Should I go back on Sertraline?
Posted , 5 users are following.
When I came to college I struggled with anxiety and depression. I had constant suicidal thoughts. It became so bad that I had a severe loss of apetite and would barely eat anything in a day. Then I tried sertraline and I really started feeling better and I was eating normally again. The only side effect I noticed was the struggle to ejaculate. After about a month of being on 50 mg of sertraline I was worried that it was decreasing my testosterone and also I didn't want to become dependent on it. So I slowly cycled off of sertraline (not cold turkey). It's been about a month of me being off the drug and I'm starting to get depression (suicidal thoughts) and anxiety again. As for my apetite, I'm eating more than I did when I first started feeling depressed but I'm still not eating as much as I used to. I'm seriously considering taking sertraline again because I miss not being so down all the time. What do you guys think? Is it bad to take sertraline long term? Thank you!
P.s. Sorry if this is too long or not we'll
0 likes, 4 replies
thomas96833 Cambolambo
Posted
As far as side effects go, you need to ask yourself is it as bad as the initial problem. I don't think Sertraline lowers testosterone, it works on your nervous system so probably de-sensitivies you a lot. I have a few friends that have been on Sertraline for many years and have had no issues though and are in a happy, active relationship.
Is that the only side effect you got, and did you feel Sertraline working that quickly? My doctor has prescribed it for Anxiety and said it could take 4-6 weeks to hit the therapeutic dose.
As for the appetite, I have read that Sertraline should in increase it if any, but SSRI's are quite harsh for affecting it. I tried Fluoxetine and could barely eat for a month!
Hope it works out, personally if you could feel the depression lifting on Sertraline I would have advised to stay on it a little longer, say a few months until you can work out what it is that you are struggling to deal with. Maybe look at a CBT course to go with it?
Hope this helps.
matthew36753 Cambolambo
Posted
You don't have to stay on it. Ask your Dr for something different.
?I switched off of it and onto Cymbalta and abilify and feel so much better than when I was on the sertraline. There are so many choices. The no sex drive side effect was hurting my marriage and self-esteem.
Shed1976 Cambolambo
Posted
The sexual problems you were experiencing will pass. It's a common side effect in the early stages of medication for both men and women.
Not worth getting ill again. If you're unwell you won't feel like sex anyway!
Stick with it and I bet it comes good in the end. Pardon the pun
anthony29576 Cambolambo
Posted
Don't know if there are any long term effects. Speak to doctor.
As for struggling to ejaculate, that does happen. I am thinking of getting viagra off doctor .