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Original poster

ttc and citalopram 20mg

12 replies

kitkatkaty87 · 23/04/2014 11:58

Anyone else ttc at the moment and still on citalopram? I've come down from 30 to 20 mg now and am fine and have been fine for a long time now - have just been putting off coming off because of the possible side effects. But will try and wean off during the next couple of months.

Just wondered what other peoples doctors had said to them about it during pergnancy? and what others are doing?
Mine was kind of indifferent, said its better to be on nothing but no hard evidence it has any ill effects. Confusing!
Anyone else in the same boat?

OP posts:
Matildasmam22 · 23/04/2014 12:13

I was put on 20mg citalapram during my second pregnancy and I'm still on it now for my third. If you need it you need it, iv withdrawn before and the side effects weren't really that bad. I had a chat to my doctor about it and it is one of the safer one in pregnancy. Good luck :)

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 23/04/2014 12:39

Thanks Matildasmam22 that puts my mind at rest a bit, I was worrying about getting pregnant if i hadnt managed to wean off it quickly enough (probably being a bit overly positive in hoping I will get pg quickly though!)
Were you told to not breastfeed with your first due to being on it?

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Beanymonster · 23/04/2014 12:45

I was on 20mg when I fell pregnant with my dd, I was told my only option was to go cold turkey, which I did, and had a horrid pregnancy....... If any doctor 'forces' you into anything by not explaining all options then seek a second opinion... I went back onto 20mg after my dd was born, and reduced to 10mg during this pregnancy and I'm coping okay....

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 23/04/2014 13:05

Beanymonster what did they say was the reason for having to go cold turkey and come off straight away?

I'd like to get down to 10mg at least if I can't come off.

Are they happy with you being on 10mg this pregnancy or still advising against?
Also, what do the widwives/health visitors have to say about it does anyone know?
They might have a different experience with it dealing with pregnant ladies all the time.

OP posts:
MissHobart · 23/04/2014 16:29

I reduced and came off (ttc/PG/mc) and had horrendous side effects, well the major depression hit like a brick! Put onto amitriptyline as there's more knowledge about it in pregnancy so is considered "safer", however my GP agrees that the benefits of either for the woman outweigh any affect on a foetus. I was also fine for a long time prior to coming off but not being on ads dues not work for me! Smile

Shock @ GP telling PP cold turkey is the only option. That is very very wrong!

Beanymonster · 23/04/2014 16:37

They said it was very unsafe for baby, could result in mc or birth defects 'so unless your happy with giving your baby these problems you need to stop'
Hardly great! I've had a few Hmm about me still being on such a low dose, but I've now got a very supportive dr backing my corner!

CommanderShepard · 23/04/2014 16:39

I was on it before conceiving, came off it, went back on it (awful depressive episode) and came off again not long after DD's birth. In hindsight I should never had come off it when pregnant. GP felt I shouldn't be on it unless I really needed to be but I think she was wrong to take me off.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 23/04/2014 18:31

Don't know whether to just stay at 20 or try and come of it now :s the birth defects risk worries me :(

OP posts:
5madthings · 23/04/2014 18:36

I was on 20mg and went down to 10mg during my preg with dd, my gp wasn't happy but the mental health team and obstetric consultant were they agreed it was best to stay on a low dose and stay stAble mental health wise.

They ministered dd for 24hrs after birth ad there is a very very very tiny risk of baby having withdrawal symptoms, dd was fine and I bfed her whilst taking it as well.

Midwife was fine she said it's very common.

It seemed to be gp who overreacted but midwife and obstetrician and mental health team who knew more said it was fine.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 23/04/2014 18:55

Thanks 5 mad things that's good to know. Think I will aim for 10 mg then and see how that goes :)

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RPopz · 23/04/2014 19:12

I'm taking fluoxetine (which is similar) and ttc. I started taking it after we started ttc, despite the risks. My GP said it was about weighing up the risks vs the benefits. There really is negligible evidence to suggest there is any risk to a foetus. I've read that citalopram is transferred through breastmilk more than any other antidepressant - which was my reason for not using it this time despite having done well on it in the past. You could always wean off / swap before then though, if that were an issue for you. x

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 23/04/2014 19:19

Thanks rpopz that's useful to know. I'm happy to bottle feed as I had sort of got used to the idea that I may have to do that already. Best of luck for your bfp :)

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