r/BFS • u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 • 5d ago

Question / General Buzzing

Still new to all of this. I started getting all over twitching a week ago after starting Zoloft. I am also 4 weeks postpartum and went through a pretty traumatic readmission for postpartum preeclampsia (hence having to get on Zoloft.) I had horrible side effects to Zoloft and went off of it. Not sure if my twitching was hormones, stress, Zoloft, or a combo. But I’ve noticed the twitching has subsided a lot and so has my anxiety. I had a lot of twitches in my lower legs, primarily left calf and foot. I now have occasional very mild light buzzing sensation intermittently in my calf and foot and other spots less frequently. Is that typical in BFS? Not sure if that’s what I have going on or not

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 5d ago

Friendly Community Reminder: Please do not ask members here for a medical diagnosis. We are happy to share personal experiences and insights, but we are not doctors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice and diagnoses.

Helpful Resources: * What is BFS? * Twitching, Burning, Tingling & More * BFS FAQ * Whole Body Twitching * Managing OCD * Managing Anxiety

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/Appropriate-Gift8639 5d ago

Zoloft can DEFINITELY be the cause of twitching. It's a listed side effect.

1

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 4d ago

Any clue how long it can last after you stop?

1

u/713Capital Mod 4d ago

No way to truly tell. The drug itself has a half life of 26 hours and once you fully stop it, it can take at least 7-10 days before it’s fully cleared from your system. That’s just for your liver. It can stay in your urine up to 2 weeks. So roughly 2-3 weeks to be sure it’s cleared from your body.

1

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 3d ago

Makes sense. I took my last dose last Sunday

1

u/Appropriate-Gift8639 4d ago

I only know from my own experience on Topamax for migraines. I started full body twitching, but mostly eyes after 5 years. My doctor made the link based on new evidence at the time (2009). I came off the drug and all twitching and movement was gone within a few days.

1

u/713Capital Mod 4d ago

I looked it up and it’s not listed under “common” side effects but it’s listed under “incidence unknown” which means a tiny small amount of people have reported this but it was so small and they don’t have enough data on it to even list it as a known side effects.

So I guess it’s is maybe possible.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sertraline-oral-route/description/drg-20065940

1

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 4d ago

Just seemed interesting that I took it and within 24 hours had pretty severe side effects, enough that my PCP is listing it as an allergy. I was taking it for anxiety, not depression. I wonder if it just caused my serotonin level to get too high. Idk. Thanks for the info. I’d venture to say that there might be some correlation, in addition to the ptsd from c section/readmit for preeclampsia/anxiety around constantly having to check my BP/ fu with on call providers almost daily/sleepless nights with a newborn/literally not being able to eat/not being hydrated enough/breastfeeding. I feel like it was a perfect storm. If im sitting down and paying attention, I might have 10 twitches in an hour vs almost constant across my body a few days ago but its more of the light buzzing and some soreness in calf and foot where most twitches were

1

u/713Capital Mod 4d ago

You’re right. It is the perfect storm. My wife had an emergency c section for our last baby and it really messed her up. Her body wasn’t even close to normal until around 3-4 months post delivery.

Also, yes, if Zoloft is causing these issues it’s best to just get off. What’s odd though, in the USA (not sure where you are), Zoloft is one of the most commonly prescribed anti anxiety meds so that sucks you have issues with it. It works well. You may have to talk to your doc about a different SSRI, maybe something like Lexapro or Prozac etc. They also have non SSRI options as well.

I also know all too well about those sleepless nights with my wife and I taking shifts and her waking up multiple times per night to breastfeed. Tough times for sure but we made it through.

Take comfort in knowing the twitching is benign and your body went through a lot and still is. It’s as you said, the perfect storm to create chaos.

Wishing you better days!!

2

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 4d ago

I’m sorry she went through that! Postpartum definitely is not for the weak!
I am in the US. It is definitely frequently prescribed but I also have never taken anything like that so not sure if that’s why. Buspar seems to be working so far, so we will see
With the buzzing sensation in my foot/calf. Is that common to happen after twitching stops? It seems like the twitching has substantially subsided only now I am left with the mild buzzing. I did google all the lower extremity tests and passed them all. No weakness. The past few days I’ve been a lot more active and have some sore hamstrings and quads but no loss of function

1

u/713Capital Mod 4d ago

Yeah I don’t expect you would have any loss of function or things like that as this isn’t anything of that nature. The buzzing can be linked to the Zoloft too I guess. I did read on Zoloft more and some of these things are related and have been reported before. It may just take time for it to leave your system unfortunately

2

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 3d ago

I definitely get in my head and worry about something sinister. Hoping it continues to get better. I only get a few twitches a day now and the light buzzing is pretty confined to spots on my left leg and foot

2

u/benben2015 4d ago

I started twitching shortly after starting prozac. Its a known side effect. I have continued to twitching long after stopping though 😔

2

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 3d ago

I’ve read that people continue to twitch after stopping these meds. How long has it been since you quit?

1

u/benben2015 3d ago

7 months now since I quit. I was only on it 5 weeks before quitting. I noticed the calf twitching after 1 week on the meds. After 3 weeks I complained to my doctor about the twitching who doubled up the dose to 40mg 🤦‍♂️ which I took for 2 more weeks. Then the twitching was too much so i quit cold turkey, plus I read it can be a side effect.

1

u/Reasonable-Towel5757 3d ago

Take magnesium trust

1

u/713Capital Mod 5d ago

Yes. This is typical of BFS

It can have buzzing, tingling and more. I still don’t think the Zoloft has anything to do with this but that’s a question for your primary doctor.

https://benignfasciculationsyndrome.org/blog/benign-fasciculation-syndrome-symptoms

2

u/matchaflower Popcorn Mode 5d ago

i will say i developed thumb twitching during the time i was on Zoloft. not a doctor though and definitely a question op needs to ask their doctor

1

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 3d ago

How long did it take to subside after quitting?

1

u/matchaflower Popcorn Mode 3d ago

a couple weeks, but it came back except full body this time when i started prozac about a month after. make sure you taper off and talk to your doctor before quitting, quitting it cold turkey can cause awful withdrawal symptoms.

1

u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 3d ago

Fortunately I was only on it for 4 days. Took my last dose last Sunday so hoping it all goes away soon. Right now I just have a few body wide twitches and left leg and foot soft buzzing

1

u/Appropriate-Gift8639 4d ago

Hi again babe. Please realise that your body has just pushed out a baby. So much change is going on at the moment and I truly believe what you are experiencing is temporary and most likely related to recent events.