HomeAnswersMedical oncologysertralineI raised my intake of Sertraline and have night sweats. Why?

Can increasing the dose of Sertraline cause night sweats in me?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 29, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 13, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I started taking Sertraline 50 milligrams three weeks ago. After one week, I increased the dose to 100 milligrams. For the past week, I have been experiencing night sweats every night. A lot of other people also have it that I came across on forums. I also read that night sweats are a sign of lymphoma, and that really triggered my health anxiety. I have blood reports for your perusal and a chest X-ray, which I took three weeks ago.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

There is nothing to worry about lymphoma as sweating is a known side effect of Sertraline. Lymphoma is associated with weight loss and usually with groin and armpit swelling or an increase in lymph node size at different parts of the body. So, it is unlikely to be a lymphoma. Just get rid of your anxiety and depression by strengthening your mental fitness and decreasing the dose of medicine by half, and then stop after five days.

1. Try to take a hot water bath before sleep, and put your mobile phone on mute at night.

2. Think positive and try to forget old bitter memories.

3. Take a morning walk in an open and green area and get engaged in yoga.

4. Spend time with loved ones.

5. Eat a balanced diet, and eat more vegetables and fruits.

6. Make a new routine.

I was not able to find any attachments of X-ray or blood reports here.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

It did not let me attach it for whatever reason. I had testicular cancer nine years ago, so I hope you can understand my concern. I even went to consult with another doctor. This is not cancer or leukemia. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Currently, everything looks normal. As you have taken chemotherapy in the past, you just need to be on follow-up. First of all, try to get rid of depression and anxiety. Then, just send me previous reports and chemotherapy details. How many rounds of chemotherapy have you received? I will let you know what precautions you must take and what type of tests you must do from time to time, possibly every six months.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I had three rounds of BEP chemotherapy nine years ago. When I consulted my oncologist, he told me I only needed to do the blood test. I just saw my local physician 24 hours ago, and he performed a physical examination and assured me that he does not think I have lymphoma. He ordered a CBC, liver function test, thyroid test, urea and electrolytes (kidney function test), and erythrocyte test.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As Bleomycin can have long-term side effects on the lungs, just do a DLCO (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) test. It will assess your lung function. Repeat it after every two years.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Are the night sweats serious? Another doctor told me to monitor my weight. If I am losing weight, I need to see my local physician.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Weight loss means more than 10 % loss in six months. It is usually associated with loss of appetite for over four weeks.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I have been in a calorie deficit state intentionally. I did not sweat as much last night, and I assume my strength would also decrease significantly with the more serious stuff. Please advise.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I wish you a healthy and stress-free life.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

During our last consult, you told me not to worry about lymphoma. I have reduced the medication down to 75 mg from 100 mg. I have not had night sweats for the last couple of nights. Also, regarding weight loss with lymphoma, I assume you will just be less hungry in general, which is why you lose weight. You would not always be hungry and eat, and somehow not put on weight. My strengths in the gym have remained the same.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

The stories online regarding cancers are most times confusing and scary. Do not trust that. In your case, I do not see anything to worry about regarding lymphoma. If there are symptoms of lymphoma, they will worsen month by month, sometimes week by week. They cannot remain the same. All your blood tests were normal, as far as I remember. You do not have any swelling or enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, or groin.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I spoke to my doctor yesterday, and he even said that my blood work was reassuring, eliminating any illnesses that cause night sweats. I spoke to another oncologist a while ago here, and he said that the only way to rule out lymphoma is by CT scan, and a blood test alone was not sufficient, which worried me. But as you and my doctor say, bloodwork is sufficient. Also, I did not sweat as much last night.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

There is no need to do a CT (computed tomography) scan, as I do not see any indications to do a CT scan.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I have a palpable lump behind my left ear, which I noticed. My oncologist told me that it was not serious. At that time, I underwent CT scans and blood work as I was still in remission from testicular cancer. Also, because I count my calories, I have lost 16 kg in about nine months (but this is intentional).

