:
Energy is essential
Meditation:
Learn to relax the mind and heart (outdoors / social events)
Support System:
Someone to talk to and who's always there for you providing that boost needed daily.
I love what "Ro" @twptrustrek wrote. Small little things daily can help to turn your life around. It's not an instant fix, it's a long term solution to help change your historical thought mechanism. Just like habits, it takes some time and practice to help make true positive changes in our lives.
Take baby steps once a day. Write down all the "small" things that give you anxiety on a sheet of paper, also write down all the "thoughts" that initiate your depression. Knowing your triggers can help NOT to avoid them, but to do something positive to change the behavior.
For ex: Anxiety
Trigger:
Bus stop, silence, people
Reaction:
Nervous, sweating, panic attack
Things to try:
Read a book while waiting, keep yourself occupied with something, drink LOT's of water, say hello to someone instead of silence, give someone a smile and say good day 🙂
Small things make a HUGE difference.
We here at the Mayo Clinic discussion group are all here for you. Please share and connect with us anytime you need someone to talk to. Click on our "names" and send private messages if necessary.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am working with a psychiatrist once a week. Because I broke my hip last year, I was allowed to be in a study to use yoga to make my hip more flexible. At MUSC Charleston, SC, a doctor taught me behavioral talk therapy and I use it for social anxiety. Thank you for contacting me. My psychiatrist and my Internist are trying to find out a ojt my essential tremors.
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Hi @rspaulling, I moved your message to this existing discussion on social anxiety, depression and bipolar so that you could meet the members who are talking about these. Please meet @missyb57 @jbyrd @book2075. I'm also tagging @trouble4343 @birdbear @lesbatts @lauriedr to join this discussion.
It sounds like you have a great support network at home. What meds are causing the hand tremors?
@rspaulling, I have essential tremor in my hands and chin; I am also on psychiatric meds that aggravate the condition: Cymbalta and Klonopin. Some of my migraine preventitives also increase the tremor. My psychiatrist prescribed Cogentin to use as needed when the tremor gets too bad. Have you tried this medicine? I find it helpful, especially with the tremor in my chin. I wish you all the best with your mental illness and tremor. There are many of us who deal with adverse side effects from much-needed medications. I used to take more psych meds, to even out the highs and lows, but dropped them due to the tremors. I was dropping dishes, pans of hot food, etc. You have to work with your doctor to find the best combination for you as a whole person. I recommend a pharmacological genetic test such as Assurex to see which meds your body can optimally handle; it helps avoid the trial and error. Google this test; it is fairly inexpensive due to their sliding fee scale if not covered by insurance; it is free for Medicare patients. In the meantime, ask your doctor about Cogentin. Good luck!
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2 ReactionsI am still working with my psychiatrist. I have dropped Depakote and went to 150 Wellbutrin. Next week I will see her and am trying to see what drug works. Lorazepam works for some shaking and dropping things. It helps me with social anxiety. I am using cognitive behavior therapy to change the way I think about being anxious. It is helping that am a grandmother and go shopping with our daughter and our granddaughter. Rob and i entertain her in the cart while my daughter shops. The hard part is I am still on a cane for a hip replacement. I did participate in a study to use yoga to help my hip recover. That definitely works. Thank you for taking the time to write. My tremor does not help with typing. I bet it is hard for you.
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Hug
2 ReactionsSo far Depakote, which I stopped. Now I am remembering what talking fast feels like. Also my psychiatrist halved my Wellbutrin. When I see her again, we will try other drugs that work with mania that don't have a side effect of tremors.
Thank you for sharing your friends. My daughter thinks I can slow my brIn down by willing to.
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1 ReactionSo good of you to join this conversation Laurie, and for mentioning the pharmacogenetics testing (PGx). Here is some information about the testing from Mayo Clinic
- Pharmacogenomics in Patient Care https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-individualized-medicine/patient-care/pharmacogenomics
Laurie did you do the testing? I know that @dawn_giacabazi and @kdubois have done the PGx test and benefitted from knowing their profile.
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3 ReactionsI can't stress enough on the benefits of knowing your genetic profiling. Definitely the trial and error process of medications. There really are plenty of other drugs to substitute for those meds causing terrible side effects. KLONIPIN horribly known for tremors and Depakote which also know to cause weight gain.
Genetic Profiling a necessity
Dawn
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1 ReactionThanks. My psychiastrist is seeing me once a month...She is stopping Depakote because of the tremors. I had to wean off it. She halved my Wellbutrin for the same reason. Having social anxiety is the toughest. Ativan helps my tremor in my hands and when I am anxious. I talk really fast without it. My fast taking is annoying to others, esp daughter. Asking myself what is the worst that will happen if certain fearful things happen, helps me not to be aanxious.
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2 ReactionsSorry, my real name is Rosemarie. I was taught behavioral talk therapy which is what you discoverd yourself. IMPRESSIVE!
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1 ReactionHi @rspaulling, sounds like a good plan of care. Definitely difficult daily. Small steps, lots of positive self talk!!
Do you have a good support system? A good friend or family member that can help you when you need someone to lean on?
Have you tried any nonmedical types of treatments or therapies?
Here is a link for some treatment options that may help as well, if you haven't already tried them. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20168146
Thanks
Dawn
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am working with a psychiatrist once a week. Because I broke my hip last year, I was allowed to be in a study to use yoga to make my hip more flexible. At MUSC Charleston, SC, a doctor taught me behavioral talk therapy and I use it for social anxiety. Thank you for contacting me. My psychiatrist and my Internist are trying to find out a ojt my essential tremors.
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Helpful -
Hug
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