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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Episodic Tremors

A friend asked me if I knew any med that might help with episodic tremors. He was an alcoholic for many years , now sober and active in AA program for 15 years. He does not want any benzo due to his addictive nature. Any ideas? Would Gabapentin help?
posted on Tue, 24 Jan 2017
Twitter Sun, 19 Feb 2017 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 20 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern

1. As there was history of alcohol abuse and shaking caused due to alcohol abuse is physiologic tremor which disappears after one complete the withdrawal process and because alcohol has depressing effect on the brain thus if one stops drinking this depressing effect is removed leading to nervous system hyperactivity [tremors]

2. apart from medicine(s) alcohol deaddiction [detoxification] should be the first stage of management along with Counselling

3. Gabapentin is an anti convulsant drug commonly used to treat seizure disorders and pain management in certain neuralgia and although it is not approved as a treatment for alcoholism but clinical studies do have proven benefits for treating the symptoms that occur during periods of withdrawal from alcohol.

PS. As it has chemical resemblance to GABA [gamma amino butyric acid] which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter thus by increasing GABA [people with alcohol abuse have low level of GABA], it calms nervous activity in the brain by inhibiting nerve transmission.
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Suggest Treatment For Episodic Tremors

** Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern 1. As there was history of alcohol abuse and shaking caused due to alcohol abuse is physiologic tremor which disappears after one complete the withdrawal process and because alcohol has depressing effect on the brain thus if one stops drinking this depressing effect is removed leading to nervous system hyperactivity [tremors] 2. apart from medicine(s) alcohol deaddiction [detoxification] should be the first stage of management along with Counselling 3. Gabapentin is an anti convulsant drug commonly used to treat seizure disorders and pain management in certain neuralgia and although it is not approved as a treatment for alcoholism but clinical studies do have proven benefits for treating the symptoms that occur during periods of withdrawal from alcohol. PS. As it has chemical resemblance to GABA [gamma amino butyric acid] which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter thus by increasing GABA [people with alcohol abuse have low level of GABA], it calms nervous activity in the brain by inhibiting nerve transmission.