Sertraline refusal

[Kitcat159]

I have spoken to 2 doctors and the midwife about taking sertraline while pregnant and all agreed that I should continue on the dose I'm on....
Put in for a repeat prescription and the doctor has refused it on the grounds that I'm pregnant!
What am i meant to do now??
I'm trying to get hold of the doctor but they are "very busy today". I have enough left for another week.
Midwife said absolutely do not come off them.
My only option if he doesn't give them is to spread them out and wean myself off in a week. But if you stop them too quick they make you really ill nd spaced out. I can't drive etc.

Has anyone else taken sertraline during their pregnancy?

If it makes any difference I am 10 weeks now. I have been on sertraline for 8 years, taking higher dose of 100mg for 5 years. When I found out I was pregnant I dropped to 50mg (docs instruction) and was then told to stay on that dose.

Hi Kitcat, I am also pregnant and on anti-depressants. I am so sorry to hear about your experience, this is very stressful, rubbish on the part of the doctor and absolutely not what you need.

If it were me I would be absolutely insistent and make a nuisance of myself. I would say, "Hi, I am pregnant and the doctor has refused to give me the medication I need to stay healthy for my baby. Two doctors and my midwife have agreed that I absolutely must stay on it. This doctor has unilaterally decided that I should come off it immediately without seeing me or considering the severe side-effects I will get if I have to come off it suddenly like this. It is causing me anxiety which is bad for my baby. I need this to be dealt with urgently for both me and my baby."

Can you make online appointments with your surgery. Could you fo that and then go in tomorrow. You don’t have to explain to the receptionist then and can talk to the GP.

Sorry this is happening to you.

You need to contact your midwife for advice, she might be able to refer you to someone who can prescribe it, maybe specific mental health liaison for pregnancy.

I'm on sertraline, switched from citalopram during pregnancy on advice of docs.am taking 50mg.

I’m so sorry the GP refused you. I dropped down to 50 sertraline in my last pg on the doctors advice and also took it while breastfeeding. It’s one of the commonest anti d’s to use while pg.
I would call your GP and ask for a same day appointment or telephone consultation and make sure you get your prescription. I understand them not wanting to fill a repeat without discussing it with you.

I spoke to the doctor that refused the prescription.
She said "I need to make you aware that you will be taking these when you are pregnant. Are you aware of that?!"
Erm yes I'm aware that I am pregnant.
She has agreed to give me the tablets this time.
So in a month i will have to go through this again.
I don't have a midwife as such. I have seen a general midwife for my booking appt but nothing else. I asked her and she said absolutely do not stop taking them. (I did say this to the doctor this morning)

GPs are bloody useless at prescribing stuff in pregnancy. They get really nervous about it.
I had been taking omeprazole for most of my pregnancy and then went back and the GP was really reluctant to give it to me. It says it's safe in the BNF and on the NHS website. I had to say that to him. Don't even get me started on my experience of getting anti sickness medications for hyperemesis.

My GP was absolutely appalling about this too. May I suggest you ask if there is a perinatal mental health team in your area and ask to be referred. I did this just to get advice from a psychiatrist as my GP had made me really worried. They have been amazing. Very supportive and not at all scary.

This is annoying. But it will be the prescribing doctor on whose head it falls that is why you are up against this reluctance. I'd say you need to get a letter from the midwife and/or doctors who say you should certainly be on this medication. But all this takes time and hassle. Hope it gets sorted out.