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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Bipolar Disorder

I have severe bipolar disorder and I just found out im pregnant, I think it is the healthiest choice for me and my baby if I stay on my meds, or else Ill be a wreck....I take lithium, luvox, thyroid pill....I know that lithium can cause still births and other problems, but if I have to stay on it, and I lookout for anything wrong, can it be fixed....like can I realize when the baby is starting to die, or does it just happen, and I cant do anything about it? And what are all the outcomes of taking lithium during pregnancy and how does it cause them? What is the outcome of lithium taken while breastfeeding? What about the other medications for pregnancy and breastfeeding?
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 16 Jul 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 16 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
hiiii dear


lithium can cause premature birth or anomoly

but it is safest drug that have been used in pregnancy among all

ist step that we follow is like

in first trimester we don't prescribe lithium
till 3 months we are giving olanzapine and try to manage symptoms with that

on 4 th months onward we start lithium

but all are depends upon severity of illness, it is not same for all cases
in this every cases are different

so u have to think only for pregnancy
in breast feeding there are some other molecule which can be given

so consult gynecologist and psychiatrist both

both advice is imp to stick on medication

goal is to manage your symptoms without harming baby

so proper way is the only consultation
hope for the best
thank you
take care
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Suggest Treatment For Severe Bipolar Disorder

hiiii dear lithium can cause premature birth or anomoly but it is safest drug that have been used in pregnancy among all ist step that we follow is like in first trimester we don t prescribe lithium till 3 months we are giving olanzapine and try to manage symptoms with that on 4 th months onward we start lithium but all are depends upon severity of illness, it is not same for all cases in this every cases are different so u have to think only for pregnancy in breast feeding there are some other molecule which can be given so consult gynecologist and psychiatrist both both advice is imp to stick on medication goal is to manage your symptoms without harming baby so proper way is the only consultation hope for the best thank you take care