Hi DameJean, I started sertraline last September. At first 50mg & then 100mg. I really wanted to get HRT though but my blood tests showed that at 51 I was not in peri. I did not feel depressed but I guess having had 9 mths of peri symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, panic, etc etc I had gone down hill. It did work. I think it does have a hormonal use too. It was not instant though I felt much worse to start with & had quite bad side effects. I was determined to carry on with it though as I felt there was no other option even though I knew my symptoms where hormonal as they co incided with my periods changing. It was a real up hill struggle, everything I hold dear to me was no longer important & I wasn't coping with quite normal things. The doctor prescribed diazepam to help me with the start up side effects. I still take sertraline but this week I finally found a doctor who gave me hrt patches so I guess I am doing things the complete different way round to you. If I was you I would take it but stay away from googling side affects, any questions I am happy to answer. You do have to persevere though so unless you are 100% sure I would not start. I kept a journal too which really helped. I too felt everything was overwhelming me & I went from being such a capable person to someone who felt stressed doing a tiny task. My youngest two children are under 10 plus I work from home. I did not work from July-December last year. I am back, not at full capacity yet but I do feel better. Getting out & about is the last bastion so to speak. Hope this helps. Bev x
