Mental Health Check-In July 2022

acleverusername

This is a safe place for more detailed support in mental health, struggles, and successes.

U.S: National Suicide Prevention :  1-800-273-TALK [8255]

Chat option:   https://chat.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx

Link to Canadian Resources:  https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

This is a safe space for discussing your mental health. Whereas general stress and issues are often discussed in Rants/Raves of the Dailies, this place is for a more focused discussion of the impact of mental health.  Members are encouraged to use thoughtfulness and depth to examine feelings, barriers, and useful supports. 

This post can be replied to at any time during the month. Not limited to those with a mental health diagnosis, but please be sensitive to others. We will attempt to be as flame-free as possible!

Feel free to share, vent, or support other members on this thread. Share a picture/gif that expresses how you feel or provides some comfort. 

If you need help getting started, consider filling out the form below:

Mental Health Diagnosis (if you have been) or What brings you to this thread today?:

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/TTA):

Where are you in your mental health journey? (in treatment, looking for support, on meds, in counseling, having a rough day, etc.)

How are you feeling?

acleverusername

We haven't had one of these since April! I'm needing some help here so I figured I'd resurrect this thread. 

acleverusername

Mental Health Diagnosis (if you have been) or What brings you to this thread today?: GAD

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/TTA): TWW

Where are you in your mental health journey? (in treatment, looking for support, on meds, in counseling, having a rough day, etc.) Switching psychiatrists; re-jigging meds? 

How are you feeling? Well, I'd had to dump my psychiatrist because of a cruel mistake he made and didn't want to own up to. I had an intake with someone new today. She had some interesting things to say and I'm hoping that someone one here can give me some insight / advice. My old doc had me taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin. Lexapro was to manage anxiety, and Wellbutrin to counteract the side-effects of Lexapro which totally killed my libido. So, I get in the call today and she's like "why are you taking both?" So I explain the above and she says "the two meds have many interactions, and especially because you're trying to get pregnant, I would just optimize one of them because you want as little as possible medication during first trimester." This is in complete contrast with what my (now previous) doctor had said. So, I'm at a loss. Should I be getting a 2nd opinion here? I would really like to get my sex drive back cause as ya'll know, it's helpful when TTC. 

newmum97

Hiya, I'm pregnant for the first time (24yo) and about 7/8 weeks in. I've struggled with my mental health since my early teenage years, and being pregnant has plunged me into antenatal depression. I had some quite traumatic times leading up to me getting pregnant due to both me and my partners mental health. I know I want this baby more than anything, but my brain just can't seem to feel any positivity towards the matter.. depression is something I've struggled with for years and I'm just terrified that it will continue into post partum depression, and I just don't know how i would cope with that. My lack of any emotion atal is making me withdraw from my partner, who I love and this in turn is filling me with guilt and hatred for myself. I've been prescribed 50mg of sertraline at the moment and am seeking private therapy, as the public health service here moves far too slowly. In short, I'm completely lost and don't actually feel like I can survive this at all. Any pearls of wisdom or anyone who can relate might show me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, because right now I'm not well enough to be a mum.

abjm0325

@newmum97 I'm very sorry to hear about your struggles. I hope you can find a therapist that can help you and that you are able to find a strong support group. However, this is not the place for you to discuss this. This is a board for people TRYING to get pregnant.   

abjm0325

@acleverusername I'm so sorry you had to switch doctors. As if finding someone to connect with isn't hard enough in the first place. I don't have any insight into the new doc's medication suggestions, but I would think it might at least warrant a second opinion. Sending you lots of hugs as you navigate this. 

newmum97

Oh, I'm sorry :(

kiki047

@acleverusername I've heard varying/mixed opinions on what is/isn't safe during TTC and ultimately I think in the end you just have to weigh the pros/cons and find a balance that works best for you. While not the same because he isn't the one that would gestate a baby but DH was on Zoloft/Wellbutrin combo for the same reason, the Wellbutrin was to combat the side effects of the Zoloft, specifically libido. He talked to a new Dr (his GP retired) and he also said the same thing, why are you on both? He's off the Wellbutrin and on a higher dose of Zoloft and doing ok so far but the way my Dr explained it, they can't exactly do ethical studies on these things on pregnant women so it's just a balancing act. Get a second (third?) opinion if you're worried. 

