I have been taking Zoloft for about three years now to treat my anxiety and depression issues. I have been so happy with how I felt while on it, but I have heard a mixture of things about being on antidepressants while pregnant. Now, hold your horses, I'm not pregnant now. But I have been trying to prepare myself physically for when the time is right, and I have been weaning myself off the zoloft just to see if I even still need it. To complicate things, my OBGYN retired this year, so I can't ask for his wisdom on something so important.
I have been taking half a dose for a few weeks now, and I have not taken anything for the past three days. I started feeling pretty anxious last night and a little lightheaded, too. Apparently, some people can experience zoloft withdrawal. The way I am feeling right now makes me want to get back on the meds.
So here's the question: any great recommendations on a new lady doctor? any thoughts on anti-depressants (zoloft in particular) while pregnant?
9 comments:
Okay, several things. One, the weaning experiment you're doing--approved by your doctor? If not, as your friend, I urge you to go back to your regular dose until you talk to a doctor about it. It's so common for people to mess with their medicine doses when it's for something like anxiety or depression. But if you were diabetic, you wouldn't wean yourself off of your insulin, right?
Next, there's a lot of mixed information about SSRIs during pregnancy. I think you'll find that a doctor will tell you that if you really need it while you're pregnant, the risks outweigh the benefits, *with the exception of one of the trimesters--the first or third--I can't remember. There is the chance that pregnancy will temporarily suspend your symptoms. That's what happened to me. I wasn't on any meds before I got pregnant, but my symptoms were pretty much totally absent during my entire pregnancy. Of course, it could also go in the other direction--our bodies are so fun!
Third, I recommend the doctors at the Cornerstone Clinic. They're a little Jesus-happy, but they don't push it at all. I've seen Dr. Singleton twice (once when I was pregnant, and just last week), and I like him pretty well--he's a real straight-shooter. I may switch to Dr. Breneman for my next pregnancy, though, because he's got a decent VBAC reputation. But I have heard good things about pretty much all of the doctors in that group.
I hope this is helpful. And if you want to talk about any more of it, you know how to find me!
Hey Eve, can you shoot me an email when you get a chance? I can't find your address on your blog: simon.bloggasm@gmail.com
Oh, also. Whenever you do get pregnant, and if you do go off the Zoloft, but you want to do some talk-therapy to help you through the pregnancy, I really like my therapist and would recommend her highly.
my doc is dr. brenamman at cornerstone. i dig him even though he didn't deliver nate. cornerstone has an awesome reputation and they really do take good care of you! however, all my pregnancy appointments took FOREVER (in the waiting room; not with the doc.) they are, as brooke mentioned, not afraid to let you know they are praying for you and also all three baby docs are very pro-natural birth if you are into that kind of thing!
Eve, I agree with everything Brooke has said. I think you know my story--went off Zoloft quickly during my first trimester and had horrible withdrawal; went back on the med late into my 2nd trimester. My doctor is Dr. Breniman and I think he is fantastic (actually, just saw him yesterday). Cornerstone Clinic does have a female doctor, but I never went to her.
Zoloft is pretty safe during pregnancy and breasfeeding. Make sure your doctor who prescribed Zoloft talks to your OB--that helped with my situation.
--Nicole
when i stopped taking depression meds I was told to take 1/2 for a week or 2, then half every other day for a week then stop taking them. maybe stretching it out longer might help:) Just check wit your doc. I think there might even be a med now that you can take while pregnant.
also, I LOVE my OBGYN Dr. Owens.
she is now at the Woman's Clinic in the Doctors Building 4th floor. 664-4683. She doesnt deliver at UAMS any more but if you want to deliver there, they have some great docs too which becca can recommned.
Eve,
I switched to Dr. Cope at the Woman's Clinic, and he has been great. His nurses have returned calls quickly, and the wait time while there has been good too. He was actually the one I saw right after MK was born. Not sure about the new female dr in the clinic, but either might be a good option since all of your medical history is already at their clinic. Also, talk to Dr. H about the Zoloft. He's always so straightforward and won't mislead you :) Good luck!
thanks to everyone who posted with such thoughtful insight. I called the Woman's Clinic (where my old doc was) and asked to become a patient of Dr Owens. I am excited to try a female doc! And I am doing well with the zoloft issues. I am down to about half a pill every three days and I am feeling good.
I'm playing blog catch up. As far as ssri's during pregnancy...most providers consider it safe during first and second trimesters. Sometimes they will wean you in the third trimester because of a very very small risk of tachypnea (fast breathing) in the newborn right after birth. I have seen lots of patients on zoloft while pregnant. Like Brooke said it's risk vs. Benefits issue.
P. S. Dr. Owens is awesome.
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