Conflicting information re: pregnancy and AD's, please tell me about your experience

[claireinthecommunity]

Hello everyone, I'll try and condense this a little.

I've suffered with bouts of depression since my late teens, sometimes quite severe with hospital admissions. Have been on various medication over the years.

Currently, I'm taking Citalopram, I started with 20mgs back in September then up to 40mgs. Throughout, I have spoken with my GP about mine and my DH's plan to start ttc sometime soon. The time before last I went to see my GP she said that it was not advisable to get pregnant whilst taking AD's/Citalopram - but not impossible. I saw her again yesterday and she has said that if I was or wanted to get pregnant she would prefer me to be taking Fluoxitine/Prozac, I have taken this in the past, without much success. She also said that I should not breastfeed whilst taking any AD's.

I looked up threads on here relating to the subject and found that others have been given very different information, I also 'googled' and found more conflicting info. I'm very confused.

What are your experiences? Thankyou.

[smackapacka]

I was just searching on here for this topic, and am glad to see so many positive stories.

I had PND when my DD was 10 months old, and took Citalopram for only 2 months (10mg) and it seemed to do the trick. That was Oct 08. I've been fine and we decided to have another baby.

I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and feel really low. I've got an appointment with my GP on Wed as I'm really tearful/angry/joyless. It seems like PND all over again.

I'm also going to RELATE next Tues with DH as I can't help feeling our marriage is a bit dead.

I don't think any of this makes sense, I can't believe that I really want to raise 2 children alone, so here's hoping my GP will be sympathetic. I don't want to hijack the thread but any other thoughts gratefully received!

[Hangingbellyofbabylon]

Hi everyone - this is a good thread . With my first two pregnancies I had appalling AND with OCD and anxiety. GP would not let take anti-depressants instead I was drugged up to the eye-balls on diazepam (which feels pretty bad as it also makes the baby dopey). This time I was anti-depressants for PTSD when I feel pregnant and when I saw my GP he told me to come off them. This time I told I had done my research and told him that I was not coming off of them. If fact as the pregnancy has gone on I have had to increase my dose a couple of times (Sertraline - from 50mg to 100mg then to 150mg). I'm now 30 weeks and trying to cut back to 100mg but if it doesn't work then I won't. Mentally I am about 1000 times better than with my previous two pregnancies and I do not ever want to be where I was before, it was terrifying for the whole family. I am a bit worried about withdrawal, the doc has said that the paediatrician will have to keep a good eye on my babe in the 24 hours after she has been born. But I still feel this is a better place for me and for my children and DH than being without medication.

[smackapacka]

What will they be 'keeping an eye out' for, do you know?

[Hangingbellyofbabylon]

I believe she said something about shaking and jitteryness also perhaps some kind of breathing issues.

[smackapacka]

Wow - at least you're in full possession of the facts about possible scenarios. Good luck to you - I agree about mental health of Mum being a high priority. Good luck

[TigerFeet]

This is a very reassuring thread - I'm 30 weeks pregnant and have been taking citalopram for the past 6 weeks or so. I've been on and off AD's all my adult life. I've been concerned about withdrawal in the baby and issues with BF so it's good to hear the positive stories. I seem to be managing on a fairly low dose so I'm hoping that will minimise any possible problems.

[smackapacka]

I've just seen my GP who confirmed that I'm depressed, but reluctant to prescribe anything. He's hopeful that going to RELATE next week will help. I've also called and left a message on the staff counselling answerphone asking to see someone. I'd be interested to know of anything else that could help?

I'm not keen on herbal remedies, but has anyone had any luck with anything other than medication? I feel so tense/angry/stressed I don't know what to do for the best.