Doctors can be arseholes sometimes

[postingfortraffichere]

GP today was a Complete arse and it's left me quite upset.

I requested a repeat prescription for anti depressant and she said am I TTC to which I replied yes.

She then proceeded to tell me that I should suggest going without them so to not harm the potential baby if I do conceive. And that I should try natural methods to improve my mood instead.

I've tried every natural method under the sun for many years, I finally after years of resisting taking anti depressants decided to take the plunge a few weeks ago and have felt like I've got my life back and feel much more positive.

Today has put me on a downer - not only am I struggling TTC but I don't need the gp trying to undo a decision and make me feel guilty for taking anti depressants when I've found them life changing.

Of course I could go without them as that's what I did for many years but I want my quality of life to improving and now I just feel so deflated at the doctors attitude and bluntness and guilt tripping.

She said anti depressants basically should be last resort - so basically I should only use them if TTC if I'm about to top myself?

I'm pissed off and feel shit by this. AIBU to be angry and now not know what to do.

@marble11

Drugged up? On prescription pills that my Peri Natal Psychiatrist gave me? Hardly.

How about you leave science to the scientists and go put more Live Laugh Love decals up in your house?

@GreyhoundG1rl

Telling a doctor you'd presumably sought an appointment with to stay in her lane is so Vicky Pollard.

Nope, I’d gone in for something unrelated to my ADs.

Would you prefer that she hadn't flagged the risks with you?

I was going to say YABU but then I remembered my pregnancy. I wasn’t well, in so much pain but from a minor illness and was so worried I wouldn’t get prescribed antibiotics. My dr did, and I can’t explain the relief. Different illness but same position as you OP. Please don’t let your dr upset you.

@Theworldishard I’m sorry to hear that. It must have been really difficult for you when growing up. And having PND is hard. I probably had a bit of this when my baby was 0-6 months. It was hard but like you my husband was a fantastic dad and helped a lot (no other support due to baby being born during lockdown).

Can people stop saying that sertraline increases risks for unborn babies? It does not have significant risks. I was told this by multiple hcps during my recent pregnancy including my obstetrics consultant.

You can't say scaremongering stuff like this with no evidence to back it up.

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Sertraline/

Sorry meant to post too - this is the Best Use of Medicine in Pregnancy website - very well researched and reliable

The thing is gps are far from experts in perinatal mental health and they should seek advice from the perinatal mental health team before giving untrue and unhelpful advice. Some are far from experts about any medicine during pregnancy in actual fact as my doctor almost prescribed me tramadol for a neck problem at 34 weeks. It was only when I asked him to double check he said oh yes totally contraindicated. He then prescribed me zopiclone instead 🙄

[quote Peridotty]@Theworldishard I’m sorry to hear that. It must have been really difficult for you when growing up. And having PND is hard. I probably had a bit of this when my baby was 0-6 months. It was hard but like you my husband was a fantastic dad and helped a lot (no other support due to baby being born during lockdown).[/quote]
Thank you for your kindness @peridotty

I'm sorry you had a bit of PND, especially being born during lockdown too. I had my son just before so was able to access support. I really felt.for mums later on, it seems they were forgotten.

This makes me so angry. I work in this field and maintaining good mental health for pregnant women should absolutely be first priority when making these prescribing decisions. Please try a different GP, this one requires some training

@Itsnotover

Can people stop saying that sertraline increases risks for unborn babies? It does not have significant risks. I was told this by multiple hcps during my recent pregnancy including my obstetrics consultant.

You can't say scaremongering stuff like this with no evidence to back it up.

Agree. I saw a perinatal consultant psychiatrist who worked across two counties supporting women with mental health issues and she said Sertraline was the recommended one.

I saw a perinatal consultant psychiatrist who worked across two counties supporting women with mental health issues and she said Sertraline was the recommended one.
Mine too, I went back on them at 26, the first psychologist who assessed DS said his issues were probably down to sertraline, it nearly killed me.
He has since been diagnosed with ASD and a mood disorder, I've been assured since that sertraline wasn't the cause by two senior health professionals.

I felt better until I read on here ASD and antidepressants was questionable.
I researched it and have DM guilt again it hasn't been proven or unproven considering DM's on antidepressants may not be NT. I didn't take antidepressants with DD 12 years ago also ASD, who knows.

