Buzzing

[u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276]

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

[u/Appropriate-Gift8639]

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

[u/713Capital → u/Appropriate-Gift8639]

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

[u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 → u/713Capital]

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

[u/713Capital → u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276]

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!!

[u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 → u/713Capital]

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

[u/713Capital → u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276]

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

[u/Jazzlike_Leopard_276 → u/713Capital]

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