Depression

xomeredith · June 2015

i couldn't find any other post about this so if there is already one then I'm sorry.

I've been suffering with depression and anxiety since I was about 15-16 years old. It's just a chemical imbalance in my brain. My doctor had finally found the right medication to work for me and then I found out I was pregnant and had to stop taking it. I know my emotions will be all over the place no matter what, but I don't know what to do. My next appointment isn't until next week, but I feel like I'm losing my mind. My anxiety is crazy and I just feel so sad. Sometimes I just want to sit and cry because my mind goes crazy.

Does anyone else have this problem and if so, have you found anything to help? I need advice. I'm 21 and a first time mom. Help.

Emott13 · June 2015

I was 23 with my first and in the exact same boat as you. I had finally found my med after a literal decade of trying to find something that worked. I don't know what class your med is, but mine is (yes, I'm still on it) I think class either D or C, whichever one is classified as "not enough information yet". My psych flat-out told me that with my anxiety levels and depression, it could also be dangerous for my baby to go off my meds (insane hormonal changes caused by medication, withdrawal symptoms, my HR and BP skyrocketing from panic attacks... It all affects baby). In the end, I stayed on my meds for the entire duration of the pregnancy, and my daughter is beautiful and perfectly healthy. I don't know if this is the situation with your meds, but just remember that your health is what keeps baby healthy in utero. It's an insanely difficult position to be in- I had a really, really hard time rationalizing taking a controversial therapy while pregnant for a disease that isn't quantifiable by test, but like I said, in the end, your health is just as important during pregnancy as baby's.
I hope that whatever you decide works for you! I don't know of any alternative therapies that have worked for me, so I can't help you there, but know that you aren't alone and just like everything else, "this, too, will pass"! My t&p with you.

Knottie1452445632 · June 2015

Hi, I really feel for you. I have had PND and anxiety and I get OCD thought of bad things happening to my family - sort of a what would you do in this horrific incident - doesn't sound too bad but trust me when it's bad I can't function for fear of them happening. Anyway I have been pretty much "cured" over the past couple of years and I put it down to 2 things - 1 diet (it's worse when I have alcohol or caffeine) so I have very little of both (none now I'm pregnant). Sounds simple but caffeine is the biggy (I feel loads worse if I have just 1 cup of caffeinated coffee) but it makes sense really - chemical imbalance + drug (caffeine) = bigger chemical imbalance. I also find it worse when I have a lot of sugar (sugary drinks, sweets, cake etc) - I suppose again that makes sense as sugar is also considered a drug - the way our brain reacts to it. Anyway the second thing I recommend is high strength omega 3 - studies have been done and this does eleviate the symptoms of depression. I take 2000mg of high strength omega 3 a day and since taking it I've been pretty much symptom free. Don't get fooled by the cheap supermarket stuff but good quality natural ones - I get "natures Sunshine -high strength omega 3". Another benefit of taking it is it's completely safe in pregnancy and my midwife says it also can help prevent miscarriage! The only down side is it can take 2 or 3 months for the levels in your body to go up enough for you to notice a difference. But perseve, I had PND with my 1st daughter and badly with my son (2nd child) and when I had my daughter a year ago and was petrified it would return - it didn't and I felt on cloud nine. It was so nice to enjoy a pregnancy and time after happy and well. I am scared again for this pregnancy and I keep taking the omega 3 - if it flares up again I know to just up the dose.

Anyway enough rambling from me.

Good luck and I hope you find some answers soon - please go see your doctor and don't leave until they help you.

Xxxx

narissa2013 · June 2015

Sorry to hear you're having hard time. One of the things that worked for my coworker was minfullness, guided meditation, etc. its not same as neds, but got the anxiety symptoms to a more managable place. Hope you and your doctor can figure out what wouldbe best for you.

jezzebelhenry · June 2015

Going threw same thing been looking for a post about this ,my nerves are finished I am being very rude and having out burst at staff etc .. and greatestbstressbis I still got 6 months of this torture , my only advice would be remember to love ur husbands boyfriends cause we know we will even more depressed without them in our lives

Kirsty0812 · June 2015

Same here. I am off my meds and I'm a complete bitch. I'm cranky and tired and nauseous and already over it. My poor little son cops it the worst as mummy has no patience and then I feel bad when I yell at him which makes the depression worse. Thanks for the omega 3 tip, I'll have to try that

nanamp · June 2015

I just saw a doc who specializes in this stuff for pregnant women. She also does prescribe meds for women who need it. It the woman is doing well, sometimes it's better to take care of the instead of avoiding the meds.

