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Thinking of getting Pregnant on AAP-Need Advice


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I am continuing this topic in a new post. My last post was called switching from Geodon to Saphris-what to expect.  

I have done alot of research but there are meds I will not be able to continue.  I need to eliminate as many of the category C's as possible without losing my mind.  I just am afraid.  I have read some very informative posts on meds and their categories.  I have also read that Effexor does not increase risk of fetal anomalies or adverse events.  The literature on AAP's is kind of erratic. I have read seroquel, zyprexa and risperdone appear to be safe (non-teratrogenic) or however you spell it.  I have also read that Saphris (a category C, meaning that risk cannot be ruled out) should be discontinued 3 months prior to giving birth so the baby does not go through withdrawal.  I am afraid of going crazy if I do this.  Ideally I would like to see a PDOC thap specializes in maternity.But most of them are ARNPs and are not covered by my insurance. I am going to see a High Risk Maternity Dr due to my age 44 and my weight 215 at 5'1.  Yes I know this whole thing seems crazy but my 2nd soon to be husband and I really want a child of our own.  I have a 22 y/o who is also bipolar but she takes her lamictal and is doing well.  Is it fair to bring another child into this world who may end up being bipolar as well? Or Worse...  What about the risk of birth defects?  I don't know of anyone who has taken Saphris and had a baby.  But if tests show the child to be Down Syndrome or malformed in any way I will not complete the pregnancy.  Is there anyone here who has taken AAP during Pregnancy who could please give me some advice, input or share your experience with me?  It would mean the world to me.  I see the OB on July 12th.  I still have my IUD in place.

 

Here are my meds: I am obviously going to eliminate the Adderal and the Clonazepam.  But I think I need to stay on an AAP and an AD.

Medications- As of 6/23/18

 

Levothyroxine 200 mcg-  Once Daily- Category A

Dexilant 60 mg (PPI)- Once Daily- Category B

Effexor 112.5 mg- Once Daily –Category C

Adderal 30 mg- 1 tab twice daily-Category C

Geodon- 60mg/40mg/60mg=Total 160 mg Daily-Category C-(switching to Saphris 5 mg qhs in 2 to 3 weeks)

**Clonazepam- 1mg twice daily-Category D (need to wean off)

Gabapentin 300 mg-PRN up to 3 times daily-Category C

 

Edited by Amethyst674
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Oh well i hope everything turned out ok.  I read that Haldol is a category C as well.  I took it IM when I was hospitalized and it made me pretty woozy.  The only category B I found was Clozaril.  But that has other side effects.  Something to do with white blood cells and possible death.  So not sure about that one.  I really hope I get more replies.  Thank you.

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22 minutes ago, Amethyst674 said:

Oh well i hope everything turned out ok.  I read that Haldol is a category C as well.  I took it IM when I was hospitalized and it made me pretty woozy.  The only category B I found was Clozaril.  But that has other side effects.  Something to do with white blood cells and possible death.  So not sure about that one.  I really hope I get more replies.  Thank you.

The possible death thing is quite rare. However it does require lots of follow up Bloodwork and is really sedating. But @mellifluous is right that's a pretty serious decision, depending on the severity of your symptoms 

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Can you still naturally get pregnant at age 44? Per my RE docs/specialists, I've been told over age 39 (even if you are perfectly healthy) its extremely difficult (can often take years). By age 44, over 95% of your eggs are chromosomally abnormal and will either not fertilize, implant, develop, or lead to a live birth. Most older friends I know at age 42+ were told to do IVF and use donor eggs...

Add in psych medications and things get even more complicated. There is so much conflicting research on which meds are safe and do not cause fertility issues, miscarriages or birth defects. There are many more women having babies over 40 though, so I wish you all the best of luck with a healthy pregnancy.

Edited by Blahblah
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I got pregnant naturally at forty (but of a surprise actually) and gave birth to a healthy small girl at forty (then turned forty-one a couple of months later)

 

i have read that there's a hereditary component and if women in your family conceive and successfully deliver late in life, you are more likely to be able. This is very true in my family. 

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Thank you blah blah. Since I posted this I have done alot of research on the possibility of getting naturally pregnant at my age and it is very slim. So I would have to do IVF and possibly use a donor egg. I am certain that my Obamacare insurance will not cover anything like that. Add to that the fact that I would have to get off my meds and its just too much stress for me. Not to mention caring for a newborn is stressful as well.   I just feel bad for my partner. He was hopeful. But I think I  am going to cancel my appointment with the high risk pregnancy OB. Thanks for all your help. 

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