@EmeraldShamrock

I saw a perinatal consultant psychiatrist who worked across two counties supporting women with mental health issues and she said Sertraline was the recommended one. Mine too, I went back on them at 26, the first psychologist who assessed DS said his issues were probably down to sertraline, it nearly killed me. He has since been diagnosed with ASD and a mood disorder, I've been assured since that sertraline wasn't the cause by two senior health professionals.

I felt better until I read on here ASD and antidepressants was questionable.
I researched it and have DM guilt again it hasn't been proven or unproven considering DM's on antidepressants may not be NT. I didn't take antidepressants with DD 12 years ago also ASD, who knows.

The first psychologist shouldn't have said that to you. There is no one direct cause of ASD and if your other child has ASD without antidepressants use, your first child was not affected by sertraline. I'm sorry you have been left feeling guilty and to blame. I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy and saw research that suggested that was linked to autism and mental health issues. My son is not yet two, so time will tell. Just as you didn't cause your depression, I didn't cause the diabetes and neither of us are to blame. 🌺

Totally different medication and health issue, but my cousin's son was damaged by medicine she took while pregnant. Not something worth risking

@Coyoacan do you mind me asking what the condition was and what the medication was?

Is it proven to cause issues?

@Coyoacan

Totally different medication and health issue, but my cousin's son was damaged by medicine she took while pregnant. Not something worth risking

If it's a different medication and different health issue, then why comment with a potentially scaremongering post.

Untreated maternal depression can be dangerous for mother and baby if severe and untreated.

@Theworldishard Thank you.

@postingfortraffichere, I was initially on 50mcg but when I found out I was pregnant the gp suggested I reduce it to 25, which I did. And stayed at that level throughout the pregnancy.

Could you see another gp?

@Puffinhead she did give me the repeat prescription but I just didn't like how she was IMO scaremongering and also just being generally unkind no empathy at all and made me feel guilty for prioritising my mental health.

I will request a different doctor next time.

I developed anxiety and depression when pregnant with DS1 (and later again with DS2). I had the pros and cons discussed with taking sertraline whilst pregnant and the doctor explained that whilst there was a chance that there could be effects from the medication (she said it does travel through the placenta) it was only considered a risk in the first trimester. She was fairly confident and said she has prescribed it to many pregnant women before. As I was out of the first trimester by these points she surmised it was better for me to take the medication than to go without (I was having dark thoughts). She did say there was a chance baby would become addicted to the medication and so he (they) would have to be kept in for observation after birth. I was only on a low dose though and was told it was to help me get through until I could go on to the stronger stuff after birth.

Your GP wasn’t wrong in explaining the cons of taking medication when pregnant because you literally have to question every medication you take when your pregnant (I suffer from terrible hayfever and it was difficult to find one that worked and was safe for baby!) but I feel she could have given you more help in looking after your mental health and coming up with a reasonable alternative after you informed her that ‘natural’ remedies didn’t work for you.

@SnottyLottie thank you - what dose did you take that was considered low?

YANBU Like you I've found antidepressants lifechanging. I've also found that sometimes medical professionals who haven't seen me when I'm very down have been keen to tell me I shouldn't be on them long term (included once a dermatologist!). Maybe your GP isn't a good fit for you and it might be worth changing practice if possible.
For what it's worth, I considered coming off my medication when I was TTC but on reflection felt that what any future child needed most was a mother who was setting herself to feel positive about the changes pregnancy and early parenthood bring. The evidence around risks to pregnancy / babies was pretty patchy from what I could see. I found in the 2 years I was TTC / miscarried/ was pregnant with my son, different GPs had different views on whether or not it's necessary to stop / change anti-ds (most said it was better to continue as good maternal mental health is key for helping a child to thrive).
For me, medication is a key part of ensuring that good mental health- it's the thing that helps me do the other bits... cbt, good diet, exercise etc.
My son is 8 months old now and I know that continuing with medication was the right decision for me personally. You'll know what's best for you, your relationship and your future family and I wish you the best of luck.

I agree with all the information and comments made and offered by @Theworldishard. There is so much misinformation and unkind judgement on this thread. Unfortunately women are often advised by their gps that they should stop antidepressants in pregnancy and this advice is not simply not appropriate.

‘Simply not’