Anxiety meds while pg?

scottishlass1213

Sorry to create such a specific thread but didn't know if it should go in symptoms or appts or whatever because it's a combination of both and so specific.  I hope that we've been here long enough for you guys to know I am not just a random seeking attention.  I remember I thought reading that a few of you are still on meds while pg and I wanted to get your experience?  I went off so I would be going back on maybe after 18 months.  I don't know - I just really want to get through this without going on until after

I had my check up today and last night we all went for a walk and my stomach got so tight and painful almost at the get go and didn't go away for 20 minutes after we got home.  I mentioned it today and she freaked me the F out by saying she wanted to check my cervix so I started crying and all was fine.  I bled and she asked if I had been bleeding at all especially after intercourse but I hadn't. Then I was so amped up she couldn't find the heartbeat for like a good minute so I started crying then.  After she talked to me about my anxiety and told me now that I am in my second trimester, if I wanted, I could go back on and to think about it.

I am having a tough time and it's a mix of DH being away a few times and then not being able to exercise at all, the return of my pubic issues, etc it's all just making me feel not myself.

I came to work and started crying in the kitchen to a girl who asked me how I was doing. Luckily, I work in a hippy type integrative health environment so she was sooo nice and supportive, but I am typically not the emotional crier.  Especially at work.

legallykate

I don't have any personal experience but have two really good friends who stayed on their antidepressants for anxiety (Prozac for one, and another similar SSRI for the other) throughout their pregnancies and both have totally healthy babies. I think if your doctor is suggesting it, its worth trying, especially since you've been struggling so much at both work and home. It's better for the baby for you to be happy and healthy!

ecwk

No experience but sooo sorry you are going through this!! I'm sure some of the ladies here can chime in with their experiences and I hope it helps. Definitely talk to your OB again about the meds, you're very brave to be upfront and honest and ask for help and there's no sense in continuing to feel this way if there is something you can do to safely make yourself fell better! Lots of hugs! 

carrotsandpeas3

@scottishlass1213 I don't have personal experience either, but I made the decision to wean off an SSRI before trying to conceive. When I spoke to my doctor about it then, she said that getting off of it completely was ideal, but if I needed to go back on it in 2nd or 3rd trimester, it was much less of a "big deal." It sounds like your anxiety is really affecting your life, so meds at this point are at least worth considering. I've had days where I can't tell if it's just me being pregnant and hormonal or if my nasty depression is poking it's head back out, so I understand not feeling like yourself anymore. Hope you figure things out and start feeling like yourself soon!

neeraja_k

Love tit is for support! I think if you're struggling with it and it's affecting you at home and work, then I would definitely have the talk with your doctor about trying it. Pregnancy seems to be filled with lots of emotions and anxiety anyway, no need to unnecessarily wallow in it if you don't have to. (hugs)

Firemanswife11

Like others have said, I've had friends be on anxiety meds after the first trimester and all gone on to be perfectly fine. I, too, don't want to be on anything while pregnant but I will go back to meds if I need to. My husband will be away a bit during this pregnancy and I am already starting to panic about the thought, so I definitely understand. If your doctor recommends something, it might help take the edge off and allow you to cope better. Hope you start feeling better soon!

scottishlass1213

Thanks girls. I am going to think about it. She said that sometimes they would wean you off by delivery and that sounds like a pain in the butt because those few weeks suck and I don't know if I would want to do that on top of probably feeling even worse pregnancy wise.  She said sometimes moms can stay on it up through delivery as well and that is OK too.

I just feel like this second pregnancy is messing with me so much more. I guess maybe the first time around I was blissfully ignorant about bad things or something! I don't know.

lalala2004

Depending on what you’re on, some of them are safe for after delivery, too. Zoloft is a pretty common one. I have no personal experience, but from what I’ve read, any effects on baby are really minimal for a lot of anti-anxiety medications. More like the benefits for Mom outweigh the risks for baby. It’s definitely something to discuss with all your providers to see what’s best for you. 

shri929

I know girls who were on them during pregnancy and had perfect babies.  Also, I'm a pretty anxious person and with my first my dr had brought up starting them before delivery because of the fact he thought I might experience PPD.  I keep getting a tightening feeling too and I'm not sure if its braxton hicks or anxiety :-/
Mine do come with activity but sometimes without.  I noticed after cleaning the other day but then also noticed after a nap.  It is like a dull cramp with a tightening of my stomach...not painful but like I am aware of my stomach when I typically am not.  What is yours like?

FX to you feeling better soon

scottishlass1213

It was my whole stomach feeling super tight with some pain around the belly button and when I was taking a deep breath, I really couldn't because I could feel it everywhere in my belly.

Typically, that's not an area I "feel" when I have anxiety/panic attacks outside of pregnancy. The Dr. told me it could've been braxton hicks but I honestly never had that with my 1st.  My water broke and I never had a contraction until I was at the hospital - so it was a very new sensation.

