Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

1 2 3 4

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Need advice on anti-depressants please can mumsnetters help

79 replies

Havingatoughtime · 02/08/2006 18:15

I am a regular poster but name changed. I know thare is a lot afoot on mumsnet at the moment but could do with some advice
Been prescribed an AD sertraline and am breastfeeding.
Anyone had this drug or got experience of it?
Never had AD's before but am really quite poorly - my doctor ( and psychiatrist) say i really do need to take it while I wait (!) for psychologists to see me.
Just have a few silly questions really like can you drink ( I dont drink much just a little bit and want to know if i can still have the odd glass of wine/beer)
Any nasty side effects?
a million and one questions if any one can help
Sorry its long

OP posts:

Report

Beauregard · 02/08/2006 20:11

((hugs))
I stopped taking sertraline in march as it was one amongst many that didn't work for me.
The side effects that i got were pain in joints and night sweating,also i completely lost my appetite but that is a good thing imo.
I hope that it works for you!

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 00:07

keep in touch with your GP Havingatoughtime and if you have any concerns/worries when you start taking the tablets just go straight to them. I found that the sertraline worked wonders on my anxiety/obsessive thoughts & worries - but as you can see it might not be the one for you - but there will most likely be another one that does work.

SminkoPinko · 03/08/2006 00:13

Sorry you're feeling shite, hatt. I think medical professsionals advise giving it 2/3 weeks for ads to kick in. But you should keep in close touch with them if you actually feel worse during that time. Really hope you feel better soon.

Havingatoughtime · 03/08/2006 00:16

Thanks very much pfnm ..it is good for me to be prepared for the bad as well as good.
I was given the script a month ago but have so far resisted taking it...things have been gettinng worse though.

Mrs JohnCusack - you sound so together! I do not feel depressed but have been told that i have most likely been so since a girl ( now late 30's) however I am anxious and over precious over my babies and need to chill... The word 'section' came into the conversation today as the doc is frustrated that i do not take them whilst continuing to get worse.
Wish i could move - you-in for 1 to 1 therapy sessions!!!

OP posts:

Havingatoughtime · 03/08/2006 00:18

Thanks Sminko - I am very nervous - esp as going on holiday on fri hundreds of miles away...

OP posts:

SminkoPinko · 03/08/2006 00:20

Hatt- sectioning should not come about because of doctor frustration! Ads can be a magic for some people and i hope they are for you. And if they are not things can be done.

SminkoPinko · 03/08/2006 00:21

Nerves understandable! But hopefully holiday will be wonderful and relaxing and fab.

Ags · 03/08/2006 00:25

Try this \link{http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/30002541}

I wish you well with it. I have some professional experience of depression and know that anti-d's can be life changing especially when taken prior to some 'talking' therapy. Well done for getting help - that can often be the most difficult bit.

Thinking of you.

Ags · 03/08/2006 00:27

Sorry messed up the link. Am trying again as I have never included one in a post before. Bear with me!

\link{http://www.patient.co.uk.showdoc/30002541/}

Havingatoughtime · 03/08/2006 00:34

thanks very much ags!

everyones words mean a lot thankyou

OP posts:

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 08:19

hello, how are you today?
glad I sound together because really am not particularly! I do get very anxious but it sounds like you are really suffering. agree sectioning should not happen just because doc is frustrated
here is ags' link \link{http://www.patient.co.uk.showdoc/30002541}

MrsJohnCusack · 03/08/2006 08:20

oh for goodness sake it's too early. I don't usually get links wrong
for the final time
here

FioFio · 03/08/2006 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

spook · 03/08/2006 08:45

Hi HATT. How is everything this morning?
Have just read through your thread and I really really feel for you honey. Depression is the scariest most wicked thing. But you are doing the right thing-you are seeking help from the medical profession and the wonderful wisest MNetters.
Its threads like this that remind how fantastic the support on here is and how we WILL all help you through.
I am on AD's and feel they just take that jittery edge of my life. There is no shame,stigma,fear,closed doors about them I promise.
If you feel up to it today get that script dispensed. And have a FANTASTIC holiday!! That too will help I'm sure.
Big ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))

Havingatoughtime · 03/08/2006 14:52

hi everyone,

did take tablet last night ( half one dont ask why i an just trying to ease myself into them psychologically as well as physically)
DP still very uncertain but accepts i need them
Been very nauseous but fine
Been really breathless ( unrelated) since yesterday and can barely walk without stopping for breath - whats that all about
Thanks for all being there....went out for coffee with a friend (only one who knows my shite story) and she said she took setraline and 'it did absolutely nothing' so that helped

OP posts:

Ags · 03/08/2006 18:12

Glad for the update.

