Antidepressants and 23 weeks pregnant.

jamishaaustin · February 2015

I am 23 weeks pregnant. Before I found out I was pregnant I was prescribed Celexa for depression. I stopped taking them once I found out I was pregnant. As time goes by I seem to get depressed and find myself not wanting to do anything. I talked with my doctor and he said if I feel like I need to be back on them I could take them if the bad outweighs the good. I'm know that if I took them I would be happier but I'm concerned about my baby's health. Any suggestions?

finchfeeder80 · February 2015

I would follow your doctor's advice. None of us knows your personal medical history better than you and your doctor. I have no medical training to support or refute your doctor's claims. If the prescribing doctor is not your OB, then call your OB for a second opinion. Best of luck to you.

staciecoffey · February 2015

If your doctor feels comfortable with you taking the meds again, than follow his recommendations. Depression is hard enough as is to deal with plus add the pregnancy hormones. You could even get a second opinion if it would help you feel more at ease about taking them.

ElRuby · February 2015

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Have you tried therapy to help manage the depression and provide you coping skills for dealing with stress?In many cases, medication should only be used in conjunction with some type of therapy or counseling by a licensed professional.

jamishaaustin · February 2015

No I havent tried any type of therapy. I'm just afraid taking the medication will causes the baby to go throughout withdraws or have a birth defect of some sort.

HooLigandthebean1987 · February 2015

Of course follow advice of your doctor.

But I take Celexa for my depression and I have taken it my whole pregnancy. I am 21 weeks. My doctor told me it was fine. Of course everyone is different, this is just my experience.

Good luck!

lilitaliangirl · February 2015

I would definitely discuss more in depth with your doctor and decide if taking them truly outweighs the risk to baby . I quit my antidepressants abruptly and was VERY depressed until roughly 17 weeks or so. Did you wean yourself off? That makes a huge difference, too. My husband got me out to take walks (which took alot) and the fresh air and release of endorphins from walking seemed to gradually help more and more. I hope you find whatever visit best for you. Being depressed and not being able to control it is horrible. Hugs.

btm013 · February 2015

Listen to your doctor and your body. I had been on 10mg of prozac for a year due to anxiety and stopped about 2 months before I found out I was pregnant. I went through a very tough first trimester. I had hyperemesis and that combined with raging hormones created the perfect storm.Depression set in hard. It got to the point where my husband and doctor pretty much begged me to go back on it. I tried to fight it but I was not healthy. What got me was my doctor saying "A healthy mommy equals a healthy baby." Start with the lowest dose you can and go from there. I have visited a high risk doctors practice (I have a large fibroid they are monitoring) and every doctor/nurse there have said it's completely fine and they wouldn't even recommend I come off of it in the third trimester. The risk of PPD is high now and withdrawal in such a low dose is rare. I know what you are going through and it's the absolute worst. I also see a psychologist who helps a great deal. I would recommend trying to find someone to talk to. IF you need anything ,please don't hesitate to private message me. You will be ok.

whitmsmith · February 2015

I'm 20 weeks and I take Celexa and Wellbutrin for anxiety/depression. I know what happens when I don't take my medication and figured it's important for me to be mentally healthy for the sake of my pregnancy.

marinamarina · February 2015

I'm 22 weeks and taking 10mg lexapro and 75mg wellbutrin. I was on double both doses before preg and went off, was depressed, overrating, not exercising. Now I'm working out 3 days a week (spinning), happy, eating normally, and much more positive.

The negative effects of depression (cortisol levels in blood, and generally not taking care of yourself as if you were operati optimally) are WORSE than if you treated. Deal with the doctor and get in lowest dose, consider breastfeeding while on the meds to possibly reduce withdrawal, and take really good care of yourself. Exercise, nutrition, prenatals, laughing, yoga.

marinamarina · February 2015

Let me clarify: I couldn't get it of bed without meds, wanted to stay in bed and sleep or just "rest" alllllll day. And didn't want to talk to anyone or work out. Or enjoy anything.

ngaines27 · February 2015

Definitely listen to your doctor. He knows your medical history and can better assist you in weighing benefits/risks.

I was also on celexa before pregnancy and was advised by my doctor to ween off. He did say that if my symptoms became unmanageable that he'd put me back on them and then ween off around 30 weeks so the baby wouldn't have withdrawal symptoms.

lyndienitkin · February 2015

I stayed on my Zoloft but just decreased to a lower dose that I am comfortable on and my docs agree. Most antidepressants are ok during pregnancy, just keep the dose as low as possible.

Also, try supplementing with acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, etc. Anything that might make you more calm and positive.

Cateash77 · February 2015

I am not taking AD meds but trust your doctor and then your own gut instinct about what is right for you. It sounds like your doctor wants you to make an informed choice so you could do some research about possible risks if you are concerned about this. Google Scholar is a good place to start for general access to fairly recent academic articles so then you could feel like you are making a choice with a full amount of information. That's said, your mental health is incredibly important and as someone who suffered from PPD I would encourage you to prioritise it, even if you do decide to abstain from your normal meds during the rest of your pregnancy, having a plan for immediate resumption of your normal treatment once bubs is born would be a great idea. in the haze of post birth, depression can sneak up so best to be prepared. I plan to resume a small dose of Remotiv, which is St Johns Wort, once baby is born.

jamishaaustin · February 2015

Thanks everyone!! It means alot to me to hear everyones experences. I was only on it for 2 weeks but I could tell a big different when I was on it. I was thinking about being put on a low dose. I get in the mood that I don't want nobody to talk to me and I'll cry randomly. I go to my doctor next friday and I plan on talking to him more about it then.

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