Qs about Zoloft and PPD

FordFalcor

I had a long discussion with one of the midwives yesterday about the awful PPD/PPA that I experienced for months after my first delivery. I also mentioned to her that I have had several anxious/morbid thoughts lately that remind me of how I felt postpartum. She said they went ahead and put a note in my file to send me home after delivery with a Rx for Zoloft so I won't have to wait to start treatment if it gets really bad again. So, here are a few stupid and probably vain questions.

Did it affect your weight loss postpartum? I gained a crazy amount of weight in the short time I was on Celexa but that was over 10 years ago. I know this is vain but my body image sucks to begin with...

How long did you have to take it?

Was weaning off the med difficult?

What was your experience with BFing, if it's something that was/is important to you?

Thanks in advance!

BLT20051

I've got nothing because Zoloft made my anxiety worse so I switched but I'm glad you are being proactive and have a plan ready!

FordFalcor

Baconlettucetomato:

I've got nothing because Zoloft made my anxiety worse so I switched but I'm glad you are being proactive and have a plan ready!

Thank you. It's so hard for me to discuss and I inevitably cry when I talk about it IRL but I feel hopeful that my experience this time will be so much better.

BLT20051

ihearttab:

Baconlettucetomato:

I've got nothing because Zoloft made my anxiety worse so I switched but I'm glad you are being proactive and have a plan ready!

Thank you. It's so hard for me to discuss and I inevitably cry when I talk about it IRL but I feel hopeful that my experience this time will be so much better.

It's hard to admit you need help. Believe me, I know. We're on the look out for PPD/PPA since I have a past with PTSD and generalized anxiety. I think the best thing you can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

CindyRelluh

I was on Zoloft for many years. If anything, I lost weight using it! I didn't bf dd so I don't have any insight on that subject, but I can tell you weaning was rough for me on more than one brand. Cymbalta was the absolute WORST, but Zoloft I think was the easiest, I just felt zoned from time to time.

Once I go back on anxiety meds, that will be my choice. I don't like feeling like a zombie, and it never did that to me. You can also get the generic Zoloft for supa cheap! It's called Sertraline, which most insurance companies will give you anyways.

ETA Don't think you're vain in the least. I could piggyback everything you said in your op, so you definitely aren't alone. I was 135 pre preg before dd, and now I'm over 200. Hard to admit, but it really can cause your anxiety to get worse.

Luthy

I haven't been on zoloft myself so I can't really help there but my psych is planning to see me really frequently after birth to monitor me for PPD since I have GAD and severe depression. I think it's great that you have a plan in place and I hope that it's much better this time for you!

ETA: I've heard weaning off of Zoloft is easier than lots of the other meds. For me I never had too much trouble weaning off of anything (and I have been on a LOT of different meds) until weaning off Celexa which kicked my butt big time. 

ash1980

I think it's great that you are being proactive!  I struggled tremendously with PPD/PPOCD last time and I'm trying to do everything I can to prepare myself this time.  I don't have experience with Zoloft, but I'm on another SSRI (Prozac) and it helps so much.  Honestly, I've been on it for a long time and probably won't ever go off because I'm predisposed to depression and it always comes back without it.  It doesn't sound like you struggle with depression all the time though, just mainly post-partum?  I would think you could wean off pretty easily, but obviously I'm not a doctor.  Also, I'm pretty sure you can breastfeed while on an SSRI. 

llsarmy

I took zoloft after my last 2 pregnancies.

The first baby I took it for about 6 months but I didnt start taking it for 3? or so months ( I was scared to admit something was wrong) For my second baby they put me right on it because my baby was in the NICU and other major life changes were happening so they wanted to jump on it. 

I never had an issue weaning off of it.

GirlWithAnchors

I took Zoloft when I was younger for my depression and it helped me a lot. I lost weight because I was feeling better and started taking more interest in myself. But I wasn't pregnant so the results could be different but just my experience with it was positive. Weening off was super easy. Just went from two a day to one a day to one every other day etc. I hope this can kinda help! I'm glad your taking precautions smiley face! High five for looking after you!

bel194

I was on Zoloft before I got pregnant and weaned off of it a few weeks after the bfp. I've been on a lot of other antidepressants and Zoloft has been by far my favorite. I've had barely any side effects from it and weaning off was relatively easy. I don't have any experience regarding breast feeding. I plan on asking my ob about going back on it after the baby next week because I've been having really bad thoughts lately also and I'm terrified of getting ppd. I hope everything works out for you!

FordFalcor

TabbiC:

I was on Zoloft for many years. If anything, I lost weight using it! I didn't bf dd so I don't have any insight on that subject, but I can tell you weaning was rough for me on more than one brand. Cymbalta was the absolute WORST, but Zoloft I think was the easiest, I just felt zoned from time to time.

Once I go back on anxiety meds, that will be my choice. I don't like feeling like a zombie, and it never did that to me. You can also get the generic Zoloft for supa cheap! It's called Sertraline, which most insurance companies will give you anyways.

ETA Don't think you're vain in the least. I could piggyback everything you said in your op, so you definitely aren't alone. I was 135 pre preg before dd, and now I'm over 200. Hard to admit, but it really can cause your anxiety to get worse.

