Moms(or soon to be's) on Antidepressants Questions for You

RedBaramid · July 2014

Okay, real world honestly. I'm finally going to break down at my next appointment and ask about going on a low dose antidepressant. My therapist as of today's appointment agrees that my BPD is starting to take too much of a toll on me, and that I could use some help fighting the lows. (Yeah, I'm bipolar, and if that bothers you take a hike, yo.)

I was wondering what some of you guys have been put on, and how it has been for you. I have not been medicated to manage my moods in a long time, and the last medications I was on made me into a person I did not recognize (or even like for that matter) and I am a little nervous about how it may effect my already hormonal messy self.

Also if you're not keen to share in open public, I would appreciate PM's with your experiences too.

brittneyandadam · July 2014

I haven't gone back on anything yet, but I'm thinking that as things get closer, I'll more than likely be back on an anti-anxiety at the very least. When I was medicated, they had me on Lexapro and it really helped. It didn't change me at all, just made things easier to handle and stabilized my moods. I'm not sure if that's on the ok for baby list, but it's worth asking about.

GL to you and let me know how things work out.

mrsdanielleM2010 · July 2014

Big hugs, this stuff is no joke

I haven't gone back on anything but I have Zoloft waiting in the wings for the first sign of PPD. I have taken it in the past, but have been off for a few years. I'm being prepared, just in case. Good luck figuring everything out.

MrsLaLaBug · July 2014

I had severe PPD after last preg and was put on Zoloft. Along with counseling, it worked for me. Big hugs and you should feel good that you and doctor are being proactive about it! Hang in there.

bumpuser10199668 · July 2014

I was on Lexapro prior to pregnancy, stopped during, but was told that if things got too rough, I could go back on. I've been alright, but definitely plan to go back on after he is born.

I will say that a lot of antidepressants are not going to help BPD in general, so I would definitely get back on some mood stabilizer after birth. If you are in a depressive state now, it will absolutely help. But it isn't going to manage your manic episodes like a BPD specific drug would. I understand the not feeling like yourself thing (Celexa was not for me), but you also can't mess around with brain chemistry. I just would urge you to make sure you give every medication a fighting chance and know that dosages may have to be adjusted a few times before you find what's right for you. Good luck!

RedBaramid · July 2014

CarmAlarm said:

I was on Lexapro prior to pregnancy, stopped during, but was told that if things got too rough, I could go back on. I've been alright, but definitely plan to go back on after he is born.

I will say that a lot of antidepressants are not going to help BPD in general, so I would definitely get back on some mood stabilizer after birth. If you are in a depressive state now, it will absolutely help. But it isn't going to manage your manic episodes like a BPD specific drug would. I understand the not feeling like yourself thing (Celexa was not for me), but you also can't mess around with brain chemistry. I just would urge you to make sure you give every medication a fighting chance and know that dosages may have to be adjusted a few times before you find what's right for you. Good luck!

The reason I suggest antidepressant above is because that is what my OB office Dr's are suggesting most. The mood stabilizers tend to be less safe and have less pregnancy safe (and BFing safe) options. We've also discussed anti anxiety meds to help me with my particular brand of mania/manic episodes. My practice has been very proactive with me, and has been super supportive to help me "fight the power" if you will. I've already sort of resigned that I will probably need to go back on mood stabilizers PostP. I just really want to BF so what I'm on may not be conducive to that. I consider myself lucky that my medical team is willing to let me fight and help me monitor myself in the mean time.

Also yeah, giving drugs a fighting chance is hard stuff. I've been around the block a few times, but it's always good to get the reminder that "this isn't an overnight fix."

Ki0918 · July 2014

I take Zoloft and it has been wonderful for me.

bethybeach · July 2014

I am on a low dose of Wellbutrin, I stayed on with DS and now with this pregnancy. My Dr said it was the most tested drug in pregnant women. I tried to go off before getting pregnant with DS and just did not like the anxiety and worry I put myself through. I felt comfortable that it was best for both me and the baby. To me I didn't want my baby to feel the stress that I felt if that makes any sense.

I will prevace this my sister was prescibed Wellbutrin and she had a terrible reaction to it. Everyone reacts different.

Sorry you are going through this, I hope things get better for you.

bodziochl · July 2014

I'm so glad you ladies are brave enough to talk about this stuff. Props to you! I switched from Lexapro to Prozac when TTC because my doctors said that if I didn't stay on it my body would not allow me to get pregnant and that the benefits of the drug outweighed the risks in my situation. They were also most comfortable with Prozac because it has been around the longest and therefore has had the most studies done on it. BTW I have anxiety and OCD. I'm still on Prozac and have been this whole pregnancy. If I wasn't on it, I would obsess about what could be wrong with the baby like I was chasing my tail. The what if questions would haunt me to the point of making me physically ill. So there's all that. Some people just have an imbalance and you can't be afraid to ask for help. My doctor compared it to a person with diabetes...you wouldn't withhold insulin from them. Also there's a book called Pregnant on Prozac that helped me accept my decisions about medication. I recommend it. Good luck!

pinguino11 · July 2014

Thank you for sharing your experience like this. I think it really helps normalize these feelings for moms and people in general. I am a therapist and work with psychiatrists, and while I can't offer advice about medication, the only thing I'd add to what pp's have said is do you know if there's any medication that any close or extended family members have tried and found successful? Sometimes that can be an indication of which to try and see if it's right for you. You can ask your doc about more info on that though. Good luck to you!

hpragolini · July 2014

TL; DR: I was on lithium pre pregnancy and probably going back on after and breastfeeding. It's not as unsafe as they thought it was.

