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How Can Tremors Be Treated In An Elderly Patient?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Apr 2018
Question: My husband is 70 years old. Is a bk amputee who developed gastroparesis about a year ago. Yesterday afternoon she took a nap and when he awoke he had a tremor in his arms, upper body, head and hands. He kept dropping things. After dinner he went to bed and awoke with the tremor again. He uses a cane for balance and kept dropping it while walking. This morning on awakening the tremor is still visibly there. It seems to be all over his body.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get examined and evaluated by a neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
Acute onset tremulousness needs to examined by a physician or neurologist.
Possibility of drug induced ataxia or cerebellar involvement or basal ganglia involvement can be there.
Brain imaging maybe required.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (15 hours later)
The tremors seem to have lessened by the evening and are barely noticeable although his hands and foot are numb.

We have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and I’m expecting an MRI or CT scan and a referral to a neurologist. We’ll see what occurs tomorrow morning. It does not seem to have bothered his walking although he does us a cane for balance.

He does take a lot of medications for nerve pain (Gabapentin), Zoloft and Risperidone for depression, Baclofen for muscle pain and disc damage from his motorcycle accident at 23 causing the amputation and Oxycodone (he breaks them in half and takes 4-5 halves a week).

Thank you for your kind response. XXXXXXX is also a Vet and seems to have is psych meds under control by them.

He has the added problem of gastroparesis which seems to be under control by doing his back exercises which cause his stomach to operate fairly normally and using a food journal to track what he can and cannot eat. Erythromycin helps with stomach emptying.

So onward to the new challenge.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Gabapentin may be reduced

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Gabapentin dose may have to be reduced.
Contact back after consulting the doctor.
Wishing good health and early recovery
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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How Can Tremors Be Treated In An Elderly Patient?

Brief Answer: Get examined and evaluated by a neurologist Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your question and understand your concern. Acute onset tremulousness needs to examined by a physician or neurologist. Possibility of drug induced ataxia or cerebellar involvement or basal ganglia involvement can be there. Brain imaging maybe required. Hope you found the answer helpful. Do get back to me for further queries. Regards Dr N Kumar Neurologist