I'm a Mess and the doc insists on meds!

[mommybytheWord]

I have always stuggled with anxiety and when I was younger I took Zoloft for years. It almost took it away. I even took it through my first pregnancy. But than a few years ago I did a ton of research on the meds and found some really BAD info. So I stopped them 5yrs ago and have not looked back.

Life most days is really tough and since my dads suicied this summer I have been over the top. At times I cannot even care for my childern. I am terrified about postpartum depression again and I fear that if I do not take them than I will lose it. I'm really scarred. My doc has been wanting me to take the meds again for years and he sees my declining health. I want to start them now and he says it is just fine that the benifits way out way the risks. I tried many meds years ago and even the natural one and Zoloft was the only one that worked.


I hate the thought of thoes drugs and the thought of the baby getting them but I am so afraid that if I don't there will be a very bad outcome.


Any advice?

[Aeress]

not in your ddc, but I was on zoloft for ppd after my first. With my second I began taking it in the last month or so before I gave birth. I don't know if it really helped me through the hard part after birth but i didn't develop ppd and slowly weaned off it after a few months.

Given all you are going through, it might be beneficial to start something now, so you don't get really bad.

*hugs*

[monocyte]

s

Sometimes you just have to really weigh the risks and benefits. You've been handed alot lately, and it really might be in your and your kids and your unborn kid to take the meds. I don't think med's make you a bad person or less of a person. Please think about it...you really seem to be reaching out.

Would it make you feel better to see a psychiatrist? Someone that might have a bit more knowledge about the drugs and pregnancy? Not that your OB can't do it, but, there might be a better drug out there for you.

[Isaac'sMa]

Wow. That's a tough spot to be in. If you are really worried about PPD, I would start taking proactive steps now nutritionally and see how you do. It seems like it might not be a bad idea to go on the meds temporarily and then wean yourself off 6-8 months post-partum. In the meantime maybe you could start researching anti-depressants so that if you decide the best choice is to get on one, you can find the one with the least side effects and one that you are most comfortable taking.

I have a friend with a beautiful 7 month old DD who has struggled with life-long depression/anxiety and stayed on A/Ds her whole pregnancy and is still on them now while nursing.

p.s. Have you tried talk therapy? I'm guessing you have since this has been an ongoing issue in your life (obviously complicated by recent events).

[xelakann]

Hugs!

I too tend to have a lot of anxiety... when it was at it's worst I did get on some meds... it really helped me deal with my issues and then wean off them after just a few months.

Since then I have discovered acupuncture. It really, really helps me. As my due date approaches and my hormones rev up, I tend to get really worked up... after an acupuncture appointment I feel "normal" again (normal for me).

And not to sound too new age-y but mediation has helped a bit too.

However, you might try the meds to get handle on things, then look at the alternatives when you are feeling better.

[welldone]

I suffered from severe anxiety during my first pregnancy, and I had to make the difficult choice to take medication in my third trimester. So I've been there, and I understand how difficult this is.

First off, you have to make the informed choice that's best for all of your children, born and unborn. Whether or not you choose medication is not as important as feeling completely informed so that you can make the best decision for your family. After that, don't look back.

Second, if you're interested in trying more nutritional remedies before trying medication, the PPD forum here at MDC can really help. I've personally found daily cod liver oil to be extremely important in avoiding medication during my second and third pregnancies.

Hugs and prayers for you!

[Da WIC Lady]

I'm on a combo of Seroquel and Celexa. Last pregnancy it was seroquel and serzone. Hormones do bad things to my brain chemistry and I get suicidal within the first 6 weeks, so it's not an option for me in pregnancy to forgo drugs. I get major anxiety which feeds into depression, which feeds the anxiety... you see where this is going. If you need meds, go for it. If you think it would be nice, but not really necessary, then that's fine too.

Anna

[Curlita]

I have anxiety and depression and I am on the maximum dose of Zoloft (200 mg) and have been all through this pregnancy. I was on Zoloft all through my last pregnancy as well. Being on Zoloft has given me my life back. I remember my life pre-Zoloft -- the depression was bad enough and the panic attacks were debilitating. I was very relieved when my doc told me that I did not have to stop taking it while pregnant.

I talked to my midwives about the risk factors, more to be informed than anything else, because for me, the risks would have to be EXTREME to consider giving up my meds. The stated risks are postpartum withdrawal, which I did not notice with Dylan and which my midwives have told me they have not actually witnessed or heard mentioned by any of the pediatricians they work with. The other risk is an increase of the chances of persistent pulmonary hypertension, the effects of which range from mild to serious. The normal risk of this is .2%, so the elevated risk for those on SSRIs is 1.2%. Again, my midwives told me that they have never actually witnessed this in one of their patients, and they tend to be liberal in their approach to SSRIs in general. And of course, this is based on only a few studies.

Overall, these are odds that I can easily live with. Particularly since there is also documentation of ill effects of untreated depression on babies in utero.

You know how you feel without meds, and you know that Zoloft has helped you in the past. You are dealing with a lot of grief right now, in addition to everything else. Give yourself a break. You need to be able to take care of yourself, and your children -- both the born and unborn. You don't need to tough it out.

Take care of yourself.

[kgrfcharlton]

I've been on & off Zoloft since '02. I would wean off during pregnancy & start up at some point afterward. I have not been able to wean off this pregnancy. I know how you feel. I have to weigh the loosing it my kids or taking the drugs. I worry about the long term effects for my baby, but I really don't know what else to do.