The breathlessness? Perhaps a symptom of the anxiety you are feeling and perfectly understandable but maybe you should have it checked out by GP just to put your mind at rest.

Hope that the tabs do the trick and keep us posted. X

Havingatoughtime · 03/08/2006 22:48

day 1 over.......
Feeling ok neither better nor worse
Felt quite sickly all morning but coped and been breathless as anything all day but i think thats stress ( did speak to doc thanks ags she said use beta blockers)
I sound like a nuttter but i am not honestly. In rl paople think i am very 'together' .....appearances eh???????
Only took half dose i think i will up it after 5-6 days.... thanks for being there everyone.

OP posts:

Blu · 03/08/2006 22:59

HavingAToughTime - honestly, if you need them, take them! It's no big stagma, or anything, and you won't end up shuffling round Tesco in pink fluffy slippers and stringy hair! I fought the fact that I had depression (also after the birth of my DS) for ages because I couldn't bear the idea that I would be 'on ADs'. But my GP was brilliant and she explained that it's much the same as taking iron for anaemia. if you really do have depression, from a shortage of thingy chemical in your brain, then taking ADs kicktarts the production until your body starts making it's own again. I did feel nauseous and 'spacey' for a couple of days, but actually the AD effect came very quickly - and effectively. I didn't feel like a zombie, I just felt I had regained myself.

Give them a chance, and try not to make being on ADs a further source of anxiety, iyswim.

Sorry you are feeling so rough, tough and down. Use the ADs to give yourself a break?

Ags · 04/08/2006 13:15

Totally agree with Blu. You have an illness. Nothing to be ashamed about. Someone (on here I think) said the other day that you wouldn't refuse or be embarrassed to take antibiotics to clear up bronchitis!

YOu also do not in any way sound like a nutter. You sound like a nice and normally together person who is a bit under the weather at the moment.

Please keep us updated if you can. X

MrsJohnCusack · 04/08/2006 13:19

top post there from BLu - exactly
I bet you would be surprised how many people are on ADs, including loads who you think are 'really together'. People CANNOT TELL. There is no shame

repeat and fade

How are you doing anyhow?

acnebride · 04/08/2006 13:29

hello HATT, sorry to jump in late in thread, hope you are able to hang on in there. I did 6 months on ADs in the past and although nobody would choose to take them, they were a lifesaver at the time.

I'm just slightly concerned about you taking half a one - have a chat with the gP again? I used to be a bit flaky and sometimes forget to take one, particularly after 4 months or so, and it's a good way to get all the side-effects but none of the benefits IYSWIM. if I were you I would try taking the full dose for a month, then if it's really not helping, get on to your GP and just say 'this isn't working, what else can you suggest?'

sorry if this sounds bossy. depression is so so awful. HTH

MrsJohnCusack · 04/08/2006 13:30

oh and I agree with acnebride. take the proper recommended dose.
(meant to say this, forgot)

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

nitnatnaboo · 13/08/2006 01:24

Hi havingatoughtime,
Just joined mumsnet and saw this thread and thought I would add my bit of reassurance - I have been taking Sertraline since May and was very nervous about taking it at first, thinking I would be turned into a zombie or something. But it was fine and initially I felt a lot better. I was also breastfeeding but was reassured by the Doc that there was no risk.
I recently had to up the dose and had more side effects like headaches, night sweats, insomnia, dizziniess, tiredness. But the benefits didn't seem to be kicking in like they should this time so my Doc has now changed me to prozac as I gave up breastfeeding last week.
Hope you are feeling a bit better this week. PND is yuk.
Cheers
Nat

fussymummy · 13/08/2006 01:36

Hi Havingatoughtime and anyone else out there.
I have only just found mumsnet and joined straight away.
I too suffer with PND and have tried different tabs and suffered loads of side effects.
If i can help anyone with advice please shout!!!

Havingatoughtime · 18/08/2006 21:17

Hi Everyone and thankyou all so much for being there.
I have been away for two weeks and started the sertraline just before i went. I have felt sick but less so.
Main side effect is lack of ability to orgasm (!) which i do not like and makes me feel shitty.
Hope that goes away - or comes back !
Wishing i had been brave and posted real name but rl friends on mn prevents that.
Have suffered abuse at hands of both my parents and am now feeling brave enough to face up to it thanks to zoloft. Worried i will like myself more when on it.
blab blab blab - i am just confused as to what i feel and REALLY need you guys as a crutch to tell me everything is alright x

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.