Any others on depression meds?

LaurenAsh23 · September 2013

I've been on Zoloft for the past 3 years or so. I've gone off the meds a few times off and on, but I've always had to go back on. I decided to stay on my meds through the pregnancy, but now I'm wondering if I should up my meds, I'm really starting to feel the way I did before I was even on meds. I know pregnancy hormones are crazy, I just don't know what is normal.ive become very withdrawn, all I do is sleep (which I don't know if its due to depression or pregnancy), I have no motivation to do much of anything, all I want to do is cry...please tell me about your experiences!

rachbaby1 · September 2013

What dose are you taking? I have stayed on 50mg with my doctor's blessing, but she did say that she would feel safe with a higher dose if I felt I needed it. It is definitely worth brining it up with your doctor if you think you need an adjustment.

KariB509 · September 2013

I'm on Prozac and have been for a very long time, including when I was pregnant with DS. I too have tried to go off of it, only to have such severe anxiety and depression that it's nearly impossible to function.
The first tri is really tough. Not feeling well and being exhausted day in and day out is certainly cause to feel depressed. I would personally wait and see how you feel in the second tri. If you still feel bad, perhaps then think about weaning off the medicine or switching to another. I'm sure you know though to never just stop taking it. Hope you start feeling better--you're not alone.

jfb29 · September 2013

I'm on Wellbutrin xl. Like you I have gone off a few times but always gone back to taking meds. Before I went back on them in June I spoke with my RE who said I needed to take care of the depression and that Wellbutrin should be ok. I'd monitor yourself closely and if you are concerned, talk with your doc. Are you seeing a therapist? If not, you might consider that as well to help with your emotions.

rachbaby1 · September 2013

torilea said:
I wish I still was. I was on Celexa and Abilify before I got pregnant, and when I got pregnant my doctor took me off of them. I really feel like I need them again. Like its bad. But he says absolutely no antidepressants while I'm pregnant. It's frustrating.

That sounds like torture! Did he ask you to start more therapy or something to help? My doctor has said that Paxil is the only absolute no, and anything else she recommends case by case.

LaurenAsh23 · September 2013

rachbaby1 said:

What dose are you taking? I have stayed on 50mg with my doctor's blessing, but she did say that she would feel safe with a higher dose if I felt I needed it. It is definitely worth brining it up with your doctor if you think you need an adjustment.

I'm on 50mg. I'm going to give it a week and ill talk to the nurse practitioner at my next appt about it.

BethRN1987 · September 2013

I take lexapro and I couldn't give it up even if I wanted to. Last time I was off my medication my depression got really bad. My doctor won't let me go off of it anymore. AND they say the biggest risk is the first trimester so what's done is done so not to worry about taking it during the second and third trimester

rachbaby1 · September 2013

torilea said:

rachbaby1 said:

torilea said:
I wish I still was. I was on Celexa and Abilify before I got pregnant, and when I got pregnant my doctor took me off of them. I really feel like I need them again. Like its bad. But he says absolutely no antidepressants while I'm pregnant. It's frustrating.
That sounds like torture! Did he ask you to start more therapy or something to help? My doctor has said that Paxil is the only absolute no, and anything else she recommends case by case.

No it was my OB, and he had no suggestions for me. I'm not seeing my psychiatrist anymore because she isn't on my insurance anymore, and I don't want to start with a new one right now because I have a long history and retelling it would majorly suck. I'm not even seeing my therapist now because she moved her office about 45 minutes away and I just don't want to drive that far on a weekly basis. I probably should go to a new psychiatrist because I really do need to be back on them.

Do you have a primary care physician? I'm not saying don't trust your Ob, but maybe having at least another medical professional to talk to would be nice. I totally understand about the psychiatrist, starting that relationship up from scratch with no meds would be a huge emotional event! I see a counselor and have my meds prescribed by my primary, and they don't mind working together at all. Finding a psychiatrist with my insurance, who actually had openings, was a nightmare, and the counselor is a lot cheaper and has better hours.

I am so sorry you are going through that, without the zoloft my anxiety is so off the charts I would never enjoy a second of pregnancy.

benevolentforce · September 2013

I'm not on meds, but wanted to offer support as I have/had plenty of people in my life who have struggled with depression with both happy and tragic outcomes. If you feel like you need meds, and your doctor won't help you find the right ones to use throughout your pregnancy, then you need a new doctor. I'm the last person to advocate general medicine use during pregnancy, but medicine related to depression is in a different category. Your baby needs you to be healthy - and that includes your mental health. FWIW, here's an article from Dooce regarding her choice to continue to use Prozac through her pregnancy: https://dooce.com/2008/12/02/bump-watch-begins/. I hope you all find what you need to be happy and healthy.

