Help/Support - Sertraline

[TheJourney22]

Hi!

After struggling for 6 Months (DS 6Mths) I finally went to the GP for the fact my anxiety, OCD is taking over, my lack of patience with a difficult baby is not making me enjoy being a Mummy.

I have Sertraline in my top drawer for a week. Took the plunge today & took first dose.

SHITTING myself. Please tell me this will be ok & I will be ok??

Thank you

[Geraldthegiraffe]

I'm on Sertraline and yes it will be ok.

The first week I did feel very queesy as I adjusted to it, and really wasn't sure about it... but as you get used to it it really did reduce my anxiety. It was my husband who noticed before me.

What is it you're worried about?

[TheJourney22]

Thanks Gerald! .... 2 things, worried about side effects & then also ultimately coming off them?

[TheJourney22]

More nervous of insomnia as a side effect ... that's one of my main symptoms

[Geraldthegiraffe]

Ha I can't stop sleeping! So I guess I haven't had that one. There were side effects for me initially (and I guess coming off them there will he too) but if it works and deals with my head its going to be worth it i the long run, which was how I looked at it.

Good luck. I did feel a bit rought the first week, a bit like after a bug, but it did go away.

[TheJourney22]

Ok cool! I can handle that :) I did actually feel sleepy today! ... For once in my life ever .. do you mind if I contact you for a bit just so I don't go mad .... Or just think I'n going mad! Wish google didn't exist sometimes !!!

[Geraldthegiraffe]

Sure - I'm on about week 6 and I think I do feel a bit more stable. Perhaps ready to face the counselling etc. I'm a bit more lethargic though.

Happy to be around - the first week is the worst ... and I think 4-6 weeks is when they actually "kick" in.

[tatyr]

Give it a few weeks and you'll hopefully feel more like the real you. I've been on sertraline for about 18mths, have not come off them yet but have come off prozac before, as long as you follow advice re: not stopping suddenly, you should be fine. These antidepressants are not physically addictive, you should may need to put some 'mechanisms' in place for the long term ( time out doing something 'you', exercise, a regular coffee with best friend to unload, whatever makes you feel better)
You are sooooo not alone!!!

[TheJourney22]

On week 2 now, feel rough but I'm going to keep going. Actually one of my fears was that it would "change" me. So it's comforting to hear that I should feel the "real" me back.

Good to hear you came off Prozac fine, so it's ok as long as you follow advice etc ....

I'm so fed up, this was supposed to be the happiest time of my life & I just feel so fucking miserable, then I spiral to feeling ungrateful as DS was soooooo wanted I can't tell you.

I have hope it will get easier in time! Thanks for your support

[Inapickle123]

I've been on them since DS was two weeks old-he's now just over five months.

It will be fine but you have to persevere. I've started to get lax about taking them regularly as I feel better and more able to cope, but I'm starting to notice that I'm having more bad days than good and am overly anxious about silly things again.

My side effects have been headaches, incredible thirst, crazy vivid dreams and ridiculous sweating. I also had trouble sleeping at the start but that's subsided.

Good luck-give it time and you'll see a positive difference.