Zoloft? Breastfeeding?

[GirlForAllSeasons]

Hi! I posted a quick introduction in the Intro section.

Can anyone help me with two questions? I've been taking Zoloft, 50mg. I took it through pregnancy under my doctor's orders, but only 25mg at the time. I was (and am) breastfeeding, so I stayed at 25mg for the first three months postpartum (breastfeeding full-time), then went back to 50mg.

Last month, my doctor upped me to 100mg. I didn't do well and I felt my baby wasn't doing well, either. So about a week and a half ago I went to 50mg, every other day. I was trying to go cold turkey, but I got the head zaps. I read about 5-HTP. My question is: can this be taken as I'm weaning down from the Zoloft?

The second question is, Zoloft is informally accepted for breastfeeding by the medical community. I'm hearing conflicting stuff about 5-HTP. Has anyone here taken 5-HTP while breastfeeding? My son is now 6 months old and still breastfeeds often, though he is now eating rice or oatmeal cereal plus a pureed fruit two to three times a day.

GFAS

[Pasiphae]

Hi GFAS
Welcome to the forum.
I have done a bit of digging on this subject and the general consenus everywhere seems to be that 5HTP should NOT be used during breastfeeding. There is not enough evidence to say that it is safe, no studies have been done so it cannot be recommended.
I'm sorry I cant give you better news with regard to this but it looks like you will have to wait a while, although I am not sure how long 5HTP stays in the bloodstream so it might be a possibility to express enough milk for the day before taking a dose. I would strongly suggest that you consult your doctor or health visitor with regard to this before you try anything.
I hope that you can find an answer which suits you.
Good luck
Pas xx

[GirlForAllSeasons]

Thanks, Pasiphae. It's all right. At least I have a possible future to look forward to without prescription SSRIs. I don't think I'll be breastfeeding my son more than six months longer. The longest I've nursed any of my sons is 11 months. I'm hoping for 12, at least part-time, with this one, and he's my last. (sniffle...my baby! :p)

Thanks again...I might stick around to keep researching and all that in preparation.

GFAS