Sertraline for Postpartum Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2019

Sertraline "I started Zoloft after my first child was born in 1986, and I experienced postpartum depression. It worked great, and after a while, I quit on my own, thinking I was in the clear. Big mistake, within a month or so, the depression returned, and my PCP stated, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Meaning, why did I quit? He said if you feel well, it's because of the Zoloft, so stick with it. My son, who just turned 16, has been on it as well, along with Adderall. While both drugs make me quite nervous, he has gone from a disaster at school to excelling in many categories, and I feel he is in a good place mentally. Hope I don't live to regret these choices! Good luck to all of you!"

• sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2020

Sertraline "This drug, Zoloft, saved me... and my family from postpartum depression. I was experiencing terrible emotional turmoil during my pregnancy, and afterwards my anxiety was so high that I was afraid I couldn't work, I couldn't have conversations with friends/coworkers without almost having a panic attack. I was afraid of taking medicine, that it might make me feel like a zombie... I was wrong! I feel like myself, except calmer and less anxious. It's harder to orgasm, but my drive is through the roof because... I'm not depressed! Thank you, Zoloft! I started at 50 mg and now I'm on 100 mg, and it's the perfect dose for me. I did have an anxiety increase at first, but got much better after a few weeks of use."

• Ef2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2024

"I was prescribed 50 mg of sertraline when my son was 4 weeks old. I was suffering from postnatal depression and anxiety, resulting in terrible insomnia, loss of appetite and weight loss, feeling hopeless, trapped, and struggling to bond with my son. I wanted to run away and felt regret for having my baby. I contacted my GP and was given a prescription for sertraline and sleeping pills. The first week or so was not great, I was vomiting for a few days, and my anxiety was through the roof. However, I slowly began to notice a positive change from day 10. I was VERY up and down, but the fact that I had a few positive days early on made me feel like the medicine was making a difference. At around week 4, I felt mostly like myself again. I am now on week 5 of sertraline, and I can feel myself becoming more like myself every day. My anxiety has decreased dramatically, and I am loving being a mother to my gorgeous son. Give this medicine time to work and do not give up after the first couple of weeks."

• Sta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2018

Sertraline "I’ve always been an anxious person, but it really spiraled out of control after the birth of my second child. About five months postpartum, I decided I needed to get help. I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety/depression. The only anxiety medication that was considered safe while breastfeeding was Zoloft. I started at 25 mg and am now on 50 mg. I’ll preface my experience with the effectiveness of this drug by saying it's a hard drug to get onto, but STICK WITH IT! It really helped after about four to six weeks. The first two weeks were hell due to the horrendous nausea, insomnia, and severe bouts of panic/anxious feelings - for a while, it felt worse than what I was initially experiencing, and I felt like quitting altogether. All of this seemed to disappear after about two weeks. After about six weeks, I felt much better. This drug is truly a miracle (I’d been on Paxil years before and it didn’t help nearly as much as Zoloft has). Thank you for giving me my life back! If you can get through the first few weeks, this drug can really help."

• esk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2021

Sertraline "I had postpartum anxiety, which led to depression with my first child. After 4 weeks of living in a nightmare, I started medication, and it saved my life. For my 2nd child, I started Zoloft the day after giving birth. They gave me 50 mg, and I had a full-blown panic attack. I was terrified. The uneasiness I felt was horrible. They decreased my dose drastically. I took 12.5 mg for 2 weeks, then 25 mg for 1 week, then 50 mg. The first 2 weeks were absolutely awful. This medication will make you feel worse before making you feel better. After 2 weeks, the uneasiness and anxiety started to subside and gradually got better nearly every day for 6 more weeks. By 8 weeks, I was COMPLETELY myself again. It's an amazing medication once it kicks in. You HAVE to let it work, though. The first 2 weeks are ROUGH, but do NOT quit. I promise you, you will be beyond grateful when it starts to actually help."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2022

Sertraline "Take this med! I promised myself I would come review this if it worked, and wow, does it work! I never realized how much I sabotaged my life before because of the anxiety I had on a daily basis. Anxiety had become a normal feeling for me. I had some severe postpartum depression that set in about 7-8 weeks post-baby. I had lost interest in everything, couldn’t connect with my baby, couldn’t sleep, was just wishing away time. I decided to see a psychiatrist, and she prescribed Zoloft. I expressed my fear for this medication, and she made me a plan to start at 12.5 mg until I could move on gradually to 50 mg. The first week was tough. My brain felt heavy, I had insomnia, was tired… But after the first week, all side effects disappeared. I'm one month in, and I am living life again. I’m enjoying everything, I am no longer anxious, I’m sleeping, I am enjoying motherhood, I am just a brand new person. Wish I had taken this medication years ago."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2023

