Psych meds and pregnancy questions??

As I approach my 1 year mark since WLS I'm taking steps towards preparing myself and being as healthy as possible when we are cleared to start TTC this spring. I'm Bipolar with a few other issues thrown in there and am on meds, most of which aren't safe to take while pregnant. I'll be able to take an antidepressant but that's about it. Mentally I'm more stable and in a better place now than I was pre op but I do worry about how I'll deal with not being on meds while pregnant! 
Has anyone dealt with mental health issues while pregnant? How did you handle it?
I'm in the process of tapering off these meds and finding other ways to deal with anxiety and the other issues. My OB, Primary and surgeon are all supportive of my weaning off the meds! 

Thanks for any input! 

I have clinical depression and was on Effexor for 10 years. I wanted to be on somethng that more pregnancy safe aso I tapered off that (harsh) and started Prozac. I believe it is for depression and anxiety. Having a couple people who are bipolar in my family, I hope you take the time to find a mood-stabilizer med that will help your condition while being pregnancy safe. Not sure what they are. But I have seen these family members decide they can deal with their condition alone and stop their meds because they wanted to get pregnant. The mood swings and outbursts that can result are not good for anyone in the household.
Your OB, surgeon and primary are going to be ok with it because they want what is best for your baby. But you really should talk to a neuroligist or pychiatrist for their input. Good luck!

I'm on Prozac now and I know it's one that's safe to take while pregnant. I'm working with a therapist now on the mood swings and irritability so that my DH doesn't keep getting the brunt of it. I know I can't do it alone! Thanks for your input! 

I have anxiety & depression...I tapered off all meds during my pregnancy. I did okay until the last few weeks.I did pretty well emotionally/mentally during the pregnancy; I was at home not working and not around big crowds. However, my anxiety got the best of me and landed me in the hospital 200/100+ bp and very little oxygen getting to the baby. I was at 39 weeks so we started induction. Logan was not doing well so they performed a c-section. He is a great little PreKer~
We are planning now for TTC soon~I know what is key for my anxiety and depression this next pregnancy and that is to stay on my meds (lower doses) and continuing to talk with my health care providers.

I wish you well on your journeyCheri

I believe that Wellbutrin and Prosac are both preggers safe, but obviously check with your doctors. And perhaps you should set something up with a counselor for while your TTC and Pregnant so that you can have adequate help in dealing with your anxiety and other issues while pregnant. I would also recommend taking a lamaze class now. focusing on your breathing and having an important target to focus on (ie. baby) may help with anxiety. The bipolar thing is going to be tough, because if you still have a chemical imbalance... hormones are only going to make that worse. :( Sorry to be blunt. I hope that there is something that you can take for it that is pregnancy safe or it's going to be a long 9 months.

Also, I would make sure that your partner is prepped to handle you in a lessened condition. Obviously they are supportive of the idea of pregnancy, but pregnancy hormones can mess us up enough without added issues. Perhaps a therapy routine for them might be a good idea.

I know I might sound a little 'down' on you, I don't mean to be. Please, understand.... I wish you all of the best and I know that you can do this. It's going to be tough, but such is life. Just keep focusing on your goals and you'll do fine. The ladies here are very supportive and will listen to you whine/cry/ scream and ***** they will probably be more supportive than your family at times and that will help with depression and anxiety.

Good luck!

Blunt is good! It's not a situation to be taken lightly! My DH is aware of what could happen and I've made plans to start therapy so that I can learn how to better deal with these issues as they come up. He's 100% supportive and willing to go to therapy with me.

honestly, I would try and find a med or a way to stay on something during any pregnancy you have. You have to stay mentally healthy so that you can have a good and healthy pregnancy! You don't want to end up in the hospital or do any harm to your baby if the anxiety and/or depression (or any other issues that come up w/o meds) come into play. Sometimes there are no other ways to "deal" with anxiety besides meds for some of us. It's not worth it to go off the meds IMO, you need to stay healthy mentally during your pregnancy! And if that means finding a med that is safe during pg, then do it.

Thanks for the honesty!! I really appreciate it! I'm currently on Prozac and plan to stay on it and I'm researching with my Drs to find a safe to take while pregnant medication for the bipolar. My DH and I have had many serious talks about this as it's not going to be easy but our goal remains the same, a healthy baby and sane as possible me! He's a patient man and has dealt with a lot when it comes to my health both mentally and physically, I'm lucky to have him. I'm addressing it now so that when it comes time to TTC I'm in a good place and as healthy as I can be!

I completely understand your situation.  I am on Effexor and Ativan.  I been trying to reduce my Effexor and was able to get my dosage  down within the last year  I have learned, however, even when I am not pregnant that if I reduce my Effexor by even just a little bit more, I have major side effects.  It is a mother risk vs baby risk drug, as my doctor calls it.  I will be staying on the Effexor and hopefully be able to get the Ativan down to nothing by my third trimester  Otherwise, I would be a crazy/unhappy person dealing with painful withdrawl that would make me sick. That would be very harmful to a growing baby.   The fetal risk seems to surround withdrawl symptoms that only last a day or two after birth. 

I hope this helps.  I trust my doctor and have done a lot of research on the subject.  If you trust your doctor and his/her medical opinion, your mind should be at rest.

J

Yeah Effexor is no joke. It took me 7 months to go from 300mg a day to 27. Then none. Once you get down to 27 though it is not bad.