TTGP and Anti-Depressants

Soap1 · February 2013

Hello! We're just starting to try for #3 and I have a question. I take an anti-depressant every day - there's no solid evidence either way on whether it would affect a growing baby or not, but I would like to stop taking it when I get pregnant. eneral advice on stopping an SSRI says to decrease the dosage slowly over the course of a couple of weeks.

I could reduce the dosage now so that I can stop immediately when I get pregnant (though that could take months and I do find that 10mg is more effective for me), I could quit cold turkey from 10mg when I get the positive test, or I could reduce the dosage slowly over a few weeks while pregnant. Or obviously I could just stop them completely before I get pregnant but, as I said, that could take months so I'd rather not.

Anyone else TTGP and also taking anti-depressants? What do you plan to do?

Soap1 · February 2013

jefa621:
This sounds like something you should speak with your Dr. about.

I agree, and I will. I don't think there's one right answer, though, so I thought I'd ask others for their experience.

little_bren · February 2013

Soap1:
jefa621:
This sounds like something you should speak with your Dr. about.
I agree, and I will. I don't think there's one right answer, though, so I thought I'd ask others for their experience.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GO OFF YOUR ANTI-DEPRESSANTS COLD TURKEY OR W/O CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR!!!!! We are obviously not doctors, however, some meds are better for babies than others and your health and well-being is important as well your baby's. This is not my opinion, this is what I have been told by several medical professionals. I didn't want to TTC for a long time because I have severe depression and moderate anxiety and my medication gives me my life back and allows me to function. I was told that I could stay on my meds though.

pantherRN · February 2013

You really, really need to be asking your psychiatrist these questions and not a board of internet strangers. Like Chancie said, DO NOT EVER quit your anti-depressants cold turkey or try to wean yourself without a proper weaning schedule from your physician. They may not even recommend stopping your medication, you should keep that in mind as well.

LuClo · February 2013

Soap1:
jefa621:
This sounds like something you should speak with your Dr. about.
I agree, and I will. I don't think there's one right answer, though, so I thought I'd ask others for their experience.

There is more than one right answer, depending on the scenario. But from someone who works with psychiatrists, they really really don't like it when you go with any answer other than theirs. There's usually a good reason for what they recommend, like a reason they're putting their license behind. Don't burn bridges with your psychiatrist because of what someone on the internet says worked for them, or their baby daddy's-cousin's-friend's-sister.

Soap1 · February 2013

LuClo:
Soap1:
jefa621:
This sounds like something you should speak with your Dr. about.
I agree, and I will. I don't think there's one right answer, though, so I thought I'd ask others for their experience.
There is more than one right answer, depending on the scenario. But from someone who works with psychiatrists, they really really don't like it when you go with any answer other than theirs. There's usually a good reason for what they recommend, like a reason they're putting their license behind. Don't burn bridges with your psychiatrist because of what someone on the internet says worked for them, or their baby daddy's-cousin's-friend's-sister.

I'm not planning to go against what my doctors recommend. I was just wondering what others are experiencing. I won't make my decisions based on what you all tell me, don't worry

krdesi · February 2013

I take an anxiety medication every day and like you said, it might take months to get pregnant (which is has for me) and you could be going crazy before then if you change your medication dosage. If you need it, continue taking it and speak to your doctor about options. I know there have been women on here with doctors that allowed them to take a managed dose of medication throughout their pregnancies so that they were sane and comfortable.

I have weaned myself to half a pill a day which is an improvement for me and my doctor is comfortable with the fact that I could just stop at that dose if I get my bfp.

GL

nicole mackenzie · February 2013

Soap1:
Hello! nbsp;We're just starting to try for 3 and I have a question. nbsp;I take an antidepressant every day there's no solid evidence either way on whether it would affect a growing baby or not, butnbsp;I would like to stop taking it when I get pregnant. nbsp;eneral advice on stopping an SSRI says to decrease the dosage slowly over the course of a couple of weeks. nbsp;I could reduce the dosage now so that I can stop immediately when I get pregnant though that could take months and I do find that 10mg is more effective for me, I could quit cold turkey from 10mg when I get the positive test, or I could reduce the dosage slowly over a few weeks while pregnant. Or obviously I could just stop them completely before I get pregnant but, as I said, that could take months so I'd rather not.Anyone else TTGP and also taking antidepressants? What do you plan to do?

I take the ssri Prozac. My doctor said u could stay on it or switch to Zoloft which he said is safer or if I'm able to be healthy and happy without it, ideally wean myself off.

I chose to wean original dose 20mgs once a day

I did every other day for 3 weeks and felt good minus some GI stuff.

Then every 3rd day for 2 weeks and then I just stopped because I forgot.

Counseling may be a good idea to help stay off the meds.

Good luck

catmagick · February 2013

I have a lot of experience with this. I don't think going off your meds cold turkey is a good idea, but it depends on what meds you are taking. Some are easier than others. I used to be on a med that was not big deal if I forgot one day. Another I was on would leave me woozy and lightheaded if I missed even one day! So you should check into the withdrawal symptoms. I weaned off of Lexapro this past summer in order to start TTC. It sucked, big time. But, I'm glad I did it! I was taking 20 mgs and it took a full two months for the medicine to leave my body completely. I had symptoms even after I was done taking it. I am doing acupuncture and taking herbs and supplements that are confirmed safe (by my medical practitioners) for pregnancy. Can't say that I feel as good as I did when I was medicated, (I am having other health issues that are really depressing) but it is pretty nice not to have to experience the side effects anymore. Anyway, i hope that helps! It is always helpful to hear the experiences of others, I think, even though ultimately you have to make your own decision. Good luck!

Nea2009 · February 2013

My doctor recommended tapering off of Zoloft a month before we started trying. I wouldn't do cold turkey because even tapering off was hard for me. I say talk to your doc first.

Tigerbunny4568 · February 2013

I weaned off of Lexapro in preparation fro getting pregnant. I wanted to be totally off of it before I got pregnant. Actually things haven't been too bad. I've been off for two months now. so... yay! Good luck

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