Q. I am a 26 year old that was diagnosed with bpd 9 years ago. Initially I was hospitalized and medicated with Prozac, stelazine, and chlorpromazine. I have been on a number of other meds, including pericyazine, clonazepam, Ativan, valium, haloperidol, Tegretol and epilim, and paroxetine, I fell only Tegretol and Prozac have been remotely effective for me, and some have actually been detrimental.

I have been much improved in the last 4 years since meeting my 2nd husband, basically completely stopping self harm, it's been only 4 episodes in 4 years, the last 16 months ago, and I have been off meds since discovering I was pregnant 15 months ago. However I haven't been so good for the last few months, I haven't given in to the urge, but I think about SI (self injury) on a daily basis, I am permanently irritable, though not with my daughter, and I am completely unmotivated, and avoid leaving the house. My 7 month old daughter is breastfed and I feel that she is the only thing I've ever got right, so I really want to keep it up, but I feel I'm reaching the end of my tether. I would really like to know if there is any meds that would be helpful, that wouldn't mean I had to wean her.

A. All of the medications used to treat BPD are not approved for pregnancy nor nursing mothers. Nonetheless, they seem safe by report. This site is full of medication suggestions. I like Effexor XR (venlafaxine sustained release), Serzone (nefazodone), and Zoloft (sertraline) best. Dosing is important, and this topic is covered on this site, too.