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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

going back on citalopram during pregnancy... anyone done this?

43 replies

kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 10:43

I weaned off citalopram after 2 years on it and stopped one week before i got my bfp. over the last month i have noticed im becoming more anxious again, having more negative thoughts - worrying about things i have no control over and generally not being the happy self i was whilst on the tablets.

I'm not at a stage where i cant cope or anything, but im not feeling myself and im not feeling particularly happy anymore, and i dont want to let it get worse and worse as my pregnancy continues. Im 11 weeks now.

I am thinking i will go back to the doctor tomorrow to see if she will let me go back on at a lower dose of 10mg, but i am constantly questioning whether i should. if i did, i would wait until 13 weeks before beginning taking them again. I'm hoping she will say this is acceptable.

I know there are some risks if taking them, but also risks if i dont do anything and get worse.
I want to feel normal again and be able to get excited about my pregnancy and be a happy mum. am i doing the right thing by going back to them?
Anyone else been in this position or taking citalopram whilst pregnant.
Any comments would be really appreciated.

OP posts:
peppercold · 29/07/2014 10:50

Hi yes I did. I was on 30mg when I got pregnant. My gp stopped me straight away. This made me quite ill and by the time I was 9 weeks I had to go back on them.

The doctor put me on 10mg and I've been fine with that.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 10:53

Thanks pepper. I was originally on 30mg but tapered down to 0 over 2 months, had been fine for a year. Just makes me realise i do need them.

are the risks to baby less just being on 10mg?

I want to be at my best for when baby arrives to be completely focussed on the baby, just feel guilty for any risks im making.

OP posts:
ShoeWhore · 29/07/2014 10:55

Yes my ob cons suggested citalapram for me when I was pg. He was very relaxed about it (I was advised to stop taking Sertraline) and he has a reputation for being pretty cautious.

I felt so much better I have to say. And my baby was fine.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 10:59

thanks, is that in the uk? I couldnt really tell with my doc previously when we were thinking about ttc. one time she said the risks are very minimal and if the benefits to you are great then its worth it and then when i asked again at a later date im sure she said its better if you can come off them.

im glad they made you feel better and your baby was healthy :)

OP posts:
ShoeWhore · 29/07/2014 11:11

Yes in the UK. I had never had consultant care before but ended up with an initial consultant appointment thanks to the way I was referred for an early scan (complicated and irrelevant!) He decided to keep an eye on me as I was suffering with PND and pg again very soon after having had my previous baby.

GPs seem a bit hit and miss with their understanding of anti-ds and pg/bfing ime. eg my friend was told by her GP she couldn't bf if she took anti-ds, which is absolutely not true. Sertraline is a good choice for bfing and again I continued the citalapram through bfing with no issues.

I do understand your worries - prior to that I'd hesitated over even taking paracetamol! But you have to look at the big picture and your baby needs you to be well. Smile

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 11:33

thank you shoewhore, thats really helpful info.
I was under the impression that you couldnt breastfeed whilst on citalopram too.

I'm sure i'll worry about taking it throughout the pregnancy but the thought of carrying on without it for another 6 months and possibly getting worse is horrible.

OP posts:
ShoeWhore · 29/07/2014 12:17

Not all anti ds are officially licensed for pregnant or bfing women but doctors do have some discretion about prescribing. I am going back 7 years so the advice/medical opinion may have changed in the meantime. The Breastfeeding Network has useful info about drugs and breastfeeding if you have a quick google. I think Sertraline is considered the most bfing friendly anti-d but it's not usually recommended during pg.

Matildasmam22 · 29/07/2014 12:21

I was on citalapram with my youngest. It's classed as one of the safest my doctor told me. I think the pros outweigh the cons. Pregnancys emotional anyway the last thing I wanted was my mental health going downhill and extra hormones to contend with.

I express fed as well.

My little ones 18 months so not sure if the guidelines have changed yet.

Congratulations aswell Thanks

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 12:24

thank you matildasmam.
I completely agree i'd rather nip it in the bud now than spiral out of control at a later date.
I'll ask doctor regarding breastfeeding, im happy to formula feed if that's the case. I just want to be able to enjoy everything :)

did you have to stay in hospital a few days after birth to monitor withdrawal symptoms from baby?

OP posts:
Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 12:24

im hoping at 10mg the withdrawal symptoms wouldnt be too strong, but maybe thats just me deluding myself.

OP posts:
Matildasmam22 · 29/07/2014 12:42

I have never heard of withdrawal symtoms in babies. My lo was in neonatal for 6 weeks as she was 10 weeks prem. Nothing to do with the tablets my waters just went early (little buggers still awkward) I express fed for three weeks as well and it was on my notes what meds I was taking.

