Sertraline and Health anxiety

[AlwaysFlappable]

Hi all
So I'm 2 weeks into restarting 50mg dose of Sertraline. I took it for just over a year, felt much better so decided to test the waters without it. I was off it for two months and decided that it was definitely keeping me stable.
When I started it previously I had terrible diarrhoea for a few weeks. This time no diarrhoea but I'm struggling to poop. I seriously feel terrible. I've been bloated for 6 days which i was able to put down to my period.
Now, if it causes constipation or IBS symptoms I'd be OK with that but, this is where my health anxiety kicks up a notch and my irrational thoughts take over (and I know they're irrational). Because of the awful bloating, back ache and feeling of abdominal discomfort I keep thinking ovarian cancer!

I don't know why or even what has brought this thought on. But, it's there niggling away. Has anyone had experience of Sertraline causing constipation or IBS symptoms?

Thanks in advance

I’ve found it to be rather hard on the gut, yes. One of the last symptoms to settle when I change dose too, can easy take a month to settle for me.

I took sertraline for health anxiety for 18 months. It helped a lot but then I started getting repeated episodes of gastritis, pain, bloating and heartburn. The pain was always worse straight after I took the tablet but my GP was insistent there was no link.

Long story short. I was in pain for 3 months and investigated for scary things like stomach cancer, endoscopy etc. The results were all normal. I decided to stop taking sertaline and the pain and indigestion went away. It's a shame as it worked so well for my anxiety.

I've started getting health anxiety again but am too scared to go back on SSRIs. I'm trying CBD oil to see if it helps.

It IS hard on the digestive system. I went off it/ switched to Prozac for that reason.

Wow! I keep telling myself that "this time last week I was fine with no symptoms". For some reason I find it reassuring as if it was anything more sinister it would be more gradual (surely).
Thank you all for replying. @Moonberri I hope the CBD oil is successful for you and gives some relief. Have you been taking it for long?
@Newnamehiwhodis @OwlBasket I'll give it a couple more weeks and if it's no better I'll see about changing it?
I always feel like if you have HA the GP is so dismissive of any symptoms. Last October I actually paid for a private scan to give me peace of mind regarding the severity of my period pain.

I've only been taking it for 3 days so I'm not sure how much it is helping yet.

When I saw the gastro consultant he said that the GP had taken great pains to explain that I had health anxiety in the referral letter. He looked at me over his glasses and said, "well with your medical history (which includes cancer) I'd say that you have an entirely healthy and appropriate level of concern about your symptoms so we'll ignore that comment shall we?" It was so refreshing! He was great.

The period type pains, back aches and stomach cramps are completely normal in my experience. I also vomited and had nausea and diarrhoea. I think I was lucky that it only lasted a few days and now I'm fine. In fact, if anything I've become more "regular". I hope you feel better in all ways soon.

Thank you so much @GoFaster83 I did have nausea during the first week of restarting which has eased off so hopefully this will too.

Oh @Moonberri I wish all healthcare providers were like your consultant. So glad you hot the help needed. Good luck with the CBD x