NutshellNutter
02-11-2007, 07:48 AM
Hi,
My partner and I are currently thinking about starting a family. The only thing that is stopping us is me and my BP meds!!!!
Unfortunately we know (and my pdoc reconfirmed to me yesterday) that I can't do without the meds. When I was taken off all meds due to a severe reaction, my head went all over the place again - neither of us can live like that again.
However, the anti-dep that I am on (Mirtazapine / Zispin) completely obliterates my libido - I have none at all. So, thats the first stumbling block to even getting pregnant. Then if I did manage to fall pregnant my mood stabiliser (Carbamazapine / Tegretol) is known to cause spina bifida in the foetus. Arghhhhh!!!!!!
My psychiatrist would prefer for me to have an extended period of stability (I've only just become stable) before comtemplating trying for a family.
What is a girl to do? Can anyone recommend an anti-dep and a mood stabiliser that doesn't kill their sex drive and that is safe in pregnancy?
I know that if I am unable to try for a baby I will start to get depressed about being a let-down to my partner. And then I also can't help thinking that if I go off the meds to have a baby that I will go BP again and also be a let down to my partner..... Depression would strike in either of those scenarios for me.
I'm so confused and hate myself for being BP in the first place that I am actually starting to HATE taking the meds. Although they give me a 'stable' life, the urge to not take them is getting so strong. I find myself missing the odd dose here and there in the hope that I can ween myself off them and 'trick' my body to think that I am still on them (if that makes sense). I am a recovering anorexic - and its sort of the same feeling as when starve myself.... sorry, guess thats gettin off topic. It's just so hard to keep putting the tablets in my mouth - I need to be in control of it you see, not the meds controlling me.
Nut.
My partner and I are currently thinking about starting a family. The only thing that is stopping us is me and my BP meds!!!!
Unfortunately we know (and my pdoc reconfirmed to me yesterday) that I can't do without the meds. When I was taken off all meds due to a severe reaction, my head went all over the place again - neither of us can live like that again.
However, the anti-dep that I am on (Mirtazapine / Zispin) completely obliterates my libido - I have none at all. So, thats the first stumbling block to even getting pregnant. Then if I did manage to fall pregnant my mood stabiliser (Carbamazapine / Tegretol) is known to cause spina bifida in the foetus. Arghhhhh!!!!!!
My psychiatrist would prefer for me to have an extended period of stability (I've only just become stable) before comtemplating trying for a family.
What is a girl to do? Can anyone recommend an anti-dep and a mood stabiliser that doesn't kill their sex drive and that is safe in pregnancy?
I know that if I am unable to try for a baby I will start to get depressed about being a let-down to my partner. And then I also can't help thinking that if I go off the meds to have a baby that I will go BP again and also be a let down to my partner..... Depression would strike in either of those scenarios for me.
I'm so confused and hate myself for being BP in the first place that I am actually starting to HATE taking the meds. Although they give me a 'stable' life, the urge to not take them is getting so strong. I find myself missing the odd dose here and there in the hope that I can ween myself off them and 'trick' my body to think that I am still on them (if that makes sense). I am a recovering anorexic - and its sort of the same feeling as when starve myself.... sorry, guess thats gettin off topic. It's just so hard to keep putting the tablets in my mouth - I need to be in control of it you see, not the meds controlling me.
Nut.
Sponsor
tsohl
02-11-2007, 11:39 AM
Your writing indicates to me that you haven't fully accepted your diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This is a biochemical illness of the brain that you are not going to outgrow as you get older. The medications fill in for the things that your body is not manufacturing and that's what allows you to feel stable. When you stop taking the meds, you will go back to lacking those things and you will begin having symptoms of depression and/or mania again. The problem is that when you go back on the meds, they don't always "work" again, and then you are left trying to find something else that will bring stability. Also, the longer one goes without treatment, the closer together the episodes become and often, the symptoms become worse and worse.
You need to think about your meds as the thing that allows you to be stable. By choosing to take them, you are controlling your dis-ease. When you choose not to take them, the symptoms take over your brain and you are no longer in control.
You might want to check into lamictal and seroquel. This is a combination that seems to work well for many. I have NO IDEA if they are safe for a pregnancy though, so you need to check into that.
Good luck to you. Hopefully you'll be able to find something so that you can satisfy both issues.
Tsohl :wave:
You need to think about your meds as the thing that allows you to be stable. By choosing to take them, you are controlling your dis-ease. When you choose not to take them, the symptoms take over your brain and you are no longer in control.
You might want to check into lamictal and seroquel. This is a combination that seems to work well for many. I have NO IDEA if they are safe for a pregnancy though, so you need to check into that.
Good luck to you. Hopefully you'll be able to find something so that you can satisfy both issues.
Tsohl :wave:
fallen_angel
02-11-2007, 01:29 PM
Hi nutshell
ive been through exactly the same thing as this as i have always desperately wanted kids and was actually trying for a baby last year whilst i was on lithium, i made the decision that i would stop as soon as i got pregnant, purely because it was taking me a while to conceive and i didnt want to go unmedicated that long whilst not knowing how long it would take me to fall.
im not with my partner anymore but i still want children and this is still a concern of mine. i think its a really personal thing what u choose to do as regards meds, but through my own research i have heard that some meds are safer than others to be used in pregnancy. I know Depakote is one that is not recommended to be taken and isnt prescribed easily for women of child bearing age because of this.
