Worried about my eye on Sertraline

[DeeFish71]

Hi again. Another alarming new symptom.

On Day 9 of sertraline and felt dizzy and ill all day.

Had to rest after dinner and slept an hour or so and was alarmed to see my left pupil had dilated yet the right one small and normal. It has reduced a bit but my vision is pretty blurry.

I have pigment dispersion syndrome (which isn't glaucoma but related to it) and wonder if I should just stop these.

I have had enough of feeling exhausted, worried, zombified and now this to worry over to when these pills are supposed to help with anxiety.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi DeeFish, there are lots of side effects with new medications and it may take some time to stabilise. I know others have advised that you don’t need to take antidepressants if you choose not to. They are right for many, but not all.

I have suffered with terrible anxiety, with numerous GPS diagnosing health anxiety. I’ve read lots of self help books and had months of CBT sessions with a psychotherapist to ‘cure’ myself. In the end it was this forum that helped the most as, for the first time, it was explained that anxiety is a symptom of Hashimotos. As my medication had increased and I’ve worked to optimise key vitamins, my anxiety has drastically reduced. Some forum members have linked a reduction in anxiety with going gluten free. I’ve been gluten free for several months now, so maybe this is helping too. Magnesium has definitely helped me to sleep and feel less jittery. Also practising mindfulness and working on relaxation techniques has helped. Keep posting- forum members are here to support you!

[DeeFish71 in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you Buddy195 - I have just returned from the Out Of Hours doctors, and the doctor said my vision was ok but any visual disturbances and headaches was not normal and to just come off them.

I was not expecting that - so I will stop them. My normal GP will not be too happy and that I haven't given these a chance, but with these amount of side effects, I cannot risk anything happening to my eyesight.

I just need a break from these pills and not even have anything else to replace them. I want this Endocronology appointment to sort my thyroid. I am scared that the coming off these will be a nightmare too, especially as tomorrow night I have a concert to attend that we have been waiting over a year to go to. I will not drink alcohol tomorrow but how long will I have to abstain for? I am not a big drinker anyhow but next weekend would like 2 beers at an event attending

[Nanaedake in reply to DeeFish71]

If it were me, I would completely stay away from all alcohol until you have got the anxiety problem sorted. Also stay off caffeine. Eyes are important so best to play safe. You're unlikely to get a reaction to stopping sertraline when you've only just started taking them - less than 2 weeks. People have given you good advice, absolutely essential to test vitamins and get your stomach functioning really well to best absorb nutrients. You have to work hard at getting well. There are no short cuts. Trying gluten free might be a good idea.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to DeeFish71]

You did the right thing in seeing an emergency doctor. I’ve been there and totally understand how frightening it is.

One thing I’ve learned from my thyroid journey so far is that, for me, alcohol makes my anxiety worse. Yes, initially helped me relax, feel more confident socially and aided sleep, but overall it intensified palpitations and heightened my panic. I’ve cut out gluten and have reduced my sugar intake and I think these changes have helped my body (and mind!) begin to heal. Obviously we are all different & have differing food tolerances, I’m just pointing out what had worked for me.

[Hidden]

My eyes get like that when my anxiety is really high and I'm out of control. They like stop responding to light like they should and it freaks me out every time.

[DeeFish71 in reply to Hidden]

My husband insisted on calling 111 and I was shocked at how quick I was wanting to be seen, so it must be a side effect that is worth stopping these for. Hope you will be ok.

[Fruitandnutcase]

What treatment are you having for your pigment dispersion syndrome? I imagine you should be being seen routinely at an eye clinic for that.

If I were you I would by pass the doctor who prescribed the sertreline and try to get an urgent appointment with your eye clinic. I’m sure they will know a lot more about eyes than your GP does.

[DeeFish71 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I have annual check ups (or 6 monthly sometimes) at the Eye Clinic. I am due to see my GP in a week or so and my Eye Clinic appointment is due at some point in the next month (not heard when yet). I hope I haven't got to have eyedrops every day because of this. Makes me wonder if I developed Pigment Dispersion on other antidepressants over the years.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to DeeFish71]

I’d call your eye dept first thing tomorrow morning and explain the problem and see what they say. They might fast track you.

[Astridnova]

Sounds like you should stop it. "Some SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline may have an effect on pupil size causing dilation. This effect can potentially narrow the eye angle resulting in increased intraocular pressure and angle closure glaucoma, especially in predisposed patients."

[DeeFish71 in reply to Astridnova]

I did wonder when I read the leaflet before starting the meds. But I thought it would be safe to take. I now wish I had checked with the doctor before i took any but didn't want to look like I have hypocondria. Hope it hasn't caused more damage now.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to DeeFish71]

Definitely not hypochondria! It’s amazing how often one dept will gaily give you a drug that affects a different part of your body.

