Anyone else taking Sertraline? Can't believe it is going to help me, but hoping it will...

[detachablehoof]

I have a 9.5 week old baby and was diagnosed yesterday with PND.

I have been a bit up and down since she was born but mainly felt fine. However since last week she has been sleeping really badly and I reacted really badly to the sleep deprivation, wanting my baby to be taken away and having intrusive thoughts about harming myself as it seemed the only way out of the situation. I really thought I was just overtired however I have been at my parents house for a few days and had two full nights of sleep, and I'm still not feeling any attachment to my baby. I really wish I'd never had her and I feel like I should have known that I wouldn't love her.

I've been prescribed 25mg Sertraline and have taken my first dose today. I'm not at all hopeful that it will work. I don't feel depressed, I just wish I'd never had my baby and don't want to be near her. And obviously I'm pretty worried about what's going to happen as my mum is looking after her at the moment, but long term I realise that I will have to. Other than that I feel like my normal self.

I really really wish that I still loved my baby. I feel like I never have done, but I can look back at old messages I sent to my husband and see that I definitely did. I just can't remember what it feels like to be attached to her. I don't even think she's cute any more 😭 And I can't believe a pill will make me fall back in love?

Anyone else had this feeling and got over it?

And I'd love to hear positive things about Sertraline too!

You do sound depressed to me. PND isn't about feeling sad. The feelings you describe about your baby are PND.

Honestly, the PND is making you feel the way you do about your baby. It's not real. Well it is, but it's the illness not you.

Take the medication. It won't work instantly, but don't miss a dose and in a couple of weeks you'll see a difference. Hang in there. Take support from wherever you can get it.

Good luck.

And no, a pill won't make you fall in love. But it will alter/correct the chemicals in your brain which will in turn allow you to begin to feel your normal feelings again.

Also, has anyone recommended a talking therapy? Counselling can be massively helpful, especially alongside medication. If not, worth asking for a referral from your GP or HV.

@motheroftinydragons thanks so much for your messages. I'm waiting for a call from a specialist and I think they will want me to go see them and possibly have some CBT.

Feels like I'm living in a nightmare and totally trapped with this baby I can't stand the sight of. I'm forcing myself to interact with her at least a couple of times a day but I just cannot feel any connection to her. Even when she cries I only want her to stop because the noise is annoying.

Hi! I'm only 3 and a half weeks pregnant so I'm not sure on the whole PND side of the post but I was on sertraline not long before pregnancy and i was on 50mg, i didnt expect it to work and tbh it doesnt change you massively, it just takes the edge off of worrying and makes you more leveled in your feelings. It took away my anxious knot in my chest and really did help. I hope it helps you too, well done for being so open and honest! Fingers crossed xx

Hi @detachablehoof I have taken sertraline in the past for anxiety and it worked wonders! Prior to that, I'd tried fluoxitine and citalipram which, for me, did absolutely nothing! However, I started to notice the positive effects of sertraline within 10 days. I was on 50mg a day.

I know your post is a month or so old now so I hope you've seen the benefits of sertraline by now to ☺️ x

It was miraculous for me. I took 50mg and has pnd with severe insomnia after both my girls. Worked within a week. I had side effects but they were worth it (night sweats mainly). Don't ever stop it cold turkey.
Did your Dr advise to stay on 25?

Thanks all 😊 I'm on 75mg now and feeling like myself again, which is AMAZING!! It started working in less than a couple of days, I haven't had a bad day for two weeks now.

Oh that's nice to hear. Glad you're feeling better. Stick at it xx

Great news. My gp advised to stay on it at least a year.

That's great news. I'm on 150mg and sertraline has really helped me.

That's great. I've started on 50mg today, been switched from citalopram which I've been on years. Saw this in active convos, it's given me some hope

Hi I'm on it. My husband had an affair and it tipped me over the edge emotionally and mentally. I lost over 20 kg in weight and had constant anxiety for about 4 months. Started on setraline about 5 weeks ago. Had bad side effects to start with, awful shakes, nausea and dizzy spells but feel ok now. They have taken away the constant feeling of anxiety and leveled out my mood swings and feelings of self hatred and failure, however I do feel that I feel quite 'neutral' and find it hard to cry or have a good belly laugh. I also don't find myself getting wound up with my thoughts so now I can manage my life easier. I don't think I will take them for the long term but they have definitely help take the edge off. Hope this helps.