antidepressants and pregnancy - I need some advice, please.

[crankgirl]

Hello all, I am trying to find out if anyone here on the forum is living with depression and has to take medication, as I think I may have made a mistake with coming off mine!
I was taking fluoxetine(20mg) and was feeling ok and stable with the odd hormonal gripe such as you would expect in the first tri, so I thought I'd be clever and told the doctor I'd like to come off them gradually. The doctor also didn't think that I should be on any meds while pregnant (this was a locum doctor as my usual one was on holiday).
I've had a couple of scary downers lately and I recognise the symptoms from before so I know this isn't just me being a hormonal fatalist! People aren't used to seeing me like this and I absolutely hate the thought of appearing emotionally needy!
I have been hearing and reading some things though that are contrary to the opinion of this particular doctor and am now a bit worried and confused, can anyone help?

p.s. sorry for the rambling post, hope it makes sense!

 

[tracey 2]

hun i dont know if i can help at all but i have recently come off anti depresents when i found out i was pregnant, i was on 20mg of cipralex (there is another name for it but cant spell it for my life).

the first few weeks were a nightmare as i was weaning of them, but gradually things are getting easier im still having couple of bad days when i suddenley realise im not on them but thats just me panicing as i have bad panic attacks too,

if i can help or answer any questions just PM me i will be happy to answer them

 

[crankgirl]

Thanks Tracey for the reply and the reassurance, it sounds like I may just be going through the rough "withdrawl" bit like you!
You appear to be a lot braver than me though as I just want to chicken out at the moment but am desperately trying to do what's best for baby.
I don't feel so alone in this now though and I hope you're through the worst,

 

[beanie]

I was on 40mg of fluoxitine before I found out I was pregnant and as soon as I found out I saw my Dr (anotherf locum) who said I should come off them. I really struggled and after seeing my usual Dr I am now back on 20mg which has stabilised me.

Fluoxitine is one of the safest ones in pregnancy according to my Dr and whilst I hate the fact I am back on them and feel like I am letting my baby down I also have my other child to think of and aftr getting PND last time I just don't want to got hrough that again. Do what you feel is best.

 

[pip]

i'm on 20mg Fluoxetine too hun, i have only been on them a week though after having a hellish time with depression so far.

I hope i start to feel the benefits soom. I think there a lot more people on AD's during pregnancy than you think.

 

[maria1976]

Hiya

I was on 10mg of Escitalopram and have cut back to 5mg every few days now.
Was really worried at first because of panic attacks but im absolutely fine feeling great too.
Doc told me not to worry too much about being pregnant and taking the tabs just to cut the dosage over a period of time.
Im always here if you want to pm me

 

[katyk]

Hi some people NEED meds and though ideally in pregnancy you don't take them, it's not a good option. Lots of docs try to make you stop them in preg, a random nurse who hadn't seen me before made me try to stop them.

I didn't sleep at all, and went to see my consultant who said we don't know what really effects pregnancy, women who aren't on meds have poorly babies sometimes or m/c so there's no evidence half the time that the drugs do any harm. Years ago my docs had checked that my meds were the least-worst ones for ttc. Do you have a consultant/specialist you can see? Or at least go back and see a non-locum, they will actually know your case and what you need

The last thing you need when preg is depression- hope you feel beeter soon, and take your meds if need be, if you are ill that'll be far worse for the baby than any tablet

 

[crankgirl]

Thank you all so much for your replies, I've had to be pragmatic in the end and went to see my doctor this morning who's put me back on 20mg. He will be monitoring me closely though and said that as far as effects to pregnancy and babies are concerned, side effects of fluoxetine have only been noted in animals. I wish modern medicine could find another alternative

 

[frangelle]

I was on anxiety/depression tablets (diosulpin) and came off gradually soon as I found out I was pregnant as my doctor said it was very bad for baby, effects their muscles etc

Did you come off gradually or stop straight away?

It was tough at first as I suffer from severe anxiety, but now I am fine, still have bad days but on the whole, I'm OK

 

[beanie]

I was on anxiety/depression tablets (diosulpin) and came off gradually soon as I found out I was pregnant as my doctor said it was very bad for baby, effects their muscles etc

Did you come off gradually or stop straight away?

It was tough at first as I suffer from severe anxiety, but now I am fine, still have bad days but on the whole, I'm OK

Which ones were you on? If you don't mind me asking

 

[frangelle]

I was on anxiety/depression tablets (diosulpin) and came off gradually soon as I found out I was pregnant as my doctor said it was very bad for baby, effects their muscles etc

Did you come off gradually or stop straight away?

It was tough at first as I suffer from severe anxiety, but now I am fine, still have bad days but on the whole, I'm OK

Which ones were you on? If you don't mind me asking

diosulepin (hope ive spelt that right)

 

[beanie]

oops just seen you put that in your original post - am so dumb at the moment

 

[katyk]

Some are better than others and if you need them a consultant can make sure you're on the safest ones for pregnancy

It's worth it if you really need them, as if you end up really ill it'll be no good for you and the baby. So, do what you feel you need to do