Sertraline and HRT - too much?

[MealDealDreamz]

54 years. I have been on HRT before but came off for about a year as I had an ovarian cyst and fibroid that the doctor wanted to have investigated. I felt ok off HRT apart from sleep going haywire again. I then went down mentally last winter and doctor put me on sertraline 100mg.
I've now got the all clear to go back on HRT (coil and patch) but I'm wondering what to do about the sertraline. Aren't I taking too much now? Does anyone have any similar experiences please?

I’m on both - it’s fine. What are you specifically worried about?

Just that I'm taking too many drugs I suppose. The HRT may be enough for helping my mood once it kicks in. Don't like the thought of taking sertraline when it's possibly not necessary. @FatalCattraction how do you feel on both?

I’m awaiting an appointment to start HRT. I take 200mg sertraline. My GP has previously said that’s not an issue.

I’m on both. I get on ok.

Why don't you (with GPs agreement) taper down the sertraline to 50mg once you start the HRT. Wait 3 months. If all well, taper off or go back up as appropriate.

I’ve been on both (coil and gel for HRT) for a year now and would go so far as to say it’s great! I am working towards coming off the sertraline eventually, but that’s because I’d like to improve my mental health rather than being worried about the medication itself IYSWIM. On that, it took me a long time to come around to antidepressants, but I’m really glad I did - it’s actually made me feel more like myself rather than less.

@MealDealDreamz You may find it hard to know if your HRT is working if you are also taking an SSRIs that changes your mood. SSRIs are not recommended by NICE anyway for meno symptoms like mood and their advice is to use CBT and counselling.

When GPs say 'it's okay ' to use both I think they probably mean it's not dangerous. But the bit they're missing is you won't know if the HRT is working or be able to find the right dose. Additionally, there is great concern that too many people use ADs for too long because they do come with their own side effects.

I suggest you talk to your GP about reducing and stopping the SSRIs and start your HRT.