I tried reading The Mood Cure by Julia Ross (someone on MDC suggested), & taking the supplements. I didn't feel it worked for me that much, but it obviously does for some.

Hang in there. You're not alone!

[Kontessa]

((((((((hugs))))))))

To me it does not sound like you have much time to try things. If you can already say that there are times you can not take care of your kids, I think you are right needing meds you know will work. This might also come from my own fears of PPD. I am doing well enough though that I think I can battle with other things before thinking about medication. The moment PPD hits though as I can not afford to "wait" to find something, I will be on meds as well at least till Hubby gets home to help. All this is to say, I understand the worry.

I am sorry you are in such a spot hun. Not fun.

[GinaRae]

I am pretty anti meds for the most part, but after dealing with this terrible anxiety during the pregnancy I get an inkling of how you might feel. I generally have anxiety, but pregnancy makes it that much worse. If you feel you cannot care for the kids and/or may have crushing PPD, you need to address that quickly.

I have also heard the stories of ladies here in the DDC and feel at this point in the pregnancy Zoloft would benefit you and the baby. I would give it a try now to get it all under control.

Then later, when feeling better, you could try some more natural things like nutrition, herbs, exercise, accupuncture, yada yada, and wean off the Zoloft.

[maisiedotes]

Originally Posted by monocyte

Sometimes you just have to really weigh the risks and benefits.

This is what my midwife said last time. The effects of depression may be worse than the effects of the antidepressant. I was on prozac for years and didn't even realize how much it helped me till I went off it and went off the deep end. I hope it all works out.

[GearGirl]

If it were me I would go on Zoloft. It really sounds like you are suffering, and it would be best for you and your children. Good luck, and I hope you find some relief soon.

[Googy]

ITA about the whole weighing the benefits and costs thing. No one wants to take meds when pregnant, and yes, there are possible side effects of meds on the baby. However, if you are at risk for not being able to take care of yourself and/or your children, or harming yourself and/or your children in any way (emotionally, physically, or otherwise), then to me the possible risks of the meds are completely outweighed.

[melissakc]

Originally Posted by Mom2JandG

If it were me I would go on Zoloft. It really sounds like you are suffering, and it would be best for you and your children. Good luck, and I hope you find some relief soon.

ITA. If you are already struggling to care for your children, adding the demands of a newborn is going to add more stress. I wish I had gotten help for my PPD last time. I suffered a lot, and so needlessly. This time if I have signs I am going immediately for help. I hope you will too!

[Kontessa]

Originally Posted by Googy

ITA about the whole weighing the benefits and costs thing. No one wants to take meds when pregnant, and yes, there are possible side effects of meds on the baby. However, if you are at risk for not being able to take care of yourself and/or your children, or harming yourself and/or your children in any way (emotionally, physically, or otherwise), then to me the possible risks of the meds are completely outweighed.

I really value Googys thoughts on this, specialy the harming children emotionally part. I worry about a pregnant mama I know who has her hands full with kids and the oldest two are bi-polar, the boy is violent even to her. I saw her just about snap this week on them. I wish I could help her. If she told me she needed meds for herself I would not blame her one little bit as a person can only do so much and her kids need her to be ok before emotional damage is done by mama or the older brother!

[Kontessa]

Oh, and I got on Kellymom.com today and saw that Zoloft is the safest when pregnant and breastfeeding so thats my plan if it comes down to it. Right now though, I really am ok! Doing well even. Overwhelmed but well. Yay me. Good to say that for a change. Begining of the pregnancy they had me on prozac! :

Things change, I hope they do for you too!

[isosmom]

Having had terrible ppd with ds and not doing anything about it, looking back, I really really wish I had gotten help, even if it had meant meds, and I am really anti-meds. Of course only you can know what the right choice is for yourself and your kids.

[GinaRae]

Originally Posted by Kontessa

I worry about a pregnant mama I know who has her hands full with kids and the oldest two are bi-polar, the boy is violent even to her.

Off topic, but most bipolar children are more violent towards their mother than anyone else. It's because mom is their safe spot, so-to-speak, even if that seems weird. Mom is who their brains say it's safe to unload on, but unfortunately that can be with force. Sometimes they can't control rages and a mom can be kicked, hit, etc.

It's very hard to keep your cool, especially when pregnant, with ONE bp child, let alone two!! Moms of bp kids live in sort of a PTSD loop that's very stressful and hard to overcome. You're always on guard.

I know because my 12 year old is diagnosed bipolar, so I have experience as well as lots of reading up on the subject behind me.

[mom0810]

I think you would be very smart to go on the zoloft now. Start at the lowest dose--25 mg-- and see if that does anything. then, if you need to, you can slowly titrate up after the baby is here.

I nursed ds on zoloft and he is wonderful, smart, ahead on all of his milestones, and just perfect. My cousin nursed her 2 lb. preemie on 75 mg of zoloft, and he is ahead as well, and so smart and perfect. And they told her that since he was born at 28 weeks that he wouldn't ever walk!! So that is wonderful, and I hope it reassures you.

Zoloft is very very safe in pregnancy and nursing. Depression and anxiety are not. Those will affect the baby much more than the meds. And by starting them now, you will be protecting yourself a little bit from the possibility of PPD.

Hugs to you. I struggled with the choice of meds or not, and I was very anti meds. But I have to tell you, they have made it possible for me to succeed in therapy, and they have given my son a happy mommy who is not sad and worried all the time.