Unexpected side effect

[chunkyfrog]

I have recently been suffering from nightly anxiety attacks and thus sleep deprivation.
I had taken alprazolam (generic Xanax) in the past for this, and asked for it again.
A quarter milligram is enough to let me sleep restfully through the night.
After a week of finally pleasant nights, I discovered that my essential tremor
has eased up significantly--enough to polish my nails without profanity!
WHOAH! I had always heard that tremor was progressive, and UNTREATABLE.
To have this much improvement as a SIDE EFFECT made me curious enough
to consult my neglected friend--Google.
My doctor is going to get an earful--an excited, joyful earful.
It has been years since I so much as mentioned my tremor.
I don't even know if it is even in my file--but it will be now.
It may be years before I drop another egg on the floor!

[zonker]

My doctor is going to get an earful--an excited, joyful earful.

good for you, froggy!

[Miss Emerita]

Good sleep AND lovely nails—what a drug!

[kteague]

Wow! That's the kind of anecdotal evidence that can lead to helping others. Makes me think of Snoredog (RIP) whose tag line was "Someday science will catch up with what I'm saying."

[Deborah K.]

That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you.

[chunkyfrog]

Good sleep AND lovely nails—what a drug!

Chemo nails will be around for a few more months.
Every infusion created a weak band, which emerge and shred with any growth.
Polish is the only thing that helps reduce constant breakage.
I still cannot get them any longer than barely past fingertip--but that will do for now.
I realize that as science creeps ahead, there can be surprises.
Other drugs are intended for tremor control--xanax is "off-label".
There used to be no treatment at all.
I may ask my doc for the "good stuff" later.

[kaiasgram]

Hi Froggie -- Xanax can be so helpful, but it's harder for folks to get their docs to prescribe it especially for longer term use. So many restrictions now on their ability to prescribe benzos (as our doc said once, "I want to keep my license."). I hope that won't be the case for you. There does come a time when these meds have a legit place in someone's care. I'll be interested to follow your thread.

[chunkyfrog]

Hi Froggie -- Xanax can be so helpful, but it's harder for folks to get their docs to prescribe it especially for longer term use. So many restrictions now on their ability to prescribe benzos (as our doc said once, "I want to keep my license."). I hope that won't be the case for you. There does come a time when these meds have a legit place in someone's care. I'll be interested to follow your thread.

I don't expect the stress causing my anxiety to be permanent.
--and xanax is not the only solution for that anyhow.
Other drugs and procedures are intended for essential tremor,
in case I need to address that problem later on. I plan to be flexible.

[chunkyfrog]

Hi Froggie -- Xanax can be so helpful, but it's harder for folks to get their docs to prescribe it especially for longer term use. So many restrictions now on their ability to prescribe benzos (as our doc said once, "I want to keep my license."). I hope that won't be the case for you. There does come a time when these meds have a legit place in someone's care. I'll be interested to follow your thread.

Kaiasgram; I noted your comment about availability for long-term use,
and stopped after a few days to check if the anxiety loop had been broken.
It has, and I have not needed the zanax for over a week now.
My tremor is back, but I will call my doctor about on-label treatment for it.
Hopefully, something not quite as risky.

[kaiasgram]

Hi Froggie -- Xanax can be so helpful, but it's harder for folks to get their docs to prescribe it especially for longer term use. So many restrictions now on their ability to prescribe benzos (as our doc said once, "I want to keep my license."). I hope that won't be the case for you. There does come a time when these meds have a legit place in someone's care. I'll be interested to follow your thread.

Kaiasgram; I noted your comment about availability for long-term use,
and stopped after a few days to check if the anxiety loop had been broken.
It has, and I have not needed the zanax for over a week now.
My tremor is back, but I will call my doctor about on-label treatment for it.
Hopefully, something not quite as risky.

So glad to hear the anxiety has dissipated. That counts for a lot!