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Sertraline and Vertigo

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Fairycakes Tue 05-Sept-23 13:11:02

I wondered whether anyone else had suffered vertigo while on Sertraline. I appear to be suffering for the second time, and am wondering whether it could be the Sertraline contributing to it, as I had never suffered it before I went on medication, and I am now apparently suffering for a second time, whilst taking it.
The first time was a few months ago and my GP gave me exercises to do (Brandt-Daroff) which cleared it up almost immediately. Although at the time the room was spinning constantly, I did not experience vomiting while doing the exercises. However, this time I only have dizziness when turning my head in bed (when the room will spin) but when I returned to the exercises to test whether it was a return of the vertigo , I was so dizzy when testing both ears that I vomited each time. I know it's common to vomit during the exercises, but I am puzzled because the vertigo seemed much worse the first time around.

I had covid a few weeks ago, and am still experiencing a catarrh-like cough. I am wondering whether the covid is responsible, or the Sertraline (as I have heard that anti-depressants can contribute). Interestingly, I did not have an ear infection the first time I had vertigo, which is what normally causes it, and which is why I am wondering whether the Sertraline is responsible.
I wonder whether anyone else has suffered similarly. I know that Sertraline can cause dizziness, but I have been on them for almost 6 months (increasing each month to 150mg, a level which I have now been on for about 8 weeks).

I am reluctant to go the the GP again, as I never seem to be away from there these days, and I don't want to become a nuisance patient.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

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B9exchange Sun 10-Sept-23 22:28:32

I think your best bet is indeed to go back to your GP, only they can advise if it is a side effect of medication. There is a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) which is common as you get older, caused by crystals floating in your inner ear, and can be corrected by the doctor performing an Epley manouvre on you, which will give almost instant relief, much more effective than the Brandt Daroff exercises. You can ask in the surgery who is qualified to do this, but as I say, only a GP is qualified to decide what is really the problem. Don't suffer for fear of being thought a nuisance, I am sure you are not!

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Fairycakes Mon 11-Sept-23 08:47:41

Thank you for your reply, and I will take your advice and return to the doctor. As you say, it may not be down to the medication.

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silverlining48 Mon 11-Sept-23 08:55:42

The vertigo you describe usually called labrynthitis can occur without obvious cause with or without vomiting.
As far as I know it’s nothing to do with other medication.
You have my sympathy I have had countless attacks over the last 35 years but happily having started taking betahistine have been vertigo free fir nearly 5 years.
Do go back to your gp.

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Fairycakes Mon 11-Sept-23 11:46:12

Thank you, Silverlining. I will go back to the GP. It's nice to know I'm not alone with this problem. I never suffered it before this year.

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Aveline Mon 11-Sept-23 11:48:46

I had an episode of this last year. It was horrible. However, I met several people who had this too and gathered there was 'a bug going round'. It cleared up and has not recurred. (Touch wood!)

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silverlining48 Mon 11-Sept-23 11:52:55

There is an injection which stops the spinning instantly . Usually done by a doctor. I only learned this in recent years and wish I had known earlier.
Also tablets fir under the gums which are supposed to help.
Otherwise betahistine ( Serc) has worked for me and also a friend with the same problem . Good luck.

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Fairycakes Mon 11-Sept-23 18:29:15

Thank you all for your help. It's made me feel less concerned about the situation. I am phoning the GP first thing in the morning to see if I can get an appointment 😊

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