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The lump behind the ear is not a matter of concern. Usually, it has nothing to do with it. Regarding intentional weight loss, dieting is a common practice to lose weight. Regarding non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a person, the prognosis will depend on the histopathological and molecular details of his biopsy reports. In most cases, chemotherapy and target therapy is needed even after they remove the tumor from the colon.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you.

It has been a while. I have had a cough for approximately three weeks now, but nothing too serious. My daughters, aged 2 and 1, are also experiencing it and continuing to be reinfected. A few days ago, I experienced a temperature of 37.2 degrees Celsius, body aches, and a headache. Surprisingly, no loss of appetite. Yesterday, I noticed as if there was a ball of phlegm stuck in the bottoms of my throat or chest, and when I coughed it up, I noticed blood (see attachments). It has happened a few times today as well. Given that I had testicular cancer ten years ago and underwent chemotherapy, I went to see my GP today. He did not seem concerned and advised that it was probably due to a burst vessel. He did an oxygen test on my finger, and it was 99 %, which he advised basically rules out a lung tumor. He said if it continues, to come and see him again in four days, and he will order more tests. He is not phased by it, though. I am not coughing it up. Maybe I was not clear in my initial post. It is as if it is the drip from the back of my throat. There is no accompanying persistent cough. Kindly advise.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You need nothing to worry about. I do not see anything serious according to the photographs (attachments are hidden to protect the patient's identity). Mild steak of blood is possibly from gums or from the throat due to repeated coughing, but if blood with cough and sputum is repeated again and again, then further investigations are needed. Three weeks of cough is possibly due to some allergic cause, but if the cough persists, it is advisable to do an X-ray chest. Take vaccination for the influenza virus every year.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply. The cough has stopped, but the phlegm, I forcefully get out, as if there is a gargle in my throat and I need to get it out, if that makes sense? So, the bleeding has continued. However, it is less. So, just to confirm, the blood has been in sputum about 10 to 15 times today, but smaller each time than seen in that photograph. Please advise.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I suggest the following:

1. Do saline nebulization before bed daily.

2. No need to use force to get out phlegm.

3. Observe symptoms for ten days more. If it persists, then further investigations may be needed.

But I do not think there is anything serious.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you.

Well, the bleeding has subsided tonight. It has happened once or twice, but much lower in volume. My GP today told me he thinks I have ruptured a vessel from coughing, but other pulmonologists suggest X-rays, etc. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It looks like your symptoms are improving. X-ray of the chest can be done if symptoms worsen.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you.

Another doctor here told me that a person cannot have lung cancer without a persistent cough. It just does not make sense. My GP said the same thing to me. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Lung cancer can be present with or without a cough. It depends on the location of the tumor, but usually, it is associated with weight loss and anorexia. Plus, 80 percent of patients with lung cancer have a smoking history.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you.

That is what the pulmonologist here told me. I have now woken up with no phlegm in my chest whatsoever. However, I just blew my nose and noticed this. Also, I am not noticing any weight loss. You do not think it is lung cancer, right? Chest X-ray is clear.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am sure it is not lung cancer. Lung cancer with a prolonged cough only worsens with weight loss and is usually followed by shortness of breath.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I just had a chest X-ray done, and it has come back clear. Please comment.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

That is good. Then, there is nothing to worry about. Prolonged cough is usually due to some allergic factor or in chronic smokers and by many other dozens of causes.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

That should reassure me that it is not lung cancer.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Yes, it does not look like any lung cancer. You should try to strengthen your lungs by taking deep breath exercises daily early in the morning. Do brisk walking daily.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I exercise regularly by doing weight training sessions thrice and cardio sessions twice on the treadmill.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Excellent. Keep doing that.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Arshad Hussain Shah
Dr. Arshad Hussain Shah

Medical oncology

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