I always take a list of what’s wrong with me and what I’m taking and ask the doctor if whatever I’m being given will affect what I’m taking already - then I double check with the pharmacist just to be sure.

[DeeFish71 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I always mention my levothyroxine but maybe it would be an idea to list all I do take like my inhalers in future.

[Welshcake1983]

This drug did the same to me too. The best one for me in the end was peroxitine. Unfortunately our bodies react differently to the meds we try. Unfortunately a lot of us with hypothyroidism struggle with medication to treat other problems. I’ve had to try 4 different cholesterol drugs and 3 different blood pressure tablets. Side effects aren’t nice but well done to you for trying something. I hope you find something that works well for you.

[DeeFish71 in reply to Welshcake1983]

I just don't think any of these suit me. I have had Paroxetine in the past, and Prozac and neither helped me. I don't think there is anything for me with the risk to eye stuff sadly. I hope if my thyroid ever got sorted then this could be over but I am unsure if it will ever happen now. Thanks for your kind wishes x

[Welshcake1983 in reply to DeeFish71]

When my thyroid is level which is very rare I feel more like I used to feel proactive energetic and much more mobile and mentally stable. It is awful that the drugs we are given to help with thyroid related illnesses actually cause issues with our hormones that’s the very reason I’m on testosterone replacement therapy and unfortunately it’s impossible for me to come off my tablets that they threw at me.

[DeeFish71 in reply to Welshcake1983]

I haven't felt well since early March. I had a virus that antibiotics and other pills did something to me. My throat has been constantly sore. But the Doctors just try to eliminate other illnesses, like reflux, glandular fever etc. while nothing seems to calm the throat. They argue that my thyroid is normal cos of a few half baked blood tests. I hate keep going up there, but my quality of life is terrible, and I had so much to look forward to this year. I am still going to events I planned but never feel well to enjoy 100%. My anxiety has been terrible since early September.

[adin]

I was on Escitalopram(Lexapro) over one year, same problem with my eyes and I gained a lot of weight. I changed hormones(Tirosint+T3) and no longer needed antidepressants. If necessary i take cbd-oil(better than ssri).

[GardenerSue]

Hi I’ve only just read this. I was prescribed Sertraline for chronic night sweats. It was after this that I noticed that my thyroid function levels were less stable. I investigated and it does say in the blurb that Sertraline May affect thyroid hormone levels. I weaned myself off it.

[DeeFish71 in reply to GardenerSue]

I read that too - why on earth was it prescribed to us when we have thyroid problems?!! I take care not to take the pills close together but this Sertraline was such a strong pill it could have still caused problems even with a 7-8 hour gap between levo.

[GardenerSue in reply to DeeFish71]

Because the GP didn’t read his /her pill bible properly! Or didn’t believe what it said. I raised it with another GP after this and was told that he’d have to look it up before agreeing with me that I should never have been prescribed it. Is there something else you can take? How are your vitamin D levels? If they’re too low ( and we need to maintain a high level) this could also lead to you feeling depressed etc.

[DeeFish71 in reply to GardenerSue]

I have no idea about my vitamin levels - I do take a multivitamin every evening but all I have had are Complete Blood Counts and not sure if hormones or vitamin levels show on those?

[Batty1 in reply to DeeFish71]

One simple answer......Doctors have no idea about the medication they prescribe and you the patient suffers with added health problems.

I always tell myself "All magic comes with a price" !

[DeeFish71 in reply to Batty1]

Hmm,,, maybe some "magic" should just disappear!

[Batty1]

I took Cymbalta for 2 months for chronic pain and I looked like my hubby beat me everyday the bruises were crazy and every little cut bled non stop and it also messed with my thyroid levels bad.

Never again!

[DeeFish71 in reply to Batty1]

Blimey - I will steer clear of those! What a rotten experience for you.

[GardenerSue]

Low vitamin D levels can cause all manner of symptoms some that might be attributed to either hypothyroidism or depression. I would suggest that you have yours checked remembering need to be in the top of the range. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 18.5 years ago. Throughout that time I’ve had increasing doses of Levothyroxine. For the last 2 years I’ve had significant problems with fluctuating levels resulting in assorted problems including anxiety and moods of depression. I had my vitamin D levels etc checked in June on the advice of a forum member and discovered them to be really low. It is I believe very common in those of us with Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s . I took a loading dose over a period of six weeks and did feel a difference. I struggled to maintain that level afterwards. I suggest you have yours checked. Now under the care of a private Dr, all others having failed me I am now taking NDT, magnesium, selenium and a higher dose of vitamin D . Early days on NDT but I am hopeful that finally I will be sorted.