Experiences?

[GWhizz]

So I've previously been on zoloft but didn't manage to stick with it because I found it increased S.I. for me. Maybe I didn't give it long enough, I'm not sure. About 6 months.

Was considering paxil or trying the zoloft again. My psychiatrist instead suggested mirtazapine and fluoxetine.

My main need is sleep but I prefer to avoid benzos. So I was thinking something that would help mood and anxiety but possibly have a mild sedative effect too. I'm also breastfeeding so hesitant to try much else.

Thoughts/opinions?

 

[rosey]

i am sure your psychiatrist knows best as to what suits you so trust him or her. if you dont then get a second opinion or even ask your doctor for their opinion. as long as they are aware that you are breastfeeding they wont risk giving you anything that is known to cause issues to your baby. Hope you find the right combo for you soon it is not easy at the best of times let alone with the demands of a little one.

 

[joeylittle]

So I was thinking something that would help mood and Anxiety but possibly have a mild sedative effect too.

Is there any chance you are low in magnesium?

 

[GWhizz]

Thank you both, yes it hasn't been easy, especially with 2 littles to consider.

My psychiatrist has given me the month to think about it. Was at my gp yesterday and he offered to restart zoloft though I said I'd wait until I see my psychiatrist again before deciding. Didn't consider mg+ but it's possible. My diet is pretty limited, dairy and gluten free and I've lost a lot of weight recently. Plus I notice unusual symptoms such as muscle twitching. What makes you think of magnesium deficiency @joeylittle?

 

[joeylittle]

What makes you think of magnesium deficiency @joeylittle?

Well, it was the first thing suggested to me by both psychiatrists I was working with, when I was having atypical (for me) problems with sleep, an increase in low-level anxiety, and did not want to solve the issues with benzos, because they weren't that extreme (again, to me).

It made a difference. It was recommended that I take it in the bisgylcinate form, because of it's particular bioavailability. I started supplementing with 200mg 2X daily, and it helped. It's a big 'leveler', apparently. I know very little about supplements, so I can't be more precise than that. But it helped.

I have no idea how it relates to breastfeeding - whether it's something that you even can take, or whether breastfeeding would naturally deplete you of it. If you've been losing weight and think you might be nutritionally unbalanced right now, it would probably be worth it to have your blood panel run. Might turn up a number of things. The muscle twitching could be related to a deficiency too - maybe potassium?

How does it work there - can you ask your GP for labs?

 

[GWhizz]

Well, it was the first thing suggested to me by both psychiatrists I was working with, when I was ha...

Actually I have a feeling my thyroid may be outta whack postpartum as it was after my first. I have actually been taking calcium supplements as I don't get enough without dairy. They have magnesium added but I'm unsure if it meets my daily needs. Definitely will pop to my gp before starting anything and request some forms. I can take these to the local hospital (where I used to work) and they should turn them quickly enough.