Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding and anxiety meds

Hi all, I don't post here very often but I could really use some encouraging words and/or stories. Sorry for the long post. My baby boy is 7.5 months old I have been breastfeeding on demand. I got my period when he was 6.5 m old. About 2 weeks ago when I was due to ovulate again I started experiencing horrible insomnia. It is to the point where I can't fall asleep at all on my own and have been sleeping 1-4 hours most night (even though baby is sleeping). I ended up in the ER on Friday because I was so desperate and I couldn't get in to see a doc. They prescribed me ambien but last night I only slept from 10:30-1:30 am on 2 ambien. I am feeling really desperate. Anyone have experience (positive stories only please) with anti-anxiety meds when breastfeeding or post partum anxiety? I am also worried I am going to have to stop breastfeeding to get the treatment I needbut my little guy is MPSI and is rejecting the hypoallergenic formula and I don't have that much stash left, so it is stressing me out even more! Thanks in advance for any advice or words or encouragement :-)

Re: Breastfeeding and anxiety meds

  • here's the info for the InfantRisk center-
    https://www.infantrisk.com/
    (806)-352-2519.#sthash.Zk7rPTOb.dpuf
    (806)-352-2519

    you can also ask questions about specific medications in their forums and they will get back to you there.

    additionally, you can look up specific medications on LactMed: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

    if you want to ask one of your own doctors, i would ask your pediatrician, they seem to be more knowledgeable about drugs and BFing.

    if you haven't already, i would also consider seeing a therapist. going to therapy in combination with medication has been shown to have better outcomes than medication alone.

    GL!
    (806)-352-2519.#sthash.Zk7rPTOb.dpuf
  • I developed a horrible case of Insomnia from 4months PP that lasted about 2 months. I am now 12 months PP and still struggle a little with sleep every now and then, but it's not that big of a deal. Once I figured out it was anxiety/adrenaline I started sleeping better (I was convinced for awhile it was hormonal, but now I realize it was just a self-fulfilling prophecy). There are quite a few sleep meds to try if you want to go that route. A few I tried were Remeron, Trazodone, and Vistaril. They worked great for me for a short time, but I really needed to get the sleep phobia anxiety under control.

    I changed jobs at about 6 months PP and took a week off of work in between the old and new job. I slept beautifully that whole week which helped me realize that this was all related to anxiety and being in "mom mode" 24/7. I needed to find a way to unwind everyday. I had essentially developed a sleep-phobia and that adrenaline pumping in me at night was keeping me awake which I suspect is maybe why Ambien isn't working for you because your adrenaline is taking over.

    I am taking a sleep med right now at a very low dose and in the process of weaning off it which is really challenging only because I've classically conditioned myself to think I need it. I have learned a great deal about sleep and how fascinating the mind really is. Please PM me if you have questions, I'm happy to help :)

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    TTC since April 2011. DH Dx MFI in February 2012. BFP #1: 7.16.12. MMC dx: 8.22.12, D&C 8.28.12, TTC Again November 2012. DH Varicocele repair November 2012; Repeat SA showed "dramatic" improvement February 2013 (awesome!)
    BFP #2: 3.26.13, EDC: 12.7.13. Anya born December 9th, 2013!
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  • Thanks all! I really appreciate the advice and support. I am feeling a lot better today because I got a decent night's sleep last night with the meds and I finally got an appointment with a psychiatrist scheduled for tomorrow! I am feeling so much better now that I have a plan.
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