anti-psychotics and pregnancy

[SamsBlessings]

I am 5wks with my 6th. I've not had a baby in 5yrs but 5 yrs ago was diagnosed with bipolar 1 and take an anti psychotic, seroquel at a high dose. I want to stop taking it as research I've done shows no human testing on embryos due to toxicity found in animal testing. Is there a pregnancy safe alternative or should I completely stop?

[LaurenC86]

I can totally understand that bigmama, my mom will only respond to serequel, she's tried others and it just didn't work for her and actually made her crazier so I know how some meds are just the best fit for some people so I figured that you and your doctor took every thing into consideration and decided what was best, Bc I know how hard it is to not be medicated properly and it can definitely be more dangerous for both mommy and baby, so I'm glad it's working out for you so well. :-) I myself didn't like lithium at all Bc it made me really sick and I never cared for depocote or serequel either, so I'm pretty excited to try lituda and see how it goes.  

[SamsBlessings]

Thank you ladies for sharing your experiences. I know my doc will not allow me to be unmedicated. Its great to know there are options to discuss with her!

[almacecilia2008]

Best of all for you guys!!!!! I admire you. Being pregnant is a challenge, and you are doing it very good taking meds, and struggling with bipolar disorder. Me myself I do not have it, but my husband has it. It is hard for both sometimes but meds are the ones that have him under control.  God bless all and have happy pregnancies.

[bigmama86]

No scare =)

My OB/gyn and my psychiatrist both agreed that it was the best thing for me to take. I've tried everything under the sun and Lithium has been the only thing that has kept me in check so to say. My OB was only actually against me taking it durning the first trimester. But I've done my research and been monitored a lot this pregnancy. But thank you for mentioning Lituda! I haven't heard about that one. Wish I would of known sooner =\

[LaurenC86]

At bigmama86 I'm pretty surprised your doctor didn't change your medicine bc my doctor is extremely against lithium during pregnancy and even when trying to get pregnant. Its great that everything is going great with baby so far and I wish you the best of luck, Bc I do know for some people certain meds are the only thing that will work. But perhaps you should talk with your doctor about.other options as well bc I was always under the impression that lithium was one of the worst meds to take while pregnant according to my doctors office. Not trying to scare you or be negative bc I'm sure your doctor has weighed the pros and cons, I was just a little surprised they put you back on it. Good luck to you both!!

[LaurenC86]

I'm also bipolar and have opted to.not take meds while pregnant since something about pregnancy is actually a great mods stabilizer for me bc I definitely get the better side of the hormones. Lol... however my psychiatrist and I discussed safer medicines other than serequel, lithium, or depocote, in case I decide I need something and there is actually a fairly new bipolar medicine that has been tested for pregnant women and it is in the class b medications meaning that is considered to be quite safe while pregnant. You may have seen some commercials for it, Its called lituda   (not sure if that's the correct spelling) and it is a mood stabilizer but mot as severe as so many others. I haven't tried it myself but I plan to after I give birth. So I think you should run it by your doctor and see what they think, Bc Lituda has been proven to be safer than other mood stabilizers from what my doctor told me.

[bigmama86]

Also I forgot to add my daughter is developing normal since I've been taking lithium. No birth defects as far as they can see in ultrasounds =)

[bigmama86]

I don't think there will be a "safer" alternative when it comes to any bipolar medicine. I too, am bipolar and take Lithium at a high dose. Or did take it at a high dose but has since been reduced since being pregnant. With lithium I quit taking it for the first trimester because it has a very high birth defect rate on having a heart problem. It wasn't something I personally didn't want to take a chance with.I thought I was doing OK with out it and was glad but when I hit 4 months I had a episode. I got back on it but, at a lower dose. I know everyone is different but for me, the combination of pregnancy hormones and coping with bipolar has been a challenge its self. I'm almost 39 weeks and its been a struggle this last month for me emotional. But the end is in site and I can go back to normal dosage once she is born.

Also, I will not be able to breast feed when she is born and she will be monitored for 48hours after she's born because lithium with be in her system.

Sorry this is so long! Just wanted to share my story. Talk with your Dr. About the pro/con's on continuing your medicine. Maybe there is a "safer" med out there. I wish you all the best in your pregnancy!!