mom's who take/took Lexapro while breastfeeding--questions.

[River7]

Hi,

I haven't had my baby yet, but will in a few weeks and am very nervous about PPD.

I went off Lexapro right before I got pregnant and was, for the most part, okay with that. There were a few times where I contemplated going back on and about 5 times where I had to take Kolonapin bc I was having anxiety. At the beginning of my pregnancy, when I think my hormones were at their most volatile, I feel like I did get a somewhat depressed--not anxious as much as depressed. But for the most part, I was able to ride through anxiety and worry and have had a pretty good pregnancy--emotionally/mentally. Physically, I have had a very easy/good pregnancy.

However, I've read and heard so much about how much your hormones fluctuate so muchafter you give birth and I'm afraid I'll have PPD. I'm mostly worried about feeling anxious/panic attacks as that is more of my problem (I take lexapro for anxiety/ocd not depression).

Sorry for the very long back story, but I'm wondering about mothers out there who take/took lexapro while breastfeeding and what their experiences/baby's reaction, if any, were. Also, are there any moms who didn't take Lex while pregnant but then got back on it after giving birth as a way to try and head off ppd. I'm not sure if I should just start taking it again after giving birth or wait and see.

Thanks very much.

[Barcino]

My friend is taking Lexapro - started at 2 weeks PP I think and no problems whatsoever. She said she is so glad she did it as it helped her enjoy her son so much more. I am taking Zoloft and it has helped a LOT (I felt more comfortable with it than Lexapro due to more research) but sometimes I wish I would have gone on the Lexapro because I still have slight anxiety but I am only 3 weeks into the zoloft and I think zoloft takes longer to help the anxiety than lexapro. Anyway all this to say I know that Lexapro worked well without any effects on her baby for my friend and my OBGYN actually Rx. it for me and told me it is totally ok to take as well.

[luli]

I take Lexapro for anxiety/ppocd and it has worked wonders for me. I've been nursing my babe for nearly 7 months now without any trouble. The baby's dr. gave the go ahead actually she encouraged it.

[goin' green]

I take lexapro now. I didn't get anything from the docs til DS was 14mo - think I was embarrassed or something. Anyway - tried zoloft and it was horrible for me. Tried lexapro and it has worked wonders. DS has been nursing through all of it and does just fine. I'm TTC starting this month, and I can't decide whether to go off of it or not. I can say I will DEFINITELY take it post-partum though. That period of my life was so difficult, depressing and sad - while it should have been the opposite.

You could always try to stay off of it and if you think you need it afterward, start then.

[nick&jonmom]

I went off Lexapro when I found out I was pregnant and went back on it (5mg) when ds was 2 weeks old. I still take it now, still BF and he is 2 1/2 yo. I don't feel that there have been any serious ill effects to him, but to be honest I did notice that his appetite decreased noticebly when I started it. He has since been very thin, no body fat to speak of and Dr.'s say that it's probably hereditary, but I think it is from the Lexapro and having a small appetite as a result. DH and I were both chubby babies/toddlers as was our older DS, so the hereditary thing I'm not really buying.

However....that said, I don't regret taking it. I didn't take anything when older ds was a baby and I had bad ppd, undiagnosed, and didn't have a good mothering experience as a result. I notice the ill effects of that on my older ds, as we have a strained relationship to this day (he is 7 yo), much more than I notice my lo's skinniness. He is healthy and eats well, just not alot, so I'm no tworried about him at all. I'm glad I took it and will do it again if I need to, if I have another lo.

Good luck.

[River7]

Thank you all for advice and your experiences. I think my plan right now is that I will see how I feel after the birth. If I start to feel really bad, I will take the Lex. I already have my prescription filled, just in case.

I had considered going back on it as soon as I give birth, just in case, but I figure maybe I'll be okay and won't need it. If I do, they I'll start. I remember that the first time I took Lex, it started working within one week.

Thx again.

[River7]

I was curious as to whether you started taking the Lex after birth or during preg and after birth? My main reasons for taking Lex were anxiety and OCD, and you mentioned you had ppocd.

Thanks

[River7]

Originally Posted by luli

I take Lexapro for anxiety/ppocd and it has worked wonders for me. I've been nursing my babe for nearly 7 months now without any trouble. The baby's dr. gave the go ahead actually she encouraged it.

I was curious as to whether you started taking the Lex after birth or during preg and after birth? My main reasons for taking Lex were anxiety and OCD, and you mentioned you had ppocd.

thx