TTC and Depression

[fluffystar]

Does anyone know anything about TTC when you suffer/ have suffered with depression?

I was previously on a combination of medication and told that it was not advisable to TTC as one of the meds I was on was untested and the other was too high a dose. We wanted to start a family and I had been feeling fine for a while so I, very slowly, weened myself off with my gps support. Now, 18 months since I was told it was ok to try, nothing. Now all these failed attempts at TTC are making me feel bad again to the point where I know I may need help again.

But, and here is my dilemma, if TTC is bringing back the depression should I stop for a while or will that make me feel worse? Or should I go on medication which puts a halt to my libido so that I really wont want to BD and so I have no chance of conceiving at all!

To top it off, ive been feeling down this week and couldnt keep it bottled up any longer so let it all out and talked (or more accurately cried!) with DH. I know that released a bit of stress but the state I was in seems to have messed me up and now I havent ovulated this month. Great.

Arrrg! Anyone else experienced anything similar? Any advice would be good. Im going to see my gp tomorrow but they arent always the most helpful!

Love and babydust,
Fluffy x

 

[abster]

Would you consider trying acupuncture to help you TTC? I know how stressful ttc can be - it's little wonder you're feeling the effects of it.
Acupuncture can be a great aid to ttc. There's a book called The Infertility Cure that was recomended to me by my tradional chinese medicine doctor, who's treating me with acupuncture, herbal therapies and dietary changes. It's by a doctor in western and eastern medicine, Randine Lewis. Full of information and very uplifting. Also you might want to check out a thread I started on the TTC forum, called The Really Useful TCM Thread. There are quite a few of us contributing and lots of different stories.
I wish you lots of luck.
Abi x

 

[DragonMummy]

can't talk much, am at work but am in the same boat. have depression which is going untreated as ttc and GP was hoping hte metformin would help. it hasn't. big love and talk more later xxxx

 

[fluffystar]

Thank you both for taking the time to leave a message. I'll check out the TCM thread and Dragonmummy I hope you are feeling ok. Big hugs back xx

 

[DragonMummy]

it's worth considering more natural cures for depression whilst ttc as well. i am trying to get out in the fresh air every day for a walk, and am considering accupunture. also I need to lose weight as well as i think an improved body image will boost my confidence and hopefully drag me out a bit further. also i am trying to have a new philosophy of thinking "have i enjoyed today" at the end of every day and working out why not when the answer is no. this is making me a bit more proactive in keeping my mood up rather than allowing myself to dwell. even just doing little things like getting on top of the ironing, colouring my hair, cooking something special. its all an achievement and contributes to my happiness. those are my plans anyway. xxxx

 

[3yearsttc]

My husband truly believes that stressing and depression contributes to not being able to conceive. He is always on my case saying that because i stress over everything is why we haven't been able to conceive. I've tried everything... running a marathon, yoga, you name it. If someone told me jumping over a bridge would help me, I would do it. This is the kind of person I am...

 

[abster]

I can't recommend acupuncture / TCM highly enough - for both general wellbeing and ttc. The book I keep blathering on about is great and really worth a look (The infertility Cure - Randine Lewis).
I hope that whaterver you all decide to do, it works for you.

3yearsttc, reflexology can really help with relaxation as well - I love it!

Abi x

 

[3yearsttc]

I think I'm going to try getting massages. Can't find a reflexology place nearby. It's cold outside!

 

[DragonMummy]

Oooh I have Randine too.... she's a total ledge!

 

[abster]

Isn't she? My acu prac showed me her copy and told me to get it. I go on and on and on about it to people. I find it really reassuring and uplifting.
Abi x

 

[sophster]

Hi

I'm in a similar situation; been TTC for nearly 3 years; had a miscarriage in September and suspected chemical in December; my depression is pretty severe which means once I get on the medication I have to be on a very high dose and for a long time; while I'd love to go for alternatives but from experience I know when I'm at my worst they simply are not enough to deal with it. I also have a sensitivity or allergy to most of the anti-depressants in common use (not just SSRIs but all of the SNRIs and venlafexine as well) and the only one I can take is NOT recommended when pregnant under any circumstances due to the risk of birth defects and seratonin withdrawal in the baby; part of my depression has been due to a horrid hospital birth experience with my eldest so I'd have to have a homebirth for my own sanity (I did with my youngest and no post-natal depression unlike with my others) but if I went on the medication and got pregnant I'd be classed as high-risk and have to have the baby in hospital if I couldn't get off the medication early into the pregnancy.

