Anyone taking Zoloft?

Question

Need some advice/opinions. I had taken Zoloft in the past for anxiety/depression. Came off for 8-12 mths before getting pregnant and had been doing fine. Over the course of my first and second trimester I have had the feelings coming back. I am becoming really nervous about everything, getting stressed very easily, and am irritable with my husband which leads to fights and then I become more upset for being this way. I am trying to weigh the pros/cons of starting the Zoloft again. My dr called in a prescription for a minimal dosage and said she was ultimately leaving it up to me to decide, but that the risks are minimal.  I really wanted to try to get through this pregnancy without it, but now I just don't know what to do. I'm nervous of any effects on the baby or any withdrawal symptoms that they could show after birth. The dr said if I decide not to take it now, that she recommends starting after both to help with postpartum. Anyone have any experience with this?

Answer

I take it and I'm 6 months pregnant. I was in a terrible, terrible depression after struggling with it for years. I was verging on suicidal and felt like I couldn't grab onto anything. My marriage was abysmal. It's horrible to say, but I couldn't even love my baby.

I take 50 mg and it has been a night and day difference for me. I am so excited to meet my baby and my husband and I are doing wonderfully. I wanted to avoid psychiatric medication during pregnancy, but I just was not doing well.

I have a family friend who is an OBGYN and has delivered tons of babies. I consulted with her, in addition toy regular doctor, before beginning the medication. She said she saw withdrawal symptoms in a baby once, but the mother was on an astronomical dose. Like over 300mg. Like an irresponsible amount.

Now I see both my midwife and my psychiatrist regularly to assess my medication. Both feel it was well worth it for me, and the benefits largely outweigh the risks to my baby (who is growing and developing right on schedule).

Basically, be honest with yourself. I brought my husband in on the decision, too. It was worth it for me. If you're in a dark place, it may be for you too. Best of luck and a happy, healthy pregnancy with whatever you decide is best!

Answer

I'm on 50mg of Zoloft.  My Obgyn said the risk of anxiety and depression is worse than potential of adverse side effects of small dose of Zoloft

Answer

I take wellbutrin for anxiety and when I got pregnant I asked my doc if I should stop it. She said my anxiety levels were way more risky than any effects from my medicine. If you don't take care of you,  you aren't being fair to yourself or your baby. At midpoint of second trimester the baby's organs are mostly developed so I wouldn't worry. As for the faux autism links...people like everything to autism. Autism is incredibly rare regardless, but we fear it because we hear about it constantly. I refuse to live my life fearing something like that because I don't think I have any hand in my child's mental development beyond eating well and being healthy. I try not to feel guilty. I hope you are able to do whatever is best for you,  whatever it is!

Answer

I'm on 20 mg of celexa for anxiety/panic attacks. I came to the decision to stay on it bc how could I take care of my baby if I'm a nervous wreck and can't take care of myself. 
The best thing we can do is to BE CALM and take care of ourselves. 
If the baby does have withdrawal symptoms I heard they will go away within a couple of days.

Answer

I am taking Zoloft 50 mg. The effect is minimal compared to the majority of antidepressants on the market that do cause abnormalities.

The benefit outweighs the (again, very minimal) risks for me, plus I don't want to put myself and any greater risk for post-partum depression. Of course a doctor will warn you, they have to cover their asses a lot.....just in case.

Answer

It takes  a few weeks to start working

Answer

My doctor put me on zoloft for heart palpitations/panic attacks. She told me it's the best to be on right now.

Answer

The feelings you're having are very common for pregnant women in general.

There have been studies lining antidepressant use in pregnancy to increased risk of autism. I've read that it can as much as double the odds of an autistic child.

I took SSRI antidepressant medication in my second and third trimesters with my first child; he does have autism, but I do as well, so I can't make the conclusion it was the medication. I'll personally not take the risk again though. To this day I wonder if my child would have had less problems if I hadn't taken them. He's 19 now.

Ultimately it comes down to if the benefits outweigh the risk of harm. For some people the risk of suicide is a bigger issue than potential harm to the child. Each case is unique.

I would personally try counseling, meditation, exercise, and acupuncture first.

https://www.drugwatch.com/2016/01/13/antidepressants-during-pregnancy-and-autism-risk/

http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/mobile/article.aspx?articleid=1107329

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2016/01/truth-antidepressants-autism.html

Anyone taking Zoloft?

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