Made a decision, looking for input

Avatar for kdvaleski
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Made a decision, looking for input
7
Fri, 01-07-2005 - 4:59pm

I feel better than I have in days, if not longer. I have made a decision regarding meds and having another baby. I know this will seem very trivial considering all the pain that has been on the board lately, but this matter has been stressful and triggering for me. I was stressed at the thought of coming off my meds, and stressed and horrified at the thought of staying on them during conception/pregnancy (at least the first trimester). I made the following decision this morning, and it gave me a good bit of peace.

I am a reasonably intelligent, well-informed person. I am well aware of the risks of coming off my medication, and well aware that I might cycle while I am off them. However, I feel I need to weigh the risks/benefits involved in the whole situation. I can put up with a whole lot of symptoms; I did for 17 years before being correctly diagnosed, and I certainly can for a brief period to allow my child to develop normally. I will be able to go back on meds and titrate to a therapeutic level either after pregnancy or once it's safer during pregnancy. A child has only one shot at development, and I just can't see playing Russian roulette with that based on hypotheticals. So I will approach my pdoc with my decision and tell her that I will do what she requests as far as seeing her often, checking in by phone, whatever type of monitoring she recommends, but I want her assistance in tapering off meds, because I still will not do that without her knowledge/help. She's a good doc, I like her, and I don't want to piss her off.

I think my decision sounds well-reasoned, but I am open to any input from anyone, if anyone has read this far. Sorry if this seems petty given what so many of you are going through now. I've found that my mood has levelled off quite a bit today since making this choice and feeling comfortable with it. I feel it's an informed decision, not a rash, manic decision.

Love,
Kristen

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2004
Fri, 01-07-2005 - 5:12pm

First, this IS a MAJOR decision! This is what we're here for. To support each other and that includes you.

Now, I have no opinion Believe it or not . That's because this is something that has to be decide between you and your pdoc. I'll tell you this much though...whatever you decide I'll be right there to back you up.

Love,

Jamie

Love,

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2003
Fri, 01-07-2005 - 5:52pm

Kristen-

About 2 years ago, I went though the same decisions that you had to make. I wanted a second child desperatly and was in a mixed state for the last three months with child #1, not fun! So with number two, I decided to stay on my Effexor at 150 mgs. This also was not a rash decision, and I made it on my own and even signed some papers elliviating any resp to the doc, but I was sure of what I was doing. Danny is a beautiful, normal sweet baby of 8 months. I never had to think about what I would do if I was taking a mood stabilizer. I know lithium causes heart defects and the others are just not good. Lamictal is said to be okay during pg. This is purly informational, as I am sure you have made the best decision for you, your family and the potential child! Best of luck.

Kristin

Avatar for kdvaleski
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Fri, 01-07-2005 - 6:02pm

Hi Kristin, thanks for the reply. I am on two mood stabilizers, Lamictal and Topamax, and also on Prozac. I know the Topamax is not one I would take during pregnancy, and I know Prozac and Lamictal are basically known to be acceptably safe. With dd I had to go back on Prozac at about week 14 or 15 as I was getting depressed again. I just feel better having made a decision, because both options were stressing me out before knowing exactly what I would do, and now I feel more grounded.

I am very glad that everything went well for you and your ds!

Kristen

Avatar for kdvaleski
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Fri, 01-07-2005 - 6:03pm

Hi Jamie! Thanks for the reply and support! I hope you're feeling better today! I'll keep y'all posted, whether or not you want it! :)

Love,
Kristen

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sat, 01-08-2005 - 12:27am

Kristen,


I don't think it's trivial at all, but no matter it's obviously important to you and that's what matters!


I'm really not sure about the effect of psych meds on pregnancy--I hadn't been dx'd BP when I was pregnant w/DD.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sat, 01-08-2005 - 12:34am




kristen please dont think your decision is trivial. its not. while im not in a good place at teh moment i want you to know that im thinking of you. you will do what is right for you and i will (hopefully) be better and here to support you the way i should. this is a very imortant decision and i wish you the best of luck with the baby.


traci




Avatar for schitz
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Sat, 01-08-2005 - 1:32am

I'm glad you have made a decision and will be here for you whatever it takes. And, it was definately not a trivial or petty decision. You shouldn't worry about posting that's what we're all here for. My downfall is not wanting to post good stuff when people are having a tough time, but I'm getting over that (like posting today). Good luck with tapering off and conceiving. I'm here for you.

Amanda/Schitz

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