Muscle twitches and clonus began after taking zoloft and persist after discontinuing med

[mdw77]

Hello.  I was having some anxiety due to chest pain (later diagnosed as gallbladder).  My GP prescribed zoloft, 25mg daily for a week, then 50mg daily in June.  The first night I took the zoloft, I laid in bed and could feel my body jerking.  From then on I had jerking movements (clonus) and small twitches everywhere, in my feet, arms, behind, legs.  

I had an appt. with a neurologist for headaches, and asked her about the twitches.  I had been on the zoloft for about a month, and she said they were side effects and would go away.  My GP was concerned and said zoloft doesn't cause this. I was tested for thyroid and metabolic problems, everything fine.
I was upset and weaned off the zoloft in September.  
I am still having twitches and clonus.  The twitches have decreased greatly but are still there.  Except for a rare twitch, I had NO problem before.  
Can it be the Zoloft?

Also, I had an MRI and complete neuro exam about 1 month before this started.  Everything normal.

[Ghanges]

I took 25mg of zoloft for 2.5 weeks. Got serotonin syndrome. Was taken off immediately. Its been 10 weeks, and I still have twitching. Mostly legs and upper arms. I never had twitches like this before taking the meds. The twitching isn't as bad as it was the first few weeks. But still bothersome. Enough so that I have scheduled a neuro appointment. However, after reading that other people have similar issues, I might just cancel.

[Kdr3003]

Don’t cancel the appointment. Ask for an mri so you get some answers. I think this could have a lot to do with some sort of IBS and poor intestinal flora. I’m on Zoloft 25 mg and planning on getting off. Klonopin has helped me a lot but I’m still looking for answers as well. I recently had an mri and the the doc said MS isn’t an issue. I’ve been on multiple rounds of antibiotics because of sinusitis which I think really messed me up. My stomach hasn’t been the same. So as I get tossed from doctor to doctor I’m still looking for direction. I’m considering getting a new probiotic and start taking magnesium supplement on a daily basis. Frustrating when people keep thinking and saying your nuts. At least that’s my case. I lost my job because of this and now I realize the doctors aren’t helping and possibly making me worse. Think it’s best I change my diet and try to get my anxiety under control which is tough to
Do when I’m always wondering what this is and what’s causing it. I’ve read parasites, Candida, can cause this too. How to get tested and where to start is the problem.

[Dparton]

I have also started taking Zoloft and noticed that my walking was off and my feet were twitching.  I went to the doctor and he said I have Clonus and the meds shouldn't have anything to do with it and set me up for a neurologist appointment to see what is going on and hopefully fix this.  I will post again once I have my appointment.  I am thinking with everyone else having these issues on the same meds it must be the meds.

[sg1207]

I also started having muscle twitches and body jerks after trying Zoloft.  The twitches would start a couple of days after starting the medication, then increase in intensity until they were so bad that I couldn't sleep at night!  I had to stop the medication after that and the intensity went down.  I've been off of Zoloft for 3 weeks, but I am still having muscle twitching during the day and night (although at a much lower level so I can sleep).  I think all SSRI's can cause this side effect.  I never had any twitching before I tried the Zoloft.  I am hoping that it is not permanent and will eventually go away with time.  I also had the same reaction with Paxil.

[amablock]

I tried Zoloft and went into Serotonin syndrome which is basically a highly reactive side effect to the meds and ended up with calf twitching along with a whole list of terrifying side effects. My question is, when did this stop for you personally? I have been off of them for a week and a half and the twitching is no longer constant but seems to have break through moments. They do have me on a medicine that is suppose to counteract with the effects for a month.  

[amablock]

And I do know this is an old thread but any information would be helpful. Thank you.

[Kdr3003]

I was just reading your post. I have the same GD symptoms. Along with others. This is BS. I did get the genesite test done to help with what what meds work with me. Gonna try something new. But I have been on klonopin which has helped me.

[TP57]

Hi, I was on Zoloft for 2 years with no twitches or annoying side effects like that. Then, I got off for 1 year of all SSRI's, then tried Lexapro when I need to get back on.  My leg muscles started to twitch, so I freaked out and got back on Zoloft.  The twitching stopped for about 2 months on Zoloft, then it started up again.  I'm hoping Lexapro didn't do any permanent damage. It's scary having muscle twitches, you wonder if you have a neurological disorder...

[cjzabel]

When i first started taking the Lexapro I did have them during the day as well, now its just at night. I think these drugs effect the body more than what there willing to lead on. It is not just a coincidence that you were fine before the drug. Just the same with me. I hope your symptoms subside soon, I do know that anxiety makes mine worse.

[mdw77]

I really do think it is the meds.  It is frustrating because they blamed my chest pain on anxiety and prescribed zoloft.  Turns out my gallbladder was very imflammed and had stones.  
So now the medicine they presribed for a problem that was physical not emotional, is causing problems.
These twitches and movements happen all the time, not just at night.

Do you have your clonus all the time?

[cjzabel]

Hello I think what you may be talking about is periodic limb movement, and yes this has been linked to ssri's, I would know because Lexapro caused the same thing with me. As far as the muscle twitching this can be related to the medication, but also anxiety as well. PLM is also called nocturnal myoclonus this is different than clonus, also very common. I hope this helps you, anxiety can cause so many symptoms, try to stay off the computer it will make it worse.