Hand tremors - Prozac related?

Posted:: 24 Jun 2012 by peaceOfMind
Topics:: anafranil, prozac, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and stress, tremor

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Hi. I've had tremors in my hands for about 7 or 8 years now. I saw a neurologist and he said it's "essential tremors". I'm 45 and took Anafranil for 10 years and then started on Prozac after that; have been taking Prozac for about 10 years also. In between, I took some Mellaril and Xyperxa. Later, I took Ativan (lexapro) for anxiety as needed. Anyone know if the tremors are caused by any of those drugs? I'm tired of the tremors and don't know what to do. They embarrass me when I'm trying to eat in public or drink from a cup

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pledge

24 Jun 2012

Hello peaceofmind. Both Anafranil and Mellaril cause tremors as can long term use of Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. I took both these drugs (Anafranil and Mellaril) some years ago. Stopped the Mellaril because of having to deal with the public, through my work at the time and it was painfully visible. You might try and find another drug to replace the Prozac with. The tremors will disappear once the culprit drug is found out and stopped. Best of wishes and hopefully you will get over this, meaning the trembeling, pledge

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endlessPred

25 Jun 2012

Also there's such a thing as essential tremors that happen as the body ages. I agree that you should get off the Prozac and switch to something else. If after a few months the tremors don't go away then that is what you have. I have tremors from who knows where. High dose prednisone, tacrolimus, my disease. If it takes two hands to hold a glass, that is what I do. Not fun, but I now have a cane and one of those four wheel walkers. Started at fifty five. You just never know. I was told by the doc that the more I tense my muscle the more I will shake. It is true that I do better when I don't think about it. Sorry you are going through this.

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auntof3sjb

25 Jun 2012

It may be due to the combination of drugs, possibly. I don't know. I am not a doctor. You may check on the internet for side effects to the current drug you're on and see if that is the cause. Also, I would check with your doctor that prescribed the suspected drug that causes this or maybe your phramacist. Call your doctor first. See if these drugs interact with each other. You can also call your pharmacist for that. Mine is awesome! :) Who do you se? {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}

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Anonymous

25 Jun 2012

Dear peaceOfMind:

I can relate to what you're going through, I was on Zoloft for 8 months, in 2002, it started slow the twitching at the time it wasn't that bad... yet. I told my psychiatrist about the tremor he said it would past ok I thought nothing to worry about. It wasn't long before I ended up in the ER numerous of times complaining about the tremor that and the migraines... I was a mess.

Months went by I was in bad shape I could hardly walk let alone talk, my husband put all his weight on me I still tremored I shook from head to toe. This went on everyday. I complained to my doctor whether they prescribed the meds or not I was desparate to find out what was causing the tremor but like everything else the doctor said I was on the right meds. That's not my point.

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peaceOfMind 25 Jun 2012

Thanks, Abby. I've had a hard time finding a good psychiatrist; a few of them over the years even asked me which medication I thought I should be taking!! I'm not kidding you. Have not been impressed. Some even laughed or became judgmental when I told them about my challenges.

I'm taking generic Prozac 40mg/day for depression (dysthymia) and OCD. Been on it now for 10 years. I wonder if the OCD will kick in big-time if I get off of it. I'll talk to my doctor and see how to slowly work my way off of Prozac. Maybe I'll reduce to 20mg/day.

Thanks for your support. And thanks for everyone who has chimed in.