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Autism and Sertraline

MJJ24

Hello all, 

I have had anxiety for a long time and recently been diagnosed with autism. I have been taking Sertraline tablets for around 7 months now and started them before I knew I was autistic. It is hard for me to say whether they worked as at the same time I started taking them I also spent a lot of time signed off work and ended changing to a less stressful job and so did start to feel a bit better but it is hard to say whether this was situational rather than the medication. 

I guess I just want to ask really if anyone else is on Sertraline who is autistic and whether they feel it is helpful or not. I read so many mixed things online and it is hard to know really. 

Thank you in advance :) 

Parents

  • I think Bunny hit the nail on the head here. There are plentiful sources which tell you that effectiveness of different medications will vary person to person. I personally had nasty side effects on two anti-depressants prior to my current one, and only with a conversation with a doctor did we find one that appears to be working after two increases of the dose. They are in consort though with a medication for anxiety. These were all prior to my diagnosis about a month ago.

    For me, I do in fact take Sertraline and it helps even out the depressive mood swings. My anti-anxiety helps shorten the effects of anxiety attacks. However, your mileage can and likely will vary.

  • in reply to martintheactor

    I'm interested in the side effects you had before. I've tried Sertraline and another that I've forgotten the name of. I had the same awful side effects both times and didn't get past 1 tablet because they made me feel so bad and my pupils went completely different sizes. It was awful. I'm too scared to try any other anti depressants now but I so wish that I could. But with 2 completely different medications doing the same thing, I'm too scared of it happening again. Were your side effects the same or different when you tried the 2 before?

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    I was first on Citalopram and found that it really wiped me out - no energy levels at all. The fatigue was just intolerable. I forget the name of the other, but I felt like I was so detached from the world on that one I just couldn't function well.

    My experience with all the different options the GP provided was that time was needed to allow things to settle down. It was rough to begin with even with Sertraline in terms of mood swings, but eventually things settled down. It's not perfect by any means. I still have some really bad periods of downswings, but for me, it smooths out and makes the troughs shallower. For me a bit of time to acclimatise to the meds was needed.

    I still, to this day sometimes have staring matches with the box of meds...usually on my worse days. The benefit though is that they help me to make the most of the good days.

    What I will say is that it was a Pharmacist that actually helped the most. She highlighted to me that the medication didn't have to be taken only first thing in the morning. I've got erratic sleep patterns at the best of times, so a regular time in the morning isn't always possible. So, I take mine in the evening - which most GPs clearly get confused by. The info sheet in the box of Sertraline, and the Pharmacist both state morning or evening is possible. What worked for me was ignoring the GP telling me to only take it in the morning and listening the Pharmacist and taking it in the evening.

    Please do NOT take my comments though as a recommendation or condemnation. I'm happy to tell you my experience, but I am uncomfortable sharing even this much if someone intends to use it as a recommendation. I know a few people on these types of meds and it does appear to vary from person to person. Take advice only from medical professionals.

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