Is this an acceptable reason to go to the doctors?

[BumblingBee89]

Hi everyone,
Just a bit of background. I'm currently 10w4ds. Have had two scans, one at 6 weeks because I was bleeding, and one at 9w5ds which was a reassurance scan that I booked and paid for. I had a very early miscarriage back in October. My husband and I are so excited about having a baby together.

I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder back in 2014, but I've probably had it for much, much longer.

I've had CBT which was really successful, and was also taking sertraline (50mg) which helped immeasurably.

When I was pregnant back in October, I was advised by my doctor to stopped taking the sertraline immediately. I did, and was ok for the first few weeks. Then I started to feel awful, very anxious and low and was getting lots of anxiety attacks.

I should say, the doctor I saw at that point is one I've seen a couple of times before, and doesn't seem to understand mental health very well. When I started the sertraline, she told me I'd feel better straight away, which thankfully I knew wasn't the case at all.

Anyway. This time when I found out I was pregnant I saw a different doctor. I asked about the sertraline and she said, as I was finding it hard without it last time, I should keep taking it. So I thought, ok, I will.

But I didn't. I was so scared of taking it in case it harmed my baby in any way. I thought I would be ok without it. Then, one day I thought, no, this is silly, and I started taking it again. The same day I started bleeding. I know it is very very highly unlikely that the bleeding had anything to do with the fact that I started taking the sertraline again, and as I say I had a scan and all was fine. But I'm now terrified of taking it.

My anxiety is getting worse and I'm feeling quite low. Yesterday, I had an anxiety attack (palpitations etc).

I want to ask the doctor if having anxiety attacks could harm my baby. But I'm worried incase they put me back on the sertraline which I'm too scared to take, or of I see a doctor who just doesn't understand. There are some great doctors where I go but they're mostly locum doctors, so you can never ever guarantee who you're going to see.

I don't even know if that makes sense. Basically, I've made an appointment for this afternoon and I'm not sure if I should go or if I should cancel it. I don't know what I want to get from the appointment. I just want the best for my baby.

[Libitina]

Go and see the GP and let them try to put your mind at rest.

[eliolo]

When I found out I was pregnant I was taking 150mg of sertraline, I did what you did and stopped taking it but my doctor also told me that it was fine to take it through pregnancy if they knew of any risks to the baby they wouldn't recommend it I'm sure and your mental health is very important! Congratulations too

[eliolo]

Also it's always worth keeping an appointment as they may have other options that are possible for you to try i had major anxiety around being pregnant and downloaded some specific pregnancy mindfulness apps which may help a bit!

[arbrighton]

I was told I could have kept taking my sertraline through this (first) pregnancy by Dr at hospital after deciding with GP that I'd be ok to try without.

On balance, I'm ok, but if my MH deteriorated, I'd take it.

[TheCakes]

Yes, go. I was prescribed beta blockers in pregnancy for anxiety. I only took them once but it was reassuring to have them there. I'd say to myself things like 'if I don't feel better after tea, I can have one'.

[Neve77]

Please go for peace of mind. I was recommended sertraline during pregnancy and was taken off my previous meds.

[BumblingBee89]

Thanks all. I have just got back. Unfortunately, the doctor I saw wasn't very helpful. He looked up different medications on the intranet system and told me that I can't take any of them, including sertraline.

I asked him if having anxiety attacks and/or high levels of anxiety could harm the baby. He said no, it won't harm the baby, it will only harm you. He didn't seem concerned about this potential harm that could come to me.

I said that I only want to do what is best for my baby, but I explained that I was really struggling.

He said there is nothing he can do at the moment and to get more exercise.

I don't understand why some doctors don't seem to fully understand mental health. I'm hoping to speak to my midwife to see what advise she has.

[grainmum]

Look up www.bumps.org.uk, it's a great, trusted resource about medicines in pregnancy. It is better for your baby that you are well. Do you know if you saw one of the regular GPs or possibly a trainee? Might be worth looking up the practice website then book an appointment with the most experienced looking GP!

[BumblingBee89]

grainmum thank you. I've had a Google but nothings coming up for that website. Could be that I've put it in wrong, will try again later!

It was one of the locum doctors, so a doctor that isn't always there. Wasn't a trainee. I always end up seeing a different doctor there, I'm not actually sure if there are any that actually work there all of the time.

I saw one a couple of years ago and he was fantastic and understood what I was going through so well. But I haven't seen him since and I don't remember his name.

I am thinking about moving to a new doctors surgery, I keep feeling a bit let down by this one.

[Lalalax3]

I take venkafaxine 37.5mg twice a day for anxiety and depression. Psychiatrist and GP both in agreement that for me the benefit far outweighs the risk. You are just as important, OP!

[Lalalax3]

Sorry, venLAfaxine

[grainmum]

Sorry got the wrong address. It's www.medicinesinpregnancy.org.

[Emeraude]

I take citalopram and have been told by both GP and midwife that it is fine.

[HN42]

I definitely would request a second opinion, its a pity that mental health is not treated so well by some doctors and that it requires persistence to get the advice/treatment that you need. I disagree that your doctor told you there's nothing he can do, its not right. I know you said you've had CBT but it may be worth asking for some access to therapies such as counselling or CBT as a referral to a mental health professional is treated as urgent if you are pregnant and it might help you during your pregnancy. It may also be worth seeing if there are any pregnancy mindfulness classes out there - I have used mindfulness to help get me through something that was causing me to have panic attacks and insomnia before I eventually accessed some CBT which put me completely back on track.

[Mungobungo]

Go and see a different doctor. Your mental health is hugely important and many women take sertraline while pregnant. The fact that you're having such significant anxiety now is a big indication that you probably should still be taking it.

Please go back to the surgery for a second opinion and perhaps contact your midwife to see whether you can get either an obstetric consultant review about your mental health and medication OR whether they have a dedicated perinatal mental health team that you could be referred to. Don't sit on this as it could make your anxiety worse. Speak to anyone that you can to get this sorted. It's super important

[TheCakes]

Sometimes the receptionists can advise which doctors are better in certain areas. I know they get a bad press but ours are pretty good.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I agree that asking the midwife for help is a good idea. There may be specialist mental health midwives. It's worth trying counselling/cbt again as there's definitely no risk to baby. Anxiety isn't going to hurt your baby but it is going to make your life very difficult.