Sertraline and shaking/tremor

[Kittii]

I have been on 50mg of sertraline for 4 weeks now for anxiety. I've found it really helpful. The first week I had headaches and nausea but fine after that. However, in the last week I've started getting a horrible internal tremor/shaky feeling throughout my body. It's listed as a side effect but it's making me really anxious!

I've got a call booked with the GP this morning to discuss but I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to whether this means I should come off SSRIs completely or try a different one or just keep going? I'm not 100% confident in the GP as before I took sertraline I told her I was worried about the common side effect of jaw clenching as I already have TMJ and she said she'd never heard of that as a side effect, which I thought was odd as I've read that it's really common. So I'd just like to go into the discussion well-informed.

I'm going on holiday next week so would rather not be going through withdrawal symptoms at the same time but also hate this shaky/tremor feeling. Any advice would be appreciated.

The GP said to keep going another week and she will call me next week. I'm happy with that but would be interested in hearing if anyone else has experienced anything like this? Thanks.

I shake from sertraline but it is a visible hand/leg tremor x

When did the tremor start? Does it bother you? Has the GP suggested just to accept it as a side effect?

The problem for me is that it makes me feel so physically anxious, so kind of counteracts the good effects!

I’ve also had this on sertraline for a couple of weeks but once you’re on it for a while I found it goes away. Mine was visible shaky hands. It also comes back if I go up a dose but after a while goes away!

Also it did bother me, I thought I was getting early onset Parkinson’s or something (I have health anxiety) but then realised sertraline is associated with it and it did go away after a while x

I was on a diff ssri And around week 3-4 I had a visible hand tremor. It went away

That's really helpful, thank you. I was worried because the GP seemed to think it was odd to get a side effect 3/4 weeks into taking it but sounds like it's more common than she thought. It has actually got slightly better today, although I've had pins and needles in one of my feet which has sent me off on another health anxiety worry! But I'm pretty sure it's either anxiety itself or the sertraline.

How long did it take to go away?

I think mine lasted about a week/week and a half. (This was early last March)
I totally understand it causing more health anxiety though!!!

How’re you feeling @Kittii

Much better thanks. Not sure if it was the holiday or the sertraline but I'm feeling much more like my usual self and while I still occasionally get some muscle twitches and the internal tremor I'm pretty sure it's the anxiety itself causing it so am managing to ignore it as much as possible. Really glad I persevered with the sertraline.

I’m so very happy to hear that

Hey ladies

I know this is an old thread but was looking for some reassurance. I increased my dose 2 weeks ago from 50mg - 100mg. First 9 days I felt great - more motivated, less anxious and thought I was turning a corner. For the last 5 days I’ve felt jittery and my hands are shaking, I’m wondering if this is normal with an increase in dose? And how long until this went away and you felt better?

@SCeee i came across this thread with the exact thing, 5 weeks on Sertraline (started on 25mg for 2 weeks and then upped to 50mg)
for health anxiety.. the last few days I have had the internal shakes or vibrations with also visible hand shaking ..
i panicked and googled early onset Parkinson’s .. but i came across this thread instead and feel insanely better!

has yours stopped since you posted?

@Bumbles2404 hey 😊 yes, that’s me now 6 months on sertraline and I can’t tell you the difference it’s made to my life! I feel the best I have ever felt! I’m so at peace with myself, it’s such a wonderful feeling after struggling for so long. The tremor and internal shakes soon subside so keep at it ok? I was so worried when I experienced these but persevering has been the best thing I’ve ever done! Sertraline has changed my life! Hope your okay xxx

that s a great update @SCeee

@Marasme thank you 🥰 genuinely has changed my life for the better! Wish I started years ago!