Anyone start anti-depressants while pg?

becca2325

I think I'm having issues with pregnancy-induced depression. I will talk to my OB about it at my next appt, but wanted to see if anyone started taking them for the first time while pg? What did you take? How did you react?

mel72

DH's cousin started zoloft for pg # 2 and # 3, she developed problems w/ OCD.  She didn't have any issues taking it.  Best of luck!

nicolita14w

I did not start them while pg, but I was on them while pg. Good for you for talking to your OB. It would also be very helpful to talk to a psychiatrist because sometimes they are more up on the latest research.

 They are finding more and more than untreated depression is a risk factor for preterm labor and other issues, and there are several antidepressants out there that are pretty low-risk, especially after the first trimester.

Good luck to you and feel free to page me if you want to talk more. 

DavezWife

(I'm a nurse, and have worked pysch a lot)

I think it's very admirable that you're noticing something is "off" and are willing to consider a little help. There are meds that are considered safe to take while pregnant and BF'ing. Please make sure that your OB is asking many many questions, and does not just hand you something and say "here, hope it works"... that's not how this goes. You may want to see a psychiatrist just to get settled on something (they know what's safe and not) and they are better at "fine tuning" the dose for you.

The trick with taking meds is that people take them, feel better, then stop, because they feel better. Um, you feel better because you're taking the meds! Or you stop b/c you feel funny, too stoned, too this, too that... and often it's simply a matter of adjusting the dose or maybe switching to another kind. If you have family members that take something and it works for them, often that's a good kind to start with, if that works with pregnancy.

Paxil, Zoloft, Cymbalta and Celexa are all common ones that I see work for many people, but there are others that are nice too.

If I may be so bold.... usually pregnancy does not "induce" depression, but the hormones and such exasperate or "bring it to a head"... I would suspect that it's been looming around for a while, and maybe now you're just in the right state of mind to be able to recognize it, and be willing to attack it and get a little help kicking it's ugly head. Good for you! Happy women make happy moms. Not a darn thing wrong with getting a little help to get there!

GL !

Smudges*Mom

Better living through pharmaceuticals!

I did not start taking antidepressants during my pregnancy, but 3 weeks after delivery.  Truth be told. . . perhaps I should have started sooner.  I'm so pleased that you are going to talk with your OB about how you are feeling.  I can not tell you how much better I feel now that my meds are working.  I feel like I can be a better mom to my son now.

Speaking of which, time for me to go take my pill! (I'm on Prystiq--but I don't know if that is one of the "safe" meds, I'm not bfing, so that was not a concern.)

Best of luck and keep us posted!

DavezWife

the Prystiq thing reminded me... check with your insurance before your doc gets you going on anything other than the standard... if your insurance formulary says they will cover A, B & C and she puts you on D... you are going to have to fight to get it covered. They are getting quite picky these days due to "the economy" - I'm seeing this ALL the time now. No sense starting you on something you're going to have to fight for.

All you have to do is bring a list of "formulary meds" according to your insurance's website or handbook, or call your provider and ask them. It's usually pretty simple to check. If you simply must be on a particular one, it's a matter of some paperwork to get them to cover it. (I can help with that)

(and sometimes the "XR" and "CR" are not covered, so pay attention to the dose and details, too. uuuggghh)

becca2325

Thanks so much for the advice ladies. Davezwife- you're probably right. Not nec. pregnancy induced, it's been mild up to this point and I thought it was mostly IF-related, but since it's still lingering, I think it's time to do something about it. Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon. Thanks!

DavezWife

you're smart to get feeling better before PP time comes around - being aware of how you feel before the slaughter of hormones comes... yikes. MUCH easier to be ahead of the game ;-)