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Can A MRI Scan Help In Differentiating Tremors?
Posted on
Wed, 27 Jan 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 27 Jan 2016
Answered on
Thu, 3 Mar 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Lithium discontinued 13 months ago. Mild finger tremors persist. How to distinguish from enhanced physiological tremor, essential tremor, lithium induced cerebellum damage or just normal anxiety tremors? There were no tremors before lithium treatment.
What is the difference between these tremors?
Is an mri of any use in this situation?
What is the difference between these tremors?
Is an mri of any use in this situation?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and welcome back to HCM.
As we discussed before, and as the neurologist Dr. Taka discussed with you, what you are describing is likely anxiety-related tremor, or possibly but less likely essential tremor. To explain further, the difference (and how they are distinguished) is that anxiety-related tremor only occurs in anxious situations, whereas essential tremor occurs at other times. Lithium tremor is highly unlikely given discontinuation of treatment so long ago. MRI is not of use here.
Treatment is either with an antidepressant for anxiety, or with a beta-blocker for essential tremor. A beta-blocker may help an anxious tremor as well. Trying the beta-blocker first may be useful to distinguish if you are unsure diagnostically, and indeed may be curative in either case.
Please remember to rate and close this answer if you find it satisfactory.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and welcome back to HCM.
As we discussed before, and as the neurologist Dr. Taka discussed with you, what you are describing is likely anxiety-related tremor, or possibly but less likely essential tremor. To explain further, the difference (and how they are distinguished) is that anxiety-related tremor only occurs in anxious situations, whereas essential tremor occurs at other times. Lithium tremor is highly unlikely given discontinuation of treatment so long ago. MRI is not of use here.
Treatment is either with an antidepressant for anxiety, or with a beta-blocker for essential tremor. A beta-blocker may help an anxious tremor as well. Trying the beta-blocker first may be useful to distinguish if you are unsure diagnostically, and indeed may be curative in either case.
Please remember to rate and close this answer if you find it satisfactory.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Answered by
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