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
Hand tremors - Prozac related?
Question posted by peaceOfMind on 24 June 2012
Last updated on 13 September 2012
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4 Answers
Inactive
25 June 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.
After 8 months struggling in agony I discovered it was the Zoloft. I told my psychiatrist about my findind--- and you'd think he'd be relieved or something he said "oh" I told him I quit takig the drug, I was alright I didn't have any side effects going off of it. Within a couple days the tremor went a way.
In my humble opinion, get off of it. But be careful, talk to your doctor. I hope and pray the tremor goes away.
~Abby
peaceOfMind
25 June 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.
beebsyn
13 Sep 2012
a lot of senses in here! good job
PhylomenaD
25 June 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}}}}}}}}}}}}
endlessPred
25 June 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.
Inactive
24 June 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
Related topics
anafranil, prozac, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and stress, tremor
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