Being off depressions meds and coping...

Mandii385 · October 2013

Hello ladies. I was just wondering if any of you are going through this like I am. I was on lexapro for depression/ anxiety for over a year and when I found out I was pregnant I had to stop the meds. I have been ok up until recently the smallest things make me so angry and depressed. I feel sad and lonely all the time and the depression is coming back plus I feel super anti-social and completely unlike myself. Its also probably a mix of being off my meds and pregnancy hormones but my self confidence is horrible. I feel huge and very uncomfortable with myself and my body. I know there are other meds I could go on that are ok during pregnancy but I had bad experiences on other meds before with side effects and would prefer to stay med free as much as possible during pregnancy . So my question for you is, have you gone through this, what did you do to cope?

RobynLovesDano · October 2013

I've never gone through this, but I'm sorry to hear you are struggling

do you have a counselor that you meet with? Maybe more frequent meetings would help you during this time. Also exercise and fresh air always perk me up! Maybe taking a walk in the evenings will help clear your head and make you feel better? I'm no expert tho

MissSusieQ · October 2013

I haven't been on anti depressants sit a couple of years, but I notice some of the signs coming through right now. I just really try to push myself to go through the motions. When it comes to my easy temper and frustration I have to remember to take a step back, breath and count to 10. It's hard to do especially in the heat of the moment.

For me it's been very stressful at work, but I know I really have to keep my cool there so my family tends to get the brunt of it and then I feel like a horrible mom, wife, and daughter. October is also a really difficult time of the year for me and I tend to always get pulled into some sort of depressive state. I also try, especially during this month, to think of the positives in my life. For instance it's my SS birthday the 26th so I want to make sure it's a very happy time for him and I try to go do the fun things with DS such as the pumpkin patch and so forth.

I do second going to someone you can talk to. That seems to help as well. Unfortunately for me I haven't seen a counselor in years and don't have the trust built up with anyone.

candypantsls · October 2013

Hang in there, girl, just a few more months. I know that if you have a need for medication, it is not as simple as some make it sound to feel better. But what had helped me in the past is keeping my momentum up. I find that if I go through the motions, work out, and get together with people even when it's the very thing I want to avoid, at least it keeps me moving and not holing up, secluding myself, and making it worse. Do the best you can, I believe through prayer and the love of your husband you can keep swimming until you can get on your meds again. Keep it up!

Carmlvsjose · October 2013

Have you talked to your doctor about meds that are safe during pregnancy? I have been taking Zoloft for depression and anxiety. I took it while pregnant with my DD and through nursing her and all was fine. Sometimes meds are necessary to cope with these issues, just as some meds are necessary to deal with certain illnesses. Might be worth the discussion if you feel like the feelings are out if your control.....

Hope all works out!

precious72381 · October 2013

I'm still on zolaft for a few more weeks but nervous about stopping. As others said, do you meet with a therapist? Also, it can be expensive depending on insurance coverage, but I did acupuncture during some of my Ivf cycles and found that it personally helped my anxiety even better than my meds.

Carmlvsjose · October 2013

precious72381 said:
I'm still on zolaft for a few more weeks but nervous about stopping. As others said, do you meet with a therapist? Also, it can be expensive depending on insurance coverage, but I did acupuncture during some of my Ivf cycles and found that it personally helped my anxiety even better than my meds.

Just curious why you are going off?

megngregk · October 2013

Mandii385 said:

Hello ladies. I was just wondering if any of you are going through this like I am. I was on lexapro for depression/ anxiety for over a year and when I found out I was pregnant I had to stop the meds. I have been ok up until recently the smallest things make me so angry and depressed. I feel sad and lonely all the time and the depression is coming back plus I feel super anti-social and completely unlike myself. Its also probably a mix of being off my meds and pregnancy hormones but my self confidence is horrible. I feel huge and very uncomfortable with myself and my body. I know there are other meds I could go on that are ok during pregnancy but I had bad experiences on other meds before with side effects and would prefer to stay med free as much as possible during pregnancy . So my question for you is, have you gone through this, what did you do to cope?

