Setraline 50mg for PND

[glowfrog]

So I have been prescribed this. I've been going to a support group and the mums there who take it are positive about its effectiveness etc - but I am really nervous about taking it, even though I am equally desperate to get myself out of the hole I'm in.

So I was wondering if anyone had experienced of this medication to share and how it helped them. Similarly if you had a bad time of it, it would be good to know as well - forewarned is forearmed.

Haven't told DH yet and I am quite nervous about telling him. He will worry about it a lot, I think. When we talked about it before, he thought I should try to do without antidepressants- he worries I will then never come off them.

for unlucky and everyone else here... Thank you for the feedback... Starting them today!!

How old is your child who doesn't sleep well? The reason I ask is because I was recommended a link on here the other day for a sleep technique and my 9 month old is sleeping through 12 hours No controlled crying either! I comforted him the whole time. It was a gentle approach and it has worked remarkably well.

I was in PND territory due to sleep deprivation. If you can resolve the sleep you will feel better. Let me know if I can help.

1t i would love to hear it

If you google 'mumsnet what worked for us' you will find it. It's a gradual retreat approach. It took 27 mins the first night. 1.5 hours at 2am, then 10 mins second night and 8 mins third night. No wakings. Very gentle approach, comforting baby if they cry, but guiding and supporting them to put themselves to sleep in the cot x

My 18 month-old is a terrible sleeper - feel free to share the link. sleep deprivation definitely a big factor in the PND here, too...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sleep/1394888-What-worked-for-us-Hope-this-helps

I've been on 50mg since January. The side effects took a month to go. I still clench my jaw but not as badly as on citalopram. Someone I know on that had to stop as her teeth had very fine fractures in them.
I'm debating whether to try come off it as I want to TTC no2

How quckly did the side effects come on? Had my first dose this morning.

DH takes 600mg per day for PTSD. Without it he can't function.

Side effects started within two days, stopped mainly, by week three. The only ones he still gets are dreadful heartburn and the tablets knock him out and he struggles with getting up. He is on a massive dosage though.

Thanks, coola - sorry to hear about your DH and what he and your family are all having to deal with.

Am experiencing some jaw clenching but it may be psychosomatic after reading about it here.

I started on 50mg of sertraline but I was massively undertreated and ended up on 250mg. Before slowly coming off (over 18 months) - then I had another depressive episode so went back on. Now at around 100mg daily (but my life is falling apart so should prob take 150!)

I think I would be dead without it. My pnd just got worse and worse.

The way I think about it is this: we don't shame asthmatics for using an inhaler, or diabetics for using insulin. ADs are my inhaler & insulin in one.

Big hugs & hang in there. It will get better.

Thanks, Phoenix.

Hi, can I jump in too OP?

I've been prescribed this too by my GP yesterday. He was on the fence about whether I need it. He said all my stress is warranted - two children, aged 1&2, working full time in customer facing demanding job with travel and need to look smart, know the technology, talk publicly for work etc.

I have been bursting into tears watching the news. Crying at ads. My emotions are high. I've just stopped breastfeeding my 13 month old.

He said given all I have going on it's normal and I could use talking therapies (I totally agree with him) but I also feel very trapped to find yet more time to sort this out. I'm already cutting it fine being the one who takes kids to every doc appointment (they are endless at the moment and ds goes to hospital every four weeks for bloods). So I feel like I'm not cheating but taking the quick fix?? He said the tablets can bring my emotions down while I get through his stress.

And he said make lifestyle changes. My kids are in full time Nursery, but a nanny would be easier on us. I've hired a cleaner and I'm going to up her hours and take more burden off me.

DP is a farmer of sorts and is in high season now so where he does indeed help I'm on my own for a great big chunk of it.

I'm terrified of the side effects but think I will go on it. He wants me to take 100mg.

How are you now OP?

Sorry meant to say - as your title is about PND - he said it's all tied into me stopping breastfeeding as my hormones are in a state of change again. I can only compare how I feel, so extreme at times, to that awful baby blues thing that happens at day 4 or so after birth. It didn't hang about but it certainly floored me when it hit. It's like that all over again.

Hi Havalina - gosh, you do sound under a lot of stress - frankly I don't know how you are still standing!!

First of all, I would say: what's wrong with a quick fix? Unless you think the drugs may be more harmful in the long term, I don't see anything wrong with that.

Secondly, I hear you about the breastfeeding. I'm still breastfeeding my 18 month old a lot - my periods have returned but are very erratic. So undoubtedly the hormones have a lot to answer for, on top of awful sleep deprivation.

The way I see it, this has resulted in a chemical imbalance in my brain. Maybe it would right itself if I stopped breastfeeding tomorrow and/or suddenly got uninterrupted 8 hours sleep a night. Equally it might not - I now realise I probably had PND with my first but just got through it without dealing with it.

So again, as your doc says, the pills should hopefully help lift you out of the state you've been left in.

To answer your other question - I think I am doing well! Definitely slight nausea (more like butterflies in my stomach than feeling like being sick) and some jaw-clenching. Nausea gone after almost a week and only slight twinges in my jaw. But I'm only on 50mg. You may want to start on that for a few dad then up to 100 - ask your GP what he thinks.

Too early to say whether they are working, though.

Good luck. Take any offer of help that comes your way and don't be afraid to ask for more.

You may also find this useful - I have made use of this support group and it's been amazing.

www.postnataldepression.com/cedar-house-support-group

Many thanks for your reply Glowfrog. I wanted to write a proper reply but not had a chance - will do soon. You gave me plenty food for thought. Lots on my mind!

Hi I've used citalipram before for PND was on it for about 3 yrs in the end. It did cause me insomnia which I'd forgotten until i started reading this forum.

I am not so much depressed but am Suffering from stress and anxiety. Have had shaking attacks when upset. Would you say setraline is better for anxiety than citalipram?

Coming up to 6 weeks now. No difference as of yet. If anything I feel worse but then I am really, really tired - my 20 month-old's sleep feels like it's getting worse. :-(