I'm trying to drink more water too.

I was on a very low dose of Lexapro previously.  I will definitely speak to my Dr. before delivery to make sure I have pills probably on hand for after (If I don't go on before) because I have a good feeling I am definitely going to have some post partum issues.  

elsieisamoocow

I have no advice but am sending you all of the creepy internet hugs

sml72978

I went back on lexapro this pregnancy at 15 weeks. My dr said she was comfortable putting me back on it since I was past the first trimester. I was the same way, tearful, emotional, helpless feeling, I have 3 kids and I would snap at anything. I hated it. My dr was the one who noticed my anxiety and depression and suggested going back on meds. Pregnancy isn’t easy, especially with underlying anxiety. I personally went right back to my 20mg dose but you could start lower if you want. I think the benefit here would be more important for you. I hope you have an easier time and consider going back on your meds if they seem to help. 

JDCS0523

I've been on Zoloft since my first pregnancy and there is no way I could make it through a pregnancy unmedicated. Developmentally my first pregnancy was perfect, we unfortunately lost him due to an abruption caused by an accident, but that had nothing to do with medication. Everything is again going great in this second pregnancy. This baby is right on track and ornery    

I say, if you're OB gives you the green light then go for it! Pregnancy is no time for extra sad tears. Only tears of joy!

Best of luck!!

aj1327

I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time right now. I have no real advice other than I think a happy mama is so important and if your doctor indicates meds are safe and you feel comfortable, then it’s worth a try. Hugs. 

lolog531

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time right now. I went off of my anxiety meds prior to getting pg with DS, so no experience with them while pregnant. I know a few friends that have taken them while pregnant and they have beautiful, healthy kiddos. I would definitely talk to your doctor and see what your options are at this point. Hugs!

Taylovesbrad

I weaned off Zoloft my first pregnancy and went back on at the end. I weaned off for this one as well and I in general don’t want to be on it but will if I have too. It’s hard because there aren’t studies on humans that are pregnant but I know it’s one of the more favorable ones. I know with my son he was totally fine. Have you tried getting counseling? That has been helpful to me at different points. My view is only go on meds if You have too- I always try therapy first and if that doesn’t help then I would def to back on meds during pregnancy. I’m so sorry. Anxiety can be completely debilitating. Def dm me if you need to talk. 

scottishlass1213

@Taylovesbrad  Yeah I have done talk therapy and honestly, the last time I did it maybe 2 months before being PG because TTC was making me anxious, the Dr. was like "wow you're very self-aware and sounds like you have good coping strategies so just keep doing that." 

I guess I don't see the point about talking about things like that to someone because 1. I know what my issues are and 2. Some of the issues aren't going to change because they literally can't  so I am just trying to cope the best way I can.

I'm so glad (but not so glad) there's a bunch of us with issues like this.

juliebird6

No experience with this while pregnant as I weaned before TTC, but I've also heard that Zoloft is safe for pregnancy.  Big hugs to you.  Sorry you are having such a rough time right now.  

justsuzie

I lurk all the anxiety threads because I wish I had resources when I had this question about anxiety and meds. 

www.mothertobaby.org will tell you scientific facts about which medicines have which percentages of effects on baby.  All facts rather than "I heard that this medication could do this....yadayadayada

I stayed on low dose klonopin for my anxiety when needed and I'm now 31 weeks with no complications.  The negative effects of untreated anxiety  outweighed the very rare chance there would be a birth defect. I also do daily meditation, yoga, and aerobic activity. It has helped tremendously.   Weekly therapy helped me the most though!

ladygali

@scottishlass1213 So many hugs!

I’m taking 10 mg of lexapro daily with the support and approval of my doc and midwife. I went on it last summer after one too many anxiety attacks over something trivial, like a parking attendant not letting me park where I wanted to. I also started it knowing there was the possibility of becoming pregnant. We discussed the risks and decided the benefits of me being less volatile was worth it. I try not to worry, so far everything is going fine, and I’m able to be a better person and mom than if I wasn’t taking it. I think the rule of thumb is if the anxiety is interfering with your daily life, then it’s time to do something. I’m happy to answer any other questions if I can help at all. 

LC12261012

I’ve been on lexapro and Zoloft, I had weaned before my last pregnancy but had to go back on shortly after he was born. Having two children already to take care of I knew there was no way I could get through this pregnancy unmediated, so I decided to stay on the Zoloft throughout the whole pregnancy. Everything has been perfectly fine so far and my doctor is fine with my decision. There is absolutely no shame in taking the meds if you need them and you shouldn’t feel guilty. I hope you feel peace with whatever you decide! 

Taylovesbrad

I hear you @scottishlass1213. I would not be worried about going back on meds after the first tri- I did it myself my last pregnancy. I’m in a totally different place this time around so I’m hoping I don’t have to but def will if instart spiraling.

isnt this fun???