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Planning Pregnancy, Anxiety. Taking Deepakote, Polaris, Buspin, Tegrital, Sizodon. Will This Affect The Baby, Advise?
Question: I am 38.I got married 5 months back and trying to get pregnant now.However am taking
some anxiety medicines like deepakote,polaris and buspin regularly for a
year and my husband too takes tegrital and sizodon.Will this affect in
getting pregnant or our future baby.Please advice.Also my doc also said he will reduce the dose and stop it soon but will this effect my health.What about the medicines my husband is taking??
some anxiety medicines like deepakote,polaris and buspin regularly for a
year and my husband too takes tegrital and sizodon.Will this affect in
getting pregnant or our future baby.Please advice.Also my doc also said he will reduce the dose and stop it soon but will this effect my health.What about the medicines my husband is taking??
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation at right time (Just before pregnancy).
Important aspects of your query are:
• 38 year old female
• Both spouse on psychotropic medicines.
• Concern related to use of psychotropic medicines during pregnancy.
First use of psychotropic medicines during pregnancy is very complex situation, as decision regarding continuation or stoppage of medicines depend on several factors and final decision is taken after consent of both spouse.
To simplify it I am giving following information which will help you in decision making:
-Usually use of medicines by husband do not affect pregnancy.
-The best person to guide regarding this is your current psychiatrist, as he has seen you over a period of time.
-Factors which affect decision making: Duration of illness, severity of illness, duration of symptom free period, type of medicine used and treatment compliance of patient.
-Medicine use during pregnancy increases the chances of congenital malformation in the baby. Like with Depakote chances are 7% approximately.
-If patient(mother) is symptom free for long duration, then in usual practice medicines are gradually tapered and stop. But it can lead to relapse of symptom during pregnancy, which can be more harmful for baby than use of medicines itself. So during pregnancy close watch on symptoms is necessary so that treatment can be started early in case of recurrence of symptoms.
-If use of medicines is must during pregnancy then monotherapy (single medicine) is preferred.
-After all discussion: final decision is taken by both spouse after doing risk benefit analysis.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation at right time (Just before pregnancy).
Important aspects of your query are:
• 38 year old female
• Both spouse on psychotropic medicines.
• Concern related to use of psychotropic medicines during pregnancy.
First use of psychotropic medicines during pregnancy is very complex situation, as decision regarding continuation or stoppage of medicines depend on several factors and final decision is taken after consent of both spouse.
To simplify it I am giving following information which will help you in decision making:
-Usually use of medicines by husband do not affect pregnancy.
-The best person to guide regarding this is your current psychiatrist, as he has seen you over a period of time.
-Factors which affect decision making: Duration of illness, severity of illness, duration of symptom free period, type of medicine used and treatment compliance of patient.
-Medicine use during pregnancy increases the chances of congenital malformation in the baby. Like with Depakote chances are 7% approximately.
-If patient(mother) is symptom free for long duration, then in usual practice medicines are gradually tapered and stop. But it can lead to relapse of symptom during pregnancy, which can be more harmful for baby than use of medicines itself. So during pregnancy close watch on symptoms is necessary so that treatment can be started early in case of recurrence of symptoms.
-If use of medicines is must during pregnancy then monotherapy (single medicine) is preferred.
-After all discussion: final decision is taken by both spouse after doing risk benefit analysis.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This question is more related to anxiety problem.It has reduced a great deal now like for last 6 months there hasn't been any symptom.i started taking treatment from july 2010 and since then it was very rare.Mainly it use to happen when i use to excercise in gym (especially treadmill) and my food intake was very less like i was on soup diet..in night...for a year.Now i have started eating properly n exert myself less so this might be also reason for no symptoms for 6 months.crowded places also use to cause me anxiety which i have reduced.
so now my treating doc has reduced the dosage of medicines n asked to watch for 3 months.
My question is can a patient be cured fully who is suffering from depression n anxiety.my condition is much better n am more happier after marriage so don't want it to reoccur incase of pregnancy.Also ..We want a child soon as i am 38 also due to age factor.
So please advise accordingly.
so now my treating doc has reduced the dosage of medicines n asked to watch for 3 months.
My question is can a patient be cured fully who is suffering from depression n anxiety.my condition is much better n am more happier after marriage so don't want it to reoccur incase of pregnancy.Also ..We want a child soon as i am 38 also due to age factor.
So please advise accordingly.
Hello again,
Anxiety disorder are chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension. They can recur any point of time and chances increases on sudden stoppage of treatment.
Apart from drug tapering according to your psychiatrist advice, you can seek help in form of counseling (cognitive behavior therapy) from a trained therapist.
It is better to plan pregnancy after drug tapering as your psychiatrist. I can understand your problem in current situation. But final decision is yours and information in primary answer will help you in decision making.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Anxiety disorder are chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension. They can recur any point of time and chances increases on sudden stoppage of treatment.
Apart from drug tapering according to your psychiatrist advice, you can seek help in form of counseling (cognitive behavior therapy) from a trained therapist.
It is better to plan pregnancy after drug tapering as your psychiatrist. I can understand your problem in current situation. But final decision is yours and information in primary answer will help you in decision making.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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