Need advise, AD's and continuing BF

[~Faye~]

Not sure if this should be here so move if needed!

Bit of background, I've been really struggling with PPD these last few weeks, I mean really struggling. Now I had an appointment yesterday about the PPD and the upshot is that they are probably going to change my meds. But it depends on BF. If I continue then I need to stay on my meds I'm on now and they aren't doing much, if I stop then I have a much bigger choice of what to do.

But I don't know what to do, do I stop BF when I'm not ready to and get better or do I keep BF for a while longer and stay as I am?

I'm not sure I am ready to stop yet, if I can deal with the guilt of stopping because of me rather than it being Darcy's time to wean. But also there is the fact of do I have the guilt that I am still BF because I want to and I'm not doing the best for my family

So, what would you do?

[AngelaF]

First off, big hugs to you. I know that both choices seem really hard. I always go to the old fashioned pro-con list and see if that helps me get some clarity. When I write it all out, sometimes it makes the choice seem more obvious.

I will say, though, that I think it's MOST important as a Mommy to take care of Mommy and making sure you're healthy and as happy as you can be. You've done a fantastic job BFding for this long and I don't think you should feel one OUNCE of guilt if you decide to wean so that you can get yourself healthy. Honestly, not even one little drop of guilt.

I hope you're able to have peace with whatever choice you make.

[Shiv52]

{{{hugs Faye}}}

Is there another AD they can switch you to than is also safe when bfing? 

I found it hard to wean bfing and it was the right time so I think you are right to take that into consideration.  That being said I'd probably look at the whole picture.  Bfing is so lovely but its only a part of your relationship with Darcy and a part of your life in general so I think its important to look at everything.

If it were me I'd look into other ADs compatible with bfing and if there are none available that will do what they are supposed to do, I'd look into weaning.  Its a tough decision but there is nothing worse than the feelings of PPD and weighed up I'd rather feel better for me and my family than feel like total rubbish and be bfing IYKWIM.  I know its not as clear cut as that but I think at some stage when you've tried your best to cope and get on with things and you're still not feeling ok, something else has to give.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[~Faye~]

Thankyou both of you

Shiv, the other one the said about I've already had and it didn't work so there's little point trying that one So it really is the whole thing of stopping and getting better or not and staying the same.

I think that answers it really. I think I know what I ought to do, just not sure I can.

Although one very clever lady suggested pumping and storing as much as I can so Darcy can still get BM.

This sucks

[Tay]

((hugs)) I wouldn't want to be in your situation for anything in this world! Must be really tough.

Just wanted to say that if you do decide to stop BFng don't feel guilty, you're daughter will be fine FF and probably will be better to have a happier mum. This motherhood business is tough enough so we shouldn't be getting more sticks to beat ourselves with.
xxxxx

[Vicku]

Hey Faye, what med are you on? and which other have you tried? if you don't mind saying...
Big hugs honey, I'd hate to be in that situation

[Shiv52]

Adding more {{{hugs}}}

Asked my sister (a pharmacist) to look up some meds that are safe with bfing.  She's say sertaline and paroxetine are both fine and was looking up more.  I think citroplam also? 

You are stuck between a rock and a hard place hun and its important you are looking after yourself xxx

[~Faye~]

Thanks everyone.

I'm on fluoxetine and have tried sertraline. But they are suggesting venlaflaxine as I need something for the panic, anxiety etc as well

( you're daughter will be fine FF and probably will be better to have a happier mum.

Thankyou I know she will but really wanted to keep going with it

[Vicku]

Faye, I was wondering if it could be worth trying Lexapro (Escitalopram) if you hadn't already tried it. It is also very good for panic/anxiety and anger as well as standard depression and often prescribed for those who suffer both depression, anxiety and panic attacks. This is the one I'm on, and the one Deb (in_oz) was on and it is safe for breast feeding (am doing it as I type ) I had a lot of anxiety and panic attacks and this med helped me so so much with that and I know it did Deb too. It might not be the med for you, but I was just thinking that it could be worth a try to try another BF-safe med before having to stop. It is quite a new med and is a purer, better version of Citalopram, which means that it works quicker and has less side-effects than the older meds. I completely agree that if nothing else works you definitely should put your own health first and not feel guilty at all for stopping bfing, but I know how you feel that you would like to continue if possible and maybe this could just be one more thing to try before going onto the non-bf-compatible meds What do you think? Worth a chat to the docs about?

[donna_issabella]

HUGS Faye.

I have had a few patients on Venlafaxine who was breast feeding at the time. (Started  by the psychiatrist and the paed OKd it)

Looking at the Fluoxetine, it seems to have more potential side effects than the Effexor/Venlafaxine.

http://safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?DrugId=154&TradeName=Fluoxetine&TradeId=2524

HUGS, I have to agree, if you do not want to BF when on the new drug, but you are feeling this crappy, I would vote for new drug and weaning as well. A happy mom and wife benefits 5 people in this instance.

It is a hard and sad decision, and one we cannot make for you but we can support you no matter which decision you make.

HUGS Honey!

[shivi]

Hugs Faye....}}}}{{{{{

I was on sertraline while BFing and it worked wonders for me but only at doses of 150....not before that....were you on decent enough doses of the other two?

As for Lexapro...yep, my sis bfed and was on it like lovely Vick x

I can totally empathise as here in PL they didn't want to give me ANY meds while BFing - Emma was 3-5 mths old while I was getting 20-21 on Edinburgh and not getting ANYTHING from docs in terms of meds - eventually after researching here and elsewhere I went to a psych and LIED that I was NOT bfing Emma to get a prescription for sertraline as I figured it was the best one for me....

S x

[Elenas Mummy]

GPs in the UK often really don't know what they're talking about regarding breastfeeding and meds.  Before you make any decisions, please email Dr Jack Newman at drjacknewman@sympatico.ca

He answers most emails personally and there's very little he doesn't know about breastfeeding and meds.  There are VERY few meds that are completely contraindicated whilst breastfeeding so please don't lose hope.  The negativities of premature weaning off the breast often far outweigh the possible side effects of minimal med saturation in breastmilk!

[RachelC]

This is a quote from Dr. Hale's forum.  He is the leading expert on meds and bfing, just throwing that out there, I'm not an expert   (and it is older info....)

Both Venlafaxine and Bupropion have been studied in breastfeeding mothers. I've provide some references below. The venlafaxine study was done in Australia by the best group in the world and they found levels in milk moderate to low, and no effects whatsoever in the infant. The fact that your infant is now over 2 months is beneficical as he/she could handle the small amounts of these drugs quite well.

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/discus/messages/43/1301.html?1075745401

More here:
http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/discus/messages/43/252.html?1267042110
Something more recent:
http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/discus/messages/43/210821.html?1265074566

{{{hugs}}} Faye

[~Faye~]

Thanks everyone, just putting babies to bed but will look at those bits later But thankyou, really, really thankyou