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Original poster

Setraline, experiences please?

20 replies

Laulie98 · 09/03/2022 22:16

Hi all
I am curious of people's experiences on setraline.
2 months after newest little one who is 6mo I started to take severe anxiety mainly health anxiety and it just got worse and worse to the point i was having panic attacks daily. It got to the point a few weeks ago where I just couldn't cope anymore and had to just ring my GP, i have never spoke to anyone about how I feel I keep everything to myself as I'm a private person and especially never showy emotions. After speaking to a mental health nurse and explaining everything she has told me i have postnatal depression and anxiety which I already knew. I have been prescribed 50mg setraline today but I am petrified to start taking it as I've read for the few week or two it can make you worse and I don't want to feel worse than I already do. What is everyone's experiences on this ?

OP posts:
Random789 · 09/03/2022 22:28

It doesn't typically make your anxiety or depression worse -- i think that would be a very rare side effect. It certainy didnt do that for me. The difficulties it can cause in the first two or three weeks are boring physical things like constipation, mild nausea, dry mouth. Constipation was the only one of these that i suffered.

Oh, and night sweats, which are a bit yucky! I have these in bucketfuls.

I wouldn't feel frightened if I were you. I would give it a go, and stick with it for several weeks at least, because it take sa while to kick in. It works more quickly on the anxiety than on the depression, ime

Mummytotwonow · 09/03/2022 22:38

Hi, I posted about a month ago as I had been putting off taking it as worried. Day one we not good as I stupidly took at night with no food just before bed and I felt bloody awful the next day. Two days in apart from a dry mouth now and then I didn't get any side effects. It's been about 26 days now and I feel things are def improving!! I honestly thought I started feeling different after a week. I wish I had started sooner!! Hope things work out for you xx

BereavedAndLost · 09/03/2022 22:41

I felt like a space cadet for 3/4 days after starting Sertraline. But it soon settled down. There were other side effects that lingered (sex drive etc.) but they went after a few months.

Original poster
Laulie98 · 09/03/2022 22:45

Thanks everyone. Im just worried as I've read different experiences, I know they will help in the long run but due to go on holiday next week and not sure if I should wait until I'm back to start taking them as I don't want to feel side effects especially when I'm not at home.

OP posts:
unnumber · 09/03/2022 23:24

I would wait until after your holiday - it won't have kicked in so won't help you relax. I had nausea - it passed after a few days but I couldn't have enjoyed a holiday. Agree best to start at home. Hope it helps and enjoy your holiday too.

unnumber · 09/03/2022 23:25

Also maybe ask about starting on 25mg - I started on 50 but was told that had exacerbated side effects and a week on 25 would have been smoother.

grinbear · 10/03/2022 00:14

I’m on 50mg for generalised anxiety and have never felt more sane! I felt wired for the first 2 weeks with jaw gurning and dilated pupils. Also had insomnia and nausea initially but the overriding feeling I had from day two was that my mind was quiet and calm which made me cry from happiness.

grinbear · 10/03/2022 00:16

Oh yes and my orgasms disappeared for 6 months.

BouncyMonk · 10/03/2022 01:55

Hi OP, I had some of the side effects mentioned. However I continued to work and was able to function day to day until things got smoother. Whilst some of the side effects sound scary, I have to say that my experience was overwhelmingly positive and it was honestly the best thing I’d ever done. Being able to think clearly and be anxiety free was a revelation. Good luck Flowers

Libertybear80 · 10/03/2022 02:25

With post natal depression I don't think it's good advice to tell you to hold off on taking your medication! If it's prescribed then take it. Side effects will diminish.

ClutterofStarlings · 10/03/2022 05:57

A tip I got in here was to take a big glass of water with it, I’m sure that helped with the side effects - they were worse the days I didn’t, mine were mostly mild nausea & what I’ve seen people call ‘brain shocks’ but I get them in my face, they’re not bad, just a bit weird. I’m getting them again now I’m weaning off.
I should probably start taking a big drink of water again now I come to think if it!

popandchoc · 10/03/2022 09:35

I started back in nov and had made me feel so much better . I was on 50mg for 4 weeks then went on to 100mg . I didn’t have too many side effects , main one was trouble waking up lots . My anxiety also got a little worse before got better but was so worth it .

takethegirloutofwales · 10/03/2022 09:40

I was prescribed it about 18 months ago for severe health anxiety. I was also scared and cried before taking the first one - it left me feeling a bit spacey and for a couple of weeks I was wiped out but honestly I’ve never looked back. Best thing ever. Even with all the shit going on in the world right now, I know that without it is be a complete mess and though I’m of course anxious, it’s controlled and I can get on with my day and my life. I would say the only real thing I’ve noticed is I cry a lot less now - not necessarily a bad thing but I know films etc that would get me balling before, don’t anymore. Seriously though it’s been a life saver and I’m only on the lowest dose. Not sure I ever want to stop taking it.

Melroses · 10/03/2022 13:30

I had hideous side effects after the first one and never took any more. I got a slot for counselling the next day and tbh this was far more appropriate for my needs. I also had a lot of support both practical and emotional from DH who was really unhappy with the effects ADs.

Hope it works for you xx

Original poster
Laulie98 · 10/03/2022 13:37

Hi all
I took my first one not long ago I just had to bite the bullet and start them. I am praying for no or little side effects, I just didn't want to hold out any longer as my anxiety is at a all time high.

OP posts:
Inextremis · 10/03/2022 13:57

I've been taking 50mg a day for almost 4 weeks now. The first week I had a couple of days of bad nausea, but that passed. I had one day of almost manic energy in week 2, and then at the end of that week the diarrhea started - and hasn't stopped yet! Immodium works, but then I get lower abdomen cramps (I have Buscopan for those but haven't taken any yet). I'm back at the docs in a week or so for a review, so will talk to her about the digestive issues. Mentally, I don't really feel any different, although I've managed to think myself out of anxiety a few times - not sure if that's down to the meds or my willpower, tbh! No sleep issues.

Best of luck with it, OP :)

Makinglists · 10/03/2022 13:59

Practical tip - never take sertraline without a drink - if you dont it can give you horrendous heartburn. Taken with a drink its fine and causes no problem. When I started it I couldnt sleep for the first night - then felt super chilled out (a bit too chilled). After 3 or 4 days felt normal just less anxious.

SpiderLegs234 · 10/03/2022 14:00

I was put on Sertraline for a while and I got the night sweats and some negative thoughts for about a fortnight and then they went away. Persevere with it. It will improve.

Original poster
Laulie98 · 10/03/2022 21:01

Thanks everyone, I think it's just different for everyone. So far just a really dry mouth, thanks for all being helpful.

OP posts:
Kelssophs · 03/05/2022 11:10

Hey Laulie, how are you doing did you start on 25mg or 50mg?

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