Antidepressants and breast feeding

[lala2605]

I tried to post this earlier but I'm so thick I couldn't work out how to do it! I have been taking paroxetine since my ds was 4 months old he is now 9 months. We had a hard time conceiving(6 rounds of ivf in 7 years) and I just can't accept he is here and mine I can't call myself his mum and feel people look at us when we are out as if I have stolen him! My Hv and doctor are involved and although both very nice I don't feel any better. I'm currently on 60mg of ad and my doc says if I take anymore I can't bf. I took 140mg a few days ago as couldn't calm myself down pathetic I know. So ds has had ff only at night and in the morning but he loves bf and I'm not sure when I can safely feed him again myself as would never want to harm him. I'm so desperate and don't know what to do!!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sounds like you've had a really tough few years. So sorry that you are worrying about your meds and bfing. Please give this number a call. She will be able to tell you which meds and what dose is safe with bfing. Has your GP suggested CBT? It can be as effective as meds

Are you getting any support at all? Have you got any time to yourself? Are you getting out in the day with DS?

Please think about ringing this helpline. It's staffed by women who know how you are feeling as they've been there themselves

When you say that people are looking at you as if you've stolen your baby, I know how hard it is but try to remind yourself that you can't read minds. They could just as easily be wondering where you got your lovely dress from, what a cute baby or even what they are going to cook for dinner

This book is often recommended on MN. See if your library has a copy

Is ffing at night a new thing?

[lala2605]

Thanks for your advice I have emailed the breast feeding advice place. I'm just so worries I will harm him more than already am. Would never want to do that. I only formula feed him if I think I have taken more than my dose at doctors advice. But he likes bf. thanks again replying.

[tiktok]

lala, so sorry you are feeling so low :(

Hope you have had a chance to get more info on the meds and feel safe to bf again.

You can also call your doctor or HV. It's never a great idea to exceed the dose when you take any meds at all of course, as you know, but meds don't last forever in your system and a drug hanging about over days and remaining active would be highly unusual...after all, that's why you can't take a whole mega-dose at the start of the week and make it last 7 days :) You have to keep repeating it.

JJJ is right - you need specific help for your feelings about being your baby's mum. This is so important, not just for you but for him. It's good your GP and HV are involved but many mothers in this situation need more than this - infant psychotherapy treats mum/parents and baby together and works on the feelings and the relationships. You can ask your HV if there is any of this help available in your area. Or PM me and I can help you with info.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Is there a Bfing Support Group up I can go to locally? They might know about depression and bfing too. It can be good sometimes to just go along and have a

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Agree with silly. It does sound like you would be better under the care of a specialist perinatal psychiatrist. If you're not already under one, is there someone you can take to the GP with you and ask for a referral?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Keep posting lala and let us know how you are getting on

[lala2605]

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure if I should go ahead and bf ds tonight. Took 180mg yesterday am but only 60mgs today so thinking I can fb again? So confused as usual. My lovely gp has referred me to perinatal mental health team in December but still waiting in an appointment. Hv has tried to chase it up. Not sure why gp chose paroxetine against something else. Feel like I'm almost at the end of what I can cope with. I know this sounds pathetic and I feel for my poor dh as he is so worried and can't help.

[tiktok]

lola, please, please seek proper help.

Regularly going over the normal dose of paroxetine is unsafe for you, and is a sign you really need help way beyond what a talkboard can offer.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1531817 indicates the usual dose is 20 mg/day and that 50 mg/day is the maximum.

More info here www.patient.co.uk/medicine/paroxetine

[tiktok]

lala, can you share what you have written here with your dh?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

lala how are you this morning? Did you go to a and e? If not, can you see the GP today?

[lala2605]

Feeling a bit rubbish today. Staying in with ds today alone which is what I prefer. Got a doctors appointment for Friday but I'm not sure they will be able to do anything else to help. Need more ad though so need to go. Thanks for asking I feel like such a pain to everyone.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

You're not being a pain at all so don't worry about that. How would you feel about asking DH to take some time off work and go with you to the doctors?