Mental Health or Pregnancy Hormones?

[ArseHair]

I've battled with anxiety and depression in the past, was on Prozac for the past 3 years and managing really well - best I'd felt in years.

Found out I was pregnant, stopped taking meds (spoke to Dr beforehand). We are so happy to have another one on the way.

Am now 10 weeks pregnant and incredibly tearful all of the time.

I'm driving myself mad as I can't tell if it's down to hormones or whether I just can't cope and need to get some help.

I didn't have this at all with my last pregnancy.

I don't know what to do.

[couchtofivek]

Did you stop Prozac cold turkey? You really need to wean off meds like this over a period of months, not days or weeks. Doctors are generally clueless about weaving and there is no guidance in the leaflets that come with the meds on how to do it safely.

[ArseHair]

Hi couchtofivek - yes cold turkey, but I did go to the Drs first as I didn't want this to happen.

[couchtofivek]

I think your doc was very wrong to tell you to just stop cold turkey.
These meds take 6-8 weeks to do what they do, or reach therapeutic levels as docs like to say, so it makes sense that it'll take time for your brain to readjust to not having them any more.

Do you think you need to start taking the Prozac again?

[NameChange30]

I agree with couchtofive, I think it's strange that the GP agreed to you going cold turkey
I suggest you go back to the GP ASAP and ask about anti-depressants that are safe to take in pregnancy - there are options (but I'm not sure if Prozac is one).
Antenatal depression is real (although less well known than PND) and you're probably more susceptible to it given your history.

[ArseHair]

Thanks - I will go back and try to see or at least speak to my own GP. She better understands my history.

[firsttym]

@couchtofivek is completely right. I find alot of the time that GPs tend to make decisions on mental health medication without consulting a specialist psychiatrist who is trained in that remit. It wont massively hurt you but it wont help your mood. Unless... prosac is really harmful to a baby and so you have to due to that but he should have recommended something else.

I got tearful and so did my friend when we were 10 weeks till about 13. Im now 16 and am content. Good luck. You'll be fine and just remember that you will pull through this xx