Taking antidepressants whilst pregnant

[topcat2]

I'm now 6 weeks pregnant and have been on Dolsulepin for about 10 years now, my Dr is trying to wean me off the Dolsulepin but I'm finding it really tough. I haven't got an appetite, I feel constantly nervous all the time and I'm really worrying for my baby. Please can someone tell me if it's ok to take a low dose (25mg per day) whilst pregnant coz I don't think I can handle coming off them completly.

[ihearttc]

Im 26 weeks pregnant and am also taking Dolsulepin and have been since I had DS1 who is nearly 6. Im actually taking 75mg which although sounds high is a relatively low dose as my GP the usual dose is 150mg so your 25mg is very low.

I was planning on coming off it before I got pregnant but I got pregnant very quickly and went to dr's in tears cause thought Id have to come off it literally then and there but my GP checked all the literature and said there is absolutely no need to stop taking it and in fact it could do more harm (to me) than good if I stopped in. I had to actually see consultant at hospital when I had my 12 week scan (Long story regarding DS's birth) and spoke to him about it as well and he said it was absolutely fine and he has treated loads and loads of women who are pregnant and on anti-depressants but because nobody talks about it its not well known.

He also said that because Dosulepin is a very old AD (it used to be called Dothiepin and Prothiadin before that!) its been around for so long that its actually one of the better ones to take even though its not commonly prescribed because so many women have taken it.

I have apparently got to lower my dose in the month before DS is born down to 25 mg because its quite a sedative AD (it helps me to sleep/relax) so there is a slight risk that he might be a bit sleepy when he's born but other than that no major concerns.

Hope that helps a bit-please please feel free to ask if there is anything else you want to know. I really struggled to find out any information at all because so few women are prescribed it now...most AD's seem to be prozac etc which actually made me feel 1000 times worse so I totally know how you feel.

[GinaFB]

I was taking prosac up until about 10 weeks of my pregnany (now 23). I weaned myself off it over 2 weeks (it was a low dose).

My midwife told me that the baby would have to be taken away after birth for a possible "detox" and that I would not be able to breast feed if I was still on prosac. Plus there were health risks in the 3rd trimester. My GP was angry that the midwife had scared me! I was just pleased to be able to make my own choice on the matter, there was no pressure from either camp.

I made the descision to come off purely becasue I wanted to be off the meds. I also want to be able to breast feed and although prosac has had a lot of testing I felt that it was the best option to simply remove the medication from the equation completely.

To help me remail "balanced" I go for regular reflexology sessions which I find really help me!!

Hope that helps and congratulations and good luck xxx

[topcat2]

You have no idea how much you've both helped me, thank you so much, I really felt alone. I've read so many articles about it but nothing has really helped, so thank you again

xxxx

[ihearttc]

You are very very welcome-its awful to feel so alone and I felt exactly the same way. Honestly please feel free to shout if you want a chat or anything xxx

[Emsyboo]

OMG GinaFB I can't believe your Midwife said that to you!

I have just stared antidepressants in my 26th week as past depression that was controlled has come back with pregnancy. I tried from 10 weeks not to go on antidepressants but got to the point where I really wasn't coping with anything which was worse for the baby.

I discussed the baby having withdrawal symptoms with the consultant and they gave me Nortryptyline 50mg to start as apparently this has a lesser effect on the baby.

The consultant recommended breastfeeding if I am still on antidepressants as this will help prevent any withdrawal symtoms but he said the chances where low and breastfeeding would help me bond with the baby to help prevent post natal depression.

If you have any concerns then speak to a consultant who specialises in this thing, I am working with a maternity consultant and the local mental health team alongside my midwives etc. They recommend a change but to be honest from what people have said most antidepressants are OK and much better you are OK and coping happy mummy=happy baby

Goodluck and remember your not alone and many women are on antidepressants through pregnancy x x x

[topcat2]

Thanks ihearttc! Thanks everyone for your help too.

I'm seeing the Dr again tomorrow so I'll let you know the outcome......

xxxx

[rosietoestoo]

I havn't been on mumsnet since the start of my pregnancy & came on here to find just such a thread- what good luck!

I've been on citalopram for years but weaned down prior to conception. 29 weeks now & starting to feel depression creeping back. So hard to know what to do re meds. I feel I'm coping at the moment but not sure if I can keep it up. Feel so guilty as dont want to put baby at any risk but maybe risks/benefit argument would say baby at more risk if I'm not well. Also feel guilty even feeling depressed with baby on the way- feel i should be happy! But then the rational part of my brain says it is a treatable condition. Have discussed with obstetrican/GP/midwife & have a prescription for sertraline (lustral) which is apparently safe for breast feeding when the time comes. But of course they all say its my decision whether to take it & honestly i just dont know what to do!

its very comforting to know there are others coping with depression & expecting.

[topcat2]

Went to the Dr this morning, he's happy for me to continue on the Dolsulepin and has referred me to see a counselor, he said I will have good days and bad days but he thinks the counseling will help.

Sorry to hear about your depression rosietoestoo, I completly understand where you're coming from, it's really hard to way up the options. I would have to say the last week has been the hardest thing I have ever had to go through, I was on 75mg of Dolsulepin, was told to go cold turkey which lasted for two days to the point were I ended up in A & E having a panic attack, went back to my Dr who said to go back on the Dolsulpin but only on 25mg but yesterday I was a my witts end, I felt so lousy, couldn't eat and couldn't stop crying but today I feel like there's light at the end of the tunel.

I'm thinking that you don't want to get that bad so maybe having a small dose of sertraline every other day might help you, it's worth a try and as the other mums to be have said there are lots of expectant mums taking antidepressants and their babies are perfectly fine.

Good luck, let me know how you get on

xxx

[MrsLouD]

Oh I am so glad this thread is here!
I was on anti-depressants Citalopram. Then discovered I was pregnant and after a long discussion decided to come off them and 'see how it goes' because for me they were concerned with the development of the baby in the first 3 months. Sadly this week (week18) it all got to much and after lots of persuasion from my DH I went back (I was told all the horror stories of my baby would be taken away etc!) my Doc was amazing. He has started me on a low dose and will then increase it and a month before baby is born he will take me off to ensure there is no withdrawal symptoms for the baby. He said I can then go back on a low dose when breastfeeding. Sadly my family are not that supportive suggesting i've failed some how!
Oh I feel better for getting that off my chest! xx

[rosietoestoo]

Thanks for your advice topcat2. I totally know what you mean about not wanting to get too low. I've been there before & it is not nice at all. So sorry to hear your experience with ending up in A&E etc, that was all you needed im sure.

I had a particularly bad morning today & just know if I dont do something now itll just get worse so 'cashed in' my prescription & took my first one this afternoon. Made me feel horribly nauseous which wasnt pleasant, dont remember that with citalopram. Am going to just take half a one tomorrow night to try & lessen the nausea. Do feel worried about baby but as I'v read a few people say on here before its best to be healthy & happy for the baby (i hope!).

Sorry to hear about your family saying that MrsLouD. Good your DH & GP are supportive though. There is no way you have failed, depression is such a horrible illness & thats the last thing you need to here!

Take care & let me know how you're getting on xx