I've never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, but this is completely me right now. Since my DH deployed, I've been completely anti-social and disinterested in just about everything. I haven't even been as active on here like I was before. I sat in DH's Jeep crying for 20 minutes the other night because I didn't want to come into my mom's house after going to the store. There's a lot of changes going on right now, and sometimes it can just be a lot to deal with. Having to stop your meds doesn't make matters any better. I don't have any advice other than to talk to your OB and see what you can do to get through the next few months. Hang in there hun. You're not alone in feeling lost right now.

Mandii385 · October 2013

Thanks ladies! I think what really pushed me over the edge was last night my husband told me he would not be able to switch his shift at work. He works at a prison and works second shift and I work first so I can't talk/ see him from 7 am to 8 pm 5/6 days a week. He isn't allowed to have his phone in the prison (understandably) but it makes for a really lonely day. Oh and he has rotating days off so he only gets 2 weekends off every two months. Sorry for the rant. I saw a therapist for almost two years and worked through all my issues, I was in a really good place but between not being on meds and pregnancy hormones I feel emotionally reversed from where I was.

tesskerr · October 2013

I hear ya! I was taking Effexor, we cut down the half a dose. Then another half a dose, now nothing.

Some days I feel exactly like you, i especially don't want to see my friends, clean the house, etc. I find myself getting really angry, and stressed at work. We tried me again on the smallest dose possible, but it made me so sick I just couldn't take it.

I just keep telling myself there is only a few months to go! Jump on here and waste some time, find a little project, watch a movie, read a book. We are moving soon so when I am really down I make myself pack some boxes. For some reason that helps.

precious72381 · October 2013

Carmlvsjose said:

precious72381 said:
I'm still on zolaft for a few more weeks but nervous about stopping. As others said, do you meet with a therapist? Also, it can be expensive depending on insurance coverage, but I did acupuncture during some of my Ivf cycles and found that it personally helped my anxiety even better than my meds.
Just curious why you are going off?

My doc that prescibes it says it is best not to be on in third trimester. Plus, I won't be able to breast feed on the meds, and I'm hoping to try. My high risk doc thinks I should stay on because she is concerned that i would have a higher risk for post-parton depression. But I take it for anxiety. I talked it over with my doc and will try going off and see how I feel. I'm only on 25mg now anyway, so it is minimal. I guess if I stay on third trimester, I may need to stay on it breast feeding since it may be in baby's system. I see my doc in a few weeks before I stop to make sure it is best. But after my moodiness today over nothing, I figure even anxiety meds can't control pregnancy hormones. Today was my only second time getting emotional, I have been pretty level headed most of this pregnancy, even with being high-risk and in bed rest since 21 weeks.

Carmlvsjose · October 2013

I'm so glad to hear you are handling your anxiety so well!!

I tried to go off with both pregnancies and wasn't able to hang.....even with non med interventions. I ended up staying on the meds through nursing my dd for 18 months and will probably have to do the same with this baby.

JaneW2 · October 2013

Hi, Mandii. I've been in pretty good mental health this pregnancy, probably because I'm not cycling, but I was pretty worried about AFTER. I made an appointment with my psychiatrist, and he said that I'd probably be OK, but if I'm not OK, it's important to seek help as soon as possible.

He also said that if I need to go back on meds after delivery, I should aim for just one week of breast-feeding, just so the baby gets some colostrum, and then if need be, wean to formula and start taking meds again. Having a mentally healthy mother is so much more important than what the baby is fed.

kokomo1010 · October 2013

I am so sorry you are feeling this way. ...And you are so right about the pregnancy hormones being a big part of the ups and downs...I was diagnosed with high anxiety last year and opted to forego meds altogether and find other ways to manage it.
I saw a therapist and she directed me to the following:

1. Keeping a gratitude journal helped me tremendously. Anytime I'm feeling bad, I break out the journal and jot down lists, write in paragraphs, or just scribble my stream of consciousness and I am always able to bring myself out of the slump. It has truly changed my life. It's opened doors for me that I never imagined and I am a MUCH happier person because I am consciously recognizing everything that is great in my life.

