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

Original poster

Depression and anti depressants in pregnancy

20 replies

SSSMITH87 · 24/02/2015 14:42

Hi all,
Looking for advice from people who have experience of feeling depressed or taking anti depressants.
Prior to conceiving I had just come off the anti depressant citalopram for around 6 weeks (it took a lot less time to concieve than imagined) after taking it for around 5 years. I am now 14 weeks pregnant and struggling once again with what potentially could be depression again after struggling with 24/7 nausea for the last 8-9 weeks. Mentally I am not in a good place. I saw the Dr last week and broke down, but the Dr basically told me to 'just man up kinda thing' and that once I feel better physically with no nausea then I will feel better mentally too. However to get through this I need my mental strength. If that makes sense?

I'm tempted to go back and see a different Dr and really try explain my self and situation. Do I go back on citalopram? Has anyone done this?

I just do not want to be miserable at something which I wanted so much and had planned on been so happy about. Instead I barely feel anything. Just a void at the minute.

X

OP posts:
LostSoulsForever · 25/02/2015 01:14

I would go back, it doesn't sound like you are being treated very well. I was prescribed citalopram whilst pregnant & assured it was safe (was after 12 weeks so not sure if this made any difference). Pregnancy can be hard enough without struggling with your mental health too. Good luck!

differentkindofpenguin · 25/02/2015 03:50

I had prenatal depression with my second child. Managed to hold off ADs, just about, but was being closely monitored by my midwife, and would have gone on them if I needed to. I'm not sure if citalopram is ok in pregnancy- but something will be.

Do not struggle alone, with no help! Have you told your midwife? I know in my area there is a specialist midwife who looks after women with prenatal depression, I never needed to see her in the end, but I knew that if I needed to I would be referred. I'd be asking to see a different GP too, yours sounds unhelpful at best!

Original poster
SSSMITH87 · 25/02/2015 08:13

Thank you that's reassured me that going back is ok. I just want to feel something again :/

OP posts:
Original poster
SSSMITH87 · 25/02/2015 08:22

lostsouls- how long did the citalopram take before your felt any better? We're there any side effects? Did it work?
X

OP posts:
KentExpecting · 25/02/2015 09:39

Go back and make a real fuss. My background is very similar to yours. I'd been on Escitalopram for years and came off to TTC.

My midwife ignored my begging requests for support for over 5 months (kept telling me she was contacting someone or other to get me seen - it later turned out she'd lied and not even filled out the basic forms that she should have), until I got to a point where my depression was so severe I couldn't cope at all. Signed off work for the first time in years, etc.

Ended up changing midwife, involving GP, now seeing a counsellor every week. I'm now 37 weeks. Have managed to stay off the meds because even though some are safe, they do have side effects for me and the baby and I personally feel I'd rather not make him go through withdrawal in the first week after birth.

Best of luck OP!

Trooperslane · 25/02/2015 09:49

I'm still on it - went through IVF, all through pregnancy and breast feeding and all is fine.

As op said, kick up a fuss and see your gp. You don't have to put up with this.

PenguinPoser · 25/02/2015 09:57

Definitely go back to your GP, or a different GP in the surgery. If citalopram is what is best for you then the benefits are likely to outweigh any small risks, or there are other AD's as well that you could try. Also ask your midwife for extra support, my area has a specialist antenatal clinic for women with depression although I know this varies. Good luck Flowers

LostSoulsForever · 25/02/2015 12:35

SSSmith, I can't remember exactly how long it took to work, I think it was a few weeks. Although I think that the fact I knew something was being done to help also made me feel a bit better. I, thankfully, didn't suffer from any side effects (although this could just have been lucky and probably varies from person to person) and yes, they worked for me. I took them for a few months and started CBT which made the biggest difference.
I have suffered from depression on and off for years and I can honestly say that I believe the CBT was the best thing I have done in terms of dealing with my depression. I was very dubious about it at first as thought it sound a bit of a 'mickey mouse' treatment but I still use the techniques I was taught.
Please, please go back to your GP, or a different one if you would be more comfortable. Having been on AD's before, you probably already know that depression is a slippery slope so the sooner you can get help the better.

