I am 25 years old and have been taking sertraline (Zoloft) for almost 10 years. Some of the first side effects I noticed were a flat affect (emotionally dull), a bit of a tremor and an inability to relax. This is slightly confusing to me as I hear Zoloft frequently touted as a top treatment for social anxiety. Shortly after I began taking Clomipramine (Anafranil) for OCD.

I started on 50 mg of Zoloft, and gradually increased to 100, 150 and eventually 200 before gradually going back down to 100. My tremor (shaking hands especially) was worst at the high dose, but is still there. My psych who prescribed me referred to this as an "intention tremor" as I described it as worse when I was consciously trying to perform a task with my hands, either reaching for something, writing or beckoning/using the digits independently. I still have all of this, although it has slightly improved, but it is still very bothersome and it gets notably worse the more conscious I become of it.

The biggest problem I have now, which is even more disruptive than my hand shaking, is I have become almost completely unable to sit/stand still. I am constantly moving, either limbs or my head/feet hands or even my torso. It is, like the tremor, self-destructive in that it becomes worse the more conscious I am of it, and it is noticably worse in social situations where I feel even the least bit uncomfortable. I look like a jitterbug, twitchy and constantly readjusting myself. It's awful, I am very personable when relaxed but this has become increasingly harder to do, and it makes people uncomfortable as I appear uncomfortable or nervous myself. Like the hand tremor, it becomes worse the more I see myself doing it or notice others catch me do it. I should note that I am fairly certain that it is either directly tied to or made worse by my anxiety levels. Almost the only time I am able to sit completely still and relax is when I have had several drinks. The rare exception is when I feel extra good about myself, in which case it is much more manageable but still slips through a bit.

Could this be the Zoloft? I currently take 100 mg of Zoloft, 100 mg of Clomipramine (Anafranil) and omega 3 fish oil. I want to get off of it completely as my psych has told me the tremor was definitely caused by Zoloft so I assumed the rest was, but I just don't know what I should do. Any help or advice would be appreciated, thanks.

I know that I dont have the steady hand I once had but I have not experienced that sort of shaking. Maybe you need to let the Dr. know this is going on. Could it m,aybe be that the m,ed has pooped out? I would start with that question and work with your Dr. to find a solution

Welcome to DF, TomB57,

Intent tremors are common SE's of AD's. I was on Lithium over 14 years with noted tremors (could never pick up a cup and saucer). I learned to live with it. I developed full body tremors and was referred to a neurologist by my Internist for evaluation. I was diagnosed with Parkinsonism. My pdoc took me completely off Lithium to see if the tremors would stop-they didn't.



Have you told your pdoc about this? I don't know if Zoloft would cause all of the body movement you're experiencing. Have a good discussion with your pdoc regarding the increasing (body) tremors and your concerns that it's disrupting your work, social and home life.
Sheepwoman

I know this is an old topic, but want people to know this is important...
I was on 25 mg for 2 weeks, then increased to 50 mg. My leg shaking got worse and worse. My doctor told me it was anxiety. I sweated it out as long as I could. Finally got in to see her because the leg shaking was out of control, jaw clenching, and now I couldn't stand still without jumping up on my toes. I was diagnosed with akathesia and told to go off my meds right away. Also, diagnosed with hypomania which is one of those surprise Zoloft side effects.

PLease please please see your doctor if you shaking is out of control. MOst of the time it is misdiagnosed as anxiety and they up your meds, or tell you to take a benzo.

I am tapering down on the ZOloft and hope to be off in a couple days, and see if the shaking resolves. PLease research akathesia on the web and see if this is the type of shaking you have.

Im glad to hear that you figured out what was going on! Thats why they put the warning labels on the med. You did a great job listening to your body and talking to your Dr. i do hope that you feel better soon.

Thanks! It has been 4 days off Zoloft and the shaking has stopped. It was scary for awhile....Hope someone will read this and it will help them,too

Great, there's hope for me still. I was about to get on a benzo bc my inability to sit still has gotten so out of hand. Did you have a stiffness in your neck and other limbs/muscles as well? I find it hard to turn my head, body and limbs fluidly without jerking or making a quick awkward move. Is that Zoloft you think?

Yes, totally happened to me to. My doctor calls it "mania" hehe.

I have a question zoloft users???I take 50mg since 2nd wk of april and probably miss a dose or two weekly. well a couple days ago i had a abcessed tooth and put me on antibiotics so i didnt take my zoloft everyday and yesterday the tooth was removed and i have been feeling very jittery and weak lately can anyone relate

Redrose,

I've been taking Zoloft on and off for 12 years. (Basically tried other med's) But what I have noticed was that when I stop taking it I have this anxiety. Shakiness, weak and I don't really feel all that good. You need to first discuss this with your doctor. But yes if I miss a dose I feel bad. I have a special pill box that tells me when to take it. Kind of like an alarm clock. Most important always give medication time to kick in when you first start it. It takes time but it works.

Thanx for your reply i hear some talk about drug holidays but i think i better stop taking drug holidays.....

Oh that shakiness and not being able to sit still happened to me almost immediately with zoloft...sitting through a lecture was unbearable and the bus? Heck I chose to walk home for 2 hours rather than sit still for 25 minutes...I was also extremely angry, not so much anxious, but at first my doctor thought it was just anxiety, despite me telling him I wasn't anxious I just had way too much energy...well later he tells me it was a kind of mania...blah blah blah..stayed on the zoloft for awhile, that effect seemed to go away and for a short while I was doing awesome...then those weirdo effects I got came back along with an even nastier depression...so I stopped taking the zoloft and went back to the doctor, he put me on a mood stabilizer...

I stopped 50 mg abruptly, got some withdrawl, which was nothing compared to what zoloft was like, got some weird sensations, but those went away after a week...It felt like quitting smoking minus cravings.

If you read the list of side effects commonly associated with SSRIs these things are there...

I was also very shaky, nervous, and jerky feeling on Zoloft, especially on start ups. My doc said that along with the fact that it really boosted my sex drive was hypomania. Once I came off the Zoloft (went cold turkey and NOT a good idea) everything went back to normal and other than my normal anxiety feelings I'm pretty cool and calm and the shakiness went away.

inability to sit still - legs and arms constantly moving and irritated- yes it is a common side effect of zoloft. it happened to me everytime i upped the dose. :)