just quit zoloft while breastfeeding....

[laharapa]

Okay, this is a first for me.  I had my baby almost three months ago and after two weeks, i started taking zoloft for post partum depression.  As I have never been on any antidepressant before, i just thought i could quit taking it when i was ready.  So i did.  Well come to find out there are withdrawals and i should have weaned off but what was done, was done.  i didn't want to start over again, just to wean off as it had been about 4 days.  I pretty much feel like i have the flu, very tired, lots of muscle aches, some nausea.  it has been about 6 days since i quit taking it and i was on 50mg.  the withdrawal symptoms are starting to go away, but my question is, would my baby be having withdrawal as well since she is strictly breast fed.  She has had a very hard week with lots of crying and seems to be in pain but has no fever, or other symptoms that i can tell.  she also is having a hard time sleeping good.  I am very concerned and really hope it is over soon.  She isn't sick per se as she has no fever, and even though feeding her is tough sometimes she is still eating good.  just more often since she doesn't eat as long.  

I jsut figured that since she does get some of the drug that she could have the withdrawal as well....just thought i would try and ask...

Thanks for any input you may have and taking the time to read this.

Worried mom.

[Juls11]

Of course you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible and I never meant to suggest in my previous mesage that you do otherwise.  My intention was only to share my own experience with you to show that there is more than one option to consider but that should you choose to continue meds (under the supervision of a doctor), there is definitely no reason for you to feel guilty or be worried that you will harm your baby.  Meds do not have be negative, which unfortunately, is often the way they are portrayed.

[AnnaE]

You should see your doctor again asap. Only and MD, I believe, can really advise you about YOU and the meds. You have received some very helpful advice, but you need you md's advice also.

Hope you are enjoying that lovely baby. You should probably call her pediatrician, also.

[Juls11]

Hi - as your question was some weeks ago, I hope that things have settled down for you and your baby.  However, I thought I would still write as I have some personal experience with both postpartum depression and taking Zoloft whilst breastfeeding and perhaps this will still be useful to you or someone else in a similar situation.
Zoloft is considered 'safe' (by the medical community, I understand that there has been extensive research, so there is the statistical evidence to rate the drug as safe) to take both during pregnancy and breastfeeding, hence the reason why your doctor made that choice.  As you stopped taking the meds abruptly, it is very likely that the baby has been experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  As with yourself, these will abate given time, but the big question is: has the original problem (the reason why the drug was prescribed in the first place) been dealt with?  
Taking any drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding is never ideal, but in the situation of a depressed mother, it is preferable to any inherent risks that the depressed state may present to her or her child.  It's a matter of weighing up the risks - is the drug likely to harm the child, or could a severely depressed mother harm herself or her child and can she take care of her child in this state?  
It appears that you were only taking Zoloft for a very short period (several weeks).  It is unlikely that that is long enough for the med to have a positive effect on your depression.
I breastfed my child for the first 12 months of her life.  I was taking Zoloft for most of this period.  She is now 8 years old, very healthy, happy, active and an excellent student at school.  The Zoloft had no detrimental effect on her wellbeing or growth in any way.  It allowed me to enjoy my first year of motherhood, which is never easy going.  Breastfeeding as wonderful as it is, can also be very tiring for a new mother - fatigue and lack of sleep can contribute to depression.  It is very easy for things to spiral downwards from there.
It is of concern that your doctor did not explain to you that you should not suddenly stop taking Zoloft.  Are you comfortable with this doctor?  Does he/she listen to you?  Does he/she take time to explain things?  Having a really good doctor that you trust can be very supportive at this time.   In fact, support networks in general (family, friends & other new mothers) can all be very helpful.
At the end of it all, if you are still feeling down and that you are not coping, it is worth considering trying Zoloft again.  But keep in mind that you really need to be on it for 6 -12 months for it to really make a difference to your life.  But during this time, it may just help you feel 'balanced' enough, to get through each day and enjoy each day with your new baby.  This is such an important time to share!  Gradually you will make your own routines together, you will gain confidence as a mother and you will discover things that make you feel good about yourself and about life again.  Don't give up!  You have someone very important who needs you.  And believe me, after 8 years, I can tell you that it is worth the struggle.

[therese83]

I am no expert but I have breastfed four.  I would say she has withdrawals.  You cannot put the clock back and I am sure you did what you needed to do at the time.I hope that you will both be over it soon.

[remar]

hi, did your dr. know you were nursing your baby? why would they give you an antidepressant while your nursing? i understand you had postpartum depression but they should have told you not to nurse her while you were taking this drug. this is only my opinion. you have to figure that whatever your putting into your body the baby is getting that too. she may very well be going through withdrawal. i hope you both start feeling better. you've been through the worst of the withdrawal. take care. remar