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Mental health

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Original poster

Side effects of Sertraline

18 replies

tryingtokeepsane · 03/05/2011 17:00

Please can someone help me. I am now on my third course of ADs in 10 years, the first was seroxat and the second citroplam. On both occasions I still wanted to have sex but couldnt have an orgasm and that was the reason I stopped them within a week. I feel very low as I am only on my first week of sertraline and I already know that sex will be very different.

I have anxiety issues and am receiving counselling for abuse which happened when I was very young. The thing is that managing to have an intimate relationship with my husband(believe me it has taken years) is the only thing that makes me feel like a whole woman.

If anyone has any tips they would be willing to share I would be very grateful.
Sorry if too much information.
Thanks

OP posts:

lookingfoxy · 03/05/2011 22:02

I had the same problem when I was on them, I just put up with it though, maybe you could speak to your gp and see if there's another tablet you could try, I think its a common side effect though, I had a big smile for more that one reason when I came off them

Aislingorla · 04/05/2011 09:59

I am on citolapram and my libido is still strong, however I have no desire to orgasm and is not a problem as I was more worried about loosing my libido.
I am less anxious and feel happy again (4th week on).

WorzselMaamage · 04/05/2011 10:13

I am on sertraline 50mg for anxiety problems as a result of PTSD. I felt truly fucking HORRID for the first 2 weeks, I had every side effect listed and then some.

I think you ought to stick with it for a while. The way you feel in the first weeks isn't at all indicative of how you are going to feel when you have got used to them. I feel great now, all the side effects have gone and i feel like the person i used to be before the PTSD. The anxiety still appears sometimes but i can rationalise it. I cant believe i felt so bad for so long when i didnt have to!

My sex drive is as it was before and i can still orgasm.. I dont know if i could in the first week as I felt to rough to try.

My only tip is to give it a month or 6 weeks and then make a decision. Sertraline has literally changed my life over the past 6 months or so, it can work really well but a week is no where near long enough to know if it is going to work for you.

Good luck xx

Original poster

tryingtokeepsane · 04/05/2011 12:17

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I too have felt really really terrible for the last few weeks. I have really only started to talk about the abuse I suffered and it is only now I can say that I know I was a child when it happened and I did what I had to to keep safe. I have never cried so much or felt so panicky as I have in the last few weeks.
What really hurts is that people talk about moving on or drawing a line under it. At the moment I dont know how to.
Luckily I have a really supportive husband and a close friend.
It has been hard even posting on here as I am scared people will find out my secret!
I dont always have access to the computer, kids around etc, but I will check replies and I am so grateful for any support.

OP posts:

PainteditRed · 04/05/2011 13:02

Is it depression or anxiety that is the main issue?

I ask as I had failed attempts at taking anti Ds until my GP prescribed Buspirone and it really really helped me. It's a 3 times a day thing but you don't get that awful dulling of mind and body that antiDs can give

Original poster

tryingtokeepsane · 04/05/2011 16:30

Its mainly anxiety, awful panic attacks, being overwhelmed and feeling like I cant cope. I dont think I am depressed, I am generally a very happy person but when I feel like this people think I am depressed because I cry and struggle with insomnia.

OP posts:

PainteditRed · 04/05/2011 16:40

I would push to be seen by a psychiatrist in which case. No point medicating if you don't know what the root cause is.

Who are you getting counselling from? PCT are terrible, you need a specialist.

Original poster

tryingtokeepsane · 04/05/2011 18:03

My GP is prescribing, the root cause is severe trauma following sexual and emotional abuse. I am seeing a private psychoanalyst who has experience with these issues & PND & Purperal Psychosis both of which I have had, its costing a fortune £45 for 50mins

OP posts:

WorzselMaamage · 05/05/2011 12:08

are you feeling any better yet trying ?

Original poster

tryingtokeepsane · 05/05/2011 16:13

a bit, I did manage to get some sleep last night, which for me is amazing!
my head has cleared a little and i guess I just feel sad.
Thank you for asking.

OP posts:

strawberry17 · 05/05/2011 16:37

I have been on Sertraline for years in the past (now weaning off prozac). It was a huge issue for me and the not being able to orgasm and enjoy sex never went away whilst on this class of medication, so I would say if your sex life is hugely important to you come off the Sertraline and try other avenues of support.

mosschops30 · 05/05/2011 16:41

I am on sertraline for ptsd, have been on them since xmas.
I guess im lucky in that the only major ide effect i had was teeth clenching, and i still do it.
I have a fairly low libido anyway, but its definately made orgasm more difficult, although not impossible.
Im hoping to come off them in the next few months

Original poster

tryingtokeepsane · 05/05/2011 16:48

What other avenues of support are there strawberry?
I have just started counselling.
Does anyone know whether there are any good support groups for women who have been abused as a child?
I would really like to know how people manage to put this behind them.
Thanks

OP posts:

strawberry17 · 05/05/2011 21:18

I meant counselling or anything that might help you as an alternative to medication. I'm not a doctor, it's just my experience that these medications, and I've been on a few, can seriously knock out your libido, and if this is likely to be an issue for you it might be best avoided.

MrsShrekTheThird · 05/05/2011 21:23

I've been of sertraline for 5 years. Am currently on my lowest dose and almost off it, but struggle to drop it completely. IMHO it affects my relationship issues far less than any other med I've ever had :)

LisaHaf · 10/05/2011 10:58

On Sertraline for last 6 months.Depression and bullying problems at work. GP upped dose from 50mg to 100mg. First month was awful,twitchy,insomnia, but then got loads better, and together with counselling and exercise and good friends am now reducing dose to 50mg under GP's guidance, mainly due to no orgasms! Hang on in there follow GP's advice, if GP no good find one more sympathetic.

fiddlydee · 11/05/2011 09:25

Trying to keep sane,
The only area I can really offer advice on is the sex bit, so I'll stick to that.
I was on Fluoxotine and then Citalopram for some time but had the most incredible fatigue that stopped me functioning. They also had the no orgasm effect. I tried Effexor (Venlafaxine) for some time but that gave me terrible night sweats, so little sleep and still no orgasm! I too am just about to start on Sertraline. My GP has given it careful thought and feels that this is the AD with the best effect on depression and anxiety but the least side effects. Having trawled the internet, this seems to be right. I understand completely about the sex life issue. My way of looking at it is that when I am not on ADs and depressed I don't even want my husband to go near me or touch me. At least when I am on the ADs I want to make love to him. I still really enjoy it but much of the time I do not orgasm. I have found the more I worry about it, the harder it is. For a month or so I just decided that I was going to enjoy sex but not even try to orgasm. Then one time, it just happened. Now I don't try to get there and I manage it about half of the time. If I don't, then at least I have had some really close time with my husband. Can you orgasm when you are on your own? I find I can manage this much more easily. Perhaps some time with your husband and some time to yourself? Also, the side effects of ADs can be at there worst for the first few weeks and then wear off as you get used to them. I would recommend trying an AD for at least two or three months before deciding to come off of it. Hope this helps. Sorry if it's too much info! :)

Original poster

tryingtokeepsane · 11/05/2011 20:44

Thanks fiddlydee I will try your advice, not too much info at all!

OP posts:

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