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Sertraline

3 replies

brummiemumm · 26/08/2020 08:41

Hi there. I am a new mum. I was struggling with insomnia and anxiety around not sleeping a few weeks ago. My doctor encouraged me to take sertraline. I've been taking 50mg for just over 2 weeks. My sleep has massively improved however I wonder if this may be down to me taking vitamins now (as doctor also found out I am low in iron). I am really struggling with the idea of being on anti-depressants, plus I am breastfeeding and worry that they will affect my daughter, and I'm panicking about withdrawal symptoms if I stay on them long term. Would I get withdrawal symptoms if I stopped taking them now? I am considering trying just 25mg a day instead to see how I go. Any positive stories of stopping sertraline after short term use?

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Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2020 08:43

According to the BNF it's not known to be harmful.

Winniefred · 26/08/2020 09:58

Are you "clinically depressed"? Surely the Dr diagnosed you as showing symptoms of depression? Most anti-depressants help with sleep ...so you can't be sure but one thing I urge you not to do is change doses without speaking to your Dr, different dosages can have different effects and be targeted at a range of issues, some doses can infact induce insomnia while another aid sleep, some can sedate you down and other doses lift you up.

Please don't play around with anti-depressants, go back to the Dr or have a word with your health visitor about alternatives to taking anti-depressants but please, please don't mess around with your dosage.

You could also ask the Dr if your Health Trust offers managed self help support for your symptoms. Some trusts have psychologists who run short support and strategy training for folk suffering anxiety from post pregnancy to long term depression, so worth asking. This can be delivered via video link re Covid, if your Trust has the service.

But above all be kind to yourself and though not a magic pill relaxation exercises & breathing can help when anxiety plagues your thinking.

You only get withdrawal if you suddenly stop taking them ... coming off is usually stage managed and not always by reducing dosage ... again talk to your Dr. They can't force you to take them but they may offer other ways to support you. Also anti depressant can help with sleep but also inflate anxiety in the first few weeks.

Take care and being a new Mum can be the best and worst of times, so just try to take each day as it comes, tomorrow isn't here yet. X

brummiemumm · 26/08/2020 15:45

The doctor prescribed them for anxiety not depression. They said my lack of sleep sounded like it may have been caused by anxiety. I only took 25mg today but I think you're right I will stick to the 50mg and speak to my doctor.

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