Pregnany and Depression

[AprilM]

Hi there,
I am new to the forum, actually my first post. I have been weening off the antidepressant Prozac (my third attempt) this time with the help of an amino acid called 5-HTP. I picked up a copy of Julia Ross's The Mood Cure and she recommends supplementing with 5-HTP if you are low in serotonin. Things have been going well, I feel really good on it. My question is, since I have gone off the Prozac because I would like to conceive, is, has anyone here ever taken 5-HTP throughout their pregnancy? I have been doing a ton of research online and the only thing I can consistently come up with is that there is just not enough research on it so it is contraindicated. I am so afraid of becoming really low in serotonin during my pregnancy that is would be a Godsend if it was actually safe. I have very high anxiety levels and do not do that well with stress.
Thanks any help would be greatly appreciated.
April

[DoomaYula]

My experience...

I went off Prozac during my first pregnancy and ended up in the Psychiatric ER.

I stayed on Prozac during my second pregnancy and everything was fine.

With this pregnancy, I switched to Zoloft (allegedly better for breastfeeding), and I am fine.

Most anti-depressants are class C, which means they can be taken during pregnancy and bfing if the benefit outweighs the risk.

I have no experience with 5hpts.

[AprilM]

Thanks for your reply! I have tried several times to stop taking the prozac, but I think this time will be successful because of the 5-HTP. Just hoping that it will be safe to continue during pregnancy.
Yes, I have heard that zoloft was a safer alternative antidepressant to be on while pregnant.
thanks again for the reply.

[yogabear]

I've never taken anti-depressants during pregnancy. However , I did go through PPD/anxiety after having my second daughter and after a m/c last year. Not a fun road to walk!

There are foods that can help you with your seratonin levels (foods w/ triptophan). I constantly snack on almonds (and other nuts like walnuts, pecans etc.), turkey, eggs, milk, bananas and cheese. They all help with your moods and can really give you a nice boost when you are feeling "off".

Also, making sure you are getting enough Omega 3, B vitamins and magnesium in your diet will help. Also, cutting caffeine out (eeek - not an easy one for me!) and alcohol will help. And, of course, a little sunshine, regular exercise and good sleep doesn't hurt!

Wishing you a healthy pregnancy!

[AprilM]

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely take all that into consideration for sure. I did hear that eating food with protein will help raise serotonin levels.
Thanks again.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I'd take 5-HTP before I'd take Prozac during pregnancy. I haven't researched it for pregnancy but look into sam-e as well. It is highly effective for depression. And don't forget your fish oil and B vitamins!

[AprilM]

Yeah, I know that someone by the username of KatG said she took 5-HTP while pregnant and everything turned out fine, I pmed her, but no response as of yet. Some doctors say that taking an anti depressant while pregnant is fine, and some totally oppose it. I tell ya, you just don't ever get any consistent answers.
Thanks again for your reply. :-)

[patchynurse]

5-htp

in the post partum section is a thread titled " a true natural remedy " and the entire thread is about 5-htp and inositol. You should check it out.

[AprilM]

Hi PatchyNurse,
I checked out that thread in the post partum section, but I didn't find anyone saying if these supplements (5-htp and inositol) would be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Does anyone know anything or has anyone actually taken any of these supplements during pregnancy? But Inositol sounds like something that might be helpful.
Thanks again!

[ancoda]

I am a little over 32 weeks along and my Natropath recently put me on 300mg of 5-HTP, she also put me on norival and flax/borage oil. She said that she feels 5-HTP is safe for pregnacy, but I do know that it is still in the we really don't know catigory.

[yogabear]

I did a little googling (just search 5-htp pregnancy and tons of stuff comes up), and here's some of what I found.

Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding

5-HTP cannot be recommended during pregnancy because of a lack of scientific information. There is a risk of adverse effects from 5-HTP or possible contaminants. 5-HTP can affect prolactin, a necessary hormone for milk production, and therefore should be avoided while breast-feeding.

I found the above info at this link: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...l?d=dmtContent

[AprilM]

I know, everytime I research 5-HTP and pregnancy, a ton of stuff always comes up that says it's not recommended because of lack of scientific evidence.
Ancoda, how did your Natropath know to start you on that? Had she/he placed other pregnant women on 5-HTP and had positive results? I would love to know what he/she knows about it, and why they feel is a safe supplement for one to take during pregnancy. I would love to be able to stay on it during my pregnancy. What Natropath do you go to...if you don't mind me asking. I need to get me one of those!
April

Oh, by the way, what is Noravil. I tried googling it, and nothing familiar to supplements came up.

[ancoda]

Norival
http://www.naturalhealthconsult.com/...s/norival.html

The only thing I really know about the safety is that her husband is a midwife, (not mine, but one), and she consults with him on what she does for me during pregnacy.
I go to the Natural Childbirth & Family Clinic in Portland, Or, and I see Elena Hofmann-Smith. I also know of a very nice guy in Forest Grove, Oregon.

[AprilM]

Thanks for the link. By any chance would she be giving you Noravil for energy? I have been studying up on Amino Acids, and the ingredients in Noravil look like the ones that arouse the catacholamine neurotansmitters...like Dopamine, Adrenaline and the epinephrins. I bought The Mood Cure by Julia Ross and have been learning lots about how Amino Acids can take the place of lots of prescription drugs.
Please do keep me updated on how your pregnancy is going on the 5-HTP. I am not pregnant yet, but my husband and I have been charting and we are going to actually try this month! I am really excited.
Do you feel any different since you started the 5-HTP? I noticed one of the side effects since I have taken it is a bit of constipation. :
But it has been pretty good in helping me get off this prozac.
Please keep me informed!
God Bless
April

[ancoda]

Originally Posted by AprilM

Thanks for the link. By any chance would she be giving you Noravil for energy? I have been studying up on Amino Acids, and the ingredients in Noravil look like the ones that arouse the catacholamine neurotansmitters...like Dopamine, Adrenaline and the epinephrins. I bought The Mood Cure by Julia Ross and have been learning lots about how Amino Acids can take the place of lots of prescription drugs.
Please do keep me updated on how your pregnancy is going on the 5-HTP. I am not pregnant yet, but my husband and I have been charting and we are going to actually try this month! I am really excited.
Do you feel any different since you started the 5-HTP? I noticed one of the side effects since I have taken it is a bit of constipation. :
But it has been pretty good in helping me get off this prozac.
Please keep me informed!
God Bless
April

I have not noticed any side effects yet of the 5-HTP. I am not positive of what she gave me for what. I have extream tiredness and get really agitated while depressed. So the Norival could very likely be for energy. I will probably ask her more about them when I see her next week. The apointment were I got the meds was one where she slipped me inbetween two other apointments because of a double booking by her new receptionist.