Bruising on Setraline - freaking out

[Worriedoncemore]

Have been on it 4 weeks.

Yesterday, someone pointed out a bruise on my arm. Didn't remember knocking it and it got bigger over a few hours and is now bright red/purple. I've since had 4 more come up on my legs. Looked on NHS website and it is a uncommon side effect and if it happens you must contact GP or 111 immediately. Just waiting for GP to open.

Has anyone experienced this? I'm also praying it is the medication and not some other scary reason😒

GP sent me up to A&E where they did blood tests - very scary for someone with health anxiety. Thankfully, all fine so presume anything nasty ruled out (convinced myself it was leukaemia!). They think it may well be the Setraline so have been told to come off straight away and see if bruising goes. Strangely, doctor didn't know this was a side effect - had to show her the NHS site!

Hope it goes as otherwise god knows what it is....

Be careful coming off it straight away, though; you’ll have horrible side effects! Did she not recommend withdrawal rather than cold turkey? Maybe it’s ok if you’ve only been on it 4 weeks. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@BrutusMcDogface my GP advised cold turkey as I'm only on 50mg. Hoping it's not too bad. Will be disappointing if it is not the cause of the bruising as, otherwise, I was doing ok on it.

Been off Setraline two days now and touch wood withdrawal not too bad. Only had one more small bruise and the others have gone right down so hopefully no more. However, this morning I got text from hospital to say I need a CT scan of thorax/abdomen/pelvis so now I'm freaking out again. When I was at the hospital, there was a tiny trace of blood in my urine. Period was due and actually started next morning so said likely cause but to get urine rechecked if period didn't start as Setraline can also cause internal bleeding. My rational brain tells me that they've reviewed my notes and have decided to check for internal bleeding regardless as a precaution but having health anxiety has sent me spiralling.....

So scared.

Third day off Sertraline and, touch wood, no more bruises and the existing ones have gone right down. I know this is quite a rare side effect (less than 1 in 100 according to NHS site) but would be grateful to hear from anyone else who has experienced it. Found a couple of threads in the archives and also on other sites from googling but keen to learn more.

Thanks x

Sorry I can't help with the bruising side affects but I am also coming off Sertraline, so just wanted to offer a hand hold!

Hope the scan goes well and all is fine x

@pokerdone. Thank you. I've now missed 4 doses and still feel ok, hope you are too.

Bumping as keen to find other people who have bruising on this drug (or other SSRIs).

Thanks x

Continuing to bump for you...

I keep getting dizzy spells but otherwise think I'm ok. Hyper aware though of potential mood changes!

@pokerdone thank you.

Have been off nearly a week and, considering I was advised to go cold turkey, I'm not too bad. Bit tired and jittery, slightly prickly, itchy feeling skin and a few itchy spots around my ankles. A couple more small bruises came up yesterday annoyingly but nothing like the huge purple things that came up when it first happened (believe they're called purpura) so hopefully they'll stop appearing completely soon once the drug & it's side affects are completely gone from my body. No news on the scan, I couldn't make the original date they gave me so have asked to reschedule but they've not come back to me as yet. Hopefully its because they're not worried, will chase soon but dreading having it done so have held off (stupid I know).

Hope your withdrawal continues to go ok.

Shameless bump, sorry!
I know it's rare but definitely a side affect so keen to hear from anyone who's experienced it. Have now missed 8 doses so must be out of my system by now. A couple more small bruises appeared yesterday but have already turned yellow so hopefully they will disappear quickly like the other recent ones have done. Really hoping they stop appearing completely soon as still worrying me even though bloods were normal. Hopefully, it just takes time for the body to return to normal and symptoms can persist for a while even after the drug is gone from my system? Dunno?! Chased up CT scan but still not been rebooked so hopefully it's because they don't think it's urgent. Fingers crossed!

This situation would be bad enough even without health anxiety. Ironic the drug that was supposed to help me has made it worse!!!

Just to update now that 3 weeks have passed since the scary a&E trip. I'm happy to report that I haven't had any bruises for over a week which hopefully confirms Sertraline was the cause and the drug is well and truly out of my system.

However, I have my CT scan tomorrow and I'm really scared. I tried finding out why they were doing it but the person I spoke to didn't know and said must just be a follow up to my a&E visit. I feel perfectly well so have no reason to believe they will find anything but it's the "what ifs". The only silver lining to this is that, providing the scan comes back clear, I think my health anxiety will be cured. I will also be having CBT and have vowed never to take another anti depressant again.

Obviously I will ask tomorrow, but anyone know how quick these results come back?

Thanks.