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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for your experiences of Sertraline

67 replies

Bussells · 20/02/2019 20:28

I’ve never taken any type of antidepressant before but my GP has prescribed me a low dose of Sertraline due to PMDD (severe PMT). There wasn’t time to ask about side effects etc. so I was wondering if anyone who has experience of taking it would mind sharing how it affected you. I’m a bit nervous and hoping this is the right thing for me. Thank you

OP posts:

Lacypants · 21/02/2019 22:33

Sertraline saved my life. I was literally at the point where I was terrified that one day I just wouldn't be able to go on any more and would take my life just to be free of my depression and anxiety. I've been on it over a year now and I feel so normal. First couple of weeks I had a dodgy stomach and felt a bit spacey on occasion, but within a few weeks I was becoming more balanced and as I say, now I'm probably as normal as the next person.

olivesnutsandcheese · 21/02/2019 22:42

I'm just coming off it (after 6 months) but I had a very stressful time at home and it really helped me. Took the edge off everything and generally just helped me to cope. The situation that caused the stress is mostly gone now so I'm reducing my dose and then will stop. No real side effects from taking it although I felt like a zombie for 3 or 4 days. Also never take it at night without a decent amount of water as it can cause heartburn.

camperjam · 21/02/2019 22:43

I like it. I take it for PND and anxiety and it worked straight away for me. No side effects, just made me feel better

Werve1 · 21/02/2019 22:45

I have been on Sertraline 100mg/day for the last 4 years, was citrilaprim for 6 years before that.
I hate it! I have tried coming off on my own! Disaster! ended up on 150mg/day after that! I have lost my sex drive, put on weight, and basically feel pretty numb most of the time!!!

Mari50 · 21/02/2019 22:55

Made me yawn continually for the first 2/4 weeks, felt mentally amazing on it, gave me terrible joint pain so had to stop. Withdrawal was a bastard. Had to wean myself very slowly as the electric head shocks were hellish.
Back to my normal dysthymic self. Can’t take anything due to disabling joint pain

Werve1 · 21/02/2019 22:58

Mari - if i am late taking my tablet in the morning I get those electric head shocks! when i tried to stop them without help, i would get so dizzy that i would feel sick!

NinkasiNinjaPaws · 21/02/2019 23:05

Unfortunately everyone's experience on antidepressants is different, there is no set reaction, this is my personal experience. I was on sertraline for seven years and I thought I would never come off it. It took about two weeks for me to not feel "hungover" when I first took it. It took three months to fully come off it. It affected my libido, weight gain, and my emotional reactions for both good and bad. Yes, it "levelled" me out but it also made me unemotional in other ways that were not good. I won't go into my withdrawal period as I had been on it a long time and it wouldn't be fair. Over a prolonged period of usage in certain individuals the way your body deals with serotonin can be altered. Again, this is not everyone. I could never recommend anyone go on a particular medication or not, but in all honesty I've never got why anti depressants are know as "happy pills" as frankly that's not my experience.

CrazyBoy · 23/02/2019 23:33

Had a few side effects from Citalopram -
Dry mouth in the first few weeks
Loss of appetite initially but then it comes back
Developed a stammer for a while
Worst thing is the incredibly vivid dreams - normally not bad ones but very bizarre and quite memorable. I forgot to take the pills once for a couple of days running and had horrific nightmares. Won't do that again.

Makemeaname · 24/02/2019 01:43

Been taking it maybe 4 months now? Upped dosage from 50 to 100mg a couple of weeks ago. Honestly I hate it. The first two weeks I felt nauseous all the time, my sleep has gone downhill since I've been taking it and hasn't recovered. The first 2 months took me lower than I'd been before although they did block out most of my anxiety. When I confided in my friend (6 weeks in to treatment) she said she already knew because I had turned into a zombie.

Now I'm back up to roughly where I was before I started taking it, doctor has upped my dose because it should have kicked in by now. I can't sleep and I'm constantly exhausted and depressed. But I dont want to switch tablets and have that first few weeks again so sticking with it for now.

My ongoing side effects are dry mouth, insomnia and I get really jittery and shaky especially in my jaw. The nausea dropped off after a few weeks.

But some people love it so worth trying.

Patroclus · 24/02/2019 05:13

Sertraline is really good for a lack of side effects I think. Citalopram perhaps made me happier but the side effects were also stronger. It didnt just lift my mood it made me a lot sharper and better at work as well.

Also definitely true about the heartburn.

RabbityMcRabbit · 24/02/2019 05:14

I've just switched to it from another drug and the first few days were rough for me. I had stomach cramps, diarrhoea and nausea but this settled in a few days and it's really effective. I really rate it.

Patroclus · 24/02/2019 05:22

Interesting what people have said about intrusive thoughts as well. I've found when im off medication I know my MH is in a state becuse my head is full thinking about past regrets or shame, thinking how badly things could have gone and what people must have thought, but as soon as the medication kicks in that disappears overnight and it makes so much difference.

MaggieAndHopey · 24/02/2019 05:34

Re: the heartburn, whenever I had this with sertraline, I think it was because I didn't swallow the tablet with enough water. Sometimes it can get lodged on the way down and if this happens it will hurt like hell. So always take with at least a couple of big glugs of water to chase down afterwards.

Original poster

Bussells · 24/02/2019 13:24

Thanks everyone, just come back to this and really appreciate all your replies. I’ve got my prescription but not had a chance to go to a pharmacy yet so will start it tomorrow. I’m sorry to those who’ve had difficulties

OP posts:

tinydancer88 · 24/02/2019 13:28

Started taking it on Monday. I take it at night, because the GP warned me it might make me feel nauseous, and I have noticed I find it difficult to wake up in the morning and feel drowsy until about midday. The first few days I also felt a little bit trembly in the morning, but that's often when my anxiety is at its worst so I can't definitively attribute that to the drug!

notapizzaeater · 26/02/2019 22:55

@Fanjango

We are 8 days in and currently sitting his mocks. School can't believe the difference in him 😀😀

Fanjango · 26/02/2019 23:02

@notapizzaeater that's brilliant. My son started on a very low dose, and was extremely anxious..almost housebound, so it took a little while. Sadly he's refusing school again, asd and class changes set the anxiety off again🙄. Hope things continue well for you. 😊

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