Hi, I have taken prozac on and off for years before having children and found it had little side effects and really helped me. In the last few years I've either been pregnant of breastfeeding, and the GP has recommended sertraline instead. This is due to it being less absorbed by the baby from breastmilk. Prozac, although it works well for me, has a longer 'half life' and also transfers more to your child. With prozac on starting I felt a gradual difference after about 2 weeks with little side effects. Anyway I've been finding starting sertraline much more difficult than with prozac. I have many more side effects including dry mouth, increased anxiety, general floaty feeling, headaches, shakiness, nightmares on missing a dose...I wonder if it is to do with the prozac taking longer to build up within your system if you see what I mean, the half life of sertraline is just a few hours rather than a week of so, which ironically seems to be the thing which makes it better for breastfeeding. After a few hours of taking the pill I feel strang and I'm just hoping things start to even out a bit. I've started taking half of it mornings and the other half a bit later and that seems to be a bit better. It definitely doesn't seem as 'easy' going as prozac though and neither did citalopram, i hated that! I am wondering if the problem is that I am quite anxious and sertraline and citalopram seem to increase that a bit well to start with anyway whereas prozac is more calming. It sounds daft but i miss prozac, it felt safe somehow whereas this one more kind of volatile! No probs coming off prozac either, am unsure how this will be. Hey ho, I guess it would be good to stop breatfeeding but don't really want to do that.
Just wondered about any other experiences along these lines...x