pregnancy and meds (triggers?)
Find a Conversation
| Mon, 07-26-2004 - 1:18pm |
I already have one daughter aged 3. I have had depression for many years, and I spent many of those in denial, but it got really bad after the birth of my daughter. I was having awful thoughts, and got to the point where I just didn't care. This started to scare me. I went to see someone, and started using celexa along with cognitive therapy. We then moved to a different country, so my cognitive therapy has stopped, but I continued with the meds.
I have been feeling alot better (although the tiredness is driving me crazy), and I have been on celexa now for 16 months. I would like to have another child, and have brought down my celexa to 10mg/day (half a tablet) without my doctors knowledge or help. I also have epilepsy, and I am used to monitoring and adjusting meds slowly. I feel I probably know more about tapering meds than my GP does, and I could do without the 'lectures' that normally accompany such things. I bring my dose down a bit, and stay there until I feel comfortable trying the next part. I wouldn't dream of downing the dose whilst still feeling rough.
I have been at this dose for about 4-5 weeks now, and I feel stable, but not particularly happy. I'm finding my temper is getting quick to rise again.
I am wondering a couple of things...
- is it possible that I am stil feeling the effects of reducing the meds after five weeks, or is this a likely sign that I'm going to find life difficult after coming off them altogether?
- I've already gone past the '1 year' suggested time for celexa - does anyone know what the implications of being on it for longer are?
- If I was to remain on the tablets, how would it affect pregnancy/breastfeeding? (bearing in mind that the dose is very low)
During my last pregnancy/breastfeeding I was on Tegretol (carbamezapine) for my epilepsy, and was monitored well. My neuro was useless, but my ob/gyn was supportive. This time, I am on Lamictal which is supposedly one of the safest anti-epilepsy meds for pregnancy. I am just worried about taking two meds. (but also worried about life without!)
Any advice, reassurance or comfort would be greatly accepted
Monsoonstorm

On the books the board suggests post, there is a cognitive therapy book recommended by Caly.
Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think
By Dennis Greenberger, and Christine Padesky
She used it with her therapist. It is , of course, not as good an actual therapist, but it may help.
Please be very careful with your meds, this can be dangerous, especially since you have two tough conditions to work with.
Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.
Take care,
Lisa-)