the chicken or the egg

[barfer]

Last night I got a terrific response from Ryan to my question about my medication.  The only thing is (typical for me) I'm second guessing my essential tremor as to whether it is an essential tremor or is really a result of anxiety.  If the tremor and balance issues are really caused by anxiety and not essential tremor, would I be better off not taking a beta blocker (propanalol) and just going on clonazepan?  Does it really matter which came first the tremor or the anxiety?  Would the drug treatment be the same?

[barfer]

To start off, I am not a man and "yes" I have been to a neurologist who, whether you like the term or not, diagnosed me as having an essential tremor.  That diagnosis was done at a time when I was on Paxil which I took because I had and have GAD with panic attacks.  At the time of diagnosis, I shook like a leaf and once off of paxil, the shaking deminished.  The GAD with panic attacks was a  diagnosis made while I was in the care of a psychiatrist.  Once off paxil, my tremor was reduced but did not disappear.  That is why I question whether I shake because of anxiety that  was enhanced because of taking paxil or I actually have essential tremor.  I know it doesn't make that much difference to you but I wanted to make sure that all the fact were present just in case it made a difference  as to what medication would be appropriate.

[barfer]

Thanks Ryan, I think I will do as you suggest.  I really appreciate your help.

[cindysin]

hi my first month on altenolol was 25mg and i went through issues, and body got used to it now im on 50mg and i can tell my heart sometimes feels like its going to slow....i been on it 3 weeks, the 50mg. Just remember ur body has to get used to it, but also remmeber this med  can cause death if heart dropps to low, mine was 42 in ER on my second week on 25mg.......now my heart rate is average 68 and am on 50mg

[mystruggle]

i'm sure you been to the doctor man. so you truly know why you are shaking....lets not use the word tremor here. you are overly anxious...simple and plain....it's up to you what medication to use. klonopin helped me from being housebound last year. i still don't feel that i have found my target dosage yet. i'm on .5 TID. (with the ok from my dr. to take 2mg a day) i'm tired alot when i come home, this will pass. it hasn't been quite two weeks to reach full efficiency yet. so i'm giving it time. still can't go out and do some things like drive on the highway and shop at walmart. but can goto work, eat in certain restraunts etc....

my therapist...says to let life desensitize me to anxiety and panic don't sweat it or put so much emphasis on it. just let it go and live. she also claims i have a personality disorder, but LOL did't know which one. said i have charactistics of many of them...i'm like hmmmm doesn't everyone? being selfish, harbor resentments, being lazy and having a big ego and pride really sounds like my charcater defects of alcoholism, which i haven't been working the best program. now i'm redoing it and feeling better.

sorry to jack your thread, but it don't matter the chicken or the egg. slaughter the whole hen house. find the med that's right for you and get one with life! i wish you luck. ryan will mos def give you good solid advice...

God bless..

Jay

[barfer]

My dosage 25 mg  once a day and I have taking 9 doses.  Tonight will be my tenth.  Should I stop taking it right away?

[barfer]

Thanks again for responding.  Knowledge is indeed power.  I have been feeling particularly tired and off balance today with a pulse rate of 54 beats per minute.  My husband took my pulse twice today because he was concerned about me.  I think it must be the atenolol that is making it low.  Seeing as it is the weekend, I guess I'm just going to have to put up with the tiredness until I can get in touch with my doctor on Monday.

Thanks again for your help...it is amazing!

[barfer]

Thanks very much for the responses.  I will definitely take them into consideration when I talk with my doctor.  I know I can be my own worst critic and I definitely have a tendancy of paralyzing myself with analysis in all aspects of my life.  It is interesting that I can see so much more clearly when it is someone else who has a problem or question but not when it is my own.  

[RubyWitch]

You are very lucky to have received a response from "our Ryan" as we refer to him around here. His knowledge of phamacology is mind-boggling and he has helped a great many folks here, myself included!
And what FJOHNONE says has it's validity as well. Many of us on this forum WILL "paralyze ourselves with analysis" be it over what a "twitch" might mean or if we SHOULD actually take the med the doc prescribed. I think it's the nature of the beast we are all dealing with to question so much.
The bottom line remains that NONE of us on this forum are doctors and therefore we cannot tell you what you should or should not take. Only your doctor can tell you that and since you have some doubts and questions, you need to get back with him and discuss these issues.
I hope when you come back, you will consider joining our little group here. You would be a great addition to our family and obviously have much to offer other folks. Please give it some thought.
Peace
Greenlydia    

[FJOHNONE]

I am taking propanol for arrythmia as well as Prozac for panic/anxiety. My thinking is Treat the Symptom. You could paralyze yourself with analysis. Take action.