SETRALINE questions before I start.

[solis25]

I don't like taking pills and I haven't taken AD's before, but I've got my first prescription of SETRALINE 50mg in front of me and I'm a bit anxious about taking it after some Googling and reading the serious common side effects. I have two questions for users if that's ok.

I have been very depressed for 5 months after finding out DH was cheating during my pregnancy. I'm now 6 weeks post-natal and I'm very very low, I cried most days before baby arrived and now it's constant, I suppose with the addition of baby blues.

GP advise this and CBT/counselling to get me through this rough patch, which I'm pursuing. So I don't plan on being on these long term.

My questions are;

If they make me sick and extra tired, how long is that likely to last? I have a newborn to look after so I'm worried about that.

If it kills my sex drive (not a problem at the moment!) will it ever come back??

1. It might not make you sick. I was buzzing for a few weeks before it settled.
2. The sex drive comes back when you stop.

Side effects can be quite bad for first couple of weeks - then lI suddenly started feeling loads better. I felt really nauseous mainly. If you are anxious about side effects could you do a week of 25mg first and build up slower?

For me it really has made a big difference to mood. I bounce back way quicker when I do get down.

Yes libido did take a hit although difficult to say as depression had also lowered it before hand. Will depend on dose a bit.

It sounds like you’ve had a really tough time and I would really encourage you to give it a try. Hopefully you’ll feel loads better soon 🤞🏼🤍

I never really had any side effects. I felt a little woozy the first couple of days but that was it. Try not to worry as you may not experience any, or very mild side effects. If you are really worried speak to your doctor though.

Sorry to hear what you have been through. I felt a bit dizzy first day but switched to nights then which was better. 4 weeks in and I do feel quite a bit better. Noticed that I actually have the motivation to do things in the afternoon whereas before I just wanted to curl up and do nothing, or sleep. I started taking because I was so lethargic and down I couldn't enjoy my beautiful children, I just felt irritated all the time. Hopefully you will take them and start to feel a bit better and enjoy your new baby.

I had no side effects at all, I guess my body really needed the meds!

I had terrible insomnia with this for the first month or so on it but then it subsided. They're the best ones I've been on personally even if I struggled with the lack of sleep. I had no issues with my libido on them.

I was told to take half doses for a week to start so I did.

I felt a bit sick for 4 or 5 days and had a slightly dry mouth for a couple months.

My libido wasn’t great before due to low mood. Sertraline didn’t make it any worse. And if I make an effort I can still be interested, it’s just not so automatic - so it didn’t kill my sex life or anything.

I first started sertraline 15yrs ago, and I can honestly say I experienced no side effects. I felt better almost immediately (which was probably my mind convincing me it was working before it had properly kicked in, but I’ll take that!).

Sending hugs your way.

I was on Sertraline from around 2008/9 to 2021 (mid lockdown) when I weaned myself off it slowly. I don't remember any side effects at all, but it did help my depression. I started on 50mg and ended up on 150mg. Yes it did help, I'd tried everything else first and a lot of those were awful, these were the best ones for me. We're all different when it comes to effectiveness and side effects, try it and if it's not helping, see your GP again until they get it right. Good luck 🤞🏻❤

Thanks everyone I really appreciate your comments x took my first one with dinner x

I'd never taken AD's before and started on 50 but broke them in half for first 2 weeks.

It's a weird feeling for the first few weeks. A bit numb feelingwise (a pleasant feeling after being so emotional tbh), up and down anxiety which totally goes after 2 weeks, yawning a lot and clenching jaw. Needed a nap in the afternoons.

The strange effects all wear off eventually.

Now I take at lunchtime and feel fine all day. No tiredness. Sense of humour good, libido back eventually! Best of all, no bed confining anxiety, palpatations, feeling of impending doom and crying/worrying. All gone.

Good luck!

I've been on Sertraline for 21 years, 200mg a day, it keeps my panic attacks under control. Works for me, so I have no complaints.

Ive been recommended by the Dr to go on Setraline. I see from looking it up on website and also this post that it affects sex drive. What impact does it have? Thats one of few enjoyments still have and dont want hat wiped out, or have effect on relationship

I guess it’s about weighing up the pros and cons of taking the medicine, and deciding from there.

Personally, I was in no fit state to be a good wife/mother when I was first diagnosed with postnatal depression, and it had a huge impact on my marriage (my husband was excellent, but there is only so much he can take of my anxiety-riddled brain!). Intimacy was certainly the last thing on my mind.

However, once I took the meds and became a happier person, my relationship with my children and my husband was much better. And my husband will say 100% that this was more important to him than our antics in the bedroom.

I do appreciate, however, that sex is a very important part of a relationship for some couples. I get that. Could you maybe try the meds and see if a) they help your mental health and b) they do impact your libido? You may find they only have a positive impact on you.

All the best with whichever you decide to do.

@HeartandSeoul thanks for replying to @MarkT - that post really helped me too and I'm filled with hope this morning. Bless you.

I’m happy to be able to help. I wish you all the best with your journey of healing 💐xx

Libido is ok, takes a lot of time/effort to orgasm though.

I've just started my sertraline journey. This is the first time I've ever been prescribed an ssri.
I started on 25mg for a week, I feel nauseous but was still able to eat.
This week I'm on 50mg and don't feel quite as nauseous as the day goes on.
I've felt sleepy so taken at night. I never got any advice what time of day to take.

On 50mg my sex drive died and I took ages to come. 25mg I'm fine. So if you was to start on a larger dose then come down when you're feeling more stable you would be ok.

thanks everyone for comments and advice

My jaw got really loose!! I felt like it was swinging but I think I had so much tension there it released

I've been on 50mg for around 9 months now.

The first week - I kinda felt like I was in a bubble, like the world looked really big. That was strange!
The first 2 months - I had intermittent numbness in my jaw and cheek. I asked the dr about it and whilst they couldn't say that it was a common side effect, it didn't cause any lasting damage and went away eventually!

My sex drive is a little lower than it was, but I can still orgasm with ease. So I don't think about sex as much as I did, but if the opportunity presents itself then I'm fine ha.

The only lasting side effect is that I cannot cry. I still feel sad (when watching a sad movie etc) and my eyes feel like they want to cry, but no tears fall! Even when my mum was seriously ill, various romantic issues, serious stuff! No tears!

On balance, I can say that it's 100% worth it. I feel more balanced and stable than I have since I can remember. My anxiety/OCD is minimal. It's been utterly life changing

Just started a course at 25mg
Don’t feel anxious anymore but I also am really struggling to feel back to my old self - but then I have been depressed for years
I decided on low dose after suicidal ideation on 50mg last year that was followed by a crash when I came off it.
is sertraline enough to get my zing back? What else should I do?

I've been on it for years. I remember the first week being woozy. It didn't affect sex drive. I'm staying on it (100 pd) as it somehow makes me much more positive.