QuestionThanks so much for the timely response and for sharing your personal experience about depression with me... you mentioned that you have had physical symptoms along with the depression in your reply. I was was just wondering what some of them have been? I have had all kinds to the point where I think I am almost nuts... Examps; Pins and needles in my hands and legs. HEAVY tight and weighed down feelings in my arms in the morning.. to the point where the almost don't move right for a while... weakness on my right side... tightness in chest, the feeling where it is hard to take a deep breath..muscle fatigue and tightness... all that the docs tell me can be due to depression... but most of it not found on the list of depression symptoms. Sorry I do not mean to pry. I was just wanting to get and idea what some others go through with severe depression... I have battled with depression off and on for years, but this last round has definitely been the worst lexapro even while I was on the lexpro I still did not feel quit right(maybe I was under medicated)... Well thanks again and I hope to hear back from you...
Lori
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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I am 17 1/2 weeks pregnant... I have a history of depression and was on lexapro when I found out I was pregnant. I was only 4 1/2 weeks when I found out and stopped my meds immediately... I have really been having a hard time. I cry daily and find it hard to function through the day often. My OB Gave me a script for 20mg of prozac several weeks ago. I have held off on taking this med... I have read and read the effects it can have on the baby when born... Mainly what I get is the possible breathing problems when taken latter in pregnancy. So mainly what I am looking to find out now is possibly what or if you have seen any effects this medication has had on new born babies being in the feild so long and all... I do not want to hurt my unborn child... but the way I have been feeling is rough. I have three children now and I feel like such an inadequate mother at this time... please take note I am not by any means suicidal... just really fed up with how I feel... but having a hard time deciding if the benefits out way the risks... I feel if I give in and take the meds then I am being selfish... I do not by any means want to do anything to hurt my unborn child... just looking for some experienced advice and an honest opinion about how much risk I will be putting my child in... Thanks!
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Hi Lori :)
Different antideppresant medications, will be passed on to your baby. Allthough many of these drugs are deemed safe during pregnancy,its because many of these drugs have not been tested in extensively on pregnant women, but have been tested on animals such as mice and rabbits. Many of these drugs in animals, found to to leave birth defects, and some where stillborn.
However, there are many pregnant ladies that have no other choice but to take antidepressant medication, to keep their moods on an even balance.
Like you, I suffer severe depression, and agoraphobia. I did extensive research on antidepressant medications, when I was pregnant with my first baby.
The only medication at that time that was studied on pregnant women, is called Celexa. Now, I took triple the dose you did. Like you, I was in a very bad way, with depression, and also anxiety.
I took 60mg's of celexa a day, to remain functionable. I took this drug at the advise of my doctor, but before doing so I contacted the Sick Children's hospital in Toronto, where studies are done with drug interaction with pregnant women.
I was informed, that Celexa had the least sideeffects, and out of 100 women that were studied, while taking the drug, all of them had healthy babies, none had complications during their pregnancies, and there where no ill effects on the children as they grew up.
So I took Celexa, 60mg's, everyday for 9 months. My daughter is now 5 years old, happy, bright, and is absolutely normal in every way. I continued to take it while I nursed her, and she was absolutely fine. I also took the drug with my second pregnancy and I had a healthy normal pregnancy, and another thriving baby, whom I also nursed.
When I spoke to the researchers at Sick Kids hospital, they told me that other drugs such as prozac, wellbrutin, zoloft, and many others had slight risk such as developmental delay, and low risk of birth defect, according to their studies. However, it cannot be deemed conclusively because the research is not conclusive, in every country.
Its essential that when you suffer depression, that you remain on some type of medication, especially during pregnancy. Your moods, and the anguish, that leaves you feeling physical symptoms, will impact your baby. Remember, when you are sad, worried, or in despair, so is your baby.
I hope this is of some help. But I understand exactly how you feel. Perhaps talk to your doctor about Celexa, and maybe he will let you try it for a month or so, to see how you are. But it is definately safe during, and after pregnancy.
Keep in mind, that I am from Canada, so studies here may or may not be different then other parts of the world. But just know from personal experience, I had absolutely no ill effects from Celexa.
Hope this is of some help, and thanks for writing.
-Kristy
AnswerHi Lori :)
Depression, and anxiety, go hand in hand. And many of your symptoms you mentioned, in my opinion are directly related to anxiety.
As I said, in almost all cases, people who suffer depression, do suffer anxiety, however many are not aware that this is indeed, anxiety.
I remember when I had my physical symptoms, I literally convinced myself that there was something wrong with me. Beleive me, I think I self-diagnosed myself with every single illness possible. But, this is all how someone who suffers anxiety thinks.
I have suffered the shortness of breath as you mentioned. Trying to take a deep breath in, but its impossible to inhale fully. Thats a symptoms. However, when this happens, some people begin to panic, thinking they cannot breath. So they start to hypoventalate. This is where the pins and needles come in. When you begin to hypoventalate, you dont completely exhale the carbon dioxide from your body. So heart rate speeds up, blood pressure rises, and next think you know, you have pins and needles through your arms to your fingers, and perhaps your toes. I used to get it on my left side though.
I had severe muscle tightness as well, and that simply was being so tense all the time. I was always clenching, and didnt realize it.
So Lori, sounds to me like alot of your symptoms are definately anxiety related, and as I said ..anything you feel, had a direct effect on your baby, so its essential that you be medicated to control your moods, and symptoms.
Keep in mind, as of right now Celexa is the only drug on the market that is an antidepressant, but also contains and anti-anxiety agent within this drug that controls anxiety, and its symptoms as well as depression.
Here is a link on Anxiety, Anxiety Attacks, and its symptoms. Perhaps when reading this, you will be able to relate and realize that what you are feeling, is NOT uncommon, but definately needs to be treated because if its not, there is a possibility that agoraphobia sets in, and thats what I suffer, today. Agoraphobia, is debilitating. It starts from panic attacks. As it continues, one becomes recluse so they wont panic and embarass themself in public. I was recluse, and couldnt leave my home for 4 years. With medication, and exposure therapy I was able to gain my life back. Still, I struggle every day with it, and its a battle. I was diagnosed at 18 years old, and I am now 35.
Here is a link on Anxiety:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/anxiety/page3_em.htm
Here is a link about Celexa!! (This drug, changed my life for the better!!)
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/CEL1079.HTM
(There is a list of alot of possible sideeffects, keep in mind the majority are extremely low risk, but not impossible)
Hope this is of some help Lori, and if you have any more concerns, or questions, please dont hesitate to write back :)
-Kristy
