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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Been given a prescription for Sertraline but scared to take them!

39 replies

RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 12:04

I know I am BU for not wanting to at least try them.
I’ve had overwhelming anxiety and IBS for many years but it’s been really bad the last couple of years, To the point it’s all I ever think or talk about!
I eat well, don’t smoke, drink or take any kind of drugs. I exercise. I’ve tried CBT, counselling, hypnotherapy, relaxation methods etc, etc but nothing non-prescriptive has helped make a dent in this all consuming anxiety and the physical aspects which come with it.
I’ve always said no to antidepressants as tbh I am so scared it will make my physical symptoms worse and I can only just about get on with my day with the symptoms I already have, I really can’t afford to have any more.
I’m scared they will give me an upset stomach or make my IBS worse (I have bad health anxiety) scared they will give me headaches, scared they’ll make my anxiety worse or leave me feel depersonalised and most of all I’m scared I’ll put on weight, vain I know but I have read stories of people putting on 3 or 4 stone (I know that this would make me miserable!).
I know we are all different and respond to meds differently but any experiences of Sertraline or any antidepressants (good or bad) would be most welcome.

OP posts:
NigesFakeWalkingStick · 17/01/2020 12:11

I've not taken Sertraline but I've taken nearly all of the other SSRI antidepressants (of which sertraline is one of).

I have acute OCD and health anxiety, so I totally understand your concerns over taking a new medication for fear of the symptoms it may produce.

However, you are clearly at a point where you are not managing daily life to the best of your ability, and could do with the benefit that antidepressants provide. Some do have a brief period of side effects that occur early on in the course of taking them but if you start the medication slowly at a low dose these are usually absent. Personally, I've never had any reportable side effects from any SSRI in 20 years of taking them.

As you've mentioned you have a good mindset towards therapy and alternative methods of helping your anxiety, I'm sure you will benefit massively from having this medication help you.

Good luck Thanks

Formermousemat · 17/01/2020 12:11

I am currently on Sertraline and I also suffer from IBS.

For me, Sertraline has made no difference to my IBS, either to make it worse or make it better.

What did help me with my IBS was going on the Low FODMAP diet, but that's quite intensive when you first start it. If it is something you are interested in, I would suggest waiting a couple of months at least while you adjust to your medication and then discuss it with your doctor.

Good luck with it all.

Formermousemat · 17/01/2020 12:13

Also meant to say, it hasn't really made a significant difference to my appetite so it hasn't changed my weight. I am currently obese though, so there is that. The only difference it has made is that I find it slightly easier to resist emotional over eating, but that is only a minor difference.

Formermousemat · 17/01/2020 12:14

Sorry, me again. To be clear, I was obese before I started taking Sertraline, it hasn't made me obese. My weight has dropped marginally.

TheMustressMhor · 17/01/2020 12:15

I've taken sertraline and it made me feel much better.

Try them, OP. You can always stop them after six weeks if you don't feel they are being beneficial.

They made no difference to my appetite.

Original poster
RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 12:16

Formermousemat Thank you. Sorry, I should have put on my op that I have tried the low fodmap twice under a hospital dietician but unfortunately it hasn’t helped me.

OP posts:
Lefkosia · 17/01/2020 12:17

I take sertraline, I had lots of side effects to start with, quite mildly, but they seem to have stopped now. I feel better for being on them

Original poster
RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 12:21

NigesFakeWalkingStick thank you. I am due to have some more CBT and was originally told it works better if you are also taking meds, so maybe it may be more successful this time around 🤞
Formermousemat has the sertraline made any impact on your depression or anxiety?
Thanks Themustressmhor that’s great they helped, its what I really do need at the mo, we’ve agreed that I can cut them in half and work my way up slowly, I’m due to see her in 2 weeks time.

OP posts:
Original poster
RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 12:22

Lefkosia I know I really won’t know the potential benefits u til I at least try them. Can I ask what were your side effects?

OP posts:
PracticallyFamous · 17/01/2020 12:22

I took Sertraline for about 18 months. I didn't gain weight and it didn't affect my IBS one way or the other. The only side effects I noticed were a dry mouth for the first couple of weeks, an occasional slight dizziness/brief lack of focus if moving my head quickly and they affected my ability to reach orgasm. They really helped me regain equilibrium and get control over stress and anxiety.

Give them a try OP.

Formermousemat · 17/01/2020 12:27

Bad luck about the Low FODMAP OP, sorry to hear it doesn't work for you.