I remember the paed saying there's only a tiny bit goes into your milk.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 14:30

thanks :)
I'm hoping i wont get any side effects going back on them again - they made me feel 10 times worse for the first 2 weeks last time. have been off for about 3 months now.

OP posts:
Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 29/07/2014 19:05

Anyone else gone onto citalopram whilst pregnancy?

OP posts:
Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 30/07/2014 06:43

So I've woken up this morning feeling awful. Like I have nothing in me, just nothing positive. I think I'm going to have to start taking them straight away - is this going to be okay even though I'm still in first trimester at moment and have scan next week? I just thinkit would be dangerous not to start immediately now as it's getting worse every day.
Can't believe I feel this bad again :(

OP posts:
ithoughtofitfirst · 30/07/2014 07:28

Aw kitkat I just wanted to offer some handholding. I'm transitioning between two different ADs and feeling horrendous. But there is light at the end of the tunnel... hang in there til you feel better. You will feel better very soon. Xxx

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 30/07/2014 08:05

thanks :) I really hope so.
I hope that you're feeling better soon too.
I'm just hoping the doctor doesnt refuse to put me back on them.
xx

OP posts:
Missus2ndwife · 30/07/2014 08:22

Hi Kitkat,
Citalopragm is absolutely fine during pregnancy and post. The risk is that I think there is a 2% chance of the baby having respiratory problems vs 1.5% chance without Citalopragm (ie nothing in it).

Obviously they would like you to be on as low a dose as possible BUT your health is number 1 - so weighing that up vs dose becomes academic (whatever dose works for you). My MW told me it's very common for women to be on citalopragm during pregnancy and not to worry, I am not being a bad mom.

I have been advised I will spend a few nights in hospital post birth for monitoring.
Do speak to your MW as well to ensure you're on their radar post birth and they will line up plenty of support / stay in their care longer than usual to ensure you don't get PND.

I hope this puts your mind at ease Smile xx

MirandaWest · 30/07/2014 08:30

I was taking citalopram and got pregnant. Wasn't a planned pregnancy and I panicked and came off it straight away which was a bad idea. At about 12 weeks I went to the GP and was sent off to a psychiatrist who immediately prescribed sertraline for me. I needed to be on ADs as otherwise there was a strong possibility I would have killed myself I think.

I had no issues with my pregnancy and DD was born after a much easier birth than DS. I breast fed her for nearly a year. She's nearly 9 now and hasn't shown any side effects of my taking ADs.

Do go to the doctor and I hope you are back on ADs and feeling a lot better soon.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 30/07/2014 20:18

Thanks to both of you. My doctor put me back on 20mg which was what I was originally on. He didn't seemed worried about it at all and said that baby is fully formed now at nearly 12 weeks. I will start taking them tonight but feel better already knowing that I have them. I think the next few weeks will be tough but then hopefully I will feel good again.
I was so glad he made me feel as though it is completely normal to go back on them if needed and the risks are very small.
Thank you so much for all your advice, having a place to find others experiences is just so helpful. And the kind woman who messaged me as well.
X

OP posts:
RelocatorRelocator · 30/07/2014 23:16

Really glad to hear that kitkatkaty Think you are doing absolutely the right thing and hope you start to feel better very soon.

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 31/07/2014 08:33

Thank you, i hope so.

OP posts:
Matildasmam22 · 31/07/2014 20:31

Pleased to hear that kitkat hope you have a lovely happy pregnancy :)

Original poster
kitkatkaty87 · 01/08/2014 14:04

Not sure why I'm posting on here as I know no one can help me. I'm really struggling. 2 days on citalopram now and i know they make everything a lot worse before it gets better. But I am a mess. I woke up at 2 am panicking about things my heart was pounding and I totally feel like I don't know how I am going to be able to deal with this until they start working. I have had to takethe day off work sick as i have had no sleep and I ccan't eat anything as sick from worrying and panicking. Anyone got any tips for coping? I just don't know what to do with myself and feel so guilty as it's upsetting my dh.x

OP posts:
ithoughtofitfirst · 01/08/2014 14:11

kitkat I am in a similar boat :(

Withdrawing from Venlafaxine so I can start taking sertraline and suffering so much. The symptoms are almost completely unbearable. My dh is coming home early to help take over looking after ds.

Things WILL get better though. When you start an ssri the symptoms are a killer.

Get down your gp and get a sick note. You're in no fit state to work til you feel better in a week or two.

Massive hugs Xx

ithoughtofitfirst · 01/08/2014 14:14

Ps I've taken citalopram before and the first week was absolutely horrific. Hang in there it does get better Xxx

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