Sertraline and TTC

[Charl881]

I’ve been TTC for around six months now and during that time my anxiety has got worse (not sure if it’s linked) to the point where the GP has prescribed sertraline. I’ve been indecisive over whether to take it due to the side effects people have talked about but finally went for it this weekend.

I know that there has been nothing to show it impacts on fertility and it’s thought to be safe in pregnancy (obviously would speak to doctor for advice straight away if I was lucky enough to get a BFP) but just looking for any personal experience of taking Sertraline while TTC (and then pregnant)

TIA

Hello @Charl881

Long time sufferer of anxiety and depression here, it's really crappy isn't it?! I am currently 19 weeks with DC3 and was taking sertraline for several years before TTC. Once husband and I decided to TTC I spoke with my doctor who advised that I should not take sertraline whilst trying to conceive / pregnant unless the benefit of doing so outweighed the risk.

In all honesty I have had really bad days since stopping, however I'm trying to persevere as best I can.

Sorry I can't really help much other than to say speak to your doctor again, but if you ever want to chat to another anxious mum happy to PM

@TheHopefulMum thank you that’s helpful although now I’m just still in turmoil about whether I’ve made the right decision. My anxiety was manageable not on medication in that it wasn’t stopping me from living my life but it was getting worse and taking some of the enjoyment from it. The intrusive thoughts are what I struggle most with.

if I thought I’d conceive next month I’d probably try and manage without but if it takes another six months or longer I think I’d regret not trying it to see if it can help.

@Charl881 completely understand where you're coming from. I have also suffered with intrusive thoughts, and still do occasionally. It's a very difficult place to be.

Obviously I don't know what your TTC situation is and everyone is different but we decided to TTC in the November which is when I stopped taking my medication and we conceived in the December, which means my time not on medication was brief before getting pregnant.

I hope it all works out for you, and honestly if you feel better taking them I would take them, you're mental health should be a priority

Hey there how are you doing?
I weened off sertraline after being in them for 8 years. I was off them for around a year and a half as was ttc (first time and never been pregnant and I’m 44!) and advised it would be better not to be on them but if absolute necessary for mental health it is better to be on them than suffer.
Were now going down the icsi route and I’m currently anxious as I’m in a new role with lots of pressure (mainly self caused!) and I’ve spoken to my doctor about going back on them because of our next steps.

I think mental health is so important and sometimes we have to have something to help. Just like a diabetic with insulin.

being healthier of mind I’m sure will help.

I wish you all the best xx

@Icamehere4love thank you that’s helpful. I guess I’ve managed this long without, maybe I should give it a month or two without and see what happens? Good luck with your ICSI.

@TheHopefulMum We’ve been TTC for 6 months and it took 13 to conceive DS so could still be a while, I did have a chemical last month though so I know it is possible. Wondering now if I should stop while I’ve only taken two and give it a month or two longer to see what happens both with anxiety and conceiving.

Hey there just wanted to add….
If taking the medication you can often feel worse before better (maybe 1-2 weeks to feel better?) - it doesn’t always happen that way but it’s good to know so you know what to expect.
You have to take them every day, pref same time. You can’t decide to just stop them either, you have to ween off.
You may know this already but I wanted to flag in case. I had 1 friend who used to take her medication if she felt she needed to and missed them when she felt ok. She didn’t realise how detrimental that was to her mental health until we talked about it.
xxx

Yeah I get that, but I thought as I’ve only taken two maybe it’s not too late to stop and change my mind. Oh I don’t know, I just can’t decide whether or not it’s a good idea to take them and my doctor is useless.

Sorry didn’t mean that to sound dismissive! I’ve read into it loads so I know how it works and I was on Venlafaxine for years in my 20s and really had to wean off gradually. I just can’t decide what to do for the best and I feel like if I’m not going to pursue it then I need to stop now while I’ve only had two. I just keep changing my mind, can’t decide what to do for best.

Sorry didn’t mean that to sound dismissive! I’ve read into it loads so I know how it works and I was on Venlafaxine for years in my 20s and really had to wean off gradually. I just can’t decide what to do for the best and I feel like if I’m not going to pursue it then I need to stop now while I’ve only had two. I just keep changing my mind, can’t decide what to do for best.

I’ve been taking 100mg sertraline every day for nearly 10 years, I reduced the dosage from 150mg gradually to 50mg 4 years ago but then increased 2 years ago after some stressful life events and I’m pretty stable now.

I'm 34 and 39 weeks pregnant with my first baby, DP and I conceived without really trying and we feel very lucky. I was told by my midwife to carry on with the sertraline and even speak to the GP about increasing the dose during pregnancy as our blood volume increases so it becomes more dilute, I didn’t do that but wouldn’t have been against it.

Best wishes to you x

@TashieWoo congratulations and good luck with the birthday! Do you know if you’ll have to stay in afterwards for extra checks etc because of it? Have you had a consultant led pregnancy because of it? Those are just a couple of things I read about which has made me unsure.

Thank you @Charl881 ! No I haven’t had any extra checks and haven’t seen a consultant at all, it hasn’t been mentioned since my booking in appointment.

I did have a very anxious time over Christmas with some intrusive thoughts, I thought I was feeling movements but wasn’t sure at that stage of pregnancy (about 22 weeks) and broke my nose in an accident, fortunately the baby wasn’t affected at all but I went in a few times for reduced movements. I was lucky to see a perinatal mental health specialist midwife who said about increasing the dosage.

From what I know, pregnancy is a stressful time for anyone, particularly those who already have anxiety / depression, and it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Sertraline is perfectly safe and we need to look after ourselves so I would take it, that is just my opinion though x

@TashieWoo that’s so helpful! I was lucky that when I had my DS I wasn’t suffering with my anxiety though I was of course anxious while pregnant and I think having him definitely triggered it to come back (understandably). I was already planning to speak to a perinatal mental health midwife this time around if I go get lucky enough to conceive, just in case having a second triggers things more

Glad I could help! I didn’t see a perinatal mental health midwife at an actual appointment, I was just lucky that she was on duty when I went into triage one evening. It would be good to have an actual appointment with a specialist if you can. She reassured me and made me feel normal when I was going through a very dark time. Thankfully I am out the other side now.

best of luck with TTC x

Hi Op i was on sertraline when i fell pregnant with my son and weaned myself off by the 2nd trimester as i felt so good. Though i did get pnd and ended back on it. My son is fine if a bit hyper active 😂

Im pregnant now and still on it. Actually a higher dose before and i have no intention coming off it. My family need me and the sertraline helps me, i think of it as no different to my levothyroxine that i am on. Both are needed to help me function and be healthy.

I hope that helps, good lick!

Sorry good luck not good lick 😂