[Greenleaves]

I've been taking 50 mg of Celexa for about 16 months now. I've been taking 0.50 mg then 0.75 mg Risperdal since September??? I stopped for a while in between. I don't remember when or how long. I've also been taking 150 mg Wellbutrin, less time than the Risperdal, I dunno, several months? Geez, I really should keep track of these things!

Anyways, I'm not sure when it started, but I've been experiencing tremors when doing things that require a steady hand. I used to think it was anxiety, but I'm not sure anymore. The tremors have gotten worse. Now they are noticeable by other people.

The shakiness gets really annoying. I was making tacos yesterday and I made a mess because I couldn't steadily scoop ingredients into the taco. My hands shake when bring a cup to my mouth. I can't build a tower with wooden blocks because my hands shake too much.

My hands don't shake when I'm resting. I also have no problems with typing or using the mouse.

When I hold my arms out in front of me, my hands and arms shake a bit. It's not a lot, but you can definitely see it. Sometimes my arms would jerk. When I first starting knitting, knitting was difficult because my arms would jerk suddenly. Later the jerking stopped. Sometimes my head jerks a little too. It jerks in a "no-no" fashion.

I don't think I have any other problems besides the ones I mentioned.

Do you think it's serious? Could it be TD caused by my meds?

I've written about this elsewhere and people tell me that it's probably the 0.75 mg Risperdal that the culprit. But...according to some info I found on tremors

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20031015/1545.html

A neuroleptic induced tremor is a resting tremor, i.e. a tremor that happens when the muscles are at rest. My tremors are not resting tremors. They are action tremors. The tremors only occur when I'm using my muscles, to hold them in a certain position for example.

Nevertheless, I've decided to taper myself off the Risperdal to see if Risperdal is indeed the cause of my tremors. I see my pdoc on Jun 26, but I've decided to do this before I see her. I'm subtracting 0.125 mg everyday. Today I'm down to 0.50 mg. Is this taper too fast?

[Maven]

The meds may very well be the cause. I don't know specifically about the meds you're on...although I seem to recall that Risperdal could cause that...but I know it can happen with Anafranil (which I'm on). I don't know if it's related to meds, but I twitch every once in a while. Sometimes it's kind of a hard twitch, too. It's been happening for years, so I'm really not sure if it's the meds or just me. Anyway, you should call your doctor for something like that. Some meds can cause seizures.

You shouldn't lower your meds without consulting your doctor. Lowering too fast could lead to seizures with some meds, and you could have withdrawal effects. I'm not an expert, but that sounds like too much too soon. You shouldn't lower it a little every day. It should be lowered much slower, maybe at least a week or more before lowering it more.

[drunksunflower]

I have sometimes and I'm only on Celexa (and a very low dose - 20mg).

Not often at ALL - and my hands are pretty steady usually - but the other day I was writing and my hand just jumped a few inches.

When I started it I found my leg would sometimes jump in bed. That's stopped now.

Not very helpful, sorry, but it does seem to be a lil side effect that for many ppl goes away. I haven't noticed it in weeks till the other day. Plus I was really cold when my hand jumped, so that may have been part of it.

good luck workin it out.

[darkeyes]

A few years ago, Celexa caused this with me, so pdoc cut dosage,then got me off of it. Some of the "jerks" were so bad, my arm popped up when I was on a plane and almost hit the man sitting next to me. That was it,that's when I called pdoc's attention to this.
Best you can do, is report this to your doc asap.
Lots of luck with this,
DE

[Greenleaves]

I got muscle jerks of my hand and arms too when I was on only Celexa.

Now I have tremors too. The jerks have gotten better.

I don't really know when the tremors started as I didn't really notice them until other people started noticing. I used to brush it off as weak muscles or anxiety related.

[jennie]

<font color="red"> Call your pdoc tonight. Leave a message on her answering machine or answering service. Tell her what you are doing, please. This is serious. Antipsychotics and SSRI's are not to be discontinued (or tapered) without the consult of a physician. Please please call your doctor. </font>

[Greenleaves]

Wow, you're scaring me jennie.

Is it really that serious?

I'll go back to the normal dose then.

[bipolar_bear]

i really think you should contact your pdoc right away. this could be very serious

[jennie]

(((((Greenleaves))))) I still hope you contact your doc this weekend. Leave her a message.

[Larry_Hoover]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Greenleaves said:
Wow, you're scaring me jennie.

Is it really that serious?

I'll go back to the normal dose then.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

A tremor is not sufficient reason to change any medication dosing. Period. Full stop.

There are many reasons for tremor. Not drinking enough water, for example. Or, drinking enough water, but not ensuring that you have enough potassium and other electrolytes in your blood. Or simply thinking about having a tremor causes tremors.

To test for dehydration, pinch the skin on the back of your hand, to make a little "tent" out of the loose skin. Let go. If it doesn't instantly relax back into place, you are clinically dehydrated. Dehydration causes tremors. That's just one reason for them. Very common, in the summertime heat, ya know?

Do not change your medication dosing without the express instructions from the prescribing physician. The only exception is the case of serious adverse effect(s), i.e. something for which you would seek care in a hospital emergency room. Tremor does not qualify.

Lar