Weaning off medication

NicknShan · October 2015

Anyone else out there weaning off medication?

I took Citalopram for anxiety, and I have been really struggling not taking it. It is a Class C drug (unknown affect during pregnancy) so I really don't want to be on it. I also suffered from panic attacks.

How is everyone else coping? What are you doing to naturally boost your endorphins?

I feel so defeated already.

amangels2 · October 2015

I weaned myself off citalopram starting on July when I knew I was going to try to get pregnant. I had read that if you're using it into the third trimester, baby will go through withdrawal when he/she is born. It took me about a month and a half to get off it. So far I feel great and haven't suffered from any anxiety attacks. I'm taking vitamin d and my dr recommended b12 if I felt down.

aivinsbrown · October 2015

I weaned off my depression medicine onto one considered to be a better option. I am currently weaning off Xanax and I completely stopped taking my sleeping medicine that was in the same family as all the, "Prams" they recommended you to discontinue. It has definetly been rough. I have experienced withdrawal symptoms. I have been so exhausted that I'm not missing my sleeping medication much to be honest. I do take 6mg of melatonin right now about two hours before I plan on going to sleep and it has been a huge help easing me to sleep. So far my depression and anxiety seem to be under control, so I pray this continues. Panic attacks, anxiety and depression can truly be the pits. Hope things go smoothly for everyone. Please keep me posted on any changes. Best of luck ladies!! Hang in there! We can do this!

mkemommy · October 2015

I'm sorry you are struggling with this, it must be very hard. Hugs.

I am on asthma medicine only. Both Advair (long-acting) and Proventil (short-acting) are Class C Drugs surprisingly. That is shocking to me given the number of women with asthma. I've weened myself off Advair over the course of the last year while TTC. I still have to take Proventil 1-2 times a week (exercise like spin and the elliptical has actually helped to strengthen my lungs which is why I'm determined to stay fit).

My doctor actually told me to continue to take Advair and Proventil because the risk of baby not breathing because I can't breath properly is much worse than any possible side effects. What have your doctors said? Exercise helps me with endorphin as well as keeping my asthma in check.

losersaidwhat · October 2015

I am still taking my anxiety meds but I am taking Zoloft which I have been told is the safest option so for me it is less risk to myself and my family to stay medicated.

williamzbabytx · October 2015

I went off mine in the spring to start trying. It was definitely rough. I haven't had issues now other than crying. I think it's normal though at this point.

FutureMrsCAF · October 2015

I have no experience with this, but I just wanted to let you know that you can do this!! My sister has weaned herself off of similar medications, and I know if isn't easy, but we support you!!!

VikingGirl12 · October 2015

I quit lexapro cold turkey and it has NOT been fun. My OB suggested Benadryl for panic attacks when necessary but it will make you very sleepy.
I'm just trying to get trough this withdraw phase and hoping to feel somewhat normal soon.

ETA: NO you're not supposed to quit cold turkey. Dr does not recommend it! My stupid idea.

cattuccino · October 2015

I just want to hug everyone who is struggling and condone all of you for being able to make whatever choices you've made that you think are best for you/baby/family. None of those decisions are easy and there isn't a right or wrong here.

I went off medication before TTC for the first time ever and it's a hell of a roller coaster. And PPD hit me hard, but I knew long term we wanted more children and I didn't want to wean off and on etc. hindsight, I maybe shouldn't have.

@NicknShan, I'm so sorry you're feeling defeated. It might be worth talking about to your health care provider, benefits vs risks, a different perspective, or maybe even more resources (if you need it).
We're here if you need to talk/vent/rant, I can empathize with how hard it is.

----For what it might be worth, for anyone still taking medication, I've known quite a few women who took anti anxiety or depression medication (Class C) throughout pregnancies and have had beautiful, healthy children. @amangels2 is correct, that sometimes the babies can experience withdrawal, but if the doctors are aware of the possibility (and even if they aren't) there's been no long term repercussions from withdrawal episodes. (My good friends' son just started to shake a bit, and they clued in right away what it was, while they were still in the hospital and they were able to make him comfortable again). ----

PBear93 · October 2015

I'm weaning off of Latuda which is a class C. I've talked to my OB about the possibility of staying on it and have decided that the benefit to me is greater than the risk. However, I am working with my psychiatrist to slowly lower my doses and hopefully get off of it, and if not, take the lowest dose that I can. I am really hoping that I can get off of it though so I can breastfeed because I know I can't do that if I am on it.

