Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Can you tell me about your experiences on Sertraline?

69 replies

AdmiralOrangeroo · 13/03/2022 17:57

I've been prescribed this but am struggling to take the leap and take it. I had a couple of questions I'm hoping others can answer :

What if any were the side effects and how long did they last?

Do you take it morning or evening?

Did it work?

Was it hard to come off?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate any help.

OP posts:

ScrollingLeaves · 13/03/2022 22:24

Sertraline -forgot to say another side effect was vivid dreams.

NoToLandfill · 13/03/2022 22:29

First 2 weeks felt worse
Evening
Yes it works
Haven't come off it.

Life is better on it.
Be very careful those first 2 weeks though

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 13/03/2022 22:31

@NoToLandfill thank you: re the first two weeks though - what should I do? I have a full time job and little kids. Maybe I should put off taking it until I can get some holiday

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

NoToLandfill · 13/03/2022 22:36

I was minding my toddler and it was really difficult. I just counted down the hours til DH came home and could take over. Cebeebies for 2 weeks. Worth it for the long run, was how I saw it.

However when I went back on it (after having accidentally stopped) my GP signed me off sick for 2 weeks when I was working.

Just go into it aware it will be rough for 2 weeks. Then the constant knawing anxiety and catastrophising will calm. I recommend CBT after you are stable on sertaline after a few months. Really helped me realize I was literally thinking wrongly. Just the NHS course, It was surprisingly good.

NoToLandfill · 13/03/2022 22:37

Started taking in the morning but got wierd dreams. So switched to evening and that's better for me.

Just don't miss more than 1 dose. If you need it you need it.

Hen2018 · 13/03/2022 22:41

The side effects were that over 3 days I became psychotic and suicidal (to the point of standing, swaying, on the edge of an A road).

So I stopped taking it!

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 13/03/2022 22:43

@Hen2018 omg that's so scary, I'm so sorry that happened to you! This is exactly the kind of thing that puts me off trying them

OP posts:

AnotherEmma · 13/03/2022 22:45

I'm sorry it happened too. But I'm not sure how helpful it is to share with people terrified of starting antidepressants. I guess it's important to be aware that it's a risk but also remember that it's unusual to have such a strong reaction and that most people will not have such alarming side effects.

Hen2018 · 13/03/2022 22:47

To be fair, I was in a pretty poor state before I started taking it (lost 3 school friends, my grandad and my job within 6 weeks and the year before had been in a women's refuge for a time).

I went on a tricyclic antidepressant afterwards and had no side effects. (It didn't have any positive affects either so I stopped after 18 months)

Obviouspretzel · 13/03/2022 22:49

@AdmiralOrangeroo

But how on Earth do you get through the first week when the anxiety gets worse? I'm struggling to manage my job as it is and don't know how to accommodate an uptick in my symptoms for however long it takes to settle down

For me, focusing on the fact that, by taking it, I was taking steps towards a light at the end of the tunnel. Although I was so bad, I would have probably taken heroin, had it been offered to me with assurances it would make me better.

Weird analogy I know but my point is, I didn't really care if the side effects were bad, if I felt that in time I would see a benefit.

NoToLandfill · 13/03/2022 23:15

Obviousprezel, I felt very similar too.

bonfireheart · 13/03/2022 23:24

The only way to get through the first two weeks is to take it one day at a time.

RefuseTheLies · 13/03/2022 23:37

It's not an absolute certainty that you'll have significant side effects. I didn't have anything other than jaw clenching. Fear of the unknown isn't nice, but for me sertraline has allowed me to actually participate in life again. It's been a joy.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 14/03/2022 10:37

Thank you all, I took the first one last night. It have me horrendous heartburn! Am going to give it a go. I'm nervous I'm going to get worse but maybe it's a risk I need to take

OP posts:

bonfireheart · 14/03/2022 10:39

OP, in the first few weeks I used to take a gaviscon fast acting tablet with it for the heartburn and it worked a treat

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 14/03/2022 10:42

@bonfireheart that's good to know, I'll try that. I wasn't expecting it, why on Earth would that happen!

OP posts:

user1471518104 · 14/03/2022 10:55

Take a massive drink before and after you take it. This really helps

NightmareSlashDelightful · 14/03/2022 11:18

I've been on sertraline for about two years now. I'll probably be on a lowish dose for many years. To answer your specific questions...

