breastfeeding and citalopram,im in bits,please help.

[FriggFRIGG]

im just back from a drs app,
she prescribed citalopram,and told me id have to stop BFing.
im so upset,i dont want to give up,its breaking my heart having to choose between feeling like this OR breastfeeding.

My DS is a milk monster,and fed on cue,he's 11 months old.
he would be so upset and confused if i suddenly started refusing him.

i asked if there was anything i could take whilst BFing and she just said that citalopram was what she used,and that she knew it worked.
she said i could half my dose to 10mg for the first week and feed him once in the morning and once in the evening,but after this week id 'just have to push him away'
i just cant do this to him.i dont know what to do.

please,help.

Frigg - I found taking someone with me (DH) worked well as he would back me up and confirm how I really was (I think on occasions they think you are overblowing how you feel ). Could you take your OH with you or perhaps a trusted friend or family member?

That way even if the Dr is a bit off you have a witness (not in a legal sense but for you to talk about it with afterwards) and they can lend credence to your case for CBT (e.g. I've known Frigg X years and she isn't normally like A,B,C, she is X,Y,Z).

Plus, if you do take someone with you, you tend to find they will be as nice as pie. I had a really patronising MW during my first pg when I had terrible pains, bleeding on and off and was just terrified all the time I was about to loose the baby, she just made me feel like an idiot for worrying and a hypochondriac for not just putting up with the pain (was doubled over and screaming at times with a BP of 150/105). Next appointment I took my mum and she was sweetness and light I can't imagine why that was....

I really hope you get to see a nice GP. You could ask your HV if they know of a particularly sympathetic GP at your practice? Or speak to the Practice Manager and see if there is one who specialises in depression/MH?

Hi Frigg, I don't know much about these drugs as have never taken any, but I've read about paroxetine and would NOT ask for it, it creates dependency, and has some really nasty side effects, there seem to be other drugs that aren't as nasty (sertraline?). I second the idea of taking someone else with you. Let us know how you get on please.

Hi

Please go back to your dr and ask for steraline. I had PND/Depression and i am still on 150mg per day and i have bf thru out taking it and i am 5 months pg with my second child.

It is possible to have med for PND and to contune bf.

Your doctor is shit and has given you a poor choice of drug. Do not stop bf, change the drug you are on.

I would ring the dr up ask him if he can look steraline up and then write you a perserpition for it today.

My hv and mental health nurser were really good at getting me the right drug and the support i needed to get better and to coinue bf and co-sleeping.

I'm so angry at your dr for not doing his job right

havent read whole thread but YOU can bfeed and take citalopram, i did and my babies were fine!

my mh team, the obstetrician and a paed at my hospital did some research (on MY prompting) and agreed that it was fine.

as a precaution i stayed in hospital for 24hrs after dd was born for observation, but obviously your son isnt a newborn so no need for anythign like that.

makes me so mad these drs that just prescribe meds and say stop bfeeding, without doing any research, or even trying to!

thankyou all,i will call back and book an app with another dr today.
i will ask about steraline.thankyou.
we also co-sleep and she said i would have to stop that too,and made me feel a right idiot for even thinking i could continue to do these things on meds.

im really with her now.
does anyone know how you go about reporting a dr for this sort of thing?
or am i blowing it out of proportion now?

i really dont need all this,i just want to get better.

thankyou 4madboys,that is REALLY good to know

The drug is sertraline, frigg - always good to check you get the name right, if you're low on confidence :) But there are many ADs compatible with bf .

My feeling is that the Number One priority is getting yourself sorted with appropriate care. Then when you feel better, tackle the issue about complaining - you don't need the extra stress of making a complaint at the moment. When the dust settles, post again and someone on mumsnet is bound to be able to help with the details of how to do it.

Yes, I would concentrate on getting yourself set up with the right drugs and the right support. The PALS website will probably tell you how to make a complaint once you feel up to it. I don't think you are blowing it out of proportion at all, I'd be furious too.

"we also co-sleep and she said i would have to stop that too,and made me feel a right idiot for even thinking i could continue to do these things on meds."

FGS why?

He's a toddler, not a newborn. He can get out of your way. If you get sleepy on the drugs (I don't know the side effects) you can consider a side-along or other ways of co-sleeping.

There are OPTIONS here.

Loads and loads of sympathy OP, and I for one am very pleased that you came here for support. xxx

FRIGG i co-sleep as well, as long as the meds dont make you extra drowsey, which they shouldnt, there is no reason to stop co-sleeping, gah i despair at these drs sometimes!