MUSCLE/BACKPAIN FROM SSRI USE. STILL PRESENT AFTER 3 WEEKS DISCONTINUATION

Hi there everyone.

I have a query I was wondering that someone on this forum may be able to help me with?

I recently tried to take the SSRI Sertraline/Zoloft to help improve my pain-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome but I didn't react to it too well and developed a strong spasm/stiffness over most of my back, sides and outer abdominal area. I was on the drug for a week then decided to stop which took a week for it to come out of my system, and it has now been a subsequent 3 weeks since then and yet this side effect has not faded away.

I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced a similar situation in terms of having some kind of long term side effect after stopping and if and when it resolved itself?

Any help would be much appreciated because it's got me panicking a bit that it won't go away.

Cheers!

Post Edited (AL1400) : 3/13/2017 11:33:06 AM (GMT-6)

Thank you Karen for such a quick reply!

Yeah I'm almost 100% sure it was the Sertraline. I could feel my body responding to it which led to the subsequent stiffening or hyper tension of my abdomen, back and kneck.

My kneck has gotten better since then but the back and sides of my abdomen are lingering. Actually all the bowel pain that I was taking Sertraline for initially came from stopping sertraline 3 years ago.

I had been on it for many years and had the typical symptoms of IBS like diarrahea and what not but when I stopped it I developed a dull aching pain over my lower bowel area that was diagnosed as IBS. I'm pretty sure it is IBS because it reacts to the foods I eat and I don't have any of the symptoms of other gastrointestinal disorders. Over time though this pain became less pronounced and widespread and was more so just intestinal discomfort and malaise. I feel like now however after trying sertraline again that all that old pain has come back to my ab muscles (especially the sides) and now it's also spread to my lower and mid back (I don't think that is IBS though) but rather a nervous reaction to the drug.

Sorry for the long reply but it's quite a complicated issue.

Oh, and I'm going back the doc's tomorrow so will discuss it then.

Thanks again for your reply!

When I took Zoloft years ago, I got severe diarrhea from it so I went off. I only took it a few months. I eventually switched to SNRI's and they have less side effects. To me anyway.

I Hope you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...

Thank you everyone for all your kind and helpful words.

I have a new doctor so it has been a bit annoying having to explain my story all over again and she seems a bit unsure how to deal with the situation so she has referred me back to see a psychiatrist I had been seeing a few months ago to discuss the situation and move forward with new therapies and tests.

Since the Sertraline I have been on Nortriptyline for a week at a low dose and seem to be tolerating it better even though I think it might be causing some pain as a side effect. Hopefully this is just a short term side effect.

I feel like the Sertraline has somehow shocked or disordered my nervous system and that's whats causing the pain?

Thanks again for your support!!

It sounds as if it could be anxiety. If this has been a problem in the past--it could most definitely cause the aches and stiffness.

Anxiety induced pain IS pain. Often--when you remove the supposed trigger, the pain remains due to the anxiety.

And, please, please, pretty please--I get anxious when people decide to take themselves off medication. Always talk to your doctor first--because although you may know yourself, your doctor has been specially trained for this and you have paid them for their expert opinion.

Allan,
I'm a very long time suffer of IBS yes there are trigger foods also you can tolerate a food today but not a week from today why is that I believe it's caused from stress and stress in my humble opinion is the main reason IBS is so prevalent .
Have reduced my stress levels but not without help from antidepressants they have helped quite a bit