Medication for anxiety/depression

[brownay2]

I could not handle things no more, and realized I needed to get some help. It just is not fair to my family to have to deal with the way I am anymore. My anxiety has become unbearable, along with lingering depression. I am on Zoloft 50 mg, and my midwife said that she thinks maybe we should bump it up after the baby is birn, so hormonal surges won't be very affecting to me. I have had very severe post-partum depression with my children. I feel bad though that the baby has to deal with this & the medication in her system. I am afraid of the effects that this could have on her. I tried many natural approaches to deal with this, and it just is at the point where I had to break down and accept the fact that I needed alternative treatment. I am pretty natural, don't care for doctors/medications unless I feel that they are truly necessary, but this is necessary.

I am also having a very hard time with my dh deciding to work 2 hrs. away, and me never being able to get a hold of him, and with this pregnancy he knows that I could go anytime. Monday they will take me off of the medication, as Tuesday I will be 36 weeks. It's just a little overwhelming to me not knowing when/where I will go into labor and having to figure out how I will get my two toddlers, and 11 yr. old where they need to go when I go into labor, and also if I would eveen be able to drive myself to the hospital, along with taking them to someone's house before hand, if dh is not here in time.

Well I guess we'll see how this turns out. I am so happy to hear good news of the recent births. We are on the last leg here mamas, I think I will miss it, but am very happy to have somewhat of a body back, and get a minimal amount of sleep.

[damyen's mommy]

I hope you start feeling better and find the help you need. I know what depression and anxiety feels like. I know how low one can go. I am sending healing energy your way. I don't know much about medication and pregnancy, have you tried the post partem board they will know a lot more about it.

[CajunMama]

I have been on Zoloft for depression for 10years, and I feel your pain, mama I have seen no side effects from the medication in my 2yo, from either taking it while I was pregnant or while BF. Zoloft is, from what I gather, the safest of the drugs to take while pregnant and nursing. Why are they taking you off the medication? That could make matters worse IMO.

I understand your frustration at not being able to take care of this in a more natural way- as I have as well- but accepting that the medication can make you have a more normal life, and be a better wife and mother, and a happier person overall should ease any guilty feeling you might be having. Depression is a b%^#%, and I know that I had to accept that I took Zoloft in order to survive; it isn't optional.

Being a sane mama, and taking care of yourself ensures that you can be there for your little ones. Be gentle with yourself. I will be thinking of you- and sending positive and healing thoughts your way.

[forest~mama]

I have also heard that Zoloft is the safest. I take 10mg of Paxil for an anxiety disorder, which is a runner up. IMO, depression and anxiety can cause so many detrimental problems, that it is better for mama to be on meds than not. That's just my opinion though. Do they have to up your dosage right away, or can people around you just watch for signs that you are getting worse? I wouldn't want to take any more than I have to. Besides having a baby, this can be a depressing time of year weather-wise. Hang in there mama.

[EllasMama]

I would do some research before going off Zoloft, unless there's some unusual reason they're thinking of taking you off. Older studies led practitioners to conclude moms should go off before birth, but that has changed in the past few years. Now it's thought that that is a very bad idea, b/c this is when you most need it! Hormones are skyrocketing and will soon plummet - not a good time to screw around and yank the meds that are helping out from under you!

My practitioner specializes in mental health for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and told me that dosages can need to be increased at the end of pregnancy b/c our metabolisms are working so much more speedily than normal. So it's not uncommon to need a higher dose then. Also, I'd stay screened very carefully to see if you need a higher dose after birth, which it sounds like you're planning on doing. She does NOT recommend going off meds like Zoloft and Celexa in the final trimester/weeks.

I take Celexa (was on Lexapro, which is very similar, before pregnancy so I chose to stick with something I knew worked rather than switching to Zoloft). I'm very anti-medication in general and would really prefer not to need to take anything, but I very, very firmly believe that depression and anxiety have a much more detrimental effect on the baby (not to mention the mama) than the meds. I also tried all the "natural" approaches and they just didn't/don't work for me (yet). You are a very wise mama to recognize your limits and your right to feel better, and to take medication that helps you. Having been through PPD before, you know firsthand that minimizing that experience as best you can is a VERY good goal, and I hope that all your support people understand that and will help you in every way!

Warmly,
Carol

[brownay2]

Maybe I was not clear on what medication I was going off of on Monday. The midwife is taking me off of the medications that I have been on for pre-term labor, and said 36 week they would take me off, and let baby girl decide what to do. The Zoloft I just started last night, as this was my first dose, second dose I just took. I am taking 50 mg. The midwive wanted to bring it up to 100 mg right after birth, as I have had really bad postpartum issues after the birth, I get very weird a few hours later, and get very bitchy. Maybe this time, I will be at some peace with myself, and not be so darn crabby.

Thanks mamas for all the support, it means alot!

Escpecially now when I need it the most, or is what it seems like, with the last stretch here I just have been feeling so stressed. I do believe that I would rather be a sane person, and feel ok, then bring home baby stressed/anxious to the hilt and have a major breakdown. Not good for me or anyone, and not good for a solid breastfeeding relationship with my baby girl.

[EllasMama]

Originally Posted by brownay2

Maybe I was not clear on what medication I was going off of on Monday. The midwife is taking me off of the medications that I have been on for pre-term labor

Oh great, thanks for clarifying. Hope the Zoloft kicks in SOON. I hear ya on wanting to just be sane at this otherwise crazy time! Best of luck...won't be long till we meet our sweet babies!!

Carol

[charmcitymama]

I'm on 50g of Zoloft now and it is helping a lot. Hang in there!

[5xmom]

I take 100 mg of Zoloft and it has helped tremendously - I also hate meds of any kind, so I researched it carefully and in the end decided that I would try it. Hang in there!

[brownay2]

Originally Posted by charmcitymama

I'm on 50g of Zoloft now and it is helping a lot. Hang in there!

How long did it take you till you noticed some changes? I know everyone is different, but thought I would ask.

[EllasMama]

It was not Zoloft, but when I first started on antidepressants I felt spacey and queasy for a few days, then after 1 week that had subsided and I started to notice some mood improvement, and by 2 weeks there was a very noticeable "lift of the fog" (that's how it felt to me). They say it can take up to 6 weeks to feel the "full effect" of most SSRIs, but I definitely felt much better by 2 weeks.

Carol

[charmcitymama]

I'm going to say it was about 2 weeks, too. Some people only take Z for a few weeks total to help them out of their funks. I am a perma-funk kind of girl, so that is not me, though. But, it does work fast.