[hamster-bamster]

My most significant side effect - because it is visible - is tremor. I get tremor because of Depakote. I take Depakote for two reasons: 1) as a mood stabilizer in conjunction with Lithium and 2) as a migraine prevention measure - I get frequent migraine attacks.

I was taking 1000mg and the tremors were truly pathetic. I scaled down to 500mg and they became better but did not disappear. I cannot go lower for the two reasons above.

What do you do when you see someone's gaze following your trembling hands? I had lunch with a former colleagues after many years of not seeing each other and my fork shook in my hand (that was on the 1000mg dose); I said nothing but wondered what he thought of it.

Hand tremor is associated with alcohol and drug dependency and I am afraid that people would think that I am an advanced stage alcoholic.

So I am entertaining the idea of telling people, truthfully, that I get this unfortunate side effect from a drug that helps keep my migraines at bay. Without this drug, I would get frequent and debilitating headaches.

IS IT LAME?

[LiteraryLark]

I wouldn't go out of your way to tell people because it is none of their business, but if someone asks just say "Migraines. My hands shake when I get migraines." That's all they really need to know. You don't need to tell them you are on meds or what kind of meds you are on. You will only end up telling your whole life story if you starting telling them about the depakote and "isn't that for blah blah blah" and "yeah well truth is blah blah blah". Really, it's none of their business.

[hamster-bamster]

But what about the substance abuse connection? In popular culture, hand tremors in non-elderly people means substance abuse. Drugs, alcohol, you know.

[BlackPup]

I used to get tremors on lithium and I think when I was on either epilim or topamax... I was really embarrassed about it too. I think that simply saying "my hands shake because of my migrane meds," is a good way of explaining it away, though it is none of their business!!!

[cocoabeans]

Just say, "I got Parkinson's, you know the Michael J. Fox thing." People will lay off. It can progress really really slow so, no worries there.

[sunshineanxious]

Agree with Dr. Skipper, but have you tried asking your p.doc for maybe medication to end the tremors? I heard that can be done, like, some people are artists or craftsmen and they can't afford it..

[Anneinside]

Lithium is more likely to cause tremors than Depakote. But that doesn't answer your question. I agree with BlackPup - it is caused by a med you take for migranes. When you are coming down from drugs, yes there is tremors but also sweating, whole body shivering, anxiety. I would be very surprised if anyone thought the tremor was from drug/alcohol use.

[Miss Laura]

Hey there,

I too take Depakote. I use to take 1250mg and I have major tremors in my hands and in fact through my whole body.

If people clock them I just say they are due to medication that I am taking and that tends to be satisfactory for them.

I remember once I was in a Supermarket cafe. I use to work there and I was talking to old colleagues. I collected my hot chocolate but behind me a queue started. My hands were shaking that much that the man behind who was in his 60's-70's ended up carrying my cup to a table. I felt like a plonker as I should of been carrying his not the other way around. But I laughed about it afterwards when my friend arrived.

When people have asked I just casually say it's a medication side effect. No one has ever bothered to ask what med or why I take it. But I'm also very open about it. So if they did ask I wouldn't really have a problem explaining. Actually at yoga I did have to explain, or else they may have thought I wasn't healthy enough to be in the hot room. They were very kind and understanding about it.

If you just leave it at medication most people would accept that and not be so nosey as to inquire for more info. Or yes blame it on a different med.

[tcmoon52]

I have been around drug and alcohol rehab for over 30 years. Tremors are usually only connected with withdrawl. My friend,"also BP" just started with severe tremors. People, for the most part think of Parkinsons. They have DX"D him with Parkinsonian tremors as a side effects of the Psych meds he takes. It took ten years to stabalize him so his Psychiatrist is very reluctant to change his meds. The meds to help with the tremors doesn't do anything for him. As far as alcohol and drugs and the shakes, no alcoholic, shaking from withdrawl is going to sit down and have lunch with anyone, same goes for a drug addict, so I highly doubt anyone is going to think of you as a alcoholic or drug addict because of the shakes.

[hamster-bamster]

Thank you. The descriptions of drug addicts are convincing. I won't worry about that part anymore.

My shaking is definitely due to Depakote - I was taking Lithium alone for more than a year prior to adding Depakote, with no tremors. I also used to take Depakote by itself many years ago, to the tunes of Parkinson-degree tremors.

I will use the migraine thing if it gets awkward.

As for medications to counteract it - if I am not mistaken, Cogentin works to counteract neurological side effects of anti-psychotics. Including tremors. But I have not heard of an anti-dote to Depakote-induced tremors, at least not from three doctors I have had. Does such thing exist?

[BuggsBunny]

I've had tremors for years as a result of my asthma inhaler, and I have noticed the same thing you have. People watching my hands shake or even commenting on it. I just say it's a medication side effect. If pressed I tell them I'm an asthmatic and the inhaler, plus caffeine, will do it.
Go with the migraine medicine. It's an "acceptable" disease.