PND and Sertraline - your experience?

[Chumbibi]

Please could you let me know if you found it helpful. I’ve got the script but haven’t collected the medication.

my marriage is a nightmare and that on top of two young children and severe sleep deprivation, I’ve felt suicidal a number of times now.

I have started therapy now too.

Hi! I was prescribed sertraline just over 4 years ago now for PND. I remember feeling nervous to start taking antidepressants for the first time, but honestly, for me personally it was the best decision that I have ever made. I had spent most of my life dealing with low mood and occasional suicidal thoughts. I got to a point after having my Son where I decided that we would both be better off dead. Something made me call the GP rather than acting on the way I felt and I'm so grateful for antidepressants saving both our lives.

What are you most worried about OP? Maybe I or someone else here and talk you through the process and what to expect.

I have just been prescribed this medication too for postnatal depression and anxiety.
I still need to pick up the prescription so don't know what it is like yet but doctor said it was the one with least side effects to other anti depressants.

I am also having counselling and although hard it is best to be as honest as you can and it is starting to help.

I want you to know you are not alone. I have a 6 month old that has not slept through once and is a clingy baby and then when she is asleep I cant sleep and sleep deprivation is so hard.

Please speak to someone about the suicidal thoughts. Have you heard of the mental health charity shout who you can text or samaritans

Shout - 85253

Take care

Life saver. First 2 weeks very tricky though.

Also a good service is association of postnatal illness who have helped me and are great to talk to.
0207 386 0868
Apni.org
Sorry if I wasnt much help as not started the tablets yet.

As a PP said, a lifesaver. I had horrific PND and it literally saved my life. Everything began to feel less stressful, dark and overwhelming after taking it. I did have to move up from 100 to 150mg to find the right level. Please try it.

Thank you. My reservations are 1. I’m still breastfeeding - the doctor showed my the NICE guidance which was ‘no known effects but advice is to stop breastfeeding’ which isn’t very helpful and 2. The whole feeling worse before I feel better.

plus my husband and my mum don’t want me to take them. It’s like they’re embarrassed or something

Sertraline helped me to enjoy life again when in a really dark place with PND, and I still take it now (14yrs later). I felt better almost immediately, and suffered no side effects.

I hope life becomes brighter for you very soon 🌻

plus my husband and my mum don’t want me to take them. It’s like they’re embarrassed or something well that's very unsupportive of them

Saved my life. So much so I am due my second and already think I might ring to go on it again when baby is born

They saved my relationship with my child.

I’m just really worried about the side effects through breast feeding. It’s one of those unknowns but I just feel like everyone would be better off without me so I know I need to do something .

I was worried about breastfeeding too. I did end up continuing to breastfeed whilst taking it in the end. Obviously we don't have full research in this area, but from my single (totally anecdotal) case my son has not suffered any identifiable consequences. Eventually, I realised that it was better for my son to have an engaged/happy mother plus all the benefits of breastmilk, than an unhappy mother or being formula fed. I struggled a lot with breastfeeding in the end (unrelated to meds) and did eventually pump and bottle feed, and then formula feed so this isn't a formula bashing mindset.

You have to make the right decision for you and your baby. If that means breastfeeding on sertraline, great, but if it means sertraline and formula feeding that's also completely valid as an option.

It’s a positive sign that you recognise those thoughts are all part of the PND. You are very much wanted by your loved ones.

Re: breastfeeding, I had finally mastered it prior to starting the meds, but I was advised to stop breastfeeding when starting them. I was really gutted, but knew it was more important for my child to have a happy mum instead of the worst case scenario. As previously mentioned, this was 14yrs ago now, so advice may have changed.