https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:32:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1534079 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:32:20 +0000 MoonMoon 1534079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: thank you! I hope it passes for you too, and everyone in this thread. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1533452 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 05:45:22 +0000 artsyfartsy 1533452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I struggled with depression as a teen. I still have bouts of it every now and then but it's mostly under control. I was worried about PPD, but besides a few bad days it has stayed away. I have anxiety like no ones business though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1533392 Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:43:54 +0000 PointeShoesTutus 1533392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to both. I've been seeing a therapist for almost 10 years. I also take medications and am followed by a psychiatrist. I try to meditate, do yoga, have been to acupuncture, journal, and have looked into biofeedback but never actually done it. I think my depression was triggered by health issues and as my health has deteriorated, my depression has increased and I've developed some anxiety. </p> <p>I wouldn't be surprised if when I do become pregnant, that my doctors decide the potential risks to the pregnancy don't outweigh the benefits the medications give me and I end up staying on at least one. I'm already going to be high risk due to aforementioned health issues, so I'll already be being monitored closely. I want to attempt to breastfeeding but if I need to go back on other meds, I'm slowly becoming ok with the idea that it's ok to formula feed if that's what's best. Given my history, PPD is a concern of mine that I will need to be extra vigilant about looking out for. </p> <p>My anxiety is showing now since I've already given these issues so much thought since we aren't planning to start IVF for about 18 months. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1533348 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:38:57 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1533348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: i'm sorry you're struggling. i hope it's something temporary.. the early days of parenting can be tough!</p> <p>@bluestriped bee: i looooove acupuncture. i've used it for so many things (migraines, backaches, morning sickness). i just feel better after a session. maybe i should give it a go for depression/anxiety! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1533344 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:36:42 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1533344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: my psychiatrist recommended prozac if i wanted to remain on meds while pregnant. i believe lexapro is pretty similar (i haven't done extensive research though). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1532057 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 06:07:04 +0000 bushelandapeck 1532057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have struggled with depression since I was a teenager and only recently started thinking about returning to therapy. I don't think I've really taken time to process our miscarriage or new pregnancy and how that will change our family. I am not interested in meds because I've had a lot of issues with side effects but I think talking with someone would probably be a huge help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1532053 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 05:43:15 +0000 sorrycharlie 1532053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: give the infant risk hotline a call. They are fantastic. Zoloft is the first choice but a low dose of Lexapro I was told would be ok too. I'm on Lexapro but started after I weaned anyway so idk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1532037 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:35:54 +0000 googly-eyes 1532037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had ppd pretty bad but no chronic depression. I do get stressed out sort of easily (particularly when it comes to parenting) and I have to sometimes be proactive to manage anxiety (didn't really think about it before becoming a parent.) I don't know if I necessarily struggle with anxiety though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1532028 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 02:14:45 +0000 BSB 1532028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: Have you considered looking into accupunture? Not that it compares to talk therapy and meds, but I think it could help. The accupunture quiets my mind and reduces the worrying and anxiety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1532027 Sun, 30 Mar 2014 02:09:16 +0000 BSB 1532027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Oh, that's true. Didn't think about that part yet. Thanks!</p> <p>@Katrocap: I was on Lexapro when I was on it. Glad to know it's safe during pregnancy and postpartum.</p> <p>When I get pregnant, I will be worried about PPD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531980 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 22:49:04 +0000 MoonMoon 1531980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've struggled with anxiety and dark thoughts since LO was born. The world can be such a sad/scary place, and being a new parent of a vulnerable baby really brings that home sometimes. Sigh. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531942 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 22:02:50 +0000 Katrocap 1531942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I've struggled with both since I was a teenager. My depression is worse, although I can experience really bad panic attacks, too. I take anti-depressants and have done talk therapy, too. What helps me even more immediately is doing something creative. I love to write stories and draw comics and, corny as it sounds, feel more positive and connected to the world around me when I'm writing and drawing.</p> <p>As for Lexapro, I took it regularly while pregnant and breastfeeding. My psychiatrist and I discussed the risks and benefits. We determined that going off of Lexapro was too risky a move for me. DS is a healthy 14 month old and seems no worse the wear (except he won't eat vegetables!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531886 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 21:13:59 +0000 NurseMommy 1531886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: yes, he does!! He's awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531694 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:54:44 +0000 ShootingStar 1531694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I think getting some proactive help is a great idea. Because when you get pregnant, that's got it's own challenges (especially emotionally) and then when you have the baby it really takes a toll on you - the baby's not sleeping, bf-ing is hard, you and DH are short with each other, etc. And it's very conflicting because you went through so much to get pregnant and have a baby, it seems like you should be thrilled all the time. But that's just not reality.</p> <p>ETA: I totally agree you have a right to be angry or dissatisfied about IF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531691 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:49:04 +0000 lady grey 1531691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I've struggled with anxiety. I take a supplement (under the supervision of my naturopathic doctor) called GABA that helps me so much. I used to take Celexa and liked it, but I didn't sleep well when taking it. Also I stopped drinking caffeine and started to meditate- both helped a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531544 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:54:27 +0000 daniellemybelle 1531544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NurseMommy: I'm curious, does your psychiatrist do talk therapy with you in addition to medication?