My step brother had an awful time with Cymbalta as well and so the weaning process was fresh in my mind. I'm glad to hear that it wasn't too bad with Zoloft.

Thanks for the input!

FordFalcor

Luthy:

I haven't been on zoloft myself so I can't really help there but my psych is planning to see me really frequently after birth to monitor me for PPD since I have GAD and severe depression. I think it's great that you have a plan in place and I hope that it's much better this time for you!ETA: I've heard weaning off of Zoloft is easier than lots of the other meds. For me I never had too much trouble weaning off of anything and I have been on a LOT of different meds until weaning off Celexa which kicked my butt big time.nbsp;

I'm so glad that your doctors are looking out for you too.

I am convinced that Celexa is responsible for a horrible habit/tic I developed not long after stopping.

FordFalcor

ash1980:

I think it's great that you are being proactive!nbsp; I struggled tremendously with PPD/PPOCD last time and I'm trying to do everything I can to prepare myself this time.nbsp; I don't have experience with Zoloft, but I'm on another SSRI Prozac and it helps so much.nbsp; Honestly, I've been on it for a long time and probably won't ever go off because I'm predisposed to depression and it always comes back without it.nbsp; It doesn't sound like you struggle with depression all the time though, just mainly postpartum?nbsp; I would think you could wean off pretty easily, but obviously I'm not a doctor.nbsp; Also, I'm pretty sure you can breastfeed while on an SSRI.nbsp;

Yes, the midwife did say that only a tiny amount is transferred through breastmilk but I just wondered if anyone had supply or other issues they thought could be linked.

I hope you have a much better postpartum experience this time since you're on a med that's been working so well!

FordFalcor

llsarmy:

I took zoloft after my last 2 pregnancies. The first baby I took it for about 6 months but I didnt start taking it for 3? or so months I was scared to admit something was wrong For my second baby they put me right on it because my baby was in the NICU and other major life changes were happening so they wanted to jump on it.nbsp;I never had an issue weaning off of it.

Yep. I was terrified to admit how bad a time I was having after Lucy's birth. I figure telling the board, my midwives, my husband, the mailman...I'll have a support system to keep me in check. :]

FordFalcor

GirlWithAnchors:

I took Zoloft when I was younger for my depression and it helped me a lot. I lost weight because I was feeling better and started taking more interest in myself. But I wasn't pregnant so the results could be different but just my experience with it was positive. Weening off was super easy. Just went from two a day to one a day to one every other day etc. I hope this can kinda help! I'm glad your taking precautions smiley face! High five for looking after you!

Aww, thank you!

FordFalcor

heelibrarian:

Tab, I'm glad you're getting a plan together ahead of time!nbsp; I've struggled with anxiety and depression for the last 13 years or so.nbsp; Wellbutrin is my drug of choice, so to speak. I was on it the entire pg with DS and for whatever reason, when he was in the special care nursery, they ABRUPTLY switched me to Zoloft, stating it was safer for bf.nbsp; YIKES.nbsp; So my experience with Zoloft was not rosy at all, didn't work, and now I know better to stay on what works.nbsp;My PPD was terrible!nbsp; nbsp;My psych monitors me closely and MWs are comfortable with what I'm on and I will not be switching this time!nbsp; Zoloft was also difficult for me to wean off of we tried it in addition to the Wellbutrin, but you know?nbsp; I think everyone has a different experience, different brain chemistries.nbsp; Hey, I've been there will be preparing for it, anyway, as well PM me if you ever want to talk.nbsp; The best thing is to be watching out for it and hopefully nipping problems in the bud when they arise!

Thank you so much. I'm sorry you had a tough time but how weird for them to switch you all willy nilly! I've heard great things about Wellbutrin and I'm glad it's working for you. :]

FordFalcor

bel194:

I was on Zoloft before I got pregnant and weaned off of it a few weeks after the bfp. I've been on a lot of other antidepressants and Zoloft has been by far my favorite. I've had barely any side effects from it and weaning off was relatively easy. I don't have any experience regarding breast feeding. I plan on asking my ob about going back on it after the baby next week because I've been having really bad thoughts lately also and I'm terrified of getting ppd. I hope everything works out for you!

Thank you. It's good to be able to recognize those feelings when they start and get treatment. Good luck next week!

jane.says

Did it affect your weight loss postpartum? No, it didn't seem to.

How long did you have to take it? I chose to take it until I was TTC again (about a year).

Was weaning off the med difficult? Not at all. I was on 50mg/day, dropped down to 25mg/day for 2 weeks, then nothing.

What was your experience with BFing, if it's something that was/is important to you? It was and is super important to me, and it didn't affect it at all. I EBF both kids for 13 months.

Good luck to you! Zoloft was a life saver for me, and I will be taking it again after I deliver this baby. 

Stardust54

I agree with what others have said regarding good experiences with it, no weight gain, easily weaned. I breastfed my DD on it and the only risk to baby is a very small chance of them having trouble gaining weight. I talked to her pediatrician and just told him I was taking it and he made me feel much better about it. She wasn't affected by it all. I'm so excited to get back on it like rigt after I finish pushing lol. Good luck!