ETA: I hope this doesn't sound preachy! Please know it's not. I have lost people to depression because of stupid non-mental health doctors who made stupid choices thinking they knew better. Just want you to know there are people out there who support you. I hope you have people in your RLs to stand with you too.

ceh789 · September 2013

Echoing what benevolentforce just said - please find someone who will work with you. Exacerbation of depression symptoms is an urgent medical issue that cannot be ignored. If you let this go, it is likely that things will get worse and with the hormone storm of pregnancy that can end in tragedy. Please don't ignore this. In answer to your original question - I'm on Effexor and planning to talk to my OB about possibly adding something or changing the dose as my anxiety has been increasing steadily over the last few weeks. Good luck.

Candileigh03 · September 2013

I'm the Paxil poster child. Couldn't live with out it. I took it with my dd and chose to continue with this pregnancy as well

MeggsM · September 2013

Have you tried any type of therapy? I used to be in cipralex for mood disorders and found that doing CBT or cognitive behavioural therapy worked so well I'm off the meds now and dealing with stresses and stuff using things I learned in CBT. Just a thought cause that's what worked for me but to each her own. Talk to your doc and maybe look into therapy of some sort. Good luck!

springbaby03 · September 2013

Im on wellbutrin...took it my entire pregnancy with dd, shes in 100% excellent health. I plan to stay on it this entire pregnancy as well.

Jessabelly · September 2013

I have taken Zoloft 50 mg for the past couple years. When I found out I was pregnant I called my doctor and she told me to wean off of it and have me a plan. At my first visit to my OB he told me its healthier to take it and feel good than to go off and be miserable. I am now taking 50 mg daily and he said after birth go back up to 100. I cannot imaging having to be completely off. Good luck to you.

MeggsM · September 2013

Sorry I just read some of the earlier posts:) I also ended up working through a clinic that helps people particularly during a crisis or a stressful period. They are totally cheaper than a doc. Also my doc had special appointments for people waiting to get in with a psychiatrist etc that he would manage care in between other docs. I'd try calling around your area. I know it's tough to make those calls but it will be worth it for you and your bebe to find something. Good luck, thoughts are with you and remember you are not alone

[Deleted User] · September 2013

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stepheverhart · September 2013

I'm on Lexapro. I tried to ween myself off before I became pregnant but I was an absolute mess so I decided to stay on. Since I've been pregnant I feel very emotional and have no interest in anything. However, I do remember feeling that way during my first pregnancy with my son. Honestly call your dr maybe they can give you something that will help you get through. I'm so sorry for how you are feeling.

corbsmom · September 2013

I was but decided to wean off, which was NOT easy. I felt like it wasn't doing much good for me once my pregnancy hormones really kicked in anyway. I'd talk to your doctor about upping your meds or maybe giving you something additional if you're having a hard time.

Excitedmum35 · September 2013

I'm on zoloft 50mg. I was on cymbalta but I was weaned off that to nothing as I wanted to get pregnant but when I was on nothing I got so frustrated with ppl at work it was horrible!
I feel fine - not depressed - but EXTREMELY lethargic and I sleep from about 7:30pm til 6:30am. I haven't felt teary too much- only very occasionally.
It's not worth feeling crappy. I know how much the medication helps me- if I was feeling as bad as I have before I'd be not leaving a drs office without a script!
I hope you get something sorted soon.

my1stbabyat23 · September 2013

Im not on meds but I sleep ALOT and also feel like not moving a finger. Everything to me seems like a drag im worried . :-??

jjt616 · September 2013

I'm sorry you are feeling so depressed. I have been on Zoloft for years. I weaned off of it before I was pregnant with dd and I felt great through out my whole pregnancy. Must have been the pregnancy hormones worked in my favor in that regard. After dd I definitely had to go back on it. When I found out I was pregnant with this LO I again weaned off of it. I'm not so lucky this time as I don't feel as great as I did. It's not to the point where I feel I need to go back on my medicine but its something I am monitoring because if I do get worse I'm going back on it. My pcp told me that if I feel like I need it that he has no problem putting me on a dosage up to 50 to start with and maybe more if I needed that.

I would suggest trying something different with your medicine whether its more or less or none at all because what's going on now isn't working. I wish you the best and hope you start feeling better soon

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