For those of you with a mental illness...

Bella1002 · Aug 17th, 2011, 18:05 PM

...just wondering how everyone is doing with it at this point in the pregnancy?

I personally suffer from bipolar II disorder, but have stayed on my meds throughout the pregnancy upon the advice of my doctors. The risk for post-partum depression is huge because both of my parents suffer from depression. Plus, in general, pregnancy is a very vulnerable time and the risk for relapse is very high.

I've been lucky in that I haven't had any major problems so far. I had a lot of stress in the beginning due to the pregnancy being unplanned, and I worried a lot about losing the baby. But other than that, I've done very well with my moods.

Still, I'm scared about the post-natal period. I've been hospitalized before and my illness can get very severe when I relapse. I'm still only about 27 weeks, so I have a ways to go... but just wondering how all of you third trimesters are doing with it no matter how far along you are?

kimini26 · Aug 17th, 2011, 18:19 PM

I have bipolar 1 which really just means i have a lot of mixed episodes and rapid cycling. I went off meds for this pregnancy and turned over my money to DH and quit my job. Doing ok so far, but I plan on going back on meds soon after baby arrives.

LittleBoo · Aug 17th, 2011, 18:28 PM

I'm diagnosed bi-polar but the only thing I've been told is I'm rapid cycling. Finally been put on the waiting list for one on one abuse counseling and group therapy, took myself off my meds in the first trimester then went downhill and ended up getting put back on at 20 weeks, bloody good job too. Mood's been pretty stable since, though I'm feeling a bit down at the moment it's nothing compared to me off the meds. Glad you're both doing well so far, hope you stay well and if anything changes, make sure you let the people supporting you know as soon as

kimini26 · Aug 17th, 2011, 18:31 PM

I feel sorry for my husband. I probably try to leave/divorce him once a month. The hormones sure don't help things.

LittleBoo · Aug 17th, 2011, 19:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimini26

I feel sorry for my husband. I probably try to leave/divorce him once a month. The hormones sure don't help things.

Since going back on the meds I've managed not to sabotage (or attempt to) our relationship... pre-meds I broke my finger punching him in the head

no excuse, I was just completely out of control and he made a wrong move. Luckily I was forgiven and since then we've had no more problems

so glad, he's my biggest source of support and the love of my life (n'awww)

babytimeee · Aug 17th, 2011, 21:10 PM

Ugh.. I'm doing terrible. I have severe depression, anxiety, ADHD and I'm bulimic (obviously in remission) and I'm a wreck. I can barely function, I have the biggest fear that I don't love my baby and that I'll be a horrible parent because I don't have that ~bond~ with her yet and I'm afraid it will never come.

I went off my meds and stayed off regardless of multiple episdoes of wanting to self-harm and purge, because I was on Paxil, Abilify, and Ritalin and they are pretty much the worst ones you can take, yet the only ones that work for me.

Really want to breast feed but afraid I won't be able to cope knowing that I COULD be back on my medication and I SHOULD. Don't even know if I'll be able to produce with how upset I've been.

To top it all off I moved in with OH when I was 33 weeks (we got an apartment) and had to leave my Mum (yeah I'm 21 and haven't left her til now, lol) and my cat.. and my beloved rat baby just passed away Monday night.

Needless to say I'm amazed that I'm alive right now.

WiscoGirl · Aug 17th, 2011, 22:06 PM

Quote:

Ugh.. I'm doing terrible. I have severe depression, anxiety, ADHD and I'm bulimic (obviously in remission) and I'm a wreck. I can barely function, I have the biggest fear that I don't love my baby and that I'll be a horrible parent because I don't have that ~bond~ with her yet and I'm afraid it will never come.

I am feeling the same way. Went off Prozac, Lorazepam, and Ambien of which I was on for at least 10 years. I dearly miss all of them and can't wait to take them againn. Feel like shit at the moment..

babytimeee · Aug 18th, 2011, 02:21 AM

It's the worst huh hun? just gotta hope we will be ok i guess!

