Posted by BarbaraCat on September 29, 2003, at 0:39:16
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » lucasj, posted by Dragonfli on September 28, 2003, at 23:06:12
Hi Dragonfli,
What you're experiencing is a fairly common side effect of SSRI's called akathisia, also referred to as 'extra-pyrimidal side effects'. It happens with most SSRI's, Zoloft being the one reported most. Akathisia causes teeth grining, muscle twitching, inner restlessness, tremors, tics, mouth and tongue movements, restless leg syndrome. As serotonin increases, dopamine decreases causing involuntary movements which don't go away on their own but increase as your med dosage increases. Some other meds help to minimize it, propanolol being one. I'm surprised your doc isn't aware of this.I was on 200mg zoloft for years and ground my teeth down badly, felt clenched inside, had twitches in my muscles that felt like little zings fired off now and then. It was annoying at best. They went away when I discontinued SSRI's.
Do a google search on akathisia+SSRI and you'll come up with loads of hits. Here's one from the horse's mouth:
http://www.zoloft-side-effects-lawyer.com/akathesia.htm
Take care, BarbaraCat
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:5582
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030928/msgs/264173.html