corticosteroids and Tremors | Arthritis Information
Hi All,
I posted something a few months back regarding tremors. They've been getting worse. My hands, feet even tongue shakes and gets worse with stress or being tired. I saw a neurologist. He thinks the tremors are probably caused by my medications. My RA dr. thinks the meds aren't causing the tremors. I am on 2 mg of Medrol and have been on it for 5-6 months. I found on the internet that corticosteroids can cause tremors. The other meds I'm on are Plaquenil and Celebrex.
Has anyone been on Medrol or other corticosteroids and had tremors?
Also, I've read people aren't supposed to be on corticosteroids for long periods of time, just to get you through a flare? Anyone on Medorl or anything for long periods of time?
Thanks!
I am assuming 2 medrol is 8 mg per day. It is a medium amount for usage greater than 1 week. Five - six months is long term usage in my opinion. I would be trying to ween down and trying to replace steriods with another dmard(s).
Sorry I mis-understood your post on the amount of medrol you are using. But even a tiny bit of steriod can cause 'funny' stuff to happen. There are few drugs that are more powerful, they really can cause wide ranging side effects from cateracts, to diabetes, to osteoporosis, to sleeplessnes, emotional stuff, you name it they might cause it. I expect when you have been off for a few months the tremors will go away.
marian2008-11-18 17:35:35 The month before I was taking 4mg, (one pill) and weaned myself down to 2mg this month. I am only taking 2 MG per day...(half of a pill). So it's not much. I guess its just frustrating having my Rheumy say it's not the meds and having the neuro dr. say it's prob the meds. The tremors worry me and I dont get a clear answer. Just wondered if anyone else had a similar experience???
Was taking 10 mg of prednisone for about 10 years -- i'm now down to 7.5 mg for two years with an occasional burst pak (medrol pak) for rotten flares. My dexa scan put me in the 35 yr old classification for bone strength -- no signs of osteoporosis. Good genes, I guess.
I can't add anything to what I had to say in your last thread about this subject.
http://www.arthritisinsight.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18132&PN=1Stress is a factor.
Drugs are a factor.
The disease is a factor.
The medical team seem to think it "not" connected to the above, perhaps panic attacks?
If panic attacks then I still think it is connected to the above because I was not like this before the onset of RA>
I thought this was interesting, Klynn141.
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch091/ch091c.html
I have tremors alot. Especially when I'm tired, weak, and not feeling well. I think it from the disease itself wearing me and my muscles out. I really notice the tremor when I try to lift a cup to drink. It's embarrassing when I'm out eating or at church trying to take communion and spilling the stuff all over myself. My dr put me on xanax and it has helped alot. It knocks me out so I only take it as needed and when I'm home for a long haul.I was, at one time about four months ago on a 100mg daily dose of prednisone. Let's just say I was the guy everyone wanted to mix their drinks around this time. Tremors weren't the word for what I had at that dose. Tremors with aftershocks maybe. So the short answer would be yes, I had/still have, although mild, tremors.
Bob H.
Wow, thanks everyone!
I had an MRI today to rule anything out and saw my neurologist. He said my brain looks perfectly normal (my family would say otherwise... lol) and that the tremors are either due to meds or starting of essential tremors wich are harmless but can be controlled by meds if they get in the way of doing things.
That's great news Klynn141!
[QUOTE=klynn141]Wow, thanks everyone!
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