Madamebelle · Aug 18th, 2011, 13:42 PM

I am coping pretty well right now, i wasnt on any meds prior to being pregnant as was very stable and it was felt that i could cope without them, but i had a mixed episode at 7 weeks lasting till i was 14 weeks im taking 25mg quetiapine which is holding base for the moment and am under the care of a perinatal mental health team. Im taking maternity leave from the first possible date due to stress at work and their attitude towards me. I want to be relaxed and stress free as much as possible prior to birth in the hope it will reduce any risk of relapse post partum.

sequeena · Aug 18th, 2011, 13:55 PM

I wasn't too bad, had to go on paroxetine for a little while at around 30 weeks but think I was only on them for a week. I've never felt better now, don't worry, just relax and enjoy if you can

Aug 17th, 2011, 18:05 PM	#1
Bella1002 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 88	For those of you with a mental illness... ...just wondering how everyone is doing with it at this point in the pregnancy? I personally suffer from bipolar II disorder, but have stayed on my meds throughout the pregnancy upon the advice of my doctors. The risk for post-partum depression is huge because both of my parents suffer from depression. Plus, in general, pregnancy is a very vulnerable time and the risk for relapse is very high. I've been lucky in that I haven't had any major problems so far. I had a lot of stress in the beginning due to the pregnancy being unplanned, and I worried a lot about losing the baby. But other than that, I've done very well with my moods. Still, I'm scared about the post-natal period. I've been hospitalized before and my illness can get very severe when I relapse. I'm still only about 27 weeks, so I have a ways to go... but just wondering how all of you third trimesters are doing with it no matter how far along you are?

Status: Offline

Aug 17th, 2011, 18:19 PM	#2
kimini26 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ky Posts: 704	I have bipolar 1 which really just means i have a lot of mixed episodes and rapid cycling. I went off meds for this pregnancy and turned over my money to DH and quit my job. Doing ok so far, but I plan on going back on meds soon after baby arrives.

Status: Offline

Aug 17th, 2011, 18:28 PM	#3
LittleBoo Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Leigh, Gtr Manchester Posts: 3,462	I'm diagnosed bi-polar but the only thing I've been told is I'm rapid cycling. Finally been put on the waiting list for one on one abuse counseling and group therapy, took myself off my meds in the first trimester then went downhill and ended up getting put back on at 20 weeks, bloody good job too. Mood's been pretty stable since, though I'm feeling a bit down at the moment it's nothing compared to me off the meds. Glad you're both doing well so far, hope you stay well and if anything changes, make sure you let the people supporting you know as soon as

Status: Offline

Aug 17th, 2011, 18:31 PM	#4
kimini26 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ky Posts: 704	I feel sorry for my husband. I probably try to leave/divorce him once a month. The hormones sure don't help things.

Status: Offline

Aug 17th, 2011, 21:10 PM	#6
babytimeee Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NH Posts: 764	Ugh.. I'm doing terrible. I have severe depression, anxiety, ADHD and I'm bulimic (obviously in remission) and I'm a wreck. I can barely function, I have the biggest fear that I don't love my baby and that I'll be a horrible parent because I don't have that ~bond~ with her yet and I'm afraid it will never come. I went off my meds and stayed off regardless of multiple episdoes of wanting to self-harm and purge, because I was on Paxil, Abilify, and Ritalin and they are pretty much the worst ones you can take, yet the only ones that work for me. Really want to breast feed but afraid I won't be able to cope knowing that I COULD be back on my medication and I SHOULD. Don't even know if I'll be able to produce with how upset I've been. To top it all off I moved in with OH when I was 33 weeks (we got an apartment) and had to leave my Mum (yeah I'm 21 and haven't left her til now, lol) and my cat.. and my beloved rat baby just passed away Monday night. Needless to say I'm amazed that I'm alive right now.

Status: Offline

Aug 18th, 2011, 02:21 AM	#8
babytimeee Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NH Posts: 764	It's the worst huh hun? just gotta hope we will be ok i guess!

Status: Offline

Aug 18th, 2011, 13:42 PM	#9
Madamebelle Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southampton Posts: 139	I am coping pretty well right now, i wasnt on any meds prior to being pregnant as was very stable and it was felt that i could cope without them, but i had a mixed episode at 7 weeks lasting till i was 14 weeks im taking 25mg quetiapine which is holding base for the moment and am under the care of a perinatal mental health team. Im taking maternity leave from the first possible date due to stress at work and their attitude towards me. I want to be relaxed and stress free as much as possible prior to birth in the hope it will reduce any risk of relapse post partum.

Status: Offline

Aug 18th, 2011, 13:55 PM	#10
sequeena Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Wales, UK Posts: 22,944	I wasn't too bad, had to go on paroxetine for a little while at around 30 weeks but think I was only on them for a week. I've never felt better now, don't worry, just relax and enjoy if you can

Status: Offline

User Name		Remember Me?
Password