I've had some numbness in my hands and feet since starting to decrease but hopefully it won't last long after each decrease (we are dropping down 20mg every 2-3 weeks).

sthomas1222 · October 2015

I had just weaned off celexa & started Wellbutrin when I got my BFP. I'm staying on them. I was told no Ativan for at least the 1st trimester possibly longer. My friend stayed on Wellbutrin & my midwife is fine with it. I also take a RLS medication that I refuse to go off of as my RLS is so severe I look like I'm having seizures. Thus will be my 3rd pregnancy on that Cat. C drug.

mokiki · October 2015

I was on Celexa my whole pregnancy and it was fine.

noslen0519 · October 2015

I went off my Lexapro as soon as I got a BFP and I know it won't be easy. I am so much better on it. Sigh. It's gonna be a long two years till LO is weaned! =-(

sthomas1222 · October 2015

noslen0519 said:

I went off my Lexapro as soon as I got a BFP and I know it won't be easy. I am so much better on it. Sigh. It's gonna be a long two years till LO is weaned! =-(

It's perfectly safe for BFing

DaintyKnotts · October 2015

I am also on Zoloft and my doctor assured me it was safe to stay on. I had a friend who was TTC and went off her meds and it made for a stressful time, she consulted with her doctor and is back on and feeling much happier! Good luck!

sorarose · October 2015

I quit Citalopram before TTC#1; it was very difficult, and I remember the brain zaps all too well. Definitely discuss it with your therapist/OB/med manager and make sure you don't get off too quickly.

Things like prenatal yoga, warm showers, distracting myself regularly, going on dates with DH helped me a lot. Wishing you luck!

benicode · October 2015

With my first pregnancy, I completely stopped taking my Lexapro. I was an awful human being. This time, my doc told me it's ok to take - understanding that it's a class c, but the risks without apparently don't outweigh the risks with.

The medication that I have more concern about it my seizure medications. I completely stopped taking one, which I was taking last time (Topamax) - two weeks after I got pregnant last time, it was reclassified from a Class C to a Class D drug, but my neurologist told me it wasn't safe to stop taking it at that point. This time, I had prepared and was already going off the meds and totally stopped after my BFP. The other medicine I take for seizures is Lamictal, which is a class C, and can cause a slight increase in cleft lip/palate, but can be offset by taking plenty of folic acid when you are trying to get pregnant (which I was). Since I don't have much of a choice being on seizure meds, I guess I have to just deal with the slight and unknown risks posed by necessary medication, but I most definitely was in close contact with my doctors when making those decisions. It can sometimes seem that the better option is to completely avoid Class C meds as a just in case but in actuality, depending on what can happen without those meds, it can definitely be better to stay on them or maybe adjust dosages. I would definitely talk to your doctor about your concerns. Good luck

26pointrunningfor2 · October 2015

I'm staying on my lexapro, but splitting my pills and trying to wean down to 5 mg. I know in my heart the benefits outweigh the risks.

pillowdrunk · October 2015

I'm currently on Seroquel XR. My doctor as well as my MFM recommend that I stay on it. I wanted to get off, but coming off means increasing my irritability and stress, which is also not good for the baby. I decided to lower my dosage and strictly monitor my well being. I feel painfully guilty about it but I also know that I many not be able to handle this pregnancy without it. So instead, I constantly look up all of the existing studies on pub med to relieve any sort of anxiety I have about styaing on it.

ashleyrobertson0113 · October 2015

I'm off my bipolar and ADHD Meds completely. It's rough, but I would rather not risk taking any kind of Meds that could potentially hurt my little one.

losersaidwhat · October 2015

ashleyrobertson0113 said:

I'm off my bipolar and ADHD Meds completely. It's rough, but I would rather not risk taking any kind of Meds that could potentially hurt my little one.

I ask from a place of concern - how does your doctor feel about this decision? Hubby has Bipolar I and I would never ever ever ever ever ever EVER under any circumstance want to see him off his meds again because it would be so stressful for everyone involved and the risk he could end up in the emergency room would be incredibly high without them - hell, the risk is still there WITH the meds. I couldn't imagine how much worse that would be if you add pregnancy hormones to the mix...

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