stopping meds is very very bad....
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| Sun, 10-22-2006 - 10:28pm |
I hate my doctors. I especially hate my pdoc. A week and a half ago I found out I was pregnant (right after my pdoc dx's me bipolar w/psychotic symptoms) and he and my neuro decide I shouldn't be taking anything (can you say "please don't sue me"). Since I thought I should be following their directions I did that. Never never never never again. I learned all about severe discontinuation syndrome and spent last week mostly laying down to avoid the worst of the vertigo. I couldn't read, watch tv or even look at the stupid computer screen without getting sick). I've had to restart everything, and I'm still having difficulty holding conversations because there's something amiss with my language center. And that doesn't even begin to describe the mood problems. And the worst part is that every freaking time I called one of the offices I got the "it's not my medicine that's the problem" line. The ER doc (yes...it got so bad I went to the ER for the first time in my entire life over this) didn't even believe it was a med withdrawal thing. She diagnosed me with Labyrinthitis (inner ear thing) and severe anxiety and sent me home with a perscription for a medication that turned out to be OTC and strict instructions to go to my pdoc the next day (since I refused to stay and see theirs).
Now I have to start with a new OB tomorrow while trying to pretend to be a normal, functioning human being and get him to sort all this out for me. Right now I've forced me primary (who isn't even allowed to see me after a + pregnancy test according to HMO rules) to take responsibility for my meds right at the moment. I felt bad prevailing on our long friendly relationship, but sometimes you have no choice.
I'm losing it folks.
Mary

First off, congratulations! I can definitely understand how hard it is for you right now, but try to keep telling yourself how much it is worth it! You can make it through this and then resume your medications. I hope they can find something that you can take that is safe for pregnancy. If they do, let me know because I'm really wanting to have a baby and I haven't a clue what to do about the pregnancy / medications thing!
Best wishes!
Congrats on the pregnancy !!!
sorry about the withdralws, they are horrible !!!
God could not be everywhere, so
Mary, congratulations on your exciting news. Sorry it's been such a struggle for you lately.
I don't have any experience with psych meds and pregnancy, but took lots of meds for both of my pregnancies. Both kids turned out fine (so far!) I would cautiously advise you to do a bit of research on the internet, but be aware that the information can be scary and confusing.
All drugs will get a letter rating, A-D or X. Do not take an X!!! If you've already taken an X, tell your OB. A is the safest, D is the most dangerous. As my GP told me, most vitamins don't even get an A rating, so don't be surprised if your drugs come up C or worse. Most of my drugs were C, I had to take at least one D, though. D means something along the lines of "Has been proven to cause birth defects" but those defects probably only occur in a minority of cases. It doesn't mean your baby will get them. There is a risk with everything, and the point is to minimize risks as much as possible. Your comfort is important, too, though! I strongly believe you can find reasonably safe meds that can get you through this, but you will probably have to be your own advocate all the way.
Good luck and congrats again!
Cari
i also took appropriate meds while nursing.
but i KNOW this dr. said pg & bp can be treated together