Sertraline "Zoloft worked for my postpartum anxiety! I reread so many reviews, waiting for it to take effect, so I wanted to pay it forward. I experienced severe PPA and started Zoloft at 6 weeks postpartum, when I started having panic attacks in addition to previous anxiety symptoms (dread, overwhelm, guilt, pins and needles, inability to sleep, low appetite). Wish I'd started sooner! My baby is now 13 months. I started with 25 mg and moved up to 50 after a week or two. Now I'm up to 100 mg, which I've been taking for ten months or so. I experienced some side effects for the first week, the worst of which was insomnia. But it went away completely and I never had side effects when I increased the dosage. My doctor also prescribed Klonopin to help alleviate my anxiety while the Zoloft took effect, which took about 2 months. I still have the Klonopin if I have an off day, but I've honestly used it only a handful of times. Hang in there!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2016

Sertraline "I started Zoloft about a week ago. I think I feel better. My anxiety and the 'what if' thoughts do not seem to bother me as much. I still feel sad at times. I am going to stay on it longer to get the full effect. Side effects: loss of appetite, stomach pain, headache, mood swings. I was in a bad place. My anxiety was terrible. Racing thoughts-my brain just would not shut off. I had no control. It's just a really bad feeling. I didn't want to try any medicine, I put it off for a week, but my doctor kept calling me and convinced me to come in. She said PPD is a real thing and it's nothing I did wrong. I felt ashamed of my feelings. I should be happy, I just had a beautiful, healthy newborn baby. All I felt was sad and worried about everything."

• LHL...
• August 5, 2019

Sertraline "I have suffered terribly from postpartum depression/postpartum anxiety, but we missed it because it was presenting in physical symptoms such as muscle twitching, numbness, paresthesia, all of which would come and go. Long story short, I went through a couple of therapists, and the second one caught it right away and suggested Zoloft for the anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I started on 25 mg and had some intense side effects, so I cut the dose in half and slowly worked my way up. Now I’m on 50 mg and feel pretty good. When you increase the dosage slowly, you have way less side effects and can tolerate this drug much better - you are messing with your brain chemistry, so it makes sense! Anyway, I still have some anxiety, but I also have a lot going on. This drug has made everything more manageable, and now I know what’s real and what’s just my anxiety. I also should note that I have not had noticeable PMS since being on it!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2015

Sertraline "Zoloft has given me my life back. I had anxiety during my pregnancy that turned into OCD when I was 3 months postpartum. I was a mess, but I kept telling myself that as long as I was still functioning, I didn't need medication. There was an adjustment period where we figured out my ideal dose (100 mg), and I had to get through a sharp increase in anxiety while my brain adjusted, but little by little, I started to notice changes in my thought patterns. It doesn't happen suddenly, you may not notice how much better you're doing until you stop and look back on situations that used to give you terrible anxiety and realize that you weren't nervous much at all. I continue to notice improvements after almost 4 months on my ideal dose (100 mg)."

• Eme...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2020

Sertraline "After my second child, I had severe PPD. I could not sleep, eat, and lost 50 lbs in about 4 months. I took an antipsychotic for sleep and mood for a couple of months on and off until I could see a psychiatrist. She recommended Lexapro. I took this, and the side effects were intense. I felt in such a dark place, dissociation, things I’d never felt before. I stopped within a couple of weeks and quickly upped my dose of Zoloft to 200 mg with no side effects. I also take 25 mg of trazodone to ensure I sleep. After a year, I am starting to wean down a little, but this drug saved me. I have gained weight, but I am hoping that will go away once I wean myself down."

• SGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2021

Sertraline "I’m writing this because postpartum anxiety snuck up on me. This was my second baby, but a completely different experience from the first. I had a complicated pregnancy and a baby born six weeks early. We had a short NICU stay, and I thought I was great when she came home. Slowly, I kept slipping into constant worry and became a nervous wreck. It affected my husband and four-year-old. I kept thinking that exercise and sleep could solve my issues but eventually came to realize I needed a little extra help. I started taking 25 mg of Zoloft, and the first week sucked! I felt worse, had night sweats and insomnia. But I want to give you hope, with time, the medication will help. It’s been 11 days now, and I’m seeing my life come back together. I enjoy being with my baby and family and worry only when it’s necessary. Don’t give up hope! You can feel better."

• Cha...
• January 11, 2021

"Suffered PND for a second time. After trying citalopram, which worked previously, switched to sertraline. First 3 weeks weren’t great: anxiety, sickness, low mood. But on week 5 now, and every day feels like a gift being free of depression and anxiety. To anyone reading this, please keep going, something will work, and life will be worth living again."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2009

Sertraline "I have been on Zoloft for 18 months now, and I LOVE it. I first went on it for some postpartum depression paired with several other major situations that were going on in my life. After the first few days, I felt like I could deal with my life, like this was something I always should have been on. I have always dealt with bouts of depression and anxiety but was never put on any medication, but I should have been. I will continue this Zoloft as long as my doctor will allow."

• Pp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2023

Sertraline "After suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme nausea for a number of days, I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I was prescribed 25 mg of sertraline, and today, six months later, I'm on 200 mg and finally feel like myself. Within three months of taking it, I felt 50-60% like myself, with less severe symptoms, and my ability to manage anxiety and fear improved. I'm still taking a sedative, which helps me get through the harder days. I had some side effects with each increase, but I was happy to know it was doing something, and nothing felt worse than what I already was going through."