Right now, I'm doing ok, but she also suggested taking omega-3 and to check the label that it is divided between dha and epa.

Definitely start with that, but try to find someone in your area who doesn't flat out refuse to prescribe to pregnant women.

This doctor also suggested dialectical behavior therapy, but I haven't looked into this yet.

Also, don't forget that even women who don't have these issues have been having crying fits and tantrums!

Hope you stay positive!

emzie54 · June 2015

I think in making the decision to stay on meds or go off of them you really have to do a cost benefit analysis. Class C drugs, which many antidepressant are, have not been proven to be harmful to fetuses. They are routinely prescribed to pregnant women. A stressed and depressed mother is not good for her fetus, and is also suffering.

In making the decision to stay on my medication, it felt like a no-brainer to me. In pregnancy my emotions felt even more extreme, and the thought of stopping meds at that time was unfathomable. As tri-2 approaches I am feeling better and may reevaluate.

Of course, it's a very personal decision that every woman in that position must make for herself. I urge you to really think about whether the cost to you and baby outweigh the benefits, and consult with a psychiatrist who specializes in treating women. I think that the dangers are overstated by some docs who are not specialists.

In the absence of medication, I would want to make sure that I was in therapy, eating well and getting some exercise, meditation can be very helpful, journaling etc.

Blueyedsky · June 2015

Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and meditation, and resilience training are your options for med - free treatment. That being said, if you need to stay on your medsx talk to your doc about the risks and see if it's a possibility for you. Maybe try some risk free stuff first? That might at least put your mind to rest while you are working on it. I deal with general anxiety disorder and I know just going through some of these trainings helped me feel like I was in control, which makes all the difference for anxiety at least.

absully · June 2015

I came off of my meds when I found out I was pregnant and had a total melt down. My anxiety and ocd were through the roof and I was really unable to cope! It was a very difficult decision to make, but I'm back on medication. It's starting to take hold again and I am feeling better now that I'm going into the 2nd trimester. It really is a voice between you and your doctor, but there is no reason to be miserable for 9 months if you don't have to be. Just stay positive and know it will get better! Good luck!

melindam91 · June 2015

I'm on a tiny dose of Lexapro & it's helping a ton!

xomeredith · June 2015

It's just hard. My anxiety is terrible! I'm going to ask my OB on Wednesday if I can go back on my meds. I hope I can because I feel like I'm going crazy. Thank you so much for all the help and kind words. I just felt helpless and still do. Plus things in life like my very stressful job aren't helping.

Knottie1452445632 · June 2015

I also heard that vitamin D deficiency is very very common and can make you feel depressed so perhaps ask you dtr if it's ok to take Vitamin D supplement.

jfritschie87 · June 2015

Yoga!!! Yoga pretty much saved my life, my sanity, and my marriage. There are awesome free yoga videos on youtube too. Get lots of natural lavender scented things including candles and essential oil. It's a calming oil that really helps to relax the mind and body. Other than that, i read a lot and go on long walks listening to chill music in the evening by myself to clear my head and help control my negative thoughts and emotions. Hope that helps!

ChrissyD1203 · June 2015

@Mumtobe+4 I think you always give such good advice. I have terrible OCD that has flared up particularly badly at certain times in my life. I have never taken meds myself but some of the things that have been helpful to me are exposure response therapy/ CBT therapy, being outdoors, working out, minimizing caffeine intake, being around others and having scheduled routines (that last part is also probably OCD in and of itself). You can do it- I'm not saying don't take medicine if that's what you are your doctor think are best--- just you will be ok, and before and during the medicine you might supplement with some other relaxation techniques. Xoxo

kizzi20 · June 2015

Your doctor should be able to find at least a level C drug to help you through this period. I had to stop my PRN med but was advised that I could keep taking my Celexa.

mommy2b29 · June 2015

I am in a similar situation. I have been on meds for 4 years and was feeling much better. When I found out I was pregnant I stopped taking them because I was scared it could affect the baby and then I would have to deal with guilt. I actually feel OK, I haven't felt any major changes in moods besides the regular pregnancy stuff. Everyone is different just follow your instincts.

Krisdee123 · June 2015

I've been on meds for most of my adult life, so staying on them for now was really the best option for me. My doctor and I went over the risks on both sides and we decided it was worth the risk to stay on. I may lower my dose by half in the 3rd tri, but depends on how stable I'm feeling.

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