Idk your history but I was diagnosed with BPD type back in 08. before I was diagnosed I was put on Lexa pro cuz they thought it was just depression at the time. Anyway I went off the deep end a little. Didn't leave my room for over a week, wasn't eating etc. and that (along with along new dr and looking at all my symptoms) helped to figure out I was actually bipolar.

If you go on only an antidepressant make sure you are being closely monitored because they affect those of us with BPD differently than those with just depression.

Also, before I was pregnant I was on lithium. Discussed with my dr that if I needed to go back on it wouldn't be the *worst* thing and having a healthy mom is just as important as baby.

There have been a few studies in the past 10 years that show the safety of lithium during breastfeeding (minimal meds going to infant). They generally just do extra monitoring of the infant afterwards.

I had to call around to find a pediatrian willing to do the extra Blood work amd monitoring, but to me it was important to be able to bf and be on lithium if I need it. If you want I can pm the studies to you and you can discuss it with your doctor to see if it is something you want to pursue. Not all drs are up to date on the most recent info esp regarding bfing.

Again, just my experience but I thought I would share with you. Good luck and hugs to you!

Ecat504 · July 2014

brittneyandadam said:
I haven't gone back on anything yet, but I'm thinking that as things get closer, I'll more than likely be back on an anti-anxiety at the very least. When I was medicated, they had me on Lexapro and it really helped. It didn't change me at all, just made things easier to handle and stabilized my moods. I'm not sure if that's on the ok for baby list, but it's worth asking about.
GL to you and let me know how things work out.

Same. I'm not on anything currently but I was on lexapro and will be back on it after I have baby and it helped me a lot.

formerwigirl · July 2014

Thanks for talking about this topic. I suffer from depression with a family history to almost all the women on a certain side of the family. I was on the generic of Wellbutrin prior to getting pregnant. Prior to that I was on Prozac but my doctor switched me to Wellbutrin (I actually take the generic) because it stays in your system for a shorter amount of time. I recently talked to my doctor about going back on it and he said I could start up whenever I was ready. I am really worried about how I will deal postpartum, so its something I've been thinking about. I still haven't gone back on it, but I will admit I've had some really low days. I figure I'll know when is the right time to start back up. My doctor said Wellbutrin is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Good luck to you!

SingleMom31 · July 2014

No experience with BPD, but I was on Celexa for anxiety pre-pregnancy and switched to Zoloft when I got my BFP. Of the two, Celexa was better for me, but my doctors thought Zoloft would be better while pregnant. GL in whatever you decide to try.

bf43005 · July 2014

I was taking anxiety meds prior to getting pregnant prescribed by my primary doc. We discussed pregnancy and I was aware what I was taking would not be safe during pregnancy. We discussed if I would need something else but thankfully I haven't felt the need. But I'm pretty nervous about postpartum. I don't know what to expect as a FTM. But anyway my point is there is stuff out there you can take while pregnant and you should keep your health in mind just as much as baby's health. Thank you for starting this conversation though. I know how hard it is to talk about. It helps me to know I'm not alone.

RedBaramid · July 2014

I'm really grateful for the stories you ladies have shared. Although some of them aren't applicable for me, it does help to know I'm not alone in the struggle. Thanks for sharing, and I'm really glad so many of you are fearless enough to have this conversation on a public forum. I was a tad bit nervous about trying to start it.

Fishyhatch · July 2014

I was on Zoloft during college because that is also what my dad and sister take. However, I was not overly impressed with it and, had I decided to stay on antidepressants longer, I would have worked with my doctor to find something that would have worked better. However, my dad and sister have been on it for years and have had great results.I have been off them for 5 years now, but will be watching myself very closely postpartum and will not hesitate to go back to an antidepressant should I find my coping mechanisms are no longer working for me. Thank you for posting this and best of luck to all of us!

Gizmo1231 · July 2014

I have a horrible anxiety disorder that is caused by some traumatic PTSD. I was on a crazy load of anxiety medications and sleeping meds TTC and went off everything when I found out I was pregnant. Now that I'm 32 weeks my anxiety has gone through the roof. My OB can't give me the old meds but put me on Zoloft until baby is born. I too went to Dr. Google and got scared so I haven't started taking it. Lots of yoga and meditation for me right now until it gets to the point where this momma doesn't have a choice to take it or not.
Pregnancy is hard enough without having to deal with this too! Thanks for sharing your posts about such a sensitive topic.

bear1984 · July 2014

My ob started me back on meds yesterday as I was at breaking point with no sleep etc etc he is trying me on a new med and lower dose so he put me on same as hubby's said it was the safest for pregnancy but I'm in oz so don't think it would be the same lol

widgetsnm · July 2014

I'm pretty sure I need to be on a higher dosage of Zoloft as soon as DS is born. Like literally right after he pops out, the doctor is handing me the pills. I was on a good amount of Celexa before getting pregnant, so I think I'll need to be on a good amount of Zoloft while breast feeding.

Do any of you know where I can find out about the effects on the baby if I take Zoloft?

Also, there is an anxiety/depression forum on the bump.

JanisBaby14 · July 2014

Ki0918 said:
I take Zoloft and it has been wonderful for me.

I was originally on 100 mg Zoloft (sertraline) at start of pregnancy. Talked with OB extensively about effects to baby. She strongly encouraged staying on it because of my anxiety and depression (which was escalated with infertility problems). She encouraged me to talk with my primary doc.

We worked out a plan to drop by 25 mg every two months or faster depending on side effects. I'm down to 50 mg and he doesn't want me to go lower. He actually will want me to go back up once baby is born to watch of for PPD.

Outside of my body not agreeing with this pregnancy (mild pre-e at 29 weeks) LO is very healthy and happy.

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