Not sure what to do about medication and breastfeeding

[asacia]

Just had an appointment with the Pyschiatrist who has given me a few options:

1) Take medication at night. Pump and dump overnight, and pump during the day to feed overnight.

2) Take medication at night and give formula at night.

3) Wait till he sleeps through the night before starting medication

4) Don't take medication

I'm not sure what to do. My agoraphobia is bad at the moment, I'm barely able to get outside. I don't want my baby to suffer because I can't go outside, but I feel awful at the thought of giving formula. Pumping was such hard work, I don't know if I can nurse during the day and get enough to give him 2 or 3 night feeds.

From what I've read online, the medication is the best for nursing mothers, and should be okay to take while nursing, even at night. I don't know if I should trust this and 'fib' to the doctor though.

Argh.

 

[Arcanegirl]

Would you feel comfortable combination feeding? You could nurse during the day, take the medication at night and give formula at night.
You shouldnt need to pump as by the morning it should be out of your system.

 

[mrsholmes]

could u tell the doctor what uve read online?

im sorry ive got no advice on the pumping etc as im new to this, hope it works out for u

 

[Lu28]

Maybe give NHS Direct a ring about the meds and see what they say, I know they use the same books the GPs do to check if the medication is safe during breastfeeding.

It's difficult though, you need to weigh up how important it is for you all to get out and about versus formula or going back to pumping - would you be able to get out if you had to dedicate the time to pumping?

I'm sorry I'm not a huge help hon, it's a tough decision xx

 

[asacia]

Maybe give NHS Direct a ring about the meds and see what they say, I know they use the same books the GPs do to check if the medication is safe during breastfeeding.

It's difficult though, you need to weigh up how important it is for you all to get out and about versus formula or going back to pumping - would you be able to get out if you had to dedicate the time to pumping?

I'm sorry I'm not a huge help hon, it's a tough decision xx

If the medication made me feel able to go out and about, I don't think I could fit pumping in.

I've given a couple of formula tops ups while I was exclusively expressing, and I felt so awful about it. I wonder if it is better to just be inside and be happy?

Oh I don't know. OH isn't keen on me going on medication either.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Make sure you get a second opinion on how effective pumping and dumping would be. I was due to have a procedure tomorrow which required me to take some medication. I told the consultant I was BFing and he said it was fine. I rang them yesterday as I read the leaflet which mentioned consulting a Dr before taking when pregnant and BFing. The nurse I spoke to said it's a huge no no to take it while BFing and they have cancelled my appt. That's the NURSE knowing more than the DR......

I think with health care workers there is nowhere near enough BFing awareness.

 

[marley2580]

Is there any way you can get some support to go out without medication? My aunty was agorophobic and she found that it helped to have someone with her, even if it was just her daughter.

 

[asacia]

Is there any way you can get some support to go out without medication? My aunty was agorophobic and she found that it helped to have someone with her, even if it was just her daughter.

I can leave the house if I'm with my husband or my Mum, so I do get to go out, and LO does get to go out, just not as much as I'd like.

I think I'd just feel so awful about giving formula, and so drained from expressing.

 

[mama2b]

Have you tried cognitive (sp) therapy ? It is available on the NHS or you can pay to have it private.

A few years ago I had CT as I had real difficulty going anywhere on my own, it wasn't a severe case but I couldn't even drive without sunglasses on (I know thats weird!) or go shopping on my own, even walk down the street on my own made me nervous. Obviously there was a lot more to it but once I had a six week course of CT I was as good as cured.

Maybe you could try a few days with 'option 1' without taking the medicine just to see if you can produce enough milk.

 

[Shifter]

I'd suggest CBT. Agoraphobia is a behavioural condition, I've had it myself and had CBT for it, in a round about way lol! It did help, I've lapsed a little bit but I'm not as phobic as I was. My mum comes over a few times a week to help get me and Jack out of the house, but I do think that going out is probably over rated!

 

[Hevz]

That's how I used to take mine....at night. It breaks down over time and will be negligible by the morning. You don't need to pump and dump to get rid of the meds in your milk as milk is made to order, supply and demand, the only reason for pumping in the night would be to keep your supply up babe (I've looked into this extensively).

How often does baby feed in the night? If possible and to ensure successful breastfeeding I would express milk in the day to feed to baby at night rather than supplement with formula but the choice is yours babe and if it all gets a bit too much for you then remember you can combine feed, it's not all or nothing you know.


Please PM me if you need anymore help or support xxxxxxxxxx

 

[asacia]

Looking into it a bit more, I think I'll give medication a miss for now. I forgot about co-sleeping, I don't think it'd be a good idea to co-sleep while taking medication.

If I went on medication, I'd have to have regular GP appointments, Pyschiatrist appointments and I'd have to go to the pharmacy to get the tablets. I don't think I'd be able to cope with that.

I can have some anxiety management classes, but unforunately I have to go to them. I don't think I'm able to do that right now.

I think I'll just give it three months without the medication, and see how I am then. DS is only little, and we get out with my Mum and OH. I'll try and find a few ladies who can come here so he doesn't miss out too much.

Breastfeeding and co-sleeping are so important to me, I think I'd feel awful if I couldn't do them both.

 

[anothersquish]

I very, very rarely leave the house alone, if I do it is to go to the local shop or to pick up son from school (which is 300 yards from my house) or in the gym.
I spent a long time building myself up to be able to have "safe" places I can go. The gym is the one that has stuck and whilst getting there and back can be a little stressful its not too bad and the gym itself is a 'safe' place to be.
Ive lived with this for as long as I can remember, it is significantly better since I had my son as I ALWAYS had him and his pram to support me getting out and doing things.
I used to take anti anxiety meds though I dont anymore as I find it manageable.
I too found BFing to be something I HAD to do, I was determined to BF and nothing would get in my way...infact so much so that I also came off my mood stablisers, anti anxiety meds and anti depressents.
Im not saying you definately shouldnt take meds but as LO gets older you may find you can get out a little more and CBT is helpful. I now also take Bach flower remedies (if you dont know much get some Bach rescue remedy...great anxiety buster and completely safe)
Give yourself some time, think about it and dont be pressured into anything, but remember you need to be healthy and happy too....sounds like you do ok and you have family that helps get you and LO out which is great.