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Austin Babies
Anxiety Meds and Pregnancy
First, do anxiety meds really work? I mean, do they really allow you to feel "normal" again? Also, are there any that are safe to use when pregnant? Has anyone here been on anxiety meds while pregnant? Any side effects? Has anyone been able to handle their anxiety (both while pregnant and not) without the use of meds?
Without going into too much detail, I'm having some major issues dealing with my anxiety--MAJOR. I have an OB appointment on Monday and plan on talking to the dr about this but I'm interested to hear from anyone that suffers from anxiety and especially those that dealt with it during pregnancy. If you'd rather email, please do: duckie7807 at hotmail.
Thanks in advance!
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Re: Anxiety Meds and Pregnancy
I take lexapro for anxiety. It works. I feel highs and lows but it helps to keep my run away thoughts a little more manageable and helps my anxiety not feel so physical.
I took it during my pregnancy on the advice of my doctor. I have a beautiful, healthy babe.
Yes. Yes, they do.
When Jon was in Iraq, I was a complete mess. Every day went the same- I woke up, turned on the BBC, went to the gym (watched BBC while running), went to work, went to the gym (watched BBC), walked home (turned on BBC), turned down dinner, went to bed (listening to BBC radio). And, repeat.
I was prescribed anti-anxiety meds, a relatively small dose and, suddenly, the *need* to constantly have the news on subsided. I was able to eat, focus, and see other areas of my life! FWIW- it was very easy to go off of them (which I have heard is a concern).
Then, when I was pregnant w/ Tops, I checked w/ my dr. to find out which was the "lesser of two evils" when it came to pregnancy. Was it worse for me to be an anxious mess (w/ all of his treatments/ surgeries, etc) OR to go on anxiety meds. She, hands down, suggested doing the meds. Without hesitation. Now, she did tell me about the "class" of the meds (which I have forgotten, but I'm certain it was not class A). But, she was much more concerned about healthy eating, reduced stress, reduced (i.e., normal) heartrate and blood pressure, etc.
In the end, I didn't take them b/c I feel like things got under control relatively quickly and that helped w/ the anxiety.
I'm so sorry you're having anxiety issues during this pg. It's a terrible feeling.
I take Celexa for depression more than anxiety, but yes it works. I've been on it for 5 years and I did not stop it for either pregnancy or BFingI I tried to get off of it once about a year into taking it and it was not pretty. On the advice of both my OB and my therapist, we made the decision for me to continue it and I haven't had any problems nor has DD. I was of the mindset that a happy mommy=happy baby.
ETA: Now that I've read through the other posts, I will add that when I tried to get off the meds, it took me almost 4 months to do it. I had to wean slooooooowly because I had horrible withdrawal side effects (not necessarily the brain zaps Rosie mentioned, but headaches, nausea, etc.) But I have reduced my dosage by half in the last year without any tapering and it's worked fine.
First, I'm sorry you're dealing with anxiety. It blows goats, it really does.
During pregnancy your best bet will be an SSRI (e.g., pro zac, zol oft, lex apr o), because they address anxiety as well as depression (and ocd), but aren't tranquiliz-ey like the benzos. Zolo ft and Pr ozac are generally the first ones to try, because there have been the most clinical trials with pregnancy and they are safe and milder than some of the others. Lex a pro is stronger and can actually increase anxiety if you are very sensitive to SSRIs, so something to try after the others.
There is some risk in taking SSRIs in the 3rd trimester in terms of fetal lung development (specifically wrt surfectant), so I opted to quit Prozac for my final trimester. BUT, as others have mentioned, you gotta do a cost-benefit analysis. Your fetus is also at risk if you suffer from untreated anxiety or depression.
Last thing, zol oft is cool to take while bf-ing, as is cy mbalta (another ssri/ssni), in the event you have post-partum anxiety. I'd be happy to talk more about this (jessicabwhite at gmail dot com) because I've researched it heaps and dealt with it for years!
GL!
ETA: Hells yeah, anxiety meds work! You may have to experiment with your doc a little, but chemical imbalances are real, not just weakness. I believe in exercise, yoga, nutrition, supplements, etc. etc., but sometimes you just gotta address that sh*t head on.
Yep. Horrible ones. For the same reasons as you. Also, horrible libido. BUT, I am not sitting at my desk at work crying because I am terrified that DH is going to die on the way to work anymore. So, you know, its a tradeoff.
