Sertraline newbie! Terrified to take the first one

[HollyLondoner]

Hi all

Today I am due to start sertraline and I'm so scared. I have a 17 month old and didn't have PND and loved my mat leave. I returned to work in October and didn't cope at all and got signed off in December. My work have been horrible and I feel bullied out of my job by my mat cover but that's another story.

I have been having bad panic attacks, terrible insomnia and crying all the time. I thought it was time to start medication but I'm also terrified.

I took fluoxetine for a few years in my 20s and it really helped but they've said sertraline would be best to try. I feel like I'm extremely hormonal but my levels are apparently fine.

Do I just take the plunge and start because I'm just surviving at the moment.

Oh also I've had 17 months of barely any sleep as my boy has only just started to sleep better so that really hasn't helped. Only been a week though so don't want to jinx it just yet!! I also don't feel any better after a week of sleep yet.

I'm second guessing myself if I should take it but I know I can't go on as I am but I'm terrified for the first few weeks where it'll be really tough. I just want to be the best for my son and I'm so worried how I will affect me....

I have just taken my first one. I'm nervous too, as the side effects sound dreadful.

@Morello339 well done!

Have you taken any other antidepressants before?

Can I ask the main reasons you were offered them? More panic disorders or depression?

I have had different side effects both times I went on sertraline, the first time all physical and the second time I had less physical side effects and more mental, but didn’t last as long.

The benefit of sertraline in the long run massively outweighs any starting side effects, just start it today ☺️ take care 💕

I have taken Lexapro before, for a year, for my anxiety disorder. It didn't do much though. The doctor thinks these are more suited to my needs, so let's see.

I just want to wake up and feel fine for once.

I started sertraline earlier this year after being made redundant and it’s been an absolute game changer. The side effects weren’t too bad for me - dry mouth, drowsy, sweating loads and the medicinal effects have really improved my quality of life. It’s different for everyone but like a lot of things I think you tend to be more aware of the horror stories rather than the humdrum ones. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

@SizzlingPrickle thank you ❤️ that's really great to hear

@Morello339 fingers crossed it's effective for you too.

Good luck 🤞🏻 🍀

@Aozora13 sorry to hear about the redundancy. I'm glad it's worked well for you.

Physical symptoms is fine. I don't think I'd mind that so much. I'm just scared at feeling worse mentally/ suicidal effects that I've heard about.

Honestly, I thought I was having placebo effects because I felt a positive change within about 2 to 3 days.

From memory, I had a very dry mouth for a week or two, and very mild 'brain zaps' for about the same period. Then nothing. I've gone up and down dosages with no I'll effects over the years.

I would say be sure to taper properly as and when or if you come off them in the future.

I love setraline, I feel 100% better after taking it for a while. Yes the side effects aren't nice to start with, but soon enough hopefully you'll be feeling so much better the brief side effects will be worth it, sending love!

Hi! I started Sertraline in the summer last year. I started a similar thread on here. At the time I was extremely anxious, not sleeping, and was experiencing very low mood.

It’s understandable to be anxious about a new medication, especially when you’re in a vulnerable state. I’d done lots of googling and researching which had heightened my anxiety.

I found the physical symptoms hardest to deal with (jitters in the morning, poor sleep, palpitations) although I had been feeling pretty rubbish physically before due to the anxiety. I did feel that my anxiety increased between weeks 2 and 4, but this settled after week 4.

I had support from some lovely people on this board and a very supportive husband and family in real life. I also had a kind GP who I spoke to weekly. They really carried be through the first 4-6 weeks, which was much needed. Do you have a good support network?

I noticed that I was less tearful after 2 weeks, slept better after 4, and by 6 I felt much less anxious. 12 weeks in and I felt mostly myself again. I’m now 6 months in and I feel better than ever. It has literally changed my life for the better.

Stick with it, OP. If you’re like me, it could be life changing for you and your baby. Just be prepared for a tricky few weeks.

I'm just scared at feeling worse mentally/ suicidal effects that I've heard about.

I'm pretty sure that these sorts of side effect are very very much rarer than the physical effects (dry mouth, constiption, etc). I've been on and off ADs loads of times and never experienced these mental effects.

The only thing that gives me some hesitancy in your OP is that your real life circs seem to have been stressful enough to be at least a partial cause of your unhappiness. It always seems to me that mothers are under so much pressure that mental suffering is inevitable, and that it is not brilliant to fob us off with meds instead of justice. However, the meds may very well still help and put you in a stronger position to review how things are for you and make any needed changes xxxxx

@Barrenfieldoffucks thank you that's really helpful ❤️

@Teanandtoast thank you, I really hope so 🤞🏻

@jaquettalux thank you for that insight. My GP hasn't been helpful and I've seen. 3 different ones since being signed off. The one I saw yesterday when I asked for the drugs saw me for 30 seconds and said she would call me in 4 weeks to see how I'm getting on.

I have support at home though but am currently signed off work for a few more weeks so at least that gives me some time to used to them hopefully.

@AlbertCamusflage you're very right. Igr been reluctant to take them as I know it's 90% my stressful circumstances but my son has slept well for a week and I probably feel worse than ever.

