Is sertraline worth the side effects?

[Cantpee]

I’ve just started taking sertraline as I have developed bad PND and PTSD following an awful birth and associated health problems. I’ve been reluctant to take it because before this I have never suffered mental health issues.

I’ve had four tablets and experiencing dizziness, feeling dizzy, jaw/teeth clenching and ache, headaches, nausea and generally feeling strange. I’m still not sleeping. I’m really tempted to stop but another part of me thinks I should persevere. Does it get better? Is it worth it?

You had no symptoms of depression
You don’t think you had depression

neither of which applies to the OP

I think it's quite easy to say that when you've never really needed them. I would have accepted having my fanny stapled shut if it helped when my life was crippled by OCD.

For me yes. But the side effects are brutal for those first 2 weeks.

here’s what I did to lessen the side effects…

take in the morning

take magnesium at night

my husband very kindly bought me a acupuncture mat that helped alleviate the headaches

ipuprofen and paracetamol for the jaw ache - the max dose (gel tablets of ibuprofen as apparently they’re more gentle on the stomach)

i did have a mouth guard temporarily for teeth grinding in my sleep

lots of hot water bottles for neck pain

i was very lucky as I worked from home. I would’ve struggled going into a workplace.

Good luck OP. I’m on day 26 now and there are still some side effects there although no where near as bad, but I’m already feeling the benefits.

I literally reached the point of having no life because of anxiety. I'm on day five of taking it and actually laughed at a stupid video tonight.

Ask gp to start lower if you want (25mg) it takes a while to build up