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2009

Sertraline "I have been taking Zoloft for two weeks now. I have noticed an increase in my appetite. I have had horrible mood swings (my poor children). I sleep all the time and have no energy. I feel dizzy and sick to my stomach all the time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

"My severe postpartum hit me two months after the birth of my baby boy. For the next 2.5 months, I have gone through hell. I had insomnia and strong anxiety, I was doubtful if I really wanted this baby and at the same time feeling extremely guilty for such thoughts. All I wanted was to disappear as far as I can. When I started to take sertraline, the first two weeks were extremely difficult for me, as my depression got even worse. I was about to give up this drug, and I didn’t, thanks to my mother and my husband. Then after two weeks, it was just a miracle when, day by day, I started to get better and better. I’m in week four now, and I feel happy and calm. I love my son, I’m in love with my husband, and every day I thank God that I was able to get it over. This medicine perfectly works for me, and I’m more than happy to give it positive feedback. So if you have PPD, please do not stay by yourself, do not hesitate to go to the doctor and take medicine."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2009

Sertraline "I have been on Zoloft for 3 years, and I have no idea how I did anything before without it. After I had my 2nd daughter, I did not want to be around anyone but her. That included my 1st daughter and my husband. I felt terrible for feeling that way, but it would not go away until I started taking Zoloft. After that, I was feeling great. It also helped with my OCD. I cannot take the generic version because I get really dizzy, just like I do with the regular Zoloft if I miss a dose. I just have to make sure that it does not happen."

• EmL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2022

"Let me open by saying if you’re reading this review - like I did - you’re probably in a dark place and looking for some reassurance. There is hope, and you will get better. At 4 weeks postpartum, I started suffering from back-to-back panic attacks, unwanted intrusive thoughts, and severe anxiety. I couldn’t eat, let alone take a shower. I was prescribed 50 mg Sertraline and 10 mg Propranolol 3x daily for the initial increased anxiety this can cause. The first week, I felt severely anxious, and this continued until around week 2 when it started to calm down. Week 4, I thought the drug had stopped working as I had a random panic attack - this was temporary as week 5, the good days started to outweigh the bad. Week 7, I feel miles better. In control, level-headed, and almost back to the old me. I’ve also started CBT, and I’m seeing good results. Depression/anxiety is a very dark place, but you’ve got this. Keep going!"

• Anx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2021

Sertraline "I should’ve been on this for years. It saved me from postpartum anxiety, intrusive thought loops, and crushing depression. I didn’t realize how bad my sleeping habits were due to depression until I started treating myself with Zoloft. My anxiety is completely manageable now, and the thought loops have stopped."

• dud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2022

Sertraline "I am just now ready to taper off sertraline. I’m currently at the last step of it. I started it for postpartum anxiety 5 years ago and feel ready to take this journey without it. Zoloft saved my life. My postpartum anxiety was so insanely terrible I would beg my husband not to go to work. Terrified to be alone. So depressed. I only needed a low dose of 37.5 mg that I was stable on. This medication is there if you need it, and it was good to me. The only downfall that I dealt with was the extremely vivid, at times terrifying dreams. Also, since my taper, I have lost 10 pounds in the last month, which has been amazing. So in the 5 years, I gained 35 pounds of Zoloft weight and am now ridding it. I still recommend it."

• Sar...
• October 27, 2019

"I've been taking sertraline for just over a year now, and it's worked wonders for me. The first week or two, I couldn't stop talking and struggled to get to sleep, but that soon subsided once I took the tablet first thing in the morning. I was prescribed this for postnatal depression, and I was quite poorly. Constant worrying, overthinking, fear and dread filled my days, thoughts of suicide, thinking I was not up to the task of being a mom even though I adored my baby. I wouldn't let anyone hold my baby for fear they would make him poorly. So once I plucked up the courage to say these things to my doctor, even though I was so ashamed it was like admitting defeat, my God, I'm so glad I did. Now my days are full of enjoying all the special moments with my baby, not stressing the small stuff. I know I'm a good mom, and my baby adores me. I definitely don't have suicidal thoughts, and I worry the normal amount. Give it a chance, you may enjoy your life again!"

• EmM...
• April 8, 2016

Sertraline "Took it after baby was born in September 2015. Felt normal again in December, so I decided to get off. Felt fine until about a week ago in April. 2nd day on it. Makes you feel jittery and crazier for a few days, but I know it will get better if I stay on it. Definitely recommend not being alone the first week you are on it and make sure you have some help!!!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2019

Sertraline "Zoloft pulled me out of a dark time, but I also literally cannot stop eating. I have no self-control and gained 15 lbs in 4 months. I’m titrating myself off because being fat is making me feel horrible."

• Kms...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2020

"I was diagnosed with postpartum depression when my son was 12 weeks. I knew something wasn’t quite right, and I spoke to my doctor. He only gave me 25 mg of sertraline (Zoloft), and it’s made me feel a lot better. I was able to control my mood swings and still be happy. I never felt numb! The only small side effect I have is slight insomnia, but it’s minor. Usually, I can fall asleep within 5 minutes, but with this, it takes me 45 minutes to an hour."