Original poster
SSSMITH87 · 25/02/2015 18:18

Thank you all so much for taking time to reply, your experiences really help me and make me realise it doesn't make me a failure to feel this way, because others have felt the same and made it through.
I'm booked in to see my GP on Friday afternoon, had a better day today, but I know too well how depression starts and how quickly it turned bad for me the first time round, which is why I told my GP How I was feeling last week. Why can't I just be normal. :( I just want to be a happy mummy to be.
X
Thankyou all again.

OP posts:
LostSoulsForever · 25/02/2015 18:51

You are 'normal' - people suffer illnesses all the time, that is what depression is. It is good you are going back to your GP, and you will be happy again, it might just take some help to get there. Remember, lots go through this & still get to enjoy pregnancy. All the best for Friday, let us know how you get on.

Trooperslane · 27/02/2015 07:45

As normal as any of us! Wink

Good luck today op. Hope it goes well.

Original poster
SSSMITH87 · 27/02/2015 10:25

Just back from Dr. This one was much more understanding, and immediately took me seriously. Which helped me feel less like a failure.
He's put me on sertraline and referred me for counselling. Hopefully within 2 weeks I will feel brighter and mentally stronger, and will be looking forward to the future with our little one, instead of dreading each day. I do worry about the effects of the medicication on the baby but I'd reached breaking point. I want to be excited about the baby, I wanted it so much, but haven't actually felt that way since I found out.
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and not judging me. Fingers crossed both my mood and morning sickness improve.
XxxxX

OP posts:
LostSoulsForever · 27/02/2015 19:58

Pleased it was more positive for you today. Good luck with everything, and feel free to pm me if you need a bit of extra support. Smile.

Original poster
SSSMITH87 · 27/02/2015 20:19

Thankyou lostsouls :) Been a big help to know I am not alone in this, and not a failure for feeling this way. Hopefully things will get better xx

OP posts:
KentExpecting · 28/02/2015 21:30

Good work! Take all the support you can get!!! :)

Pearljam79 · 01/03/2015 14:28

Not sure if this will help you but I'm 33+3 with my first bub and have been on Sertraline 100mg for over a year. I was initially worried about continuing to take it whilst pg/bf but my dr reassured me that it's a safe ad to take.
I've felt fine with it and I know many women who have been prescribed it during pg and had no problems.
Hang in there hun, it does get better??
Ps. Congratulations ?? x

Pearljam79 · 01/03/2015 14:31

Sorry those were meant to be smileys Smile and flowers Flowers!

Original poster
SSSMITH87 · 01/03/2015 14:32

I'm already beginning to feel brighter, think it's because I know I'm getting help and have stopped thinking of myself of a failure for needing the help. It's only been 3 days, so hoping I continue upwards, still not feeling a great deal of emotion. Not really felt happy for long time. I want to be happy and excited, so hoping these tablets work :)
Thank you

OP posts:
lillamyy1 · 01/03/2015 16:59

OP I've just found this thread and I totally empathise with you. I came off citalopram when TTC and got very depressed very quickly. Eventually my doc put me on amitriptyline which is helping massively and it has been used in pg for years and is well known to be safe. If the sertraline doesn't work out for you, you should talk to your doc about amitriptyline. The one thing I will say though is that I haven't been given much info about how it could affect the baby after it's born (I've just started another thread to try and get info from other mums who've taken it during pg).
I did a lot of research about depression in pg and it's definitely better to take ADs than be very depressed during pg though - depression in pg can have an affect on the baby and in a lot of cases ADs are the lesser of two evils.
Glad you've started feeling better and I hope you continue to feel better Flowers

Trooperslane · 09/03/2015 14:26

Glad the edge is off a bit op. X

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