I also have chronic fatigue syndrome which makes my depression worse and I think it does affect my fertility as well, because all my systems are sluggish; before my miscarriage in September I had a cycle length of 60-70 days but it seems my cycles are now 35-36 days. At the moment its partly the thought that medication may make my chronic fatigue worse; as it did the last time I was on it; that is putting me off as well as it intefering with TTC, last time I felt better mentally but was even more tired and achey than usual and in turn that made me feel considerably worse depression wise.

Soph x

 

[fluffystar]

Hi Sophster,
I know what you mean about alternative being no help when the depression has gone too far. I let things slip for too long and then tried alternatives which did nothing at all. I had no choice but to go on medication and then they had to increase the dose so much as it wasnt working. When they couldnt increase the dose anymore they added a second type of antidepressant!

I have learnt now to be a bit more mindfull of how I am feeling and to try and catch things early. I am generally feeling more positive now but notice that I deteriorate far quicker. I have found that regular meditations helps a lot. I know some people think thats all a bit wishy washy but if it stops me from ending up back in hospital then I dont care what others think!! lol

Good luck with the ttc xx

 

[Starbright]

Hi
I am ttc and am taking anti-d's. I went to see my GP when we started ttc and she changed me to a different drug. I'm now on Sertraline as she said that this is ok to take when ttc and during pregnancy - I'm on a very low dosage as I'm currently trying to come off them.
I also use aromatherapy to help myself relax and to lift my mood, exercise helps too. I'd be interested in trying accupuncture as well - do you really find that it helps?
SB xxx

 

[sophster]

Hi

Thanks for the replies; I have the same problem fluffystar; on several occasions I've let it get so bad that I had to be put on the highest safe dose of an anti-dp and then anxiety medication on top; and when I get really depressed I get incredibly paranoid and anxious as well which is a hard mindset to get out of even when the drugs have kicked in. The problem with me is I have an allergy (I get a rash, swollen joints etc) to many anti-depressents; or just have intolerable side effects from them which start to occur after taking them for a bit (like after taking prozac for three years suddenly I started getting blinding migraines on a daily basis), and there are others I'm not advised to take because similar drugs have caused me to develop a heightened state of anxiety or get into a suicidal state; so I'm basically stuck with citalopram which the medical powers that be are very 'anti' taking during pregnancy. One of my friends was on citalopram and was told she absolutely couldn't take it during pregnancy; like me there was only a narrow spectrum of anti-depressants she could take so she ended up having to take a newer type of tricyclic drug, she said she was a complete zombie and can't even remember much of her pregnancy. So its pretty tough. My sis has in some ways, more severe depression that me, she does need to be on some form of anti-depressants all the time; but she has found acupuncture has really helped, especially with the anxiety side of things. She also does yoga and has had cognitive therapy as well. She is now down to one tablet of her medication every other day; whereas before she'd be on the maximum dose daily.

Soph x

 

[fluffystar]

Hi Sophster,

Thats interesting what you were told about citalopram. I was on a combination of low dose reboxetine and high dose citalopram. It was the reboxetine that I was told to definitely come off completely before ttc and the citalopram that they said would be safe if I got down to 20mg. I did the whole lot very slowly and started ttc when I was on 20mg citalopram but then weaned myself off that completely too. Its strange how different doctors say different things!

Was it a gp or a psychiatrist that gave you advice? I asked to be referred to a specialist for advice on coming off as my gp had said just to halve the dose of one for 2 weeks then halve again. After 3 weeks I was admitted to hospital as it was all too quick and my mind went nuts! It was my gp that said about whats meds were safe when and ttc actually though, the specialist didnt really comment on that part.

