"Safer" Antidepressants?

Hi Ladies!

This question is for women who have HAD to take an antidepressant throughout their pregnancy:

I'm one of the not-so-fortunate ones who will HAVE to take something while I'm pregnant.  This is per an OBGYN/Psychiatrist doctor at Stanford University - so I'd say that's a fairly credible source.  Of course they say this but don't tell you exactly what to take.  Ugh...

Anyhow, my question is now that I'm looking at having to switch my currently approved meds to something else (just love that insurance company...different rant, though), what did you take while pregnant?  I know Wellbutrin is supposed to be okay, but has anyone done Celexa?  Just trying to weigh out my options, based on what has worked for me in the past.  I'm currently on Cymbalta, and was OK'd to continue with that, but probably won't be able to because of the cost...so I'm trying to look at some stuff with generics.

If you'd rather PM me with your answer, please feel welcome to do that.  I'm pretty open about my mental health, but I realize not everyone else is.

And no, I am not TRYING to get pregnant yet...I'm just paranoid that I might now that I'm off the pill (see previous post on that one).  Just want to be safe as possible, just in case.

Thanks for any feedback!

~Katherine

Edited to "Safer"

No advice but I have to commend you on seeking out this information before getting pregnant (something I should have done) I haven't taken my meds for this whole pregnancy which I so desperately needed at the beginning but have found a way to manage without them. Just saying good luck is all, and good planning.

This may sound silly, but thank you for your comment.  I'm so worried somone is just going to post something like, "If you need meds you shouldn't be having kids..."  I know, why should I care what others think...but it's not that easy in some ways, if you know what I mean...

Sincerely, thank you.

~Katherine

I think it's hard to have kids and NOT be on any meds...........LOL.

I stopped meds during pregnancy. Wish I hadn't. Got into a terrible tailspin and PPD after delivery, and am now back on. I am not sure what is safe during pregnancy, but wish you luck.

I was on effexor XR during my whole pregnancy. All  drs. were on board with this and it was approved by all.

Just a suggestion. No generics yet.

I just want to add that there is now Venlafaxine ER, which is a tablet form equivalent of Effexor XR. It is considered a brand but some insurances are considering it a generic for billing/copay purposes

HTH!

Lisa

Well, to my knowledge there aren't any *safe* AD's for pregnancy (I believe most are Class C, but you can check safefetus.com to be sure). In some cases going off ADs when PG is more of a risk than that of continuing.



I stopped all ADs when TTC and didn't start taking them again until my 2nd child arrived. It was tough. With this last PG, I continued Zoloft. Tried to lower the dose shortly around the time I was put on bedrest, and that didn't work well so I went back to my full dose.

Post-partum I've increased the Zoloft and added Wellbutrin. I am not BFing. I'm a much happier and more balanced person now

Please feel free to PM if you have any questions.

Hugs,

I was on Zoloft throughout both pregnancies.  I am not sure how safe it is and wouldn't want to just openly recommend it, but the OB didn't seem to want to take me off it when I found out I was pregnant.  Hope that helps and kudos to you for being proactive in finding something ahead of time that will work for you!  *hugs*

~ Renae