Sertraline & Eye / Muscle probs

[PersonalTAgent]

Hi

I have been on Sertraline 50mg per day for around 3 months now. I feel it’s helped in some way with anxiety and depression but I have had a couple of bad situations since I started and I am wondering if they are side effects of Sertraline or not. Has anyone else had the same whilst taking this?

I have horrendous pain in both upper arms. In the muscles rather than the joints. It’s has gradually got worse and a cple of nights ago I was crying with the pain and I have a high pain threshold and have never cried like this over pain. My ankles burn when I try and stand up in the morning and my fingers feel like someone has poured hot acid inside. This week my left hip has suddenly had major pain from my lower thigh right up to my lower back.

Yesterday I had a terrifying situation. I could suddenly see a yellow circle with black spot in the middle in my left eye vision. I couldn't read and any words looked like reading through water spilled in fresh ink. I had what I though what was 2 bouts of conjunctivitis a few weeks ago, red bloodshot eyes and pain. I used eye drops from the doctor and it went away. Now this circle thing. I called an optician and they say I had to come in urgently and couldn’t drive myself. She has diagnosed me with a Macular Hole and has referred me to the eye hospital for surgery. I’m shocked! I had nothing physical at all wrong with me before taking sertraline and I’m wondering if this is all linked to taking it. I’ve just read online that sertraline can cause high pressure in the eyes and glaucoma. What on Earth?!!!!!! Can anyone please tell me if you have had any similar problems?

Many thanks for any advice or similar experiences

[Charbey]

As I'm now learning stress, anxiety and panic attacks can effect any and every part of your body!

[PersonalTAgent in reply to Charbey]

I agree. It’s quite scary just how much your body reacts to stress. I am trying so hard to practice mindfulness and not let stress and anxiety win. I see it as a ‘thing’, and aim to fight it and let it know I’m in control, not it. I don’t want my body to get sick

[Brightfuture22]

Wow PersonTAgent, I am so sorry to hear about muscle and eye issues. They sound terrifying! Did you ask your optician what could have caused the Macular hole? I am getting ready to start taking Sertraline, I am nervous about taking it, but from my understanding it has the least amount of side effects. I hope that you heal quickly and the muscle pain goes away. Did you have any other side effects when you first started the meds or these are the only possible side effects that you have experienced? Did you have eye pain for a while and brushed it off, or it was an acute thing?

Cheers!

💜 Ash

[PersonalTAgent in reply to Brightfuture22]

Hi Ash

Don’t let me put you off trying Sertraline. I’m not sure if it’s the reason for my probs but I’ve been reading some info that mentions eye probs and muscle probs. I didn’t have either before taking it. The optician didn’t know what caused it. They say they don’t know what causes it other than as you get older the gel in your eye shrinks and if the fibres attaches to your retina are holding on tight as the gel shrinks it can tear and create the hole.

I had what I thought was conjunctivitis twice in the month leading up to the macular hole and thought I had cleared it with cloramphenicol drops. I’m now thinking it wasn’t conjunctivitis now but aggravation leading up to the Macular Hole. But I’m not sure. I’ll ask the consultant once I’m referred. I did have a kind of stabbing ache in my eye during the ‘conjunctivitis’. I’ll update when I hear more but they say it might take a few weeks before I hear.

I hope you do well on sertraline.

[Brightfuture22 in reply to PersonalTAgent]

Hi!

Hmmm is it possible that the drops caused it? Have you looked up their side effects? I am sorry this is happening to you, how is your vision right now? Is is still like seeing through water? Did they say you had to have the surgery right away as an emergency, or you have to see a specialist and schedule the surgery?

I haven't started the Zoloft yet, I am anxious about taking it, so I just haven't attempted yet. What dosage are you on?

I hope that you start to feel better soon from both the muscle pain and the eye issue!

- Ash

[Hollick]

ever since starting the same drug, burning/hot feet, and some hair loss..don't know if its the sertraline, but all started AFTER starting it..

[lin62-65ze]

Hello there, just to let you know I personally do not take Sertraline but my 40 yr old son has taken it for over 7 years. He has had no bad reactions but no 2 people are the same. There are different reactions to every drug. I suggest you give it a few weeks by then you will know if it suits you or not.