I also discovered that mania is normally well controlled in pregnancy and its depression that we are at the greater risk from if unmedicated at this time.
i would just advise you to get as much medical support and advice as possible and also to do your own research so you can make an informed decision, as i believe there is no right or wrong in this situation, but i wanted to offer my support as i know what a dilemma this can feel like:angel:
ive been through exactly the same thing as this as i have always desperately wanted kids and was actually trying for a baby last year whilst i was on lithium, i made the decision that i would stop as soon as i got pregnant, purely because it was taking me a while to conceive and i didnt want to go unmedicated that long whilst not knowing how long it would take me to fall.
im not with my partner anymore but i still want children and this is still a concern of mine. i think its a really personal thing what u choose to do as regards meds, but through my own research i have heard that some meds are safer than others to be used in pregnancy. I know Depakote is one that is not recommended to be taken and isnt prescribed easily for women of child bearing age because of this.
I also discovered that mania is normally well controlled in pregnancy and its depression that we are at the greater risk from if unmedicated at this time.
i would just advise you to get as much medical support and advice as possible and also to do your own research so you can make an informed decision, as i believe there is no right or wrong in this situation, but i wanted to offer my support as i know what a dilemma this can feel like:angel:
goody2shuz
02-11-2007, 01:59 PM
Dear Nut ~ You have received wonderful advice from both Tsohl and FallenAngel. The one thing I would like to reiterate it that there is so much to lose or sacrifice if you were to go off your meds. Think how long it took to find the meds that work the best for you and have brought the stability that you and your partner need. I know having gone through that with my daughter that it was a long time in coming finding the right combo. One thing I have read, that you may wish to keep in mind, is that if you were to stop those meds they may not work a second time around. Also....it is important to remember that you need your meds just as a diabetic needs his/her insulin or a hemopheliac needs his clotting factor. If you were to choose to go off your meds you should have your pdoc work extremely closely with your ob/gyn in choosing the meds you can take while pregnant and how to best monitor the situation so that both baby and you will remain stable and healthy. This means being off of certain meds and putting others in place if need be. Whether you are looking into being pregnant or not it is vital that you understand the importance of your meds in keeping you healthy and stable.
If it helps any, I have read that Lamictal is a med that can be taken throughout pregnancy (you will need to confirm this with both your pdoc and gyn) and covers both spectrums of Bipolar but the depressive side moreso. So you my be able to get away with just being switched to that but I think that you should have it in place well before you become pregnant because first it takes some time to get up to a therapeutic dose since it has to be titrated slowly to avoid a dangerous rash AND it will need some further adjustments once your hormonal levels surge with the pregnancy.
I think that it is a big decision when it comes to having a baby without Bipolar coming into play. Another thing that you must look at is your stability as a mother and how important that come into play in order to be the best mother possible. Imagine if things were the way before you were on meds....if your partner had such a difficult time with that just imagine how that would be for a child.
I know that you must be already thinking about all of these things....I am just sharing with you my thoughts as I will probably be doing when it comes time for Erin to marry and start thinking about having a baby. I am not there quite yet but I do have my concerns for what the future may hold in regard to that but for now I can only live one day at a time.
I wish you peace and good insight when it comes to making this important decision.
((((HUGS)))) ~ Goody:angel: :wave:
If it helps any, I have read that Lamictal is a med that can be taken throughout pregnancy (you will need to confirm this with both your pdoc and gyn) and covers both spectrums of Bipolar but the depressive side moreso. So you my be able to get away with just being switched to that but I think that you should have it in place well before you become pregnant because first it takes some time to get up to a therapeutic dose since it has to be titrated slowly to avoid a dangerous rash AND it will need some further adjustments once your hormonal levels surge with the pregnancy.
I think that it is a big decision when it comes to having a baby without Bipolar coming into play. Another thing that you must look at is your stability as a mother and how important that come into play in order to be the best mother possible. Imagine if things were the way before you were on meds....if your partner had such a difficult time with that just imagine how that would be for a child.
I know that you must be already thinking about all of these things....I am just sharing with you my thoughts as I will probably be doing when it comes time for Erin to marry and start thinking about having a baby. I am not there quite yet but I do have my concerns for what the future may hold in regard to that but for now I can only live one day at a time.
I wish you peace and good insight when it comes to making this important decision.
((((HUGS)))) ~ Goody:angel: :wave:
coffeegirl2
02-12-2007, 10:25 AM
Hi NutshellNutter
It would be good to speak with the pdoc/gyne/pharmacist about which meds cause problems during pregnancy. They would all be knowledgeable in which ones cause the issues that arise.
Staying on the meds throughout your pregnancy is your decision, but you must consider the after effects such as what Tshol stated if you don't take them at that time. So talking it over with a professional and asking them for their help with what they recommend for treatment and planning would be beneficial.
Also, in reference to the ED. I too, have an ED with BPD. A nutritionist can help in that area. It is nothing to spare. The nutritionist can help you through the pregnancy so you gain the amount of weight and eat properly. I have been bulimic and anorexic for a very, very long time. :( It stinks.
Believe that you will someday be a mommy. Have some faith. :angel:
Hugs
Coffeegirl
It would be good to speak with the pdoc/gyne/pharmacist about which meds cause problems during pregnancy. They would all be knowledgeable in which ones cause the issues that arise.
Staying on the meds throughout your pregnancy is your decision, but you must consider the after effects such as what Tshol stated if you don't take them at that time. So talking it over with a professional and asking them for their help with what they recommend for treatment and planning would be beneficial.
Also, in reference to the ED. I too, have an ED with BPD. A nutritionist can help in that area. It is nothing to spare. The nutritionist can help you through the pregnancy so you gain the amount of weight and eat properly. I have been bulimic and anorexic for a very, very long time. :( It stinks.
Believe that you will someday be a mommy. Have some faith. :angel:
Hugs
Coffeegirl