Anyone starting Sertraline?

[sheeplikessleep]

After being prescribed it a couple of months ago and putting it off, started it today for the first time after years of low mood, anxiety and tears and few months of trying HRT without success.
Feel nauseous already but I’ve hardly slept as well due to delayed overnight holiday flight. I’m hoping it’s tiredness making it worse.
Just wondered if anyone else is starting it? Thanks

I’ve been on Sertraline for almost 10 years now, it saved my life. I’d been prescribed a few alternatives before Sertraline (fluoxetine, mirtazapine, citalopram) none of which were right for me (F = mania; M = massive weight gain over short period; C = psychosis).
The only down side I find with Sertraline is that it does affect libido but I can live with that and workaround that. I was on 200mg for years, now down to 100mg. It’s allowed me to manage my anxiety and mood, by giving me enough headspace to address issues and find out what lifestyle choices help my mental health. It’s given me the capacity to do the hard work that medication alone can’t do.
Life is tough at the moment as I’m 46 and shocked (and in utter despair) to find out I’m 6 weeks pregnant. My head is jumbled and my mood is really low but that’s definitely because of pregnancy situation rather than sertraline.
I think it’s important, with any medication, to give it a chance BUT it’s more important to regularly review it too. If something isn’t right for you then you must ask for a review. They do say that some drugs can take a couple months for their full effect to kick in, but if the medication is disagreeing with you then you know that much sooner, in my case within days / 1-2 weeks.

Oh, I also experienced jaw clenching with sertraline, associated with higher dose or dose increases, but it was temporary for me.

SeeTheWorldAnotherWay sendingyou a big hug. I take it that the pregnancy wasn't planned?
I do the jaw clenching thing in my sleep and it's so bad I have to wear a mouth guard. Starting the sertraline tomorrow so will keep everyone updated.

Has anyone noticed a change in periods?

I'm up to date with my smears (January 2023) not long come off my period, about 5 days ago and I've just had some bright Red bloody discharge.
I've read somewhere that because it's hormonal it can mess up your cycle?

Thank you, and you take it right…not planned. Would you believe we were on our honeymoon!?
Good luck with sertraline, try to focus on the positives :)

How is everyone doing today? I'm on day 11, and while I'm still getting side effects (jaw clenching and tongue biting in my sleep when I do actually get to sleep which is annoying), I am starting to feel a bit better. My mind is quieter for sure, and I seem a bit more able to cope with negative events. I'm still anxious, and physically feel like I can't get a deep enough breath, but I do think I'm starting to feel some positives from the medication.

Great news Charliebelle. Glad you’re starting to see some positives.
My sleep is so messed up and the nausea is exhausting. I’m on day 5 so I guess in the thick of it, but as I started on 50mg dose, was hoping might be improving maybe. First thing in morning is the worst and gets tolerable as day goes on.
Discovered two fleas on my cats last night, so adding full house fumigation and clean bedding today 🙈. Not what I need when I just want to do nothing.

I woke up today feeling super weird. Really on-edge. Not anxious exactly, just very twitchy and switched on. It’s a very strange feeling, I hope it passes. I slept badly last night (due to heat I think rather than side-effects) so I’m really tired so I’m wondering if it’s a combination of tiredness and sertraline?
Interesting to hear about period changes. My last period was pretty much on time but was one of the worst I’ve ever had. Again wondering if it’s the sertraline or maybe I just had food poisoning and it was a complete coincidence that I felt terrible. Will give it another month and see. Libido has definitely changed.
Hope everyone is doing ok and the side-effects aren’t too bad. I definitely feel better then I did when I first started taking it so there is sunshine after the clouds.

What day are you on now missdolly?

Just over 3 weeks in I think!

I was on sertraline for 11 months but felt it was no longer helping me and causing me difficulties reaching orgasm alone or with my DH. I raised this with my GP. It had been happening for at least 5/6 months and I hoped it might improve. I sought advice about tapering off from the GP. He said that alone would be reason to stop sertraline if it's affecting my sex life.

I think it's called post SSRI sexual dysfunction. I have been off sertraline for almost two weeks and orgasms are still not what they used to be before taking it.

I've still not started taking it. I'm a week off citalopram and apart from occasional nausea I'm OK. I'm seriously tempted to see how I am with no medication.

I stopped taking it cold turkey a few weeks ago. Brain zaps almost gone now. Whilst it helped with depression in some ways, it just dulled all my senses - sadness and happiness. I was just existing. Plus it gave me indigestion and a lump in my chest feeling.

I do think that the vast majority of people given antidepressants shouldn't be. For some yes, but a large percentage of the population is taking them. It's society and our way of life that needs to change.

Glad you’re out the other side almost. I’ve also read about how it can dull the ups as well as the downs. Peoples experiences do seem mixed.

Ive been considering antidepressants for years and always said never, prescribed them countless times and not taken. It took weeks if not months of me crying and my boys seeing it and a realisation that I had to get better for them. I’m determined to get more exercise and prioritise my sleep and stress levels alongside. I’ve given up alcohol as well. I really hope I’m not on it too long, but hope they give me the levelness I need to make these other changes.