struggling with guilt
wheelsonthebus
member
I have been struggling with severe anxiety and some depression since college. I started taking 10mg prozac a year before having DS and it changed my life. I finally felt better. I stayed on the prozac during my pregnancy and nursing DS. I felt so happy and content all of that time. After wearning DS, I weaned myself off of the prozac and felt good for a while. When I became pregnant with my DD, the depression started up. I started having trouble sleeping etc. I thought it was the pregnancy.
After I had DD, I felt great for a couple of weeks, then the trouble started up again. I would have a few good days and then a few bad days. Now, the bad days are frequent and the good days rare.
I went to my psychiatrist and she told me I should go back on my 10mg of prozac since it made me feel so great. I agree, but I'm feeling so guilty about exposing DD to this because we are nursing. Nursing is very important for me and I don't feel like weaning is an option, but I need to get well. My midwife said that it is fine to take while nursing and that a happy mom is the best thing etc etc, but I can't get past this. DS was a very tough baby and is a tough child. He never slept well. DD is the best sleeper and such a relaxed baby. I can't help but have these thoughts.
I'm planning on taking the prozac tomorrow morning, but the guilt is awful. Anyone have a similar situation? I'm trying so hard to tell myself that it's a small dose and that she will probably not have any reactions. This guilt paired with the terrible anxiety is just killing me! uggh
Re: struggling with guilt
I'm so sorry you're going through this! I just found out a few weeks ago that I am pregnant and I swear that I immediately started having feelings of depression. I am excited and happy to be pregnant, but the hormones are overwhelming. After my son was born I immediately went into horrible depression. I got on lexapro immediately and it definitely helped. They then added wellbutrin to it. I nursed him for a year and took the meds even longer than that. No problems whatsoever. He is a smart, normal, perfect little boy. I feel like you really need to take care of yourself in order to take care of your children. How long do you plan on nursing? I think only a very small percentage can even get to the baby.For some reason 5% rings a bell. I would definitely suggest starting it b/c it will help you be a better mother if you are happier. Good luck and I will be praying for you!
Also, you said you took meds while pregnant with your son? No problems then, right?
Thank you, Ladies. I did take 10mg prozac during my pregnancy with DS and nursed him for 2 years on it. He is fine and never had any side effects at all. I was so happy during that time. So happy that I weaned off the prozac and felt great for many months.
I started the prozac again yesterday and of course I'm completely paranoid that DD isn't sleeping as well etc. I think it's just the anxiety because I honestly never even gave it a second thought with DS. I talked to my doctors and they said it was such a small dose, not even to worry. And I didn't. I was a happy, loving mother. I need to remember that feeling and tell myself that I'm going to feel better again.