Going crazy with worry!

I have accepted a new teaching job next year teaching music at a K-8 school. I am very excited about the job as it will offer many new callenges for me. But I also know that the job will be stressful. I plan to go off of my meds in June b/c I would like to have another baby. So, I am worried that I will not be able to handle going off my meds and starting a new job. I will be 36 in August and the clock is ticking ( for having another baby). I know it's probably crazy to do all of this going into a new job, but I don't want to wait too long to have another baby. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks!

Being that... well.... I'm a guy... I dont have the same kind of issues. Of course, adoption is always an option as you are aware I am sure. I unfortunatly dont get educated on the Pregnancy Schedule of medications because it doesnt pertain to me.

Congrats on the new job. It was actually a teacher that I had when I was in 4th grade who I credit my love of music. Every Thursday, she would play a piece of piano music in the classroom... the teachers from down the hall would stop their class, and come down just to hear it.

Thanks Mrs. Harper

Have you thought about maybe waiting to go off your meds until you've been at the job for awhile to see how you are handling it? Or maybe instead of going off completely right away, you could try lower doses for a few months and see how you react? That way if you need to go back on them, it would be easier to go back up on the doses than to start from scratch again. Just an idea. I wish I could have had a child, but going off my meds to try just didn't work out well for me. I then wanted to try foster care but my soon-to-be ex-husband and I were starting to have problems by that time, so that didn't work out either. Now I'm happy enough to have my cat as my "baby". And she doesn't talk back or sneak out and go to parties

I wish you the best in whatever you decide!!

I would only worry that you would be having too many major life changes at once. You're going to be starting a new job and getting pregnant. Who knows what other stressors will come up at that time and being off your meds I'd worry you'd start to cycle. Life changes + hormonal changes + unmedicated BP disorder = a possible bad situation. Then again, you could sail right through it. Congrats on the new job. My brother is the director of bands for the school system where I live so I know it can be very challenging but also very rewarding. It's also extremely hard to find a ljob so bravo for you. I think you can pull this off, but it could also go really wrong. Why don't you start the job and then get pregnant the following year (August would be ideal b/c you'd have the baby just at the end of the school year so you'd get to spend a while with the new baby!!!). What's the difference between 36 and 37 really. This way you can be familiar with the job before going off meds and then the following year the pregnancy will be your major stressor. Just a thought. I made the mistake of having too many life changes at once and I was medicated and it still sent me on a 4 month depressive cycle. Not saying it will definitely happen, but proceed with caution. WHatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck with the pregnancy and the best of luck with the new job. Again, congrats on landing a "difficult-to-find" job!!!!!

I just had a baby while on medications... they said it was a bigger risk to get off of them and the ones I was on (zyprexa and prozac) were not a big risk to the child. of course with the zyprexa and the baby I gained over 50 pounds that I havent been able to lose. I would wait though until you are settled into the new job at least... good luck to you!

hi musikcrazy thats great you got a teaching job, i believe that will be rewarding for you, so thats wonderful news, i too am getting to the point that i feel the NEED to have another child, i have baby envy around new mothers, but i know despite the fact im a good mom, mentally i just cant, getting off the meds. are not an option for me, and i have lupus too, so it would be dangerous to do, but i can COMPLETELY undrstand where your coming from, feeling that way, well you know whats best for you, i hope you can be content with whichever you decide to do okay? take care

Good for you in finding a job you are real happy about and having another baby, which is great. Maybe your meds are not needed anymore considering your post which is all positive. I would go off them gradually with the help of your Psych to monitor your progress. The thing with meds is that we all hope to NOT need them at some point. Maybe the time has come for you. Good Luck........Y

Your psychiatrist and obstetrician should work together to find a combination of meds that are safe during pregnancy. More are safe than people realize. You should probably be talking to your pdoc NOW so the changes can be made and you can be stable on them BEFORE you try to get pregnant.

Congrats on the job - Stressed is right but adding a baby to it... Oh, boy, Oh boy... or girl. I think "farmergirl" is on the right track. And you might not need to stay off the meds as long as you think...

Mom's can back me up here... It's my understanding that moderate use of alcohol is allowed in the 3rd trimester. My thought is if that is o.k. then maybe some meds are o.k. to during that period of time.

But I'm a guy, true I have 4 kids, but I did not carry them for 9 months.... You know your body and mind better then any one. The fact that you are worried tells me you understand your "diagnosis" and you know your triggers. The real question might not be wether you can do both, it might be what one is more important to you right now.

Sometimes what we 'want' is not really what we 'need'.

that's my 2cents.

Check out a website for a Dr. Hale. He has done research on meds in pregancy and while breastfeeding. That might be a good place to start.

Thanks everybody for your responses! Here's the deal. My OB sent me to a genetic counselor and a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. Basically, they do not want me to take ANY meds, especially during the first trimester. My pdoc disagrees and thinks I should at least stay on the Lamictal throughout the entire pregnancy. There is a elevated risk of cleft palate with Lamictal, but my pdoc thinks the alternative is worse. Recently I went off of my Lamictal on my own and I went completely manic, however, I did not taper the drug like I should have (or with pdoc's help).
I know that I am wanting too much (career, baby, etc), but I am SO tried of feeling like I cannot live a normal life because of BPD. This is my first year back at work and I have come so far since I was first diagnosed. I just do not want my daughter to grow up without a sibling. The pressure I feel about being over 35 magnifies it all. My plan is to try and come off of the meds in June, while I am on summer break. That way I can see if I can do it. If I can handle June and July med free I will then feel like I can handle my new teaching job next year and being pregnant. I know that I have grand plans and I get these ideas in my head that I must complete them. Agh!

You sound great. Good luck in the job and with the baby. Ps I think you should check out farmgirls suggestion but just my 2 cents.

I'm really curious about this because one of my fears is having to go off meds if I decide to get pregnant. If a cleft palate is the most serious risk that is actually great news, it's not pleasant to think about but it is relatively superficial and easy to fix.

You are not wanting too much or for more than you deserve. This is a good thing to want for yourself and your daughter.

I believe that you can have it all! I think you should go off of your meds over the summer and see how you do. It would still give you time to get pregnant in the fall by which time you would know the stress level of your new position.

As a mom who put off having a baby and now has been trying for 8 months and counting I feel your pain. That is why I think we should not put off having a baby for a career or other events in our lives. I can only hope that I didn't wait to long that I missed my chance of having another baby. Good luck and congratulations on the new job!

Thank you for your encouraging words. I am considering staying on the Lamictal, although my hubbie really wants me med free. I am going to discuss it with my pdoc.

I am pregant and I stayed ON most of my meds. For me, the benefits outweighed the risks. I certainly did not want to go on a manic spree with a fetus and do something unthinkable. As for handling a new job plus thinking of going off meds, I agree with previous post that asked if you had thought about starting the job first and then work on the medication issue.

I'd really do some research on your medications and pregnancy before just quitting them as Bipolar episodes can be more dangerous than the risk a medication can be to the fetus. Be well

We haven't heard from you in awhile...are you okay???

Don't think I will ever have a child of my own. Count your blessings for what you have been given. Thats not meant to be in a mean or condescending tone. I just feel that because of my wife's ever worsening medical problems.. It is not my Bipolar that will prevent us from having a child.

Be thankful for what you have....

sorry..

I had a baby 16 months ago and the doctors were really great at helping me find something I could take during pregnancy. It wasn't as great as my lithium but it kept me from extremes. I was working all throughout this time and was dealing with my husband who was going through chemo, so if I can do that and come out okay I think there is a lot of hope for you too. Good Luck and congrats on your new job!