Hello, I've been suffering with anxiety for a couple of months. It is a really bad episode, I've had anxiety before but never this strong/long and never with so many physical symptoms. I was prescribed Sertaline 5 weeks ago, I'm taking 50mg once a day. When it all started I was feelin dizzy, lightheaded, like I'm going to faint. Then nausea kicked in for a week and very strong headaches. My physical symptoms mostly stopped but I do have a 24h headache, it's there constantly, day and night. It's not very strong, kind of just like a feeling on my right side. I'm wondering if there is anyone who also gets daily headaches with anxiety or Sertaline. It's slightly stronger today as I've really worked myself up :-( I'm really worried about having a brain tumor, I just can't stop thinking about it :-(
I have several friends who were on Setraline at various doses. Noone reported ongoing headaches bar the first adjustment for a couple of weeks. Discuss with your doctor. Check if you are consuming much artificial sweetners? OTC drugs or supplements? Coffee or other stimulants? Decaffeinated coffee? Orange juice or chocolate? Too much sugar? Is your blood pressure in the normal range? Have you had your eyes tested recently? Check that stuff out - usual suspects. But do report the headache to your doctor. Brain tumor is not the first thing that comes to mind with persistant headache - it is probably the last.
Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your condition. It is not unusual for sertraline to cause headaches, especially within the first few weeks of treatement. Rest assured, you don't have a brain tumour (which manifests itself with a set of different symptoms) - these thoughts - that's your anxiety talking. I would give the drug another 2-3 weeks and if the headache doesn't disappear, talk to your GP/Pdoc - maybe you require dose adjustment.
Thank you so much for your reply. I'm seeing my GP on Monday so I will ask about the dose.
Hello, thank you so much for your reply. I've had my blood pressure checked and it seems to be normal. I only drink decaf coffee but only once or twice a week. I don't drink juices, fizzy drinks just water. I also don't take any other medications or supplements. I had my eyes checked by my GP but I have been thinking about visiting an optitian. I will make an appointment for next week. I'm seeing my GP on Monday as well so hopefully I'll get some answers then too.
It's definitely a side effect of Sertraline not anything more sinister. I get the same but realise my anxiety is manageable so put up with it. Each symptom disappears over time.
Honey you are definitely not alone , mostly all.my anxiety symptoms are with my head , sounds like anxiety , u are not alone, I also get weird head sensations from my anxiety and I.must say its very scary , I usually get feelings as if something is crawling under my scalp , or a headache of some sort , or a sharp shooting pain that comes and goes , tingling , pressure , burning scalp sensations, and twitching as well, all kinds or weird thing happen , I've had a MRI of my head and my Brain back march and everything came back fine , but I still sometimes find away to get worried about all the things that go on in my head
Thank you so much for your reply, you also get headaches every day? How long have you been on Sertraline for?
I've been on Sertraline 50mg for 10 weeks and still get a headache or pressure. Have been suffering from blurred vision too.
Sounds good! Likely the medicine then. You will likely adjust soon and the discomfort will go away.
Just to share an anecdote from my journey in explanation of the above advice. I started getting headaches several months after starting medication (venlafaxine). It was much as you describe, localised on one spot but on the left side of my head and not too intense but ever-present This went on for 6 months!! until I managed to worry my doctor enough to suggest an MRI. What a waste of time that was. Everything was of course clear. Time came for holidays. While on holidays I ran out of my decaf coffee - i drank nothing other than Jacob's Day and Night decaf at the time. I drank about one per day. I couldn't find it in retail where we were so i got a small pack of nescafe decaf...it took me a while to realize my headache completely disappeared a few days later. I still didn't make the connection. Until i got back home and had my fave Jacob's decaf...headache back. I was bummed because i liked the taste but at least i knew what caused the headaches. I now have various decaf brands instant, coffeehouse grade and nespresso as well and no issues. Something about that one just didn't sit well with me - perhaps in combo with the medication - who knows.
Hi Alan, I was wondering how are you doing? Have your headaches got better? I'm still struggling with mine :-(