Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Tizzy 12/01/2008

I am pregnant and on meds. I knew i planned on getting prego so I told the pdoc and he set me up on meds that are supposedly "safe". At least the safest on the market. I don't believe it though and he told me that we would have to double the medicine when I DID get pregnant because my kidneys would start dumping at least 1/2 out of my system working on over time for the baby. I don't like the idea of taking meds at all let alone doubling them! I want to quit them, but I know I can't so my compromise is not to up them... I'm scared to go to the doc, but I feel like I need to because I am feeling depressed, and very out of control obsessive!~ i'm kind of freaking out, but it seems so selfish to be worried about how I feel when I could potential hurt my baby for the rest of his or her life! HELP what should I do?

***Sorry I am reposting this on the advice of another person because she thought that some moms out here would not have seen my earlier post, and I really want as much advice as possible! :-) Thank you for understanding Tizzy

deleted_user 12/01/2008

I guess the question is, when you are off your meds are you in a safe place. Some people, when they are off their meds, can become a danger to themselves and from my experience the change in hormones during pregnancy is a real ride on a rollercoaster.I think that when I became pregnant , although I was undiagnosised at the time,I did become much more unstable but if you have people close to you then being off the meds might be an option. Just remember that taking care of yourself while pregnant is the sameas taking care of the baby.

deleted_user 12/01/2008

First off CONGRATS. I know that it can be a roller coaster with meds so i can imagine only without meds. Many women that get prego has to spend time in the hospital since they are not on their meds. I know that u wanna have a healthy and safe pregnancy. My best of wishes are out to u. Women that are beepers and have babies are women that has power and very strong because it takes alot especially sometimes living with no meds and all the hormones. Best of wishes xxx

deleted_user 12/01/2008

CONGRATS!

deleted_user 12/01/2008

YEAH!!! I LOVE BABIES!!! CONGRATULATIONS MOMMY!!! About the meds... I have heard that your body has a natural method of "fixing" itself when you are pregant. I used to have a friend who had severe bipolar (and other psych problems) and she took NO medications at all when pregnant (and ONLY then). She said that if she could just be pregnant all the time, she wouldn't need medication at all! I know that each individual is different, though. I just know that she was SEVERE and didn't need any medication at all when pregant. :)

deleted_user 12/01/2008

I wasn't on meds when I was pregnant... i had a pretty bad time but i also didn't have an understanding or kind husband.. if you do then it depends on how bad you think you'll get. if you think that you'd hurt yourself or someone else were you to go off your meds, then you should stay on them. if you think that you can manage with love and support from your partner then, if it were me, i'd stop them. that's just me though and you should try to talk to your doctor again. again, if it were ME, i'd go back on them as soon as the baby was born but i wouldn't breast feed and take meds since they can get into the breast mik.. but i wouldn't take the chance of not taking my meds for that long so i'd formula feed.

that's all my personal opinion of course.

Tizzy 12/01/2008

My husband is not loving and supportive in that way. He is a great guy and in his own way loves and supports, but freaks out when my BP shows up in any facet. I've actually learned that he can not be my friend. I have others that do that for me. I just let him live his life and choose when he wants to be a part of mine. It seems to work out well that way. I'm kind of lonely and maybe look in the wrong places sometimes for the contact he SHOULD be giving me... You just can't change someone else to be what you need them to be... That's one thing I HAVE learned.

I plan on intend on and if Lord allows it WILL breast feed so i hope that won't be a big problem. I think I need to call my doc I'm kind of getting freaked out. I don't know what to do.

I do know that last time I was unmedicated and it took years to heal my marriage friendships and family. i was a terrorist!

deleted_user 12/01/2008

Are you working?

Tizzy 12/01/2008

I work Full time with three very part time jobs, and I'm going to school full time for my Masters degree.... I also have a 4 year old. I'M A VERY BUSY PERSON! :-) Why?

deleted_user 12/01/2008

It looks to me that you have wayyy to much going on to be unmedicated during your pregnancy. I had my babies before I was diagnosed but I do remember that it was quite a rollercoaster ride. Its nice to be able to breastfeed but its not always possible. Besides today's formulas are wonderful and I know tons of babies that are formula fed and turn out just fine.

You have to do what is best for you. If this pregnancy sends you off the deep end then how can you be there for your baby when he/she is born? My PPD was horrid and could not care for my babies very well. I wish I knew what was going on with me and had meds in my system before that happened.

Just my 2 cents.

deleted_user 12/01/2008

you should keep on taking the meds. Better sane than sorry. that sucks that u are having a baby from a guy who isnt always there for you. I dunno... you deserve better. The husband is supposed to be there ESPECIALLY when you are pregnant and extremely hormonal.

deleted_user 12/01/2008

I've never been pregnant. But, If you decide to go off of your meds completely during your pregnancy, you might want to try a supplement called empower plus. The website is truehope.com (The website is having problems tonight, keep trying though). They have a video on the website about the story and concept of empower plus. Youtube also have the discovery channel video about the product. Just go to youtube and type in: True hope bipolar impossible cures discovery channel part I. There are 4 or 5 10 min parts. I have bipolar II and have never been able to tolerate any psycotropic meds. I've been on the supplements since march, I'm on no prescription medications and I feel better than I ever have in my whole life. The vitamins are a little expensive, but there worth it to me. Just a suggestion. Best wishes.

deleted_user 12/02/2008

When I was pregnant this summer(had a miscarriage) I told my Psychiatrist. We very carefully outweighed the risks and benefits of my medications. We concluded that it was better to stay on meds, but we did lower the doses as to not hurt the baby.
Congrats and hope you have a happy healthy nine months!

deleted_user 12/02/2008

If you don't feel right about it being on meds while you're pregnant, then you should talk it out with your doctor. maybe you could come up with another solution, like seeing your doctor more often.. something like that. and if things are really bad you could go back on them. but being pregnant makes you so crazy anyways, people might not even notice you're bipolar lol. just don't do anything without taking to your doc. best of luck!

deleted_user 12/02/2008

Don't listen to me, any of us, or your doc.

Listen to your mind and body

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