The very first time I took Lithium, I took 1,200 mg per day and had very noticeable and bothersome hand tremors. I was taken off Lithium after about 9 months and they stopped. A few years later, I was put back on Lithium, but at 900 mg per day. I didn't notice any major hand tremors at all for the 3+ years I stayed on it again. The lack of tremors that time could have been because of many things or just one or two. That might have included:

* My lower dose
* Just not getting that side effect the second time around
* Being on a low dose of a benzo (Klonopin in my case)
* Taking a beta blocker (Propranolol in my case)

Benzos and beta blockers are known to reduce tremors for some people. I think there are even other meds that can do that, too. Ask your psychiatrist.

I didn't take Klonopin and Propranolol for tremors. I took them for other reasons. Perhaps preventing Lithium tremors was just a bonus.

I don't recommend using a benzo for side effects unless it's a last resort. I'd recommend other meds for that. For me, at my dose, Propranolol is side effect free, but there are considerations when taking a beta blocker. Will it lower your heart rate or blood pressure too much? It only improves mine.

Looking back at all of the side effects I've experienced from various medications, tremors were comparatively small potatoes. I guess if they are extremely severe, or if hand and other body part stability is crucial (i.e. for a sharp shooter, violinist, dancer, artist, certain assemblers, athletes) that's another story. Sure, my handwriting was extremely shakey during tremors, and sometimes people noticed them, but I could type OK and it was not that horrible. For me, tremors could be lived with. Though I complained about tremors, they were not the reasons I stopped Lithium that first time.

Question: What side effect(s) have you been OK to live with?