Ok.....a little, maybe a lot of frustration.  Been in a cycle since early August.  Currently on 900 lithium and 480 verapamil.  Having a lot of trouble at night (3 to 5 hits), using oxygen 90% of the time and imitrex when it gets real bad.  Just got a call from the doc increasing Lithium to 1200 and trying a short dose of midirol(??sp).  Those of you on lithium, what are you taking for the tremors?? If you have any other advice.......I sure would take it!!

Hand tremor is one of the first signs of lithium toxicity. The idea is to take an amount that's theraputic (i.e., keeps the headaches away) without reaching a toxic level. I don't think the idea is to take something to counteract a symptom that's telling you you're taking too much. If that makes sense.

Makes sense......I haven't had much experience with lithium.  Did blood work the other day and my lithium level was good.  Dr. did say he was going to give me something for tremors....since my blood work was good.

I haven't heard of that, but as long as he's monitoring your serum lithium levels, I hope it works for you!

Since you have a doc who is paying attention I'd trust him. It's not uncommon to have some side effects from meds but only an issue if the doc doesn't know and does not inform you about risks/outcome, etc.

Years ago, Jonny reported hand tremors when he was on Lithium. He had them for years without reaching toxic levels.

Marc

I use lithium when on cycle, at 1200 mg a day. I get a small degree of hand tremors, it's only noticeable if I try and hold my hand out and keep it still. Not significant enough that I ever worried about it. I do not combine the verapamil as the lithium still does the trick for me.

Joe

I also take 1200mg Lithium Carbonate daily with minor hand tremors - however my serum levels have remained good. 

Its important to work with your Neurologist to find a level at which the tremors are more controlled.  Also make sure that your Neurologist schedules you for routine blood work. 

Doing some research on your own is also valueable however your Neurologist shoud be the go-to person for assistance.

The only Lithium intoxication problem I had was the result of excessive sweating.  Just something to be aware of if you sweat a lot on the job/hobbies.

burnt-toast
(Tom)

    

Well....I had my first night with 1200 of lithium (was at 900) and my first dose of medrol.  For the first time in a couple weeks I was under three hits.  Actually felt good to get some sleep!

Good news. A short course of Pred (your Medrol dose pack) always gives me a break for at least a few days.

Marc

One of the listed side effects of verapimil is tremors. 

BMoneeTheMoneeMan wrote on Oct 14^th, 2009 at 10:03am:

One of the listed side effects of verapimil is tremors.

And that's the first time I've ever heard of that.

Today's a day of firsts, I guess.

i had really bad tremors when i was taking 2000mg of depakote a day,,but on 1200mg of lithium past 2 years i cant say ive noticed any,,but now its 1500mg and 480mg of verapimil so ill let you know..i think i probably just have learned to cope with it so i probably dont notice the tremors anymore


jason