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High-Risk Pregnancy
Bipolar and Pregnant
Does anyone have advice about or experience with anxiety/depression/bipolar medication while pregnant? I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 5 years ago. I managed my condition without regular medication up until the birth of my first son in 2009, when I began taking Celexa. I had weaned myself off by 2010 and haven't taken any medicines since. I'm 33wks pregnant now; the tremendous lack of sleep, daily stress of raising a 3 yr old, and increasing anxiety about the birth are taking a toll on my mental health. At my last OB visit, my doctor suggested that I visit the Psych ER. She said that I'm at risk for having a major 'episode' and should be evaluated and probably medicated. I didn't go. I'm afraid of potential dangers to the baby, how my changes might affect my toddler, and becoming chemically dependent. Any advice? I'd also like to know if anyone has homeopathic remedies I could try before resorting to medication.
*TINKAU*
Things I Now Know And Understand
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Re: Bipolar and Pregnant
Have you ever been in Zoloft? It's given to a lot of pregnant women. I was allergic to it though .. firgures! I am on my Effexor XR still and the doc's said its safer for me to stay on that then to be without med's. The added stress and anxiety takes a toll on the babies. (twins) I guess enough stress can cause the placenta to detach.. yikes!
When I feel really anxious sometimes I take one Benedryl. It's safe during pregnancy and is recommended to help calm people. If I can't sleep at night I take 2 benedryl and it lets me fall asleep and get at least 3-4 hours sleep. Its safer then a lot of other med's the doc's could give ya.
I have severe panic and anxiety. Being pregnant with twins has made it more then double! I know a lot is the hormones but I know a lot is the stress of being pregnant. I suffered two previous second trimester losses. There is a lot the doc's can give you but a lot of the time they don't want to give med's. You just have to make sure they KNOW how serious it is and that you need them! In my case I would not survive without them!
I was diagnosed bipolar about 3m after ds was born. They thought it was ppd, but it was not, alas. Psychosis rocks... In conjunction with my psychiatrist, I started taking lamictal when we were ttc as its the best studied and most benign of the bipolar meds. I will be seeing him about once a week for the last month of this pregnancy. I see him once a month now.
As for homeopathic remedies for bipolar, the only ones I can think of ate omega fatty acids and adequate sleep. They list quite a few in the book Why Am I Still Depressed. It is a great book overall for bipolar.
Thanks for the advice. And Congrats on the Twins!
I've never been on Zoloft or Effexor, or really anything other than Celexa. My doctor prescribed low dose Ambien to help me sleep, but it doesn't work. I still wake up multiple times throughout the night. I'm sure at my next visit, the Doc will make sure I'm given something that actually helps.