Muscle Twitching...Zoloft?

Hello, I'm wondering if anybody has had any experience with muscle twitching as a side effect of any type of SSRI? I'm on 75 mg of Zoloft/day. After about a month of taking this, I started getting random muscle twitches (which has now been going on about a month). They are muscle twitches all throughout my body, not localized to any particular area. They are small, but I can feel and see them. They are worse when I'm sitting still, trying to sleep, etc, but they still occur throughout the day on and off. I'm starting to let my mind wander and be concerned that this is possibly something non-related to the medication (wondering about any type of neurological issue). I asked my psychiatrist who prescribed me the medication, and he said it can be a side effect of Zoloft. I just haven't heard much about this side effect. I had been on Paxil in the past and never had this type of issue.

If anyone knows anything or has had any similar experiences, please share....I'm very curious.

There have been reports by patients on Zoloft that experience muscle twitching. There is usually no treatment necessary for benign muscle twitching.  I would encourage you to let your Dr.  know you are having muscle twitching so he can decide if it is benign or not.

Stick with us as we are here to support you. You will get through this squall.   
 

Wishing you fair winds and following seas.

 

Kitt 

 

 

 

dmarie,

I think that since you have had two doctors basically tell you the same thing...that this symptom/side effect is expected and benign...that you can safely put this worry to rest.

I have muscle twitching as a result of anxiety. I don't take meds, so it is simply a symptom for me. The less I focus on it, the better and less frequent/bothersome it is.

Here is a excerpt from a site in our Resources...a very comprehensive list of anxiety symptoms:

Muscles that vibrate, jitter, tremor, or shake when used  (click link)

Muscle twitching

So, this could be either an anxiety symptom or a s/e, but surely nothing to worry about or seek further testing for. Try some progressive muscle relaxation exercises....also found in our Resources.:)

S.C.

PaisleyG...

You do? It's good to hear someone else does as well. Did this start as soon as you began the Zoloft or a while after? Can you describe your twitches? Are they on and off throughout the whole day, different parts of your body? Everyday? Sorry for all the questions. I'm feeling a little desperate in worrying if it's related to the Zoloft or possibly something else. Any details would be great. Thanks!

I am happy to read i am not the only one to have this problem i have been on 50mg a day for 3yrs and was recently increased to 100mgs thats when i started having muscle spasms in my legs arms and wrists i also have a very dry mouth it mainly occurs at night in bed and the more i try not to think about it the more it happens and i take the tablets for anxiety.

Hi Steven

Welcome to the forum.

Yes the muscle twitching is a common side effect of most ssri's and a dry mouth is an other common one.

Stay with us and keep posting we are here to support you.

Hibee

Its good to hear its probaly just a reaction to the increased dosage of medication hopefully i will sleep a bit better tonight thanks for letting me no im not the only one with this problem.

Hi there, muscle twitches are often a result of fatigued muscles. You may not realize how much you tense your muscles regularly.
Tingling and pins and needles are almost always a result of chronic hyperventilation.
I do t mean the type where you are breathing super fast and such, I mean the silent type.
Many people over breathe ( myself included ) and as a result, we end up feeling anxious and lightheaded and a whole list of other things.
I know it's tempting to ask Dr google, but maybe start looking up things that pertain to anxiety, like how to deal with the symptoms instead.
I know how difficult it is to accept that these symptoms are innocent, but really they are!
If you do a search on chronic hyperventilation, you will see alot of what you suffer with on the list!
Please do t be afraid, you will get through once you accept that most of your symptoms are just a nuisance and nothing more.
I know I know, easier said than done!
I've been through all kinds of anxiety symptoms off and on for 23 years and I'm still here!!!
Be well, and continue to work with your doctor to find the relief that you deserve! !
Lisa

Hi Eanne and welcome!

Sorry to hear about the annoying symptom you are currently dealing with.

However, rest assured that twitching is a common issue with anxiety...as well as a possible s/e from an Rx. (one that should phase out after the initial start up period. )

Try to stay off of web symptom searches...and instead, have a look at our Resources at the top of the main forum page here. It is filled with great self help material that is really beneficial if practiced regularly. :)

I am now going to lock this thread down as it is getting old. ..

...but please feel free to continue posting with us. ..and start a thread of introduction for yourself anytime you feel comfortable doing so! :)

Scaredy Cat