</p> <p>@babycanuck: I just started taking "Nutri Calm" which has a bunch of B vitamins. I feel like it might be helping a little...</p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: I fear I hijacked your thread a bit! Sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531459 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 13:51:43 +0000 NurseMommy 1531459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: yes, my psychiatrist and I discussed risks and benefits to staying on it while pg and bf. I discontinued Wellbutrin that I was also on, but so far we're both doing well on cipralex. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531424 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:57:34 +0000 babycanuck 1531424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I don't know too much about ativan, though I know my mom takes a sublingual one when she feels a panic attack coming on.</p> <p>Have you tried B6? I found before I lost control B6 was a great help balancing things out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531423 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:56:10 +0000 daniellemybelle 1531423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NurseMommy: @babycanuck: Cipralex &amp; Lexapro are the same thing according to Wikipedia: <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram" rel="nofollow">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram</a></p> <p>On Babycenter it categorizes it as "potentially hazardous": <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_drug-safety-during-breastfeeding_8790.bc" rel="nofollow">http://www.babycenter.com/0_drug-safety-during-breastfeeding_8790.bc</a></p> <p>On the other hand, LactMed doesn't seem to be too concerned: <a href="http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~IwuGeh:1" rel="nofollow">http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~IwuGeh:1</a> But what they have to say about Ativan for example is more reassuring to me personally (no mentions of watching for infant sedation, etc)</p> <p>It just seems to me from my research that there are other drugs that are even safer, though Lexapro/Cipralex is probably just fine. If you can't tell, I get a little fixated on this stuff... Probably another reason I need to treat my anxiety ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531411 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:42:19 +0000 NurseMommy 1531411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babycanuck: I was on cipralex during my pregnancy and throughout breastfeeding as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531409 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:41:34 +0000 babycanuck 1531409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Really? Hm that's odd...I will definitely have to speak with my doctor about that if I have a child. She totally guaranteed me that it was okay. I wonder if it's any different in terms of FDA here in Canada. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531406 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:39:56 +0000 daniellemybelle 1531406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babycanuck: Appreciate the info! Apparently what you take is called Lexapro in the US &amp; it's not the best choice if you are breastfeeding :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531403 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:38:47 +0000 daniellemybelle 1531403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: Yikes! I hope it gets better soon. Lexapro is not so good for nursing. From my research, Ativan, Serax and SSRIs like Zoloft are the better options if you are breastfeeding. It makes me nervous to take any medication while nursing. I still feel guilt over all the pain meds I was on postpartum... </p> <p>My anxiety is kind of revealing itself even in this post :p </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531400 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:36:17 +0000 babycanuck 1531400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I felt a difference after two days on cipralex, it was crazy, and it's a low dose. I had no bad side effects. Some people take it at night like me in order to help them sleep, and some people find it keeps them up at night so they need to take it in the morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1531385 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:22:36 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1531385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I am on lexapro right now which I've taken in the past with success. I've also taken Wellbutrin but that did not work for me.</p> <p>I just started on lexapro 3 weeks ago since I recently weaned and the side effects are killing me! I had none the last time but this time I am nauseous, have more anxiety, clench my teeth... Apparently that's common for a lot of people for the first month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1530960 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 22:10:54 +0000 daniellemybelle 1530960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. I was actually about to post a thread asking HBers what anxiety medications they have tried... but maybe folks will chime in here? Not all meds are good for breastfeeding &amp; I am generally nervous about that, but I need to try something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1529560 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:57:45 +0000 babycanuck 1529560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and Yes. I currently take cipralex to help with my anxiety. As my doctor says, either you control it, or it controls you. It was controlling me for a while, and I take a pill at night in order to help me sleep/calm my brain. It runs in my family and I have come to terms that I may have to always be on medication, but there will be a point where my doctor weans me off of it to try not being on it anymore.</p> <p>I've always been an anxious person but was put on the meds when I had a nervous breakdown from stress. Things in my life are much better now :)</p> <p>Luckily my doctor has assured me that it's safe if and when I get pregnant, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1529500 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:39:21 +0000 littleredhairedgrl 1529500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes mild case of both. I always found that exercising really helped me and acupuncture too. it's especially tough for me now being on bed rest and not being able to do the things that helped me feel better prior, but I think all the hormones going thru me from this pregnancy are helping to keep me staying positive </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1529481 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:31:47 +0000 JessKas 1529481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have my whole life, and in the past have taken meds for it. Sleep, regular exercise, and a healthy diet changed everything for me, but with a baby that sure is hard! I've been feeling very anxious lately because I haven't been able to practice my necessary self care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-struggle-with-depressionanxiety#post-1529474 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:29:57 +0000 IRunForFun 1529474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, severe anxiety and panic attacks, which I've dealt with my whole life. I've seen countless therapists and I've been on and off meds for 11 years (mostly on.) I never wanted to be dependent on medication and have tried (with doctor's supervision) to go med-free and cope using therapy and other strategies, but I've accepted that I have a real chemical imbalance and need to be on the medication. I'm not living life when I'm not on it. I will continue to take medication throughout pregnancy, as the risks outweigh the benefits for me. </p>