Another scared to start Sertaline

[BearHuntAgain]

I reached out to my GP back in March about my MH and was prescribed Setraline. However, I couldn't bring myself to take it. Things did get better, but over the last 2-3 months we've had a series of shit events in our lives, and my MH is at an all time low.

I have 2 DC (3 and 1) and I just don't have the energy/mental capacity at the moment to deal with them at times.

I've tried CBT in the past but that didn't help in the slightest.

I just think I need to take the medication but I'm scared to. I'm scared that people say it make things worse before they get better, I'm scared to be reliant on it, scared to not feel anything.

When I took it (for postnatal depression) it didn't make things worse before they got better but I did have some side effects (fatigue and brain zaps) for the first few weeks. I also needed to go up to the next dose before I felt there was a good improvement in my depression. Honestly, I would say just start it. If it doesn't work for you then there are other alternatives and you can taper off and try something else. The kids will get older and things will get easier for you. The crises of the past few months will subside. Do you have access to any counselling services through your GP? Mine has an online service that's very easy to use.

Hey OP, I hope you are ok. I just wanted to say that sertraline saved my life, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.

Like you, I couldn’t bring myself to take them at first. Not really sure why, tbh, but I made a big song and dance about wanting to get better by myself, and not wanting to rely on medication. But things got really bad - it was lockdown 2020 and I had my first baby and I was a mess.

I took them on the lowest possible dose and I felt better within a week. More energy, more able to cope with the world. I was a bit dizzy for a week and then had a few brain zaps, which was weird, but not unpleasant. Just odd. But that settled.

I had the brain zaps again when I came off, but that only lasted about 10 days.

i would not hesitate to take them again. Wonder drug. I know that’s not the same for everyone and you might get different stories on this thread, but I am so pleased I took them, and want to go back 4.5 years and tell my postpartum self that it will all be ok.

Regardless of whether you take them or not, make sure you can take 10 mins a day for yourself. Being a busy mum with a lot
going on is tricky, and you need to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others with theories. Take care

Oh and I should say that I still feel EVERYTHING. For me, it didn’t numb me, which is what I was worried about. I could still feel sadness and cry, and sometimes sob and be angry and all the range of emotions that you can experience.

I think what changed for me was the intensity and duration of those emotions. I could cry and be sad and/or angry, but then be ok in 10 mins. It’s hard to describe, but I liken it to being on a boat. On a choppy sea, you are buffeted about this way and that, you feel sick, you lose your balance. On slightly smoother seas, you can still feel the bounce of the waves, but it isn’t debilitating

Been on it 14 years. I don't think it helps much.

Could have made your post myself OP.
My mental health is poor and we get one stressful life event after another but I'm concerned about side effects affecting my young DS so the sertraline is still sitting on my dresser untouched as yet.

I’ve been on & off Sertraline the past 5 years. & literally started again a week ago due to work related stress & having to quit my job. My stress & anxiety was affecting my daily life so I took the decision to see my GP & request Sertraline again.

I would say in my experience it’s never as bad as it seems. If you have concerns about starting take half a pill for a week or two & see how you feel. It affects everyone differently so you will have to gauge how you’re feeling as you go along.

Yes you will feel some initial side effects, maybe a headache one day, or an upset stomach. Usually mild & go away once your body is used to the drug. Fatigue & sleep disturbances are completely normal for a few weeks until the medication reaches therapeutic levels.

completely understand you’re scared to start. You won’t become dependant on it, think of it as a booster to get you through a rough patch. I’m on mine again & intend to taper off next summer once I’m in a new job & settled.

My experience was just some nausea/dizziness for the first couple of weeks. As soon as that subsided it’s been really great for me and helped enormously.

Like others have said if you are nervous start off on a really small dose and work your way in slowly. Also happy to receive any PMs if anyone wants support!

My experience echoes @MayWelland ’s with the stormy sea analogy. It hasn’t numbed me like other anti-depressants. I still feel to lows but I bounce back so much more quickly and it enables me to get back to feeling ok again.

I didn’t take it the first time I was perscribed it due to the initial side effects, gave up quickly. It was my partner being on it for migraines which persuaded me to give it a second go.