Antidepressants

[waterlady]

Has anyone developed very hot stinging feet and legs whilst on any antidepressants. My feet and legs are unbelievably sore and ache. I had been on Sertraline for 1 year.

[jeanjeannie50]

I have this very same thing at the moment and I'm putting it down to inactivity. I had my gallbladder removed a few weeks ago and haven't done a lot of walking since. Every day I think I must go out for a walk today, but I stay home and start doing too much and then my stomach feels sore and I think I have to rest. Have never had this soreness in legs and feet before op. Have you been more inactive lately?

I have never taken antidepressant pills.

Jean

[waterlady in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for replying. My situation has been going on soon after my gallbladder was taken out, 2 1/2 years ago. I got terrible throbbing all over, saw doctors several times. Eventually was given antidepressants and slowly over time my feet started to get hot, spread to legs. Feet felt like sponges. Came off them slowly. Legs now very sore and hard to walk. Been told by 3 professionals that I should see a neurologist. My doctor said I was stressed. I am now going to go private to sort this out. I was very active before my operation, I am 75 but I still want to do lots of things. I just want to be sorted. but everyone is different.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to waterlady]

Bless you, it's not good that no one has diagnosed exactly what's wrong now. Have you had any scans?

[waterlady in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I have had a Doppler test, that was negative. I was dismissed basically. But my legs are now so bad, I just want to know what is wrong.

[Auriculaire in reply to waterlady]

Sounds as if it might be peripheral neuropathy. Did you have any antibiotics prior to or after gall bladder op?

[waterlady in reply to Auriculaire]

I have looked up that and varicose veins, it’s so frustrating. No I had no antibiotics, but I had to go back into hospital for a week with an infection.

[Auriculaire in reply to waterlady]

Did they not give you iv antibiotics then?

[Ppiman]

I don't take these but one year seems a long time for a side effect to develop. They are strange drugs, though, and not fully understood by any means so far as I know. The only thought I had when reading your post was that something called peripheral neuropathy can cause weird sensory issues in the feet and lower legs. I have this and it creates the sensation of hot feet, but apparently, other sensations are possible.

My doctor told me not to worry and that it was more common in people over 60. It has become a touch worse and does improve after a walk, but it's one of those things I could do wthout.

Steve

[waterlady in reply to Ppiman]

The stinging and soreness has very gradually happened, I seem to be developing some very odd feeling. I am now finding it harder to walk. What are your exact feeling and has your doctor told you what you have. Did you get referred anywhere and if so to what sort of specialist.

[Ppiman in reply to waterlady]

I didn’t see a specialist and my GP made little of it once he excluded other causes. It has no effect on my physical activity, just feeling uncomfortable. At this moment, it’s like my lower shins are hot. It can feel tingly and perhaps very lightly numb at times. Sometimes, in bed, it feels like I’ve got thick socks on.

Yours sounds different but I do know it can cause a range of sensations. I think your doctor will know what it is.

SSRI drugs are very deep acting medicines, I feel, with a wide range of effects - still not really fully understood as far as I know. I’m surprised they are as popular as they’ve become.

Steve

[waterlady in reply to Ppiman]

Your first paragraph sounds a lot like me, but I feel worse. I also get very hot legs, feet, and my finger tips swell, then they all get icy, and fingers slowly starting to ache and pain. Also really struggling to walk far. Whatever it is, is slowly getting worse.

My doctor has taken tests, but keeps saying I am stressed. I now have no faith in her, in fact it now upsets me to see her. I am seeing her this week, but I am not holding my breath.

I didn’t know those drugs were so strong. I didn’t want to take them but I thought at the time the doctor knew best.

[Ppiman in reply to waterlady]

SSRI drugs are very commonly prescribed worldwide, so I wouldn't worry much about them and doubt there's any connection. What I meant by "deep acting" was only that they have a range of effects because of how and where they work.

I would press your GP for a better explanation or maybe try to see a different GP by choosing a day when your usual one isn't there (the receptionists will ell you and will surely understand). Maybe mention neuropathy and see what the GP thinks.

Steve

[waterlady in reply to Ppiman]

I have tried different doctors. I am going to mention neuropathy when I see the doctor this week. My quality of life has got much worse of late, even walking now is something of a struggle. I have been blessed with good health all my life, and it’s so frustrating for me. I expect lots of other people feel the same, but it’s been 2 1/2 years now, but thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Ppiman in reply to Ppiman]

I think that, if I were you, given the issue with walking, I would pay for a private consultation with a neurologist. This will be about £200 but if you have tests privately I can imagine you’d better reckon on £1000 but he or she might put you on an NHS list after the first consultation.

I can’t understand why you GP should be, in a way, disregarding your symptoms and situation since they do know you best of all and will have your best interests at heart however it might seem.

Steve

[waterlady in reply to Ppiman]

That’s just what I am going to do, but I thought you had to go through a GP to ask to be referred. I have seen her several times, but she does not really know me, if you see what I mean.

[Ppiman in reply to waterlady]

You will need a referral letter from your GP, which, I believe is provided free of charge. You need to contact the private hospital (e.g. Spire of Nuffield) and ask about seeing a neurologist. You can also find information online where I think the doctors who have clinics at those hospitals also list their specialisations.

I hope you get some satisfaction and resolution.

Steve

[waterlady in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for that, I will look those hospitals up, it was nice of you to take the time to help. Do you post much on this site. I have been a member for years, and so many lovely people have much worse problems than me. Do you have AF?

[Ppiman in reply to waterlady]

Hi. I’ve been posting here since 2019 when, out of the blue, I developed atrial flutter with 155bpm. Nothing would get the rate down but a kind poster here who had suffered similarly said he’d been given digoxin and that also did the trick for me, thankfully. My GP put it all down to my hiatus hernia, initially. I soon had an ablation which stopped it, but within a year, I developed mild tachycardia , PVCs and occasional AF. The AF is unusual for me but it feels much the same with or without it - a bouncing, pounding chest and sometimes chest discomfort. And, of course, anxiety.

Steve

[waterlady in reply to Ppiman]

Goodness you have had a lot of problems. Yes anxiety can be a big factor. Do hope things are much better for you now. Do you have a good doctor? I was diagnosed with AF about 10 years ago. I don’t seem to have any problems with it so far.

[mary70]

"NHS side effects - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls) "

[waterlady in reply to mary70]

I have already looked that up thank you, in fact I have looked up everything. I know some antidepressants can cause problems. I have been taking Apixaban for 10 years with no problems.

[mary70]

"How long does it take to adjust to SSRI?But people typically start noticing positive changes after about 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. It can take several months to feel the full effect of the medication. But if you're not feeling any improvements after about 6 to 8 weeks, talk to your doctor about trying another treatment or adjusting your dosage.8 Mar 2021

webmd.com › depression

SSRIs: Uses, Side-Effects, and Cessation - WebMD"

[waterlady]

All I am ever given is tablets. All they did was mask my problems. I have spoken to my Pharmacist, Optometrist and now a Chiropractor. I told them my symptoms and all said I should be referred to a neurologist. I have an appointment with my doctor this week after a 6 week wait. I am not a time waster, have always kept myself well, diet good etc.