Mental Health Diagnosis (if you have been) or What brings you to this thread today?: Depression and GAD

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/TTA): FET

Where are you in your mental health journey? (in treatment, looking for support, on meds, in counseling, having a rough day, etc.)  Miss Conception Coach is my counsellor, and I'd like to say that after 2+ years of working with her, I can also call her a friend (we do talk a little outside sessions, as we have a similar cultural background). I'd say it's easier to talk to someone you feel comfortable with, but I also understand that it makes it more difficult sometimes when the lines get a bit blurred. She is nothing but supportive though, and anyone that doesn't already follow her in IG should go do so immediately. I also just started on some antidepressants. I had been on meds years ago but have been managing my panic attacks with just lorazepam and it wasn't cutting it anymore. Although I know Zoloft is the drug of choice for TTC, my Dr recommended a low dose of Celexa/Citalopram to start, which is supposedly safe during pregnancy, but with the understanding that I would try to wean myself off if/when I ever got KU, dependent on how I am feeling at that time (knowing PGAL is also a mindf*** of its own). 

How are you feeling? Good, actually. Some mild GI upset from the drugs but it's only been 3 days, I won't really see any real benefits for several weeks. The placebo effect is real though, haha. Maybe it's the residual effects of vacation, or just that I'm feeling a little less on edge about C19 now that I've already had it, or because it's summer and I can spend time in my garden or out golfing which are my happy places... or just all of the above. I even went ahead and made a brunch date with a good friend of mine who *TW* I haven't seen since before she got KU (her son is like 9mo now) *end TW* and made a couple other social commitments which is something I haven't done basically at all throughout the last 2 years. It feels big, and I'm leaning into it while I feel good about it. I never know how long these feelings will last so I'll embrace it for as long as I can. 

acleverusername

@kiki047 How is it that I haven't heard of Miss Conception Coach? I just followed her on IG. Thank you! I'm happy to hear you decided to add some medication to help you cope. Citalopram / Cipralex is the same as Escitalopram / Lexapro. I hope it works for you (it does work for me, but the libido aspect is crummy). 

bbrahmbhatt

@newmum97 I'm sorry to hear of your struggles, it sounds like you are really going through a hard time. If you are feeling this way, it might help to get into therapy sooner, if possible. They might be able to get you in sooner if you call again. If you feel like you want to hurt yourself or anyone else, please call 988, the national mental health hotline, or go to your nearest emergency room and tell them you are thinking of hurting yourself. Please know you have people who love you in your life and there are resources to help you through this. Lots of pregnant women who have depression can manage their symptoms with medications and therapy, there is hope. Please take care of yourself. 

bearmomma1

This has been another rough week of a rough year. I'll TW spoiler for all sorts of loss talk, pg, baby talk.

We had to put our dog down on Tuesday. He was only 5 but battled epilepsy for half his life. We had to put our other dog down in February. My dad passed unexpectedly in March. We had a MC in Jan. This year has been so full of loss and no gains and it's devastating. All the loss keeps piling up and I'm not just missing my dog, but everyone we've lost in the last 2 years.
Also, my SIL gave birth on the day we put our dog down. We were waiting in the parking lot of the vet to bring him in when BIL calls to tell us of their healthy baby BOY. This SIL is the one I've been pregnant at the same time with TWICE, and they have 2 babies to show for it while we only have an urn and a positive pregnancy test. I haven't even been able to bring myself to call or text them congrats. Just feeling all the feels of grief and can't seem to find joy for others right now.

acleverusername

@bearmomma1 I am so very sorry for everything that you've gone through this year. In California, when it rains, it effing pours. Are you seeing a therapist to help you process all these feelings? Is it working? Btw, there is a monthly RESOLVE group that's a Zoom meeting with other women experiencing infertility in the Bay Area. This forum is great, but there's something to be said about seeing the faces of those you're giving support to / getting support from. If you're interested, PM me for details. 

kiki047

@bearmomma1 oh goodness, I am so very sorry for your loss. All of it. That is so much to process and I think you really nailed it when you said "this year has been so full of loss and no gains and it's devastating." Truly, you are so overdue for a win and I hope you get that soon my friend   sending you lots of love, and I hope your sweet pup is off to meet his friends over the rainbow bridge. 

anniemarie887

@bearmomma1 i'm so sorry, that's just so much to get thrown at you. sending you a big big hug from afar, i am so hoping the tides make a twift turn for you