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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by alienatari on June 13, 2006, at 0:37:48
Hey all. I am on quite a lot of medication which use to include a 20mg dose of valium every night but about 2 weeks ago every 2 or 3 day I went down on valium and now im on 5mg. I feel less sedated and tired but my tremor is bad and even though im less tired i sleep all day.
Im on 5mg of haloperidol (which has given me my life back I am so thankful that this drug exists) for psychosis.
2mg of Benztropine for haloperidol side effects
200mg of Clomipramine for OCD/depression
1250mg of Lithium carbonate for depression
5mg of valium for sleep.My tremor has been really bad ever since i started haloperidol but I already had a tremor with just the lithium. Should i up my diazapm dosage? Im not sure what to do.
Anyone in a similar situation?
Thanks for reading and take care
Posted by med_empowered on June 13, 2006, at 4:25:24
In reply to Valium takes away Tremor?, posted by alienatari on June 13, 2006, at 0:37:48
I think you should watch the haloperidol+lithium combo--that particular combo has killed patients in the past, so keep in close contact with your doc.
Haloperidol can cause pretty severe phsycial reactions. Benzos like valium and other drugs, like dipenhydramine, benztropine, and propranolol, can reduce these effects, at least for some people.
Upping the valium could reduce the tremor. SO could lowering the Haldol (some patients do OK @ 1-3mgs/day). Replacing the Haldol with a different drug (a new one like zyprexa, or an older one like Thorazine or Nozinan) might help, too.
Switching from valium to Klonopin might help--Klonopin is very potent, so you could take less of it (less sedation) for stronger anti-anxiety effects.
Posted by yxibow on June 13, 2006, at 18:43:39
In reply to Valium takes away Tremor?, posted by alienatari on June 13, 2006, at 0:37:48
> Hey all. I am on quite a lot of medication which use to include a 20mg dose of valium every night but about 2 weeks ago every 2 or 3 day I went down on valium and now im on 5mg. I feel less sedated and tired but my tremor is bad and even though im less tired i sleep all day.
>
> Im on 5mg of haloperidol (which has given me my life back I am so thankful that this drug exists) for psychosis.
> 2mg of Benztropine for haloperidol side effects
> 200mg of Clomipramine for OCD/depression
> 1250mg of Lithium carbonate for depression
> 5mg of valium for sleep.
>
> My tremor has been really bad ever since i started haloperidol but I already had a tremor with just the lithium. Should i up my diazapm dosage? Im not sure what to do.
>
> Anyone in a similar situation?
>
> Thanks for reading and take careIf tremor is coming in with 2mg of Cogentin, there is a lot of medication going on. You might want to try Akineton (similar) which is more refined and has less side effects and if you see the '70s marketing posters they were aiming strictly at tremor. Of course, marketing is marekting.
An increase in Valium might help, it has a 24+ hour half life -- I wouldn't add Klonopin as it might increase depression, unless you can tolerate Klonopin better than the case reports I've been hearing about Klonopin here (doesn't do it for me). Klonopin does help musculature issues a little better I guess but they're similar.
Also, if you haven't tried propranolol, about 20-80mg or so might calm down the shaking, depending how you react to blood pressure reduction. There are others, pindolol, nadolol, etc -- beta blockers.
I think its the fairly large dose of Lithium that is doing most of the pseudoparkinsonism -- the Haldol dose is fairly low.
-- tidings
Posted by Lazarus on June 16, 2006, at 18:08:41
In reply to Valium takes away Tremor?, posted by alienatari on June 13, 2006, at 0:37:48
When in a psychiatric hospital, and taking lithium, upon my release the pharmacist warned me that if I develop a tremor in my hands it means that I am taking too much lithium.
I hope this helps.
Lazarus
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