Yes Sertraline has made a difference to my anxiety. I am glad I take it as it enables me to function much more then I do without it.

Original poster
RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 12:29

Thank you PracticallyFamous I know that I should at least try!
Formermousemat thank you 😊

OP posts:
Skyejuly · 17/01/2020 12:32

I have gained weight but it was better than the dangerous game my MH played. I only gained weight as didnt know calories and was eating 2000-3000 a day!

Sertraline changed my life for the better.

Randomname85 · 17/01/2020 12:35

I am on Citalopram not Sertraline however like you I suffered for years without doing anything. I can only describe it as being locked in a cage and watching the world go on around me and Citalopram was the key to get me out. I have been on them for 10 years and my life improved 100%. Side effects can be rough at first however for a few weeks of discomfort you could be looking at a future anxiety free Flowers

Original poster
RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 12:35

Thank you Skyejuly you are right, my mental health has been bad for so long a bit of weight gain has got to be better than how I currently feel!

OP posts:
myidentitymycrisis · 17/01/2020 12:46

I tried it and I suffered a lot of diarrhoea and anxiety I was prescribed Valium to take the edge off the side effects, I gave up after 8 weeks and went AD free for 6 months before returning to Tricyclics

myidentitymycrisis · 17/01/2020 12:47

No weight gain for me - that was when I took Mirtrazipine

Hidingtonothing · 17/01/2020 12:50

I've been on Sertraline a number of times, I also suffer with IBS. The meds never had any effect on my stomach at all, side effects I suffered were headaches and a sort of buzzy-headed feeling and I struggled to sleep a bit for the first couple of weeks. Honestly can't say I had any other issues and I was absolutely terrified to take them the first time, wouldn't hesitate if I needed them again though. Hope the replies are reassuring you a bit, I know exactly how you're feeling but they are worth a shot Flowers

MerryDeath · 17/01/2020 12:50

i had my sertraline for a year and a half before i was brave enough to take it. 1 year on from that I'm so glad i finally did! give it a try. it might not be the one for you... i had to double my dose for it to be effective but it's really made such a difference and i haven't had horrible side effects like i have had with others. i don't have IBS but it has actually really reduced my appetite and i was the thinnest i've been for ages before i got pregnant!!

Vemjs · 17/01/2020 12:51

This post sounds like I could of wrote it myself a couple of years ago...
I am still on paroxetine (a SSRI) and propranolol ( a beta blocker). The paroxetine was recommended by my gastroenterologist when she decided that my massive weight loss and constant Ibs seems predominantly down to my anxiety. I fear bad belly's which ends up causing them. Fear going out in case I have one.
I can say that it has definitely helped with very little side effects - main one being you get the odd light headed day.
My only regret about going on them is that I'm struggling to get off them, withdrawal is a bit of a nightmare and you can't get pregnant on them!

Hope this helps somehow..

alwaysdancing · 17/01/2020 13:09

I'm currently on sertraline (a couple of months in) and haven't put any weight on. I felt nauseous most of the first month, but no other side effects apart from a slight decrease in appetite. It sounds like it's worth a try if nothing else has worked.

Original poster
RhodaCamel · 17/01/2020 14:19

myidentitymycrisis I wanted to take a tricyclics for my IBS but my gp wasn’t keen to prescribe. I really don’t want diarrhoea as that is one of my fears but I guess I won’t know until I try!
Hidingtonithing thanks for that.
Merrydeath I know, I’ve had the prescription several times and never took them, I really have got to muster up the courage to do it this time!
Vemjs thanks. I will note that one your one incase the Sertraline doesn’t suit. I have the same issue as you did, I really fear a bad stomach so don’t eat much especially if I have to go anywhere! I do worry about coming off them though, hope you have success with that.
Alwaysdancing thank you for that.

OP posts:
Theonewiththecandles · 17/01/2020 20:33

I have been on sertraline before a few years ago and I am now back on it and it did give me tummy issues in the beginning and when they upped my dose - mostly heartburn and nausea but sometimes bowel issues/stomach pain too. I found taking lansoprazole pretty much eliminated the side effects. It 100% works for me though it gave me the boost I needed to tackle the problems in my life that were making things feel even worse.

mrsbyers · 17/01/2020 20:45

Crohns here and it did cause some pretty bad symptoms stomach wise for the first two weeks but then it settled down

GreyAndCopper · 17/01/2020 20:47

I'm on sertraline 200mg and I have inflammatory bowel disease and an ileorectal-anastomosis (had my large intestine removed), and they're fine with my bowels and have really helped.