This is correct. My doctor told me that there were two studies done on lexapro. One showed that the risk of impaired fetal development with that drug was 1 in 10,000 babies. Another showed it was 1 in 20,000 babies. He, DH and I felt that the risk was low enough, and the benefits good enough, for me to take them while pg. I still take them and am nursing.
Another thing to think about is that my doctor said if you have anxiety or depression during pregnancy, its an indicator that you will have PPD. My doc wanted me on the meds seamlessly from pregnancy to post-partum for that reason.
FWIW, the only time I get the brain zaps with Lexapro is when I'm getting off of it.
That said, I got off the meds to get PG with Natalie, and started seeing a psychologist. I was extremely skeptical, but very uncomfortable with being on meds during PG. The psychologist helped a TON. It wasn't until I had a major scare in my PG that the therapy wasn't enough. And even then, I was able to use the techniques successfully about 50-75% of the time.
Are you north? I saw Dr. Dan Roberts in RR. He is just wonderful. If I was still in Texas, I'd be using him in combo with my meds (got back on when N was a week old).
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52 Choices For Better Health
Rosie--Just did a quick google search and it looks like Passion Flower is a not safe during pregnancy and they don't recommend it while breast feeding either. Thanks though!
KateAggie--I'm in far South Austin, but thanks for the Dr. rec. I'll probably look into going this route too (seeking a therapist), and I know my OB will encourage it as well. I just have no idea where to start and I need to make sure that insurance covers it too. Thanks!
carlinlp--What type of homeopathic remedies are you using?
Again, thanks to everyone who has chimed in. I really, really appreciate it!!
I did! I thought my brain was being electrocuted.
( I'd get the zaps every day almost exactly 45 minutes after taking the pill and was almost always while I was on the road driving (read: scary). The Dr. I was seeing didn't believe me and actually wanted to up my doseage (it was a GP not a Psychiatrist which I wish I had seen). I quit the pills and the zaps immediately went away. About a year later my mom (a nurse) asked me about it and said that this was actually a known side effect, but I've never actually heard of anyone else that's had this happen to them.
52 Choices For Better Health
Hey Duckie! I don't have any advice on the meds question. I just wanted to say congrats! I didn't know you were PG again.
ETA: I have been able to handle my anxiety without meds. It took about 4 years of intensive therapy and behavioral modification. I was going 2-3X a week to my therapist at the height of my crisis. I was able to step down to as-needed but during my pregnancy with DS, I went back to sessions every week as sort of a preventative measure. With DD, I've been on an as-needed basis and have gone a few times.
hugs to you, friend. i have no advice about anxiety, however, i will say this... talk about the meds with your doc and do what is best for you to feel normal again. i have taken an INSANE amount of drugs with both of my pregnancies and my child is beautiful and very bright, imo
the doctor will let you know what is safe and what is not. i would much rather take medicine and function as a normal person than fight it everyday. plus, once you get the anxiety under control, you can enjoy m, o, and your growing little one more.
i miss you. want to hang out on sunday? im emailing you.
MrsAJL, you're south, right? Do you have a doc you rec?
MrsDuckie, your OB or your GP should have a list for you to start with--I totally reccommend touching base with the office of any psych you're looking into to see how you feel comfort-wise. DH actually did this for me, as my anxiety issues tend to make me shutdown and not ask questions. I knew I found the right doc and office when they were so willing to talk with him and offerred to email me or call me if I wanted to talk further before making an appointment.
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I was on "vitamin P" (as my doctor friend likes to call it) for awhile - mostly because I don't sleep and it calms me down, but my GP wanted me off while we were TTC, even though Dr. S's office didn't have a problem with me being on it. I hate not getting a full night's sleep ever but I guess it's good practice for when the baby is here.
I had to taper really slowly when I weaned - like 5mg at a time, decreasing weekly. I would get really dizzy when I tried to do more than that.
I also bought some passion flower extract but stopped taking it when I became PG; I didn't notice a huge change though. not to mention that stuff is not very tasty! rosie - what do you mix it with?
Sorry you are dealing with this. I don't have any advice. Just wanted to say congrats! I think I missed the announcement.
I'm so glad I found this post! I'm currently taking Zoloft and as of next week, am planning on start trying. I have an appt with my Psych NP tomorrow to determine my options and read the statistics. There have been great points brought up about balancing the needs of the mother with the future baby. I'm one wreck when I have my anxiety anyway and who knows, it might impede conception. So maybe if I'm more relaxed, it will be better for me and baby when it happens.
Thanks so much for the info!