HeatherGail
10-23-2004, 02:40 AM
I have been taking Lexapro for depression and Strattera for ADD for about 6 months now and I still don't know whats going on inside my head. I recently have been thinking that I could be pregnant which its too early to know for sure. I stopped cold turkey taking my meds which i think wasn't a good idea. I don't want to take anything if I am pregnant but what should I do about dealing with the depression and the ADD? I'm sick of going to the doctors for help they just seem to want to give me more drugs. Someone please help!!
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kabuki713
10-25-2004, 08:41 PM
Dr. Kathleen Nadeau specializes in ADHD in women and girls. I would think if any dr has had experience dealing with similar cases to yours, it would be her. Check out addvance.com or do a search online for her name or look up ADDVANCE.
I hope something get's figured out! Blessings! :wave:
I hope something get's figured out! Blessings! :wave:
Amy2838
11-09-2004, 05:04 PM
My husband and I are considering having another baby, and my doctors have agreed taking Adderall is seriously off limits, (I have no idea about Straterra) but they also said that if the depression was going to be a problem (yes, of course...duh) that continuing to take Wellbutrin or Prozac was okay, but maybe lower the dose a bit. Isn't Lexapro in the same family as Prozac? I was allowed to take Prozac during my first pregnancy, and everything "came out" just fine. With the extra hormones and unpredictable emotions that come with pregnancy, I was grateful to be allowed to continue my anti-depressant.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck on your possible pregnancy.
Amy
P.S. It sucks to be off Adderall. I'm not coping well.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck on your possible pregnancy.
Amy
P.S. It sucks to be off Adderall. I'm not coping well.
index.html
11-10-2004, 04:29 AM
I don't want to take anything if I am pregnant but what should I do about dealing with the depression and the ADD?
I agree with you - I absolutely would not take anything while pregnant unless I was so severely depressed that I might be at risk for hurting myself (& the unborn child). For me, it just wasn't worth the risk.
I think counseling would be a good idea while you are pregnant (or trying to conceive). It would be nice to have some professional support during this time.
Good luck!
I agree with you - I absolutely would not take anything while pregnant unless I was so severely depressed that I might be at risk for hurting myself (& the unborn child). For me, it just wasn't worth the risk.
I think counseling would be a good idea while you are pregnant (or trying to conceive). It would be nice to have some professional support during this time.
Good luck!
Jennita
11-12-2004, 04:40 PM
I have been taking Lexapro for depression and Strattera for ADD for about 6 months now and I still don't know whats going on inside my head. I recently have been thinking that I could be pregnant which its too early to know for sure. I stopped cold turkey taking my meds which i think wasn't a good idea. I don't want to take anything if I am pregnant but what should I do about dealing with the depression and the ADD? I'm sick of going to the doctors for help they just seem to want to give me more drugs. Someone please help!!
It would be best not to take anything during pregnancy. A new study has indicated that mothers who use AD's during preganancy tend to have children who are diagnoised with depression, anxiety, ADD, etc. The drugs may not cause physical birth defects but it can be argued the effects on the developing fetus' brain and nervous system.
Of course, better to take the drug than end up harming yourself or your unborn; so that distinction can only be known to you whether or not it will be a factor.
Goodness, never cold turkey any of these drugs. Taper off slowly, and give the brain a recovery time of at least a few months before thinking about pregnancy. Make sure you can handle it beforehand; it can be a stressful time, not just the hormonal changes but the physical discomforts of being pregnant are hard. But, in the end, totally worth those little bundles of joy!
9 months of your life for a lifetime of joy isn't too big a price to pay.
It would be best not to take anything during pregnancy. A new study has indicated that mothers who use AD's during preganancy tend to have children who are diagnoised with depression, anxiety, ADD, etc. The drugs may not cause physical birth defects but it can be argued the effects on the developing fetus' brain and nervous system.
Of course, better to take the drug than end up harming yourself or your unborn; so that distinction can only be known to you whether or not it will be a factor.
Goodness, never cold turkey any of these drugs. Taper off slowly, and give the brain a recovery time of at least a few months before thinking about pregnancy. Make sure you can handle it beforehand; it can be a stressful time, not just the hormonal changes but the physical discomforts of being pregnant are hard. But, in the end, totally worth those little bundles of joy!
9 months of your life for a lifetime of joy isn't too big a price to pay.
downawell
11-13-2004, 10:24 PM
Wow, you are taking the same drugs I am - Celexa (the first version of lexapro) and Strattera. Being a women of child bearing age too, I feel like I can relate! I'd talk to the doctor about the strattera, becausewho knows if the Strattera can be taken while preggers and even if it could be I'd probally try to reduce the dosage and try to lower and lower until off of it. It's so new, who knows what it does to an unborn baby?
And it seems like the ADD would be easier to deal with while preg than the depression. If it were me I think I could deal with the ADD symptoms more than the Depression
I think you can take celexa while pregnant.Seems like if Prozac's okay, the Celexa would be too, find out from the doc.
Since there are months of withdrawal symptoms where you feel like poo (believe me Iv'e done it) seems like stoppig an SSRI would make things worse!
As long as it's considered safe and won't hurt the unborn child. If it isn't safe than could you switch to a okay SSRI ? I Don't know if there are side affects associated from switching. I lowered my Strattera before and I just felt really low energy but at least not depressed and moody. That's worse. Least from my perspective. And since you already may be pregnant seems like a sudden change in your brain chemistry would be worse for the fetus not better. That's my opinion. Don't go off of the AD cold turkey.
And it seems like the ADD would be easier to deal with while preg than the depression. If it were me I think I could deal with the ADD symptoms more than the Depression
I think you can take celexa while pregnant.Seems like if Prozac's okay, the Celexa would be too, find out from the doc.
Since there are months of withdrawal symptoms where you feel like poo (believe me Iv'e done it) seems like stoppig an SSRI would make things worse!
As long as it's considered safe and won't hurt the unborn child. If it isn't safe than could you switch to a okay SSRI ? I Don't know if there are side affects associated from switching. I lowered my Strattera before and I just felt really low energy but at least not depressed and moody. That's worse. Least from my perspective. And since you already may be pregnant seems like a sudden change in your brain chemistry would be worse for the fetus not better. That's my opinion. Don't go off of the AD cold turkey.