EM/Progression/SSRI’s

General
1

Hello,
I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate any insight from those who may have experienced something similar.

1.) I’ve noticed that my flares have become both more frequent and more intense, particularly in my hands. What’s changed recently is that the burning sensation is now accompanied by a persistent dull ache. I understand that symptoms can vary widely between individuals, but I’m wondering: has anyone else experienced this kind of shift? In the past, I could tolerate the burning to some extent, but now the intensity and the aching that comes with it have become extremely painful and harder to manage.

2.) My naturopath, who is helping me with other health issues, has been researching EM to better understand it, given how rare it is. In her research, she came across a few articles suggesting a potential link between long usage of SSRIs, specifically Zoloft (Sertraline), and the onset or worsening of EM symptoms. Some individuals reportedly developed EM after starting Zoloft, while others noticed improvements after tapering off. Interestingly, there are also cases where symptoms worsened after discontinuation and then improved again once the SSRI was reintroduced.

I’ve been on Zoloft since 2005, and my naturopath believes this is worth exploring. Has anyone here heard of/or had any experience with Zoloft or other SSRIs in relation to EM?

Thank you in advance for any insight or experiences you’re willing to share.

2

My EM didn’t appear until after I came off of Zoloft, and EM appeared at around the same age my mother had begun having similar issues, so I don’t think Zoloft had anything to do with mine. I will never touch Zoloft again to find out. I am honestly just replying to urge extreme caution when discontinuing Zoloft because withdrawal was terrifying even though I tapered even slower than advised. Be prepared to have a lot of patience with yourself and have a support system around if you are able.

3

I would not trust a naturopath. They don’t have the training and knowledge of medical doctors. My partner went to a naturopath at the insistence of her mother for anxiety. One of the things the naturopath said was to move her clock radio further away from her bed due to “radiation,” which is one of the silliest things I’ve heard. I have a background in radio electronics and know clock radios don’t emit harmful radiation. Neither do cellphones nor any household device. Any radiation, if emitted, is non-ionizing, meaning it’s not harmful to humans. I’d go see a dermatologist who is knowledgeable in EM.