So nervous about sertraline

[peachytum]

Ive been struggling with intrusive thoughts and OCD and it’s really taken a toll on my relationship. My boyfriend admitted that it’s having an effect on us and he never feels good enough. I also had a meltdown which nearly resulted in a break up as he was terrified. After trying therapy etc I decided there was no other option but to try this.

I’m just so nervous about the side effects. What if I have a meltdown or act so irrationally that I scare him off? I also am worried because I used to be so carefree and confident and I’m scared it’s embarrassing to be on meds.

Anyway I took my first 50mg dose last night. I was awake for half the night and was very sweaty but I woke up this morning feeling a bit sick and now I’m feeling absolutely fine. When I took Fluoxetine before I had a horrific first night and day. I don’t want to get my hopes up, and I’m feeling like I’m just waiting for a massive dip/panic attack/horrific symptoms. I don’t know whether to just stop now as I’m scared it’ll only make me worse

Sertraline saved my mental health and possibly my life - you probably will have unpleasant side effects and it may very well get worse before it gets better but you have to ride it out. It could take weeks for it to settle down and your dr should have prepared you for that so it’s pretty crappy of them if they didn’t warn you.

one of the side effects is disrupted sleep so try and switch to taking it in the morning if you can, that will probably really help.

i do get it about the stigma - even my therapist told me not to go on them but you wouldn’t not treat any other illness on that basis - I haven’t ever regretted being on sertraline but I do regret waiting so long to start it. I didn’t need to suffer for so long out of shame.

I take Citalopram (for a couple of months), same category as Sertraline. Started on 10mg then upped the dose to 20. It takes about 2 weeks (sometimes a little more(m) until symide effects disappear, stick with. I had side effects for about 10-12 days, anxiety, interrupted sleep, spaced out, in general quite unpleasant, but they disappear slowly. Your side effects are notmal.