Sertraline. Yes or no

[johnlennonsglasses]

Posting for traffic... sorry!
I'm looking for some advice.
I had an ectopic pregnancy just ver 2 years ago. It was pretty awful and not an experience I'd wish on anyone.
After the surgery / recovery, I just got up and got on with life. Didn't really deal with it. I've got 2 DC and DH and I both work FT, so I was easier to just keep going if that makes sense.

For the past 2 years I've been really up and down. Awful anxiety. Snappy, withdrawn, cloudy thought process, making mistakes in work an very very forgetful.
I'm tired of feeling this way so I went to GP on Wednesday and she has told me that I'm suffering from post traumatic stress. She prescribed sertraline and referred me for counselling.

I'm really torn on whether to take it. I'm scared of the side effects and scared that it will de-sensitise my real feelings.

AIBU to ask for your thoughts and experiences? Thanks in advance!

@Aprillygirl it was a consultant psychiatrist that prescribed for dd. She has autism and horrible anxiety. We're trying to get her to CBT alongside the medication.

Hi everyone. I hope you don’t mind me joining. I’ve been taking sertraline for just over 4 weeks after having a accute mental health break down- manifesting in anxiety and panic attacks every hour of every day. I am much better than I was, but have had 2 really rough days, feeling very teary and anxious again. It helps when I believe it won’t last forever when I hear advice from others and I will come out the other side. Did anyone else experience backward steps? Randomly the last three days I’ve had severe headaches and nausea too but didn’t have the side affects at the start? I’ve taken one increased dose of 100mg from 50. Thanks so much everyone xxx

Saved my life too.

I didn't realise how bad I felt until the sertraline kicked in. Brilliant. I dont feel numb at all.

@MuchTooTired hiya! I know this is an old post but I wonder when Sertraline started helping you? I’m 6 weeks in. 3 weeks on 50 and 3 on 100. I hope you’re well x

I take it every day , I think it reduces the extreme highs / lows and does level me out but I still feel emotions - it’s effect is very subtle really but it’s made a big difference

Hi lovely

Everyone is different but I didn’t want to read and pass by when sertraline has made such a huge difference to me!!

This is my second time taking it. I took it in 2017 for PND which manifested itself as extreme anxiety, and then I started it again 2 months ago for a break down, again severe panic disorder and anxiety after my mums death. Both times it has pulled me out of the darkest places I’ve ever seen. I would say- confide in your friends, family and partner- don’t go on this journey alone and be vulnerable. If you choose to go for it, just have people with you more often than not at the start of your course, just to reassure you, support you and help you practically if you need it until the medication settles in your system.

You are going to be fine. I promise... from someone who never thought I’d be ok again xxxx

After around 2 weeks I felt a little better. A few ups and downs. Around 4 weeks step backward- increased to 75mg from 50mg. Up and downs again but more ups than downs, and downs only a couple of hours at a time. Now on 100mg and having mostly ups, and full days and days in a row with no anxiety so blessed and so grateful xx

Sorry, I’m about 2 months in nomy.

I've had horrendous pnd since DC2 and am on my 4th month of sertraline. It's absolutely sorted out my anxiety. I have had awful hot flush type sweats though, since increasing dose, and had quite disturbed sleep in the first month, which has settled down now. It's also, according to DH, helped my massive mood swings.

The bad stomach passes within a couple of weeks , I actually take mine at night before bed find it works the same but I’ve more chance of digesting it then so best option for that too

@moominmammy hiya - I was wondering how long it took for you to kick in? 😊