Starting sertraline for OCD - before Christmas, or wait until after?

[StrangeSenseOfCalm]

I've been prescribed Sertraline for OCD/emetophobia. I've been putting off taking it, mainly in case I have nausea as a side effect (although I've also been prescribed anti emetics as well) but also because I've just started a new type of therapy and don't know if I'm better to try the therapy first without having started the medication.

Is starting right before Christmas a stupid idea, as I've read I may well feel worse in the first few weeks? Or should I just go for it and stop making excuses?

I’d start now as after Xmas is a really hard and depressing time. I’m on sertraline and never had nausea.

Hi OP,

Fellow OCD sufferer here.

It has been great for me, but the side effects at the start were reasonably bad.

My advice is to start on a tiny, tiny dose. So if you are on 50mg, I would start on a bite of it, less than 25 mg over Xmas - that way, you will ease yourself in.

For me, starting on 50mg heightened the anxiety and gave me insomnia, as well as just feeling a little unwell overall.

Yes I suppose that is true. Although I find Christmas quite stressful so not sure which is worse!!

Thanks for this. The GP suggested taking a quarter or half of the 50mg tablet at first, which is exactly what you said. What side effects did you have and how long did they take to improve? I’m really glad they have helped with your OCD, that’s so reassuring to hear!

Sorry to hear that but you’ll likely be busier and that helps.

I felt more anxious the first two weeks. It was manageable but not nice. But then much calmer and compulsions went. I would def give it a try - you are likely to feel better by Xmas especially if starting small. But do commit for at least a few weeks. And remember anxiety is temporary. I don’t remember nausea, possibly a bit jittery and dry mouth but nothing too awful. I think I had a bad tummy too maybe?

DD3 (15) has OCD. She started Sertraline on 25mg for 2 weeks, then 50mg, then 75mg and now 100mg. She hadn't left the house since September and today got in the car and we drove 1 mile. It's really helping her.

I felt more anxious for a couple of weeks, made going out hard but was fine at home.
It helps with OCD for me but only at 200mg.

I was on sertraline (not for OCD) and found it very easy to get used to (unlike other ones I tried). The coming off was much worse and definitely needs to be done over a long period, so I'd say go for it.

It stopped my bladder working. Got close to emergency rush to hospital as just though I has a uti.
I would wait til post Xmas just for doctor availability if doesn't agree with you.

I tried Sertraline for about 6 weeks. I suffered from chronic diarrhoea all that time. GP said it does happen to some people.
Personally I would wait until after Xmas, it probably won’t affect the OCD for a few weeks. However most A/D have weird side effects & you could feel worse before you get better. Good luck.

I started it yesterday. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt motivated to start; when I’ve thought about it on the past I’ve always made excuses not to, so I thought I should probably go for it whilst I have some momentum to try.

I started on a quarter of a 50mg tablet, which seems a bit pathetic but is what the GP suggested. How long do I take that for before moving onto half a tablet?

I started on it Friday- 25mg - not for OCD but am also starting small and working up. Going to give it a week on 25mg and go from there

Feel free to compare notes! I’ve done 2 days on 12.5mg and feel ok (as in I don’t feel any different/any side effects) so might move to 25mg and see how I feel on that.

I've been taking it at bedtime because I take Concerta for ADHD in the morning. I'm quite sleepy but I'm not sure if that's because I finished up work for Christmas on Friday - I've been close to burnout since October and it was a struggle to keep going.

@StrangeSenseOfCalm stay on your initial quarter for four or five days then step up, you’ll be much less likely to have side effects if you go slow.
good luck!

Ah ok that’s helpful, thanks. I assumed that as I wasn’t noticing anything I should just ramp up but perhaps slower is better. I think I’m just being impatient. (Which is ironic seeing as I have been thinking about starting SSRIs for about 12 years…)

I take mine at bedtime too. Hope you get a good spell of time off over Christmas to relax a bit - sounds like you need it.

Ugh feeling rubbish with a stomach ache and slight nausea this afternoon. Presume it's related to the sertraline. Trying to stay calm but finding that difficult as my OCD is around contamination/germs/illness so feeling ill is a massive trigger. Gah!

@StrangeSenseOfCalm are you able to eat? I've had some nausea but it's worn off around mid-afternoon

I managed a couple of pieces of toast and some ginger biscuits. Out for a walk now to see if some fresh air helps.

Following for advice

How are you feeling today @StrangeSenseOfCalm ?

I'm still adjusting but glad I started - I'd been putting it off for a while because I wanted to be off work so that wasn't impacted by any side effects but also to give myself a bit of mental space from the craziness of work.

@Thesheerrelief not too bad at the moment thanks, how about you? How long have you got off work? I’m at work today but that’s probably a good distraction really! I’ve been putting it off too, no idea why now feels different but I seem to have the motivation to start and stick with feeling crappy (I had been dreading feeling sick).

Are you doing anything nice today?

I started Sertraline (for anxiety, not OCD) 3 days ago at 25mg. I definitely feel worse. My anxiety is worse, feeling depressed, absolutely no appetite whatsoever. The nausea only really lasted for the first day. I've been OK getting to sleep, but I've woken up in the night and can't get back to sleep both nights.

I was told it would be worse for a few days, and gradually start getting better. But I admit I'm struggling with it. I'm loathed to stop taking it without giving it a proper chance though.

Hope it helps you xx