Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Do Palpitations After Taking Sertraline Indicate?
Question: Hi. My name is XXXX I am 23 years old male. I originally started palpitations after taking anxiety medication called sertraline it's a ssri. They would happen once ever week maybe two weeks. I wasn't really worried at this point I thought it was a side affect however I have been on it for 8 monthes now and the have progressed guite quickly. Recently I started having 20 to 30+ a day. And got an appointment for a halter because of it. I found out from myself that they are way worse when I drink the following day they are terrible they just don't stop they last for seconds but non the less the are there. I have no stress in my life as well. Also have another symptom random pains in arms and legs it's really bothering me please help am I going to drop dead?
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to sertraline adverse effects. But, you should know that sertraline can rarely cause palpitation and muscular pain compared to other antidepressants of this class (SSRI). For this reason, it is more safe to be used in cardiac patients usually.
From the other hand other possible causes underlying your symptoms (like thyroid dysfunction, vitamin D deficiency, electrolyte imbalance, anxiety), should be excluded before attributing these symptoms to sertraline adverse effects.
What is the actual dose of sertraline that you are actually taking?
Regarding drinking, I would explain that it is quite normal to have palpitations the day after a heavy drinking. It is also called "Holiday heart syndrome". It can happen to every normal individual, but is more prominent in persons suffering from anxiety.
So, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests:
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter)(as you have already scheduled with your doctor), in order to examine your heart rhythm trends during the day and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia
- a complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction.
- blood electrolytes.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
But, no one of your symptoms indicates anything serious. So relax and don't worry too much! Nothing bad is going to happen.
If all the above tests result normal, I would recommend a gradual reduce of sertraline dose (especially if you are taking a high dose). If the palpitations get worse, it means that they are caused by anxiety. In such case, you should discuss with your doctor on the possible changes to your actual therapy in order to help you manage your anxiety (increase the dose of sertraline, or switch to other antidepressants).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to sertraline adverse effects. But, you should know that sertraline can rarely cause palpitation and muscular pain compared to other antidepressants of this class (SSRI). For this reason, it is more safe to be used in cardiac patients usually.
From the other hand other possible causes underlying your symptoms (like thyroid dysfunction, vitamin D deficiency, electrolyte imbalance, anxiety), should be excluded before attributing these symptoms to sertraline adverse effects.
What is the actual dose of sertraline that you are actually taking?
Regarding drinking, I would explain that it is quite normal to have palpitations the day after a heavy drinking. It is also called "Holiday heart syndrome". It can happen to every normal individual, but is more prominent in persons suffering from anxiety.
So, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests:
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter)(as you have already scheduled with your doctor), in order to examine your heart rhythm trends during the day and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia
- a complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction.
- blood electrolytes.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
But, no one of your symptoms indicates anything serious. So relax and don't worry too much! Nothing bad is going to happen.
If all the above tests result normal, I would recommend a gradual reduce of sertraline dose (especially if you are taking a high dose). If the palpitations get worse, it means that they are caused by anxiety. In such case, you should discuss with your doctor on the possible changes to your actual therapy in order to help you manage your anxiety (increase the dose of sertraline, or switch to other antidepressants).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Idk what's going on. The other night I woke up at 3 am gasping for air like I stopped breathing. I'm on a low dose 15mg a day. As far as anxiety I stopped having it with my ssri. Right before I fall asleep I have a huge palpitations. And it's not muscle pain it's almost like it is in my veins. Also pain is in my groin and my lymph nodes are tender as well in my neck idk what's going on...
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety.
The dose of sertraline that you are taking is really a low dose. This means that it can not cause any adverse effects, but it also is not able to help you control anxiety, as it is not a therapeutic dose.
I know that you think that you are not having anxiety, but you should know that it can mimic a lot of disorders including many organs like the heart, lungs, muscles, nerves, hearing and eyes, sleeping problems, etc..
For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and discussing the possibility of raising the dose of sertraline.
Regarding the tender lymph node in the neck, it is necessary performing a careful physical exam by your attending physician coupled with inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate, complete blood count), in order to investigate for possible inflammation that may be the cause of tender lymph nodes.
Anyway, your symptoms are not indicating any serious medical condition.
Nothing bad is going to happen! Try not to think about it!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety.
The dose of sertraline that you are taking is really a low dose. This means that it can not cause any adverse effects, but it also is not able to help you control anxiety, as it is not a therapeutic dose.
I know that you think that you are not having anxiety, but you should know that it can mimic a lot of disorders including many organs like the heart, lungs, muscles, nerves, hearing and eyes, sleeping problems, etc..
For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and discussing the possibility of raising the dose of sertraline.
Regarding the tender lymph node in the neck, it is necessary performing a careful physical exam by your attending physician coupled with inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate, complete blood count), in order to investigate for possible inflammation that may be the cause of tender lymph nodes.
Anyway, your symptoms are not indicating any serious medical condition.
Nothing bad is going to happen! Try not to think about it!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: click here to Consult a cardiac surgeon online. to know the best treatment option for your heart-related issues
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