I don't know what to do about my work and have asked for a step down and still haven't heard anything. I was treated really badly as soon as I said I was pregnant and long story short is that I feel bullied by my line manager and my mat cover is now my senior.

I have a meeting with HR to discuss this week but I'm terrified.

I just want to be away from that team and start an easy admin job that I've requested. I know it's a shame but it's all I think I can cope with right now.

Sorry for the typos! Messaging on the go

Hi OP. My story is the same as yours. I had 14 months mat leave, returned to work in June and signed off in August with anxiety. I hit a bit of a wall and just couldn't function. Prescribed sertraline as well as attending CBT and, combined, they've been life changing. I feel so much more balanced now and am enjoying life. I returned to work in October and I honestly think I just needed some time to myself to recover.

Something that helped me was removing the stress triggers - my triggers weren't actually work, they were outside of work but prevented me from focusing when I was there. I also spent time on "self care" which was really pushed by my CBT therapist. When you become a new mum, I think you probably neglect yourself a little bit and don't even realise. I continued to put my son into nursery so I had the full week to myself then went to the gym or would sit in a coffee shop and read. Initially I felt really guilty using sick leave to do these nice things but they're so important for your mental health and I can see they're part of the recovery.

As for the sertraline, I had 2-3 weeks of side effects. I couldn't have worked during this time. Nausea was quite bad in the beginning but mostly tiredness. I slept a lot in the first month and even after that, still frequently had a nap. I also found the time I took the sertraline would affect my sleep and cause tiredness. Best time for me is about 5pm. If I waited until bedtime I could barely get my head off the pillow the next day. Side effects have long settled and I'm actually nervous about coming off sertraline. They've been really good for me and I'm glad I decided to take them (despite initial reluctance). If it helps, they're not forever - they're just to help you get back on an even keel so that you're able to focus on getting better.

As for HR, I'm sure you're entitled to take someone with you to the meeting which might be worth considering, especially in your circumstances, whether it's a union rep or even a friend or colleague to give you some support.

@Readysetgooo thank you so so much for this, I really appreciate it.

It's lovely to hear how you've come out of the other side. I totally understand about needing some time for yourself. I never have any time alone but now have 3 days while he's at nursery that I think will really help. Also trying to not feel guilty and not just feel like I have to clean or do something "productive".

I'm wondering if many people take it long term or is it's more to get you on your feet again when you're having a big low point.

Thanks again for your message ❤️

I have been having serious nausea, stomach upset, and headaches for the last 2 hours.

I find it hard to believe my body reacted this quickly to the first pill.

I'm really hoping it passes so I can get back to work tomorrow. Anyone else experienced this and it been over in one day?

@Morello339 also feeling very nauseous after taking the first one just after 9am. I've just had some lunch so hoping it'll ease but also surprised it's happened so quickly.

@HollyLondoner in my case, I was reluctant to even start so I always intended short term to get me back on my feet. I was barely sleeping and operating on empty. I think it helped me be receptive to CBT and other support which might have been difficult to accept otherwise. I actually started a thread on here about how you know when it's time to come off the sertraline (just weeks after starting it). The consensus seems to be about six months after you feel "better" so a bit of a judgment call. I still take sertraline but sometimes worry about whether I'm actually better/back on my feet or if it's just the medication, it's so difficult to know.

Apparently some people experience a bit of a rebound with anxiety after stopping sertraline so it's important wait until you're in a good place then to taper down the dose. I believe that once you stop it can still take a few weeks for your system to settle so you might still feel the withdrawal anxiety. I think in those initial weeks (from my mumsnet research), some people feel the anxiety and go back on the medication without letting the withdrawal symptoms subside (understandable if you've become used to living without it) so potentially end up back on the medication longer term. I'll speak to my doctor before reaching that point. I struggled with the initial side effects so don't want to be off and on it.

Don't feel guilty about not cleaning either. Self care is absolutely productive and you'll hopefully feel the benefit of it very shortly!

Best of luck with everything. The first step was asking for help and you can only try the sertraline. If it doesn't work, you try something else.

Just a thought, have you spoken to your health visitor? Mine referred me to a mental health service and got me signed up for an online support programme which was great. She also suggested Pandas. They deal with postnatal mental health and have local support groups as well as a live chat Whatsapp support. I spoke to them loads in the early days as many of their volunteers have been through similar issues and taken medication etc.

@HollyLondoner and @Morello339

3rd time for me and I started today. Stick with it. You will find descriptions good and bad about side effects if you search for them. The advice on this page has been really good. My first time I had a similar aged little one as @HollyLondoner

What dose are you starting on? I've gone straight for 50mg but in the past I have started much lower because of side effects.

My head is sore now and my mouth a bit dry. Try not to over think it. You're making a positive step forward to giving yourself the space you need to feel better.

Please do not be scared to take it, It is medicine for you're brain. I was intially scared , I had a dry mouth at first, and seemed to yawn alot, but it has worked for me, I have been taking it many years now.
At least give it a try, it could take a few weeks, if it does'nt agree with you, go back to you're G.P. All the best