2. I've also made huge changes in my diet and exercise routine. I eat tons of protein, drink little caffeine, and stay away from processed foods as often as possible. I don't deprive myself of anything I crave:), but I try not to go overboard. And BREAKFAST!!! Eat as soon as you get up if you can and make sure you are getting some sort of protein at every meal/snack.

3. I try to walk everyday... Whether its 10 minutes or 30, doesn't matter... Just get out there and try to move. Just walking around releases chemicals in your brain that actually make you happier.:)

4. Listen to music.

5. Give yourself a break. (I have to remind myself everyday!) Your body is doing something AMAZING right now!! What matters is not what you believe other people to think about you, but how you feel about yourself and the miraculous journey you are on right now.

You are in my thoughts. Hang in there, Momma. Everything's gonna be alright:)!

msteph113 · October 2013

I was on celexa for 4 years before my pregnancy and am really really struggling without it. I find that talking to people and distracting myself with baby things makes me happiest

mjv111 · October 2013

Although I've never taken medication or talked with a therapist, I've struggled with mild anxiety/depression for a long time. I've been able to manage it pretty well by getting myself into a routine where I feel balanced - staying busy enough with school/work but not too busy, involving myself in creative projects that won't overwhelm me, and eating well and exercising without beating myself up about having dessert or skipping a workout. The last couple of months have been really challenging for me because I have had to deal with a number of changes to my routine - and then, of course, the hormones! You're not alone. Many of the suggestions made by others are wonderful. Walking, writing, reading, doing a project... I'd also recommend mapping out a routine for your day or week or month - whatever feels manageable. If you plan when to do each task, it might be easier to keep everything in perspective and reassure yourself that things will get done. I've found that this has helped keep me from getting overwhelmed recently. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starting to feel like there is so much to do and time is running out! Then I get overwhelmed and depressed and I just don't do anything. Making a plan helps me feel like I have things under control. It also (usually) helps me keep myself accountable so I don't sit around the house and mope when all I really need to do is go to the grocery store. There are still difficult days, though. Make sure you keep talking to people about how you're feeling, too. It's important to let people help when they can. Good luck to all of you!

notthecheat · October 2013

Struggled with severe depression for most of my life. For me, staying on the meds outweighed the risks of coming off. Depression and stress are not healthy for baby either. If you are truly struggling all the time, talk to your Dr. and consider what might work for you, even of its medication. PPD can hit hard and you don't want to be in a bad place already.

bethughknee · October 2013

Pregnancy has been a struggle from jump street for me without my anxiety meds. I have not been on any SSRI's in 6-7 years because they didn't help my anxiety very much and I hated the side effect period. My Dr wanted to put me on Lexapro or Zoloft instead of my anxiety meds (most SSRI's are Cat C's while ALL benzos are Cat D's.) but I decided not to. Managing med free has not been easy and I'm in a pretty bad spell right now. I find myself counting down until Lo is here because I figure at least then I will have something REAL to focus on.

As others have said, I have tried to keep my exercise up and very regular. That's about all that helps right now. I also do yoga and when my H can tell I'm having a bad night, after dinner we turn off all electronics and just talk. No phones, no TV after the news goes off (although sometimes the news makes my anxiety worse...) and once it gets dark I just have candles going, no artificial light. I'm able to really just talk out everything I worried about that day and it usually puts me to sleep.

I agree that all the hormones we're pumping DO NOT HELP with my cycles and swings. I finally ended up calling a new therapist and I start seeing her this week. I'm hoping that will help too. Hang in there mama, we're on the downward end of the slope now.

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