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?

Forgot to ask - did your son gradually increase his dose from 50 to 200 and how is he doing now?

I haven't read the other replies but my advice is DO NOT take Sertraline. I was prescribed it about 10 years ago and it totally twisted my.mind. The first day I took it I locked myself in my bedroom and felt like I had taken class A drugs, I had a weird detached, trippy feeling.

I took it for a few months but it made me feel like a weird different person it's hard to explain.

Do.some research, it has been linked to some mass murders too for changing peoples mental state - one notable case was the batman cinema shooting in America. Am not trying to scare you here just educate you before you take it.

I'd ask for something else.

Good luck x

Yes, but I am on citalopram now and virtually no side effects.
ime the increase in dose does ramp up side effects for a few days but nothing like the initial impact.

We went 50 to 100 then 100 to 150 and then 150 to 200 weekly so took 3 weeks. When he started initially on Sertraline he went straight to 50.
He's doing OK. I think he's a bit brighter but they say it will take a few months before we noticed improvements in the ocd. He will have ERP too but a wait for that.

Thank you! I'm planning to increase to 37.5 today, fingers crossed!

Thanks for that. I'm glad he seems a bit brighter and I hope it makes a big difference for him. I'm starting ERP too - absolutely dreading it!

@Thesheerrelief how are you doing?

It's the gold standard treatment for ocd - erp combined with medication. Ocd is so difficult to live with and I hope you get some relief soon.

@StrangeSenseOfCalm I'm doing well. Going up to 37.5 mg has been very smooth. I'll up it to 50 mg and hopefully will start to see an improvement in a few weeks. Years ago I tried duloxetine and had to stop after two days because of didn't suit me at all so I feel like I'm off to a good start

That's great! Glad it's all going well! Stupid question - do you have a pill cutter? My use of a knife to cut into quarters is not entirely reliable - some "quarters" are larger than others...

I bought a pill cutter from Amazon

@StrangeSenseOfCalm I'm using a knife too! Not terribly accurate

Do you mind linking which one? I'm crap at choosing this sort of stuff and there seem to be so many options!

Have started 37.5mg (or thereabouts!) tonight.

Sure ☺️ it was this amzn.eu/d/eSkI98E

Perfect thank you!

Has anyone else experienced jaw clenching on sertraline? I'm waking up in the mornings with a really sore jaw and headache and think I must be clenching my jaw in my sleep.

Yes I had that initially, it did fade after a month or two x

Thanks, that's good to know!

@Thesheerrelief hello my sertraline buddy, how are you getting on? I've done 3 days of 37.5 (I had to throw away the crumbs of the tablets that I cut up - was hoping they would make a 4th dose but it was literally just dust!) and wondering if I should go onto 50mg today. I think I started 2 weeks ago tomorrow? Lost track really. Anyway I'm feeling ok so think I might go for it.

@StrangeSenseOfCalm I was thinking back to when I started - pretty sure it's two weeks ago tomorrow! I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. I know it's too early to see any real benefit and I've also been off work for a while (went back today) but so far I'm feeling quite good.

How was it being back at work today? At least it’s only 2 days at work before the weekend! (Unless you also work weekends!) Are you on 50mg now too?

@StrangeSenseOfCalm I have definitely eased myself back into work! It was pretty quiet which was good. It'll ramp up again next week.

Yes, I'm on 50mg now. Will review with my doctor in a few months.

I had a review with the GP today because my prescription wasn't on repeat so I needed to see them before I could order some more. They have suggested another 2 weeks on 50mg and then upping it to 75mg after that. Apparently for OCD it usually requires a higher dose. I don't feel any different so far; been taking it for about 2.5 weeks so far. At least I don't feel worse, which is good!

@StrangeSenseOfCalm good to have a check in with your GP so soon!

I think I'm starting to feel the benefits. Cautiously optimistic.