1. What if any were the side effects and how long did they last?
It took me two, maybe three weeks to 'onboard' with it. It did not make my anxiety worse, personally. What did happen was that I got a slightly upset stomach, felt a bit 'disconnected' at random times, struggled to concentrate sometimes, and some headaches (nothing that paracetamol couldn't handle though). It was a gradual improvement, though. So I felt the most side-effected (IYSWIM) the first few days, but then the side-effects incrementally decreased after that.

2. Do you take it morning or evening?
Morning.

3. Did it work?
Yes. It doesn't magically change personality or anything like that. But it definitely turns the volume down on the peakier anxieties and depression. I'm able to think more rationally, and more easily dismiss worries that are pure nonsense. I feel more sociable and more confident. But it's like it's taken away or at least reduced the dysfunctional aspects of my anxiety and depression. So it helps make me more 'me', if that makes sense.

4. Was it hard to come off?
Not for me. I came off it for a bit last year to see if I could manage without it. Coming off wasn't hard. Being off it wasn't for me. Although I do know several people who've come off it through choice and stayed off it, and been fine with that too.

Couple of other observations. You do have to keep up your water intake. It helps with the absorption of the active part of the medication, and it also can help with the nausea/stomach issues if you have them.

Also, some people struggle to sleep on sertraline. (Many others don't, for balance.) It did seem to affect my sleep, so my GP put me on a low dose of amitriptyline (which is an old-skool tricyclic antidepressant) which I take in the middle of the evenings. Knocks me out an absolute treat, that does.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 14/03/2022 16:45

Strange question, but does it stop you being able to cry?

OP posts:

ScrollingLeaves · 14/03/2022 17:14

‘AdmiralOrangeroo

Strange question, but does it stop you being able to cry?‘

In my case I stopped crying after constant, inconsolable crying.

I got a vague calm sensation instead of emotions (good or bad).

summerdayss · 14/03/2022 17:33

I highly recommend. I was also in two minds and waited about 2 months to pick up the prescription. But it was the greasiest thing for me and lots of people said I was clearly much happier (they didn't know why, a few thought it was due to a new BF) and family said I was a nicer person to be around.

Side effects were instant for me, within an hour. So I would clear your schedule and have an early night planned. I felt dizzy and had restless legs and insomnia that lasted a couple of weeks at least. I was still able to attend work. Within 2-3 days I was undeniable happier. It was such an overwhelming response from my body so I got all the good and bad bits all at once.
The majority of the side effects settled within couple of weeks but the restless legs persisted for a good while. It also made it very hard to orgasm but didn't remove libido or anything.
Also in hindsight it made me gain weight and struggle to lose it. I put on a stone and kept it on for the 5 years I took sertraline. I never put two and two together. Thought my fast metabolism had just disappeared in my mid20s but it's back now that I'm off them and I can truly eat anything and everything and remain a stone lighter than I was on sertraline.
But the happiness was worth it!

I think I used to take it in the evenings. Just left it on my bedside table next to water cup and light switch etc so couldn't forget it.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 14/03/2022 17:50

Funny you should say that, I've only taken one tablet and felt restless legs today plus epic heartburn last night

OP posts:

MrsTaytodarling · 14/03/2022 18:48

Not on sertraline but a different anti d. Like you, I was petrified before starting of the side effects. GP gave me diazepam for the 1st 2 weeks for the worst parts. I used 2 maybe. V little side effects and began to feel a positive difference very quickly. Best of luck

bonfireheart · 14/03/2022 19:00

The lack of crying suprised me, in a good way!!

summerdayss · 14/03/2022 19:10

@AdmiralOrangeroo

Funny you should say that, I've only taken one tablet and felt restless legs today plus epic heartburn last night

The worst of the restless legs should be done in 3-4 weeks I would say so hang in there. Google good stretches fo do, I had to do them every couple hours in the night and then try get back to sleep before it built up again. Try make your bedroom really cool as being warm made my legs worse. I think the fact that your body is reacting is a good sign as those with no side effects at all tend to find that nothing really happened full stop - so no good effects either.

Flip

1 2 3