Dealing with being off medications
Find a Conversation
Dealing with being off medications
| Mon, 03-17-2008 - 5:15pm |
Hi all,
I"m new to this site, but I wanted to put out an important question for me.
My husband and I have been trying for 1.5 years now. When we started trying, I stopped taking my ritalin. Needless to say, 3 months into treatment (2 failed IUI's, the second one ending in miscarriage) I am not doing well. Maintaining my job has become almost impossible, even with the crazy hours I work.
I know that we all struggle with the emotions of infertility and the effect of the horomones on our systems, but is anyone else dealing with being off meds? I would love to know how you are dealing with it.
Thanks!

Pages
hi lisa,
I just started to post here.
Chrissy,
Acutally, I was diagnosed with ADD as an adult. It explained why I had so much trouble in school, and I was losing jobs. I started taking Ritalin and things turned around instantly. That was about 7 years ago... I went off about 1.5 years ago and it has not gone well. I work most hours of the day, just to maintain my job. They tell us all to "relax" but it's hard to relax when you work so many hours that you don't have time to do the things that relax you... you know?
I don't have physical pain like you do (and I'm so sorry that you do have so much pain), but there is a substantial depression that goes along with the lack of medication. It isn't a direct relationship, like with prozac, but it is secondary. For example, I work so many hours that I can't do what makes me relax. I get stressed, it makes it harder to focus because I am so tired and then you add the stress of the TTC.
By the time you add it all together, you are pretty depressed because you are afraid that at the end of it all, you will have lost your job and could maybe still not have a baby.
Anyway... I'm sorry that your medical issues are so substantial. Have you asked if you can take the medications until you find out you are pregant? We spoke to a specialist and they told us that I could be on the meds before pregnancy and that if I was on them even during pregnancy, I would not be considered high risk.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for that!
Chrissy,
When you said that you just wanted your life to start, it made so much sense.
Yes, we are in IF treatments. We are currently in our 3rd round of IUI and we started the treatments around the 1 year point, so it's been a while. The second round ended with an inconclusive result, and then my levels dropped, so it seems that I had a miscarriage. They don't call it that, however. They call it a "biochemical", I think. Terrible name if you ask me.
I am told that I should see this as a positive, evidence that I can get pregnant. Intellectually, that makes sense. Emotionally, it makes me worry more. I had been under the impression that our issues were male based, as my DH's levels are low and none of my tests have come back with anything strange. Now I worry that we won't get pregnant again and also that if we do I will miscarry. I know, intellectually once again, that many women have that happen. That said, doesn't make me feel better.
Anyway, I am planning to take my meds. I agree with your statements that you don't normally endorse it, but sometimes it is ok. Our RE doctor told us that a healthy pregnancy needs a healthy body and that sometimes that healthy body is the result of medication being present, as opposed to absent. You know?
So, I babbled... Where do you live? I am in Maryland.
Lisa
Lisa,
I have heard that b4 too about being able to get pregnant.
Hey Chrissy,
Are you as addicted to the computer as I am ? I am married to a fantastic computer geek, so we have wireless access and all the funky stuff in the house.
We are currently only on the IUI cycle, with the idea of doing 3-4 of them before thinking about IVF. I don't know what I think about IVF. It's really invasive and I already am not doing terribly well with IUI, which is so much less. 3 injections (approx) a month, instead of 4 a day for part of the month. I hear horror stories.
I have never been to Minnesota, have you ever been to Maryland? Funny how location really doesn't mean anything online.
Hope you have a good night. Feel free to email as well, if you want to vent or anything. This kind of thing can be really tough when you feel alone.
Lisa
hi lisa!
LOL!
Hi Chrissy,
No it's not that cold here. Actually my DH would probably like it colder, he is a skier and this season has been pretty pathetic. You, on the other hand, are getting pounded. Not fun, I'm sure. Do you find it hard to walk in the snow? Pain and joint issues cannot go well with cold and limited walking conditions well.
It's nice to know a fellow geek. I like to say that I wasn't a geek before, just a friend of the true geeks. Have been this way since forever, my best friends were frequently geeky guys . They were nicer, more honest, and much more interesting to talk to.
Funny you should ask about acupuncture. I just went today, I have been going once a week for a while and am now going to every other week. She is great, very spiritual and great at constantly reminding me to be positive. I need that sometimes, or alot recently... hmmm......
DH has not gone, he's more scientific. I am just lucky that he doesn't make a fuss about my going, about the cost and all.
What do you mean DH levels? I should know some of this, but I don't. We are currently working with a fertility clinic and I feel a bit like a pin cushion. The injection last night wasn't fun. (now that I say this, I realize that you must have injections all the time... 2 or 3 a month isn't much, I shouldn't complain.)
Oh, and I got a prescription for my ritalin, filled it today and took some this afternoon to get a bunch of work done. Wow, I now remember very clearly why there were a few years during which I finished a masters, worked and maintained my sanity. I got 3/4 of my work done without even noticing that the time passed. I love having focus. I will probably go off again when/if I get pregnant. We'll see... the specialist was of the opinion that I didn't have to, but I don't know. I have to think about it.
Are you having an ok day today? I was thinking about you... hope you are doing ok. Not too much pain or anything.
Have a great weekend, we are off for a few days to just get away. I can't wait, I haven't been away at all for ages and need it badly.
Have a good one!
Lisa
Lisa,
WOW!
Hi Chrissy,
This email is not actually in response to the email attached but I could not find the one that I wanted to reply to.
How are you feeling? How was your surgery?
Sorry so quick, but I am going to sleep soon. This weekend was busy and I am tired. Long work week this week!
Hope you are well!
Lisa
Pages