To make a long story short, I am currently taking 60mg of Cymbalta and 150mg of Wellbutrin XL. I just weaned off of Lexapro 10mg. Other than those, the only meds I take are prenatal vitamins, stool softeners, clarinex 5mg. My husband and I are trying to conceive #2 and I wasn't on any of these meds with my first pregnancy, so I have no clue what the risks are. It seems that every medicine you read has that warning: do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding OR consult your doctor before taking if you suspect you are pregnant. I already have an appointment with my OBGYN to get her input, and my psychiatrist has given me mixed messages. I really don't know what to believe. I know that I don't want to chance putting my unborn child at risk. And just to let you all know, I am not currently pregnant, we have been using other methods until we figure this all out. Any of you moms out there with experience in this.....PLEASE HELP!!! I am SO lost as to what to do! Neither can I, nor my family, live comfortably without me on my meds! I've already tried. What's a girl to do?!?! Thanks in advance for any help!!!
Okay, so that wasn't short at all! Sorry! :)
Just wanted to update everyone. I spoke to my OBGYN today and she said they are both Cymbalta and Wellbutrin XL are Category C but that they should be okay to take. I am still not very comfortable with the idea, but I don't know what else to do. I want my daughter to have a sibling, but I don't want to put my child at the potential risk for health problems either. Guess I'll be praying a lot and wait to hear more information! Thanks to all of you that have been such a help! Every piece of advice is very much appreciated!!
my friends' ob said she could not be on these meds, but she was on zoloft i think and the baby is perfect. sorry i don't know more
In addition to your OB, talk to your pharmisist, they know all the ins and outs on all the drugs. Let them know you have several questions on several meds and even mixing several together and would like to talk and ask when would be a good time. They can give you insight you dr never did. When I was seeing the gastroroloigist, surgical, pulmologisgist and neuologist, they all worked together to make the meds work for me and the baby.
I was started on Celexa 20 mg. 12 weeks into my 2nd preg. & was on it all through nursing, so on & forever. It was, as always a "risk vs. benefit" decision. Some drugs are better studied during pregnancy & nursing. Dr.'s & drug cos. have to CYA with warnings, b/c ideally you don't want to be on meds at that sensitive time. For me it was married, medicated & functioning or divorced, non-medicated & drooling in bed. Hmmmm. You just have to do your research & have a dr. team you trust to give you the best advice.
D.
I am on Prozac. My doctor did let me take a reduced dose while I was pregnant with my youngest (8months). It wasn't easy, but it was better than nothing. I know some meds should not be taken during pregnancy, but perhaps, they can substitute prozac, paxil, or zoloft for the Wellbutrin. Talk to your OB, and have her/him talk to your psychiatrist to see what the benefit vs risk is. Good luck!! The hormones during pregnancy do help some people cope without meds:) My sister is bipolar and doing very well during her pregnancy without meds, not perfect, but better than expected!
here are a few options:
-call a local pharmacy and set up an appointment or find out a good time to meet with a pharmacist, they are required by law to counsel you on your meds, if they seem "lame" go somewhere else to find someone who is willing to take the time to explain things to you.
- call your ob's office and explain your situation, a nurse can also counsel you before your appointment or at least get you in to talk to you.
- look up your drugs on http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
it will usually tell you the pregnancy category rating (A and B are usually the best if you have to take anything, C is usually for a must have to function basis, and D for only life threatenting emergencies and X is a no-way category)
I am also disappointed that your psych doc is not being clear with you - he needs to better educate you on the meds he is prescribing!
Hope this helps a bit!
R.
L.,
I to am on Welbutrin and my OB told me if I wanted to get Prego again (I just had my son 7 months ago) that I need to stop taking it before we started trying. I'm not sure about the other ones but, if your Psych is giving your mixed messages then going to your OB is the best answer.
