Anyone else having to go off their meds for pregnancy?

[LiveandLetLive42]

Like most people, I suffer from anxiety and depression. I've been on Zoloft 100mg and Abilify 5mg for two years, which has worked WONDERS! Since I started IVF, my doctor took me completely off the Abilify and has me taking 50mg of Zoloft every other day. It's been roughly 3 weeks and man, am I feeling shitty! My anxiety is sky rocket, I am so irritable, depression isn't bad, but it's starting and I just feel out of control. I put an urgent call through to my doctor in the meantime. Does anyone have advice? Maybe there is another med I can take? I also read that Zoloft is okay to take while pregnant. But, of course I don't want to risk taking it if it isn't safe. Thanks everyone!

[Hidden]

I've definitely thought of what it would be like in your situation and out worries me about if that would ever have to happen to me in the future. I'm not currently on medications though. My thoughts are these: Make yourself a plan that you'll stick to in case of any panic attacks/ depressive episodes that you can think of could possibly happen to you. Prepare for the possibilities and make sure you have support from your partner and that they are aware that you could possibly fall into certain mental pits while off the medications. Remind yourself it's all going to be ok and you'll be able to get back on them when it's safe again. It might take a little getting used to the meds again but it'll be ok. Usually you can take them through most of the pregnancy right? Only some are unsafe during the last trimester or something. So it will only be a few months. Hopefully most of your medications are safe for pregnancy. And just remember you are strong enough. And God trusts you.

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Sarah. I’m using this time to prepare before I get pregnant. I called the doctor. Maybe there’s something else I can take during pregnancy or if I have to be off everything, I’ll need to find other ways to cope. I’m lucky to have a very supportive partner in all this. If I get pregnant I think my mindset will change because I want a baby so bad. I’m hoping I’ll be strong enough and think to myself this is incredibly worth it 💕

[Hidden in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

With a willing and loving heart, you'll be made able to do anything.

[Hidden]

I don't want to scare you or anything, there's certainly nothing wrong with wanting a baby and being a mother. I bet you'll probably be okay when you're pregnant, but I think I should mention to you that post partum depression after you've had the baby is a very real thing and if you already have some issues with depression I believe your more susceptible to it. I witnessed my sister go through it after she had her baby and it took her a couple of months to really adjust. Try to have some supportive people on your side besides your husband who can help you in case this should happen after you've had your baby. Every woman is different, but I just felt I should mention this to you.

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I’m very well aware of post partum and I feel being off the meds might increase my chances of getting it. I’m a lot more stable on my meds and part of me thinks that’s the best route for the baby, but however, the doctor doesn’t want me on anything if I get pregnant. I just want to make the right decision.

[Hidden in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

You are undertaking a serious thing, I hope you have some very supportive family and friends around you. I am actually 50 years old and it's really too late for me to have children, I feel somewhat sad about it because it's not that I don't like kids, but having a baby is terrifying to me and I have issues with severe depression. But even when I was younger I always said if I was ever financially set I'd like to adopt a couple of kids. But I'm not even working right now and this Covid pandemic is insane. Take good care of yourself!!! 💖

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Hidden]

I’m almost 40 so it’s like now or never! We’ve been trying for years and when I finally did get pregnant last July, we had a miscarriage. I remember going off the meds than too and I was a mess! Depression is awful!! And this pandemic doesn’t help. Adopting would be so fun. Don’t give up if that’s what you want to do! Xo

[Hidden in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

Thanks, I truly wish you the best. I'm so sorry you had a miscarriage, that's rough. You're braver than me!!!

[ACU2BUDDY]

I think you need to call up your doctor and explain how you are feeling. There is no need for you to suffer. Call.

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to ACU2BUDDY]

I left her an urgent message on Friday. I just don’t know what to do.

[Sinclairctm]

Zoloft worked well for me for almost 20 years. Then stopped being effective for depression.Switched to Wellbutrin which appears to be effective.

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Sinclairctm]

Were you on Zoloft while pregnant?