Bi Polar and TTC

[OctoberXRoses]

I suffer from bi polar disorder, which isn't really the problem. The problem is that I take prozac and lithium for it, and I am TTC. My doctor told me that prozac is safe, but lithium isn't. So I quit taking my lithium. And now I am having really bad mood swings.

Do you guys know of any alternatives to lithium that are safe to take? I married my husband in October and I don't wanna scare him off with the mood swings before our 1 year anniversary! lol

[Bethann]

So first of all, taking a SSRI without a mood stabilizer is a recipe for disaster if you're bipolar.

Which doctor told you to go off your lithium? If you are going to try to TTC, you need to sit down with your psychiatrist and work out a plan, for choosing medications that you can safely use while you TTC/pregnant, and for planning how you're going to manage without your ideal cocktail, and what you're going to do if things to get out of hand.

Does your husband know you're bipolar? Does he understand what that means? I wonder if some couples therapy might be helpful before you TTC.

[OctoberXRoses]

He's fully aware, and quite good at handling me during my mood swings. I spoke with my gyno about it, and he just told me to drop the lithium. I live in the middle of nowhere, though, and it took me over a year just to find someone who knew what PCOS was, let alone how to go about treating it.

I've been okay so far, nothing major. I just don't know what to do.

[Bethann]

That's great that your husband is supportive.

Your Ob-gyn should not be telling you to just go off your meds, that is a recipe for disaster. Not to mention that an ob-gyn is hardly qualified to be giving advise on psychiatric medications. Taking prozac without a mood stabilizer is asking for a manic episode, and you need to have a plan for dealing with either mania or depression if they arise. Both can be life threatening for you, and neither is safe for the baby either.

There are plenty of women with bipolar who have healthy babies, and take care of their own health during pregnancy, but it's not going to happen without working with a psychiatrist.

[anichols]

I was just prescribed Lamictal by my pyschiatrist. She knows we will be ttc again soon. The main risk she mentioned was cleft lip/palette in the first trimester. Good luck

[angelfaithy22]

I was on lamictal but since now ttc my doctor has switched me to phenobarbital. It is the safest among mood stabilizers, however it is not for long term use. It is ok to use while ttc and during pregnancy. I was on it for a year while ttc and the switched back to lamictal for a few months to even out and now back to phenobarbital. I will say that lamictal is a better drug if you are planning for the long term though. I was on topamax for a while and that was great because it worked well and I lost a lot of weight! Ask your doctor about phenobarbital, the benefits of a drug that works but does not have a risk of birth defects is worth it to me.

[MissBehave]

We started ttc 12/08. I've been on-off medicated for bipolar since 2000 (first treated as depression). In 2006 I was on Deprakine for couple of months (stopped in 2005 for over a year) and then finally got my psy to change it to Lamictal. My latest daily dose of Lamictal has been 100mgs and yesterday when I told my psy that we started ttc, she wanted me to start cut down Lamictal. I've been reasonably stable with my current dose and my life is as it should be at the moment. So, I'm not against to try to cut down.

But, I'm a bit worried - as my psy is really (too) careful when it comes to meds and I think she always keeps them as minimum as possible. So, is this being a bit too careful to start minimizing the dose already? Hmmm... ??? But, I'm also hoping that getting the Lamictal out of my system would ease my menstrual irregularity a bit -- as it has been quite a problems since Lamictal was added to 100mg.

Long story, huh? Well, I guess I'm mostly just looking for a peer support thread for ttc with bipolar disorder.

[anichols]

I just recently started Lamictal. I told the biggest risk with it is in the first trimester and is cleft lip/palate. I am not sure what I want to do, but we are going to ttc again soon. I am on a low dose (25mg) and it has helped tremendously so far.

[MissBehave]

I'm down to 75mg of Lamictal once a day now. I've been feeling more depressed for couple of days. I really hope that it has to do with the fact that I'll have my final exams for master's degree on Monday next week - and not for the cut down on Lamictal. I guess we'll see what it is all about in couple of weeks.

I'm supposed to start taking only 50mg next week but maybe I should keep it at 75mg a bit longer. No luck with ttc so far so I still have at least 4 weeks to adjust the meds.

[angelfaithy22]

I took lamictal and now that I am TTC he switched me to phenobarbital. It is also an anti-seizure drug, but it is the ONLY one the they allow epileptics to take during preg. Maybe ask you doctor and see if it might be right for you.

[MissBehave]

angelfaithy22, thanks for the info. We have agree with my doc that I'll try to get on dose zero before pg, so that's why I'm cutting down slowly.

[angelfaithy22]

good luck MissBehave! Having Bi-polar and PCOS is a serious combination and seems like it makes every decision more difficult, doesn't it? Anyway, good luck to all the cysters who struggle with Bi-polar!

[MissBehave]

Thanks, angelfaithy22.

I've tried to keep my dose at 50mg for couple of weeks but I have been down more than usual. I guess it won't be easy to quit Lamictal. But, I have also been on progesterone and that could be the reason why I'm feeling more depressed. I guess we'll see in couple of days as I stop taking the progesterone supplement. Hmph. I still have some more rounds to go with the progesterone... And after that it's probably be even more serious infertility drugs.

[inkedbarbie]

I am Biplor and have PCOS and am trying to conceive. I made th coice to not be on any meds while I was trying for at most 1 year. Its proven that diet, plenty of exercise and a hobby can help with both depression and manic depression. So that is the personal route I am taking right now. I was on welbutrin for the depression and lithium for the mood swings. I also suprisingly find that take a multivitamin every day helps. I am never going to be "Bipolar" free even with meds, so right now I am a lot worse then normal. But I am learning to cope with it every day as best I can. I know there is no direct tie between drugs and Downsyndrom, But my first daughter when i was 16, and actively one many drugs for my bipolar, had Downs, and I don't want to risk that ever again.

Its not safe to be on just a anti depressant when you are bipolar because your highs may get to high. Talk with a wellness doctor and find out all your options that do not envolve drugs just for now.