Sertraline - am I right to hold off?

[CreatingHavoc]

I have sertraline 50mg in my cupboard but have been instructed by gp not to start taking it until I feel physically well as I have had a very bad run of viral illnesses over Christmas lasting weeks. I feel better in myself but my stomach is still recovering and I've been suffering with diarrhea for a while now, on and off. I've had stool samples sent off this week because it's been going on for ages and I've lost lots of weight. Do you think it's sensible to wait for all of the results before starting as I don't want to exacerbate any health issues I may have by starting new medication. My main issue is health anxiety (it has got very bad recently) so it's hard to know if I'm overreacting or doing the right thing here.

I’m guessing they don’t want to exacerbate your diarrhoea? I would wait until stool specs are back, if negative then get started while they do other bowel investigations. Might well be the anxiety that is driving your issues anyway. Be interesting to see if it all settles once sertraline kick in.

I would wait, sertraline has been amazing for me but the first few weeks I felt quesy/stomach was off so it may just add to the things at the moment.

Would definitely recommend Cbt for Health Anxiety alongside it! It's been hard but fantastic!

Thanks, I've had cbt for it over the phone but it coincided with a lot of genuine health issues for me so it didn't go well :( next up is a phone appointment with the community mental health nurse and see where that goes.