Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

How long have you been using Sertraline for?

31 replies

LadeOde · 21/02/2024 14:24

DS 19 nearly 20 has severe OCD was put on Sertraline end of year when he was 16yrs). The Sertraline is working very well for him and he is now at uni in his 2nd yr living his best life and doing well academically. . I remember the Psychiatrist mentioning briefly that he could be weaned of it at some point but once the meds started working we've never revisited this. His life is great and the horrendous intrusive thoughts under control and he's happy. It's on my mind a lot now but he is so settled and doing well I am reluctant to even broach the subject.

I'm scared he's been on it for nearly 4 yrs! how long do other people use Setraline, are there any long term side effects?

OP posts:
Runningagain82 · 04/12/2024 18:14

LadeOde · 03/12/2024 19:42

@Runningagain82 Very sorry to hear your ds is struggling with OCD, its a nasty illness. DS has continued on his same dose and it continues to work well for him (i thought nothing would work!) and is doing well at uni if that's any comfort to you. We were toying with the idea of him coming off it but decided he should stay on it for the foreseeable future like @FionaSkates said, we don't want to rock the boat. I can only imagine what the waiting list for ERP is like right now, ds was lucky enough to have had some during Covid. Is going private an option?

Brilliant news and I'm hoping it will be the same for my ds. Did yours have ERP too?.
My ds has decided he's taking a year out to get his mental Health sorter and be in a better place for uni.

Original poster
LadeOde · 04/12/2024 18:54

He did have ERP and it helped somewhat, but some of the chief intrusive thought couldn't be treated in this way. He started off on 50mg and it had no effect whatsoever. That dose as i read is for anxiety but not the ocd type that needs between 150-200mg. Like you, we worried about the side effects and DS was anxious about that so it took a while to decide but eventually we just had not other choice but for him to take it and see how things go. To our relief, he had no side effects at all.

OP posts:
Runningagain82 · 04/12/2024 22:42

LadeOde · 04/12/2024 18:54

He did have ERP and it helped somewhat, but some of the chief intrusive thought couldn't be treated in this way. He started off on 50mg and it had no effect whatsoever. That dose as i read is for anxiety but not the ocd type that needs between 150-200mg. Like you, we worried about the side effects and DS was anxious about that so it took a while to decide but eventually we just had not other choice but for him to take it and see how things go. To our relief, he had no side effects at all.

This is really promising. I hope my son can tolerate it. We've never been past 100 before X

Runningagain82 · 04/12/2024 22:47

I'm so pleased I found this thread. Thanks everyone X

Jenkib · 05/12/2024 11:12

LadeOde · 21/02/2024 14:24

DS 19 nearly 20 has severe OCD was put on Sertraline end of year when he was 16yrs). The Sertraline is working very well for him and he is now at uni in his 2nd yr living his best life and doing well academically. . I remember the Psychiatrist mentioning briefly that he could be weaned of it at some point but once the meds started working we've never revisited this. His life is great and the horrendous intrusive thoughts under control and he's happy. It's on my mind a lot now but he is so settled and doing well I am reluctant to even broach the subject.

I'm scared he's been on it for nearly 4 yrs! how long do other people use Setraline, are there any long term side effects?

So pleased for you both / all that it helps him. I have tried to come off it but I have an imbalance and I accept that now (it is no different from an insulin / thyroid imbalance)
Lifestyle helps me too - good sleep / exercise / diet and very small alcohol consumption
All the best

Original poster
LadeOde · 05/12/2024 17:28

I'm very glad it continues to work for you long term, like you said it's no different to many other drugs that people use to manage chronic conditions it's just poor MH has a stigma attached to it that sufferers prefer to keep it quiet but the more we talk about the more it helps everyone. I feel more at ease if my ds had to use it longterm now I'm reading from people like you. Enjoy your life!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page