Anti-Depressant Use?

zizzabell523

I got a BFP on 8/26 and am over the moon! I've been on Citalopram (generic for Celexa) for a little over a year now for depression. While we were TTC earlier this year, I asked my GP whether I should consider weaning or not and he said it's really up to me to weigh which risk I feel is more important: possible relapse or possible problems with the baby. I set up my first prenatal appointment this morning for a couple weeks from now and am waiting on a call back to discuss the medicine with my OBGYN, but wanted to see if anyone on here had any experience with a Class C drug and pregnancy.

I had un-diagnosed post-partum depression layered on of depression from our early loss in 2013, layered on 12 years of grief that was never dealt with after losing my mom to breast cancer when I was 18. I hit rock bottom in 2016 and I hit it hard. I talked to a therapist to help me properly deal with my grief and was given Citalopram. It was rough to get on, but now that I'm adjusted, I feel like my old self again! I am terrified of the weaning process (I've heard it can be worse than getting on the medicine) and am scared that I will regress back to the mental state I was before and/or go through post-partum depression again. However, I don't want my selfishness to keep my mental self happy to cause any possible side effects to baby.

meggyme

zizzabell523 said:

I got a BFP on 8/26 and am over the moon! I've been on Citalopram (generic for Celexa) for a little over a year now for depression. While we were TTC earlier this year, I asked my GP whether I should consider weaning or not and he said it's really up to me to weigh which risk I feel is more important: possible relapse or possible problems with the baby. I set up my first prenatal appointment this morning for a couple weeks from now and am waiting on a call back to discuss the medicine with my OBGYN, but wanted to see if anyone on here had any experience with a Class C drug and pregnancy.

I had un-diagnosed post-partum depression layered on of depression from our early loss in 2013, layered on 12 years of grief that was never dealt with after losing my mom to breast cancer when I was 18. I hit rock bottom in 2016 and I hit it hard. I talked to a therapist to help me properly deal with my grief and was given Citalopram. It was rough to get on, but now that I'm adjusted, I feel like my old self again! I am terrified of the weaning process (I've heard it can be worse than getting on the medicine) and am scared that I will regress back to the mental state I was before and/or go through post-partum depression again. However, I don't want my selfishness to keep my mental self happy to cause any possible side effects to baby.

Wanting to be able to enjoy pregnancy/motherhood does not make you selfish. Mom's need to take care of themselves before they can take care of others.

That said, I have no experience with antidepressants, but perhaps there's a safer one that might work well enough to help stave off the worst of your depression. Certainly worth talking to your doctors about.

pantherkiss0586

Hi. I have been on anti-depressants for several years. During my last pregnancy my doctor had me switch to Lexipro. My mother was battling brain cancer at the time (has since passed) and there was no way I could function without medication. That was two years ago. I'm still taking 20 mg daily and will continue to do so through this pregnancy. I know it's hard not to worry about possible side effects but I know I am doing what's best for me and my child by being medicated. My last pregnancy was smooth and I have a healthy, bright, happy 15 month old girl.  Feel free to message me if you ever want to chat

zizzabell523

Thank you @meggyme I hadn't thought about switching medicines. I will definitely ask if that's an option. Thank you!

zizzabell523

Just in case anyone is looking for answer, my Doctor said that it would be safe. Of course, always contact your doctor, but if you're looking for other mom's experiences, this is mine!