Would like to talk people in my situation of coming off antipressants just for help. Anyone else feeling isolated?

[starreen12]

I am pregnant with my first chils at 17 weeks, my GP has refused to give me any help and support of coming off my antipressants and her words 'I can't help you, you chose to get pregnant, theres nothing you can take and I wouldn't risk it if I were you or you will miscarry, have a baby with cleft palate, heart defects its on your head' after trying to see her twice, I feel isolated and so paranoid and insecure so I came off everything to keep my baby safe I have had three scares along the way. I was wondering if any of you are going through this and I could actually speak to someone going through similar situation and support each other. My partner is great he works full time but it's just so exhausting to be me :(. I'm beginning to be like a hermit again won't go out.🙄

[Blue1986]

So sorry you are feeling this way. Your doctor is an arse! I can't believe he would let you just stop taking antidepressants without any help. Of course it's understandable why you should stop taking them, but with no help. You should go see another doctor, who perhaps could refer you for counselling or psychotherapy. These pregnancy hormones are no fun anyway without the added stress of stopping medication. Also, try to do things. Make plans, go places, have things to take your mind off the thoughts in your head.

[starreen12 in reply to Blue1986]

Thank you so much for your kind words! What I needed to hear right now! Definitely will change doctors! Here's hoping I get a better understanding doctor! Thank you again x

[Blue1986 in reply to starreen12]

No worries, good luck with the little one I hope that you can get the support you need and be the person you are, without the depression and sadness. I have been through really dark times and didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel, but there is one!

[starreen12 in reply to Blue1986]

Thank you! Hope your little one is healthy and well! ❤

[Rbh2]

Maybe speak to your midwife team. I'm sure they will be far more understanding. I spoke to my midwife about my low mood and anxiety during my first pregnancy and she arranged for me to be supported by a specialist midwife and have therapy every week. It helped me immeasurably.

Take care x

[starreen12 in reply to Rbh2]

Thank you for this, I will be sure to do that ❤ x

[pinkie93]

I'm sorry you're going through this with such a shitty doctor! I can really relate to this, antidepressants were one of the main reasons I ended up having 2 terminations in my early 20's, it was the hardest thing I've ever done. First I recommend finding a different doctor, look on your GP website to see if any of the GP's in your surgery specialise in mental health (I'm in England, not sure how this works in other countries). As for being off the pills, do everything you can to find a hobby. This was a life saver for me, I started painting, sewing, doing puzzles and colouring in. Also find out if there are any numbers you can call when you're alone and feeling really bad, just so you can talk to someone. In the UK we have Samaritans, they're not just for when you're suicidal, I would often call and just ask "can we chat for a bit".

I also got a real love for watching standup comedy, you can get lots of cheap comedy DVD's usually in charity shops or discount stores.

Obviously getting pregnant on antidepressants is far from ideal, but you're nearly half way through already, so try to make the best of it, just think about that gorgeous baby!

[starreen12 in reply to pinkie93]

Wow some amazing helpful tips here thank you! I will try them all Need to keep myself sane! Thank you for your lovely reply x

[Prosopon]

Hi, your doctor sounds horrible and seems to have no knowledge about how to support and advise someone who is pregnant and has mental health problems.

I was supposed to start taking antidepressants again but then found out I was pregnant and decided with my GP that I wouldn't take them. I take a very small dose of quetiapine (an antipsychotic) and was really worried about this, so my doctor suggested I decrease the dose, with the aim of possibly stopping it in the third trimester. In can be unsafe to just stop medications, without reducing them first and your doctor should have advised you about this. There are also some antidepressants which are deemed to be safer in pregnancy than others. I was advised by a psychiatrist that fluoxetine and sertraline are often used if the woman needs to keep taking medication.

There are services especially for pregnant women with mental health problems, and they can give you specialist support and advice, so maybe this is something you can look into or ask your midwife about. I would also urge you to change to a different doctor as your current one seems to be extremely unhelpful.

[starreen12 in reply to Prosopon]

Thank you, this is of so much help I will write these medicines down and suggest them to a different doctor. My GP is very strict and has very bizarre beliefs x

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I don’t think she has given you good advice. Maybe try speaking to a pharmacist (they have private rooms to speak to them in many chemists) and asking them about possible drugs you could be prescribed. Then see a different dr at your practice.

Also definitely make sure you are having lots of contact with your midwife and that they know the full situation. X

[starreen12 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Thank you. My midwife is finally in the know after 2 months away been a crazy couple of months! X

[GCMH]

I just wanted to say how sad I was to read about the lack of support from your doctor. She or he is abandoning their duty to help so I would insist on changing GP’s firstly. I’ve just been on the NHS website and they say your doctor will help with coming off antidepressants. I’ve also just found this link from the charity Mind which has a whole section on being pregnant with depression and coming off medication:

mind.org.uk/information-sup...

I hope this helps guide you in getting some better advice and wishing you all the best x

[starreen12 in reply to GCMH]

Thank you so much for this! So kind of you! I will save all the links and check them all out! x

[Tealharp]

Ok, first thing you definitely need a GP! That is awful treatment. I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and in the process of reducing my antidepressants to see how it goes. I am on fluoxetine which is relatively safe in pregnancy, I know Sertraline is one they also know is relatively safe. Being on them isn't ideal of course, but your health is important too. You need to take care of your mental health to be the best you can be for your baby.

[starreen12 in reply to Tealharp]

Thank you, I will note down those antipressants. I hope all goes well for you in your pregnancy, congratulations, you will do great!

[bee_bethell]

As a mental health nurse I can tell you this is absolutely not true. No medication is 100 percent guaranteed safe, but there are anti-depressants that can be considered during pregnancy and breastfeeding if there is a need. The number of women I have seen who are relapsing g in mental illness when pregnant because GP has stopped medication is staggering. Firstly, most anti depressants need to be tapered down to prevent withdrawal, and secondly, like the other ladies have said if you would rather stop there are other options, like counselling, specialist midwives and perinatal mental health teams. Most areas in England have an IAPT programme who you can self refer to for therapy, the waiting list is very short for pregnant or new mothers. Don't accept this from your GP you are entitled to support and what has been said is very untrue

[starreen12 in reply to bee_bethell]

Thank you so much! I am definitely changing Drs and going to get myself sorted. Thank you x

[starreen12]

Thank you everyone for all your kind words of support and suggestions truly means alot! Thank you ❤

[Major2116]

I'd put in a complaint Hun! I took Sertraline throughout my pregnancy as it's meant to be the safest one. My son was born absolutely fine and healthy.

Some medications though aren't good in pregnancy. Talk to your midwife instead. She can make some suggestions. My friend was on a medication and had to have more regular scans but her son was born healthy too.

I stopped taking mine when I found out as my anxiety was horrendous due to having 2 early miscarriages within 4 months. My moods were terrible. My midwife said it's better for me and baby if I take them and stay at a steady mental level than be up and down.

Would definitely talk to your midwife as your doctor seems to be an utter tool. Wishing you all the best Hun! Xx

[starreen12 in reply to Major2116]

Thank you lovely x