Zoloft side effect or just a pulled muscle?

[lynnsee]

so I recently started 25mg of Zoloft 3 days ago for panic/depression. i think I've had a few side effects. I read somewhere that muscle tightness is one of the SERIOUS side effects.  I think I've had that but not so bad as the first day. I also cant tell if its tightness or just really bad restlessness that i'm feeling because I've had that too. anyway, I'm not sure if I pulled a muscle earlier when I moved my leg a certain weird way or if its the side effects from the Zoloft .i guess the best way I can describe the tightness I felt at first is just like feeling a squeezing sensation on my legs and arms. it wasn't constant so I figured it would just go away but i'd get pretty worried about it still. the feeling I have in my leg now though, feels more like a pulled muscle. like when you stretch wrong and I only felt it on one spot on my upper/inner thigh (groin area I think) after I got up in a weird rushed way. I guess what i'm wondering is, is it more likely just a pulled muscle or effects of the Zoloft. i'm really trying to stay positive and think its not a serious side effect but of course, i'm still worried. please, some advice to calm my nerves. POSITIVITY pleas, negativity worries me and I don't want anymore pulled muscles, lol thanks -lynnsee

[lynnsee]

no it wasn't really like that. I think it really was just a pulled muscle, it ended up going away later the next day. what I do get though it restlessness. not to the point where its uncontrollable, sometimes I just cant seem to relax or get comfortable so I switch positions alot or tap my feet. has anyone else experienced restlessness on zoloft?  and what medicine did you try that finally worked for you and if you dont mind me asking, what are you taking it for?

[kerrilu]

I took zoloft for 1 day, 1 dose.  I was unable to sleep for over 40 hours, laid on the sofa and my left leg shook just uncontrollably.  My teenage son tried to physically hold it still.  It turned out to be an allergic reaction.  I don't know if what you are describing is like this, and I agree not to go looking for side effects.  After the zoloft, I switched meds 2 times before getting one to work, but none were quite like that feeling of uncontrollable movement.  I think you'd know if it were a major side effect.  Good luck to you.

[nursegirl6572]

That sounds more anxiety related...just my personal opinion.  I experience that when I'm having high levels of anxiety..an extreme urinary urgency.

Just keep an eye on it.  I don't think it's anything to be concerned about.

[lynnsee]

thanks. lol another question, I keep getting this feeling as if I need to pee, but it doesn't feel like the normal feeling you get when you need to pee. it feels more sudden and uncontrollable. I was wondering if that's the Zoloft or just my anxiety? 'cause like everything else, its worrying me. -_-

[nursegirl6572]

Yes, most side effects will start to improve after about a week or two, and abate completely not long after that.  I know it's hard, but if you keep yourself busy, you will not be focusing so much on how you feel, which will make the side effects less bothersome.  Also, try not to read a lot about Zoloft.  You've already done your homework, so that's good.  If you spend lots of time reading and rereading about the side effects, you will convince yourself you are experiencing ones that you're really not.  It's tough, I know...but you can do it.  

Hang in there!!!

[lynnsee]

i know, i overthink EVERYTHING! even when i don't want to, i just cant help it. but i'm still trying to just look past all my fears as far as the medication goes, and hope for the best. the first time around i let my fears of the meds get the best of me and gave up right away but this time i just keep telling myself that it WILL work for me. questions: does the insomnia go away or let up, does the restlessness stop and appetite return? i guess those would be the more bothersome side effects that I've had.

[nursegirl6572]

We discussed this before...you need to do the best you can  to not be hyperfocused on every sensation, and attribute everything you're feeling to the Zoloft.  I know it's hard...but you were already anxious about side effects, so focusing on sensations is only going to make you more nervous.  You're second guessing yourself and "what iffing".  Did your doctor give you a short term course of an anti-anxiety med?  If your worries don't let up a bit, and you find yourself thinking about side effects day in and day out, I would ask for something.

Hang in there, this process takes time.  If you were going to have any severe life threatening side effects, you would have had it by now.  Distraction!  Keep us updated!

[lorigirl76]

Hi Lynnsee...I don't have any info for you, just noticed that we posted about the same time with zoloft questions, as it looks like we both just started the medicine. I wish you well.  

[Paxiled]

The side effect is more in the nerves and muscle cramping, which is probably due to two things:  serotonin also serves to relax the muscles and these meds alter the way the body naturally uses serotonin, and these meds often interfere with magnesium absorption, and magnesium also relaxes muscles and nerves.  But if you know you just pulled one muscle then that's probably what happened and that isn't the drug, that's just life.  But if you wake up in the night with cramping, that's the drug, and you might need to supplement magnesium.