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Depression and pregnancy
Hiya!
I seem to be filling the forum with all my worries today!!
I just wanted to chat to other laydees who have previously suffered from depression and are or have coped with pregnancy without their anti-depressants.
I had my last (v low dose) escitalopram about 5 weeks ago, as have been slowly coming off them for bout a year in order to start a family. But now I've started having bad periods again where it feels like the old depression symptoms are coming back.
I am being seen by a Mother and Baby mental health unit, but obviously they dont want to put you on any meds if they can help it.
Am just really worrying how I can cope for another 6 months without meds and if it will get worse.
I seem to be filling the forum with all my worries today!!
I just wanted to chat to other laydees who have previously suffered from depression and are or have coped with pregnancy without their anti-depressants.
I had my last (v low dose) escitalopram about 5 weeks ago, as have been slowly coming off them for bout a year in order to start a family. But now I've started having bad periods again where it feels like the old depression symptoms are coming back.
I am being seen by a Mother and Baby mental health unit, but obviously they dont want to put you on any meds if they can help it.
Am just really worrying how I can cope for another 6 months without meds and if it will get worse.
0
Replies
I suffered with depression on and off since my teens and have been on antidepressants a few times but never long term. I found myself feeling depressed again during pregnancy at around fourteen weeks, I cried for three hours solid once coz I couldnt find my shoes, and was having panic attacks going to work. I saw a very unhelpful doctor who told me that it wwas normal to feel a bit like this and that it was hormonal and to let him know if it got worse. I was really mad at the time but the thing was to some extent he was right. Over the weeks I started feeling loads better, teh panic attacks stopped and to be honest by the end of the pregnancy I was feeling about the least depressed I have in years, despite still bawling over episodes of Futurama. I dont mean to belittle your feelings in any way, and of course you need to be aware of ur emotional state with your history. All I'm saying is whather you've a history of depression or not, pregnancy hormones can really screw with you, so if you can ride it out as little you may find your depression eases a little. Sorry if this hasn't helped but best of luck and however you get through it never forget why your doing this, if that isn't a goal worth focusing on I dont know what is.
There are some of the older anti-depressants - eg Prozac - which they will prescribe. They are considered safe as they have been used alot in pregnancy with no adverse effects. Doctors just generally do not want to give any type of meds to pregnant laydees if they dont have to. But the doctor I saw at the Mother and Baby mental health unit did say they would prescribe these 'safe' drugs if necessary.
Hope that helps!
Anna
xxx