Bipolar and pregnancy – hi everyone :)
before I post my question I will tell you
a little about myself so as to cover all
aspects regarding my query. My name is
cara, i’m 28 y/o and i’m from
victoria, australia. I was diagnosed
with bipolar 6 years ago, i’ve had two
relapses (mania) followed by depression
both relapses being early in the illness.
I’ve been stable for the past four
years and the medication i’m being
treated with is seroquel 200mg once a day,
quilonum 450 (lithium) twice daily and
thyroxine for an under active thyroid.
My question is this.. My partner and I
have made the decision to have a baby
whilst I continue on these medications, we
have seen a professor that specialises in
bipolar and pregnancy and given the
implications to the baby and myself the
benefit of staying on the medication right
through the pregnancy far outweighs the
risk (being a relapse) or in the baby’s
case (ebstein’s disease less than 1%).
So I guess what i’m asking is that is
there anyone or does anyone know of any
cases that a women with bipolar has
remained on her medications during
pregnancy and what i’m also concerned
with is the post natal period, even being
on medications throughout the pregnancy
there is still a high risk of relapse
during this period, does anyone know of
any preventatives to avoid this high risk
period? I would appreciated any
information regarding this and look
forward to any replies, regards cara :)
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seksiHily
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 1015 Location: MN
Posted: 08-23-05 07:42am
He's telling you to take lithium all
through your pregnancy?
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jenjsmith
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 26
Posted: 08-24-05 00:39am
Yeah, find a new doctor. Lithium during
pregnancy? Not safe at all. I've had 4
kids, no meds at all. Best thing to do is
relax. Limit the amount of stress. And
find things that will calm you if you have
an episode. For me it's music and art.
Learn warning signs that you are about to
have a bad episode so you know when to get
help.
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seksiHily
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 1015 Location: MN
Posted: 08-24-05 18:53pm
Lithium is not safe during pregnancy, a
girl I knew was switched from lithium to
celexa I think it was.
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caramaree
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Australia
Reply to Post's Re: Bipolar And Pregnancy Posted: 08-25-05 01:59am
I understand all the (minimal) risks while
taking lithium during pregnancy, but I
also understand the risks involved for
both myself and the baby if I relapse
which seems to be the case 80% of the time
when women come off their medications,
does anyone know of any cases where there
has been consequences for continuing
lithium throughout the pregnancy? I know
the main worry is ebstein’s disease
(heart deformation) which is less than 1%.
Doctors actually say now that lithium is
not as bad during pregnancy as once
thought, I suppose the older the
medication the more we learn about it and
its risk during pregnancy. Thanks for all
replies, all personal experiences and
information is much appreciated, cara
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seksiHily
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 1015 Location: MN
Posted: 08-25-05 08:31am
Your right its not something that causes
so many problems that its automatic that
you shouldn't take ti , but most doctors
don't want to risk it.
Can I ask, are you taking lithium as a
"last resort?"
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fatfamily02
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 3050 Location: Georgia, USA
Re: Reply to Post's Re: Bipolar And Pregnancy Posted: 08-25-05 08:54am
caramaree
wrote:
i understand all the
(minimal) risks while taking lithium
during pregnancy, but I also understand
the risks involved for both myself and the
baby if I relapse which seems to be the
case 80% of the time when women come off
their medications, does anyone know of any
cases where there has been consequences
for continuing lithium throughout the
pregnancy? I know the main worry is
ebstein’s disease (heart deformation)
which is less than 1%. Doctors actually
say now that lithium is not as bad during
pregnancy as once thought, I suppose the
older the medication the more we learn
about it and its risk during pregnancy.
Thanks for all replies, all personal
experiences and information is much
appreciated,
cara
cant you take another kind of medication
not so strong---
you would be surprised how much a
pregnancy could make you feel better in a
lot of medical ways. You dont even want
to know all the diseases and prolums I
have, but since this pregnancy all is
getting better every day even better.
And emotionally too--my life with my
husband is a hard road to ride, but I just
say ill be better no matter what he does
and it is working. You too can have self
control of your emotions and god can help
you if you want it.
Good luck--protect her baby god, in jesus
name
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caramaree
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Australia
Reply to Post's Re Pregnancy And Bipolar Posted: 08-27-05 05:45am
I wanted to say thanks to all that replied
to my question excluding of course
'bipolar hater' whom although is entitled
to his/her own opinion I found it very
offensive and narrow minded. In relation
to being on lithium throughout the
pregnancy I am choosing to stay on it as
its currently what I am taking and have
been stable on for the past 6 years, I
look forward to any more personal
experiences or information, regards cara
Hi,i think you should as your doctor.About
wellbutrin
for pregancy.But I here it is safe.But
when I was pregant.I could not take
meds.Because they told me they were not
safe..While preganant
so I know what your saying.Its hard going
threw
preganacy.And having.Bipolar...Just hang
in there..