Love fluffy xx

 

[ReikiBaby]

Hi fluffystar -
I am TTC'ing and also taking anti-depressants (cymbalta) but not at a therapeutic dose (I'm a little lower than recommended.) I know a few people who did take AD's during their pregnancies and their babies were fine. I didn't take the decision to continue on the meds lightly tho - I really struggled, talked to doctors, changed medications, etc.

My doctor says the risks of a pregnant mom developing severe depression during the pregnancy far outweigh the potential risks to the baby.

In addition to medication, I also attend counselling sessions, and I try to get regular massages for stress relief.

Hope this helps to hear someone else's story
- RB

 

[DillyC]

Hey Fluffystar...

I agree complementary therapies are great to maintain and manage conditions such as low mood/ depression etc. But as you say if you are feeling at a point whereby medication is required you could consider an anti depressant for the short term alongside acupuncture or reflexology and then consider weaning off 3-6 months later then TTC. Anti depressants are usually not recommended during pregnancy/conception partly due to the fact that studies are not carried out on pregnant women, so the effects are unknown. The two types that can be used in exception are: MAOI's: BNF advises No evidence of harm, however manufacturer advises to avoid unless compelling reasons. Second ones are SSRIs: Manufacturers advise use only if potential benefit outweighs risk, shows toxicity in animal studies with escitalopram ( part of SSRI group)

I would consider asking your GP to refer you to a specialist who can consider your options, understandably most GPs would be wary of starting anyone on Anti depressants if they are knowingly trying for a pregnancy.

Hope that helps, I think you can look at the BNF ( British national formulary) online for information x

 

[DillyC]

Hey Fluffystar...

I agree complementary therapies are great to maintain and manage conditions such as low mood/ depression etc. But as you say if you are feeling at a point whereby medication is required you could consider an anti depressant for the short term alongside acupuncture or reflexology and then consider weaning off 3-6 months later then TTC. Anti depressants are usually not recommended during pregnancy/conception partly due to the fact that studies are not carried out on pregnant women, so the effects are unknown. The two types that can be used in exception are: MAOI's: BNF advises No evidence of harm, however manufacturer advises to avoid unless compelling reasons. Second ones are SSRIs: Manufacturers advise use only if potential benefit outweighs risk, shows toxicity in animal studies with escitalopram ( part of SSRI group)

I would consider asking your GP to refer you to a specialist who can consider your options, understandably most GPs would be wary of starting anyone on Anti depressants if they are knowingly trying for a pregnancy.

Hope that helps, I think you can look at the BNF ( British national formulary) online for information x

 

[fluffystar]

Thanks Reikibaby and DillyC,

My husband made an appointment for me to see the doc this morning as he is quite worried. She suggested using contraception for a while until I sort myself out. She also suggested Sertraline which I think has been mentioned as safe during ttc and pregnancy. I really would like to look into accupuncture/TCM as people seem quite positive about it but the gp didnt make much comment about that!!

Im having a think about things and then she has asked me to go back to see her tomorrow.

Fluffy xx

 

[DillyC]

Hey Fluffy... Glad you have spoken to someone...

You are right Sertraline is part of the SSRI group of antidepressants, so the safest one with regard to pregnancy.

Maybe you would feel a bit better if you didn't have the added stress of TTC to deal with at the moment, it can really make things much harder with the rollercoaster of emotions that it brings. It depends how it will make you feel, but if you feel strong enough, concentrate on looking after yourself and focusing on that for the next few months and then you might feel in a much better place to start with TTC again.

Its hard to know what to do for the best, but if medication is your best option at this time, then don't feel like its a mistake to take that temporary path if it will set you up better for the future.

Some GPs don't have a lot of knowledge about complementary therapies, and they base their treatment on research based evidence, that doesn't mean its right for everyone, but do consider a therapy alongside taking medication. Even going to a yoga class might give you a sense of wellbeing and strength.

Do what is best for you Fluffy ... you know where we are x