Anyone on here take anxiety meds they have to get off of?

ctmom2011 · August 2012

I'm in the process of getting off my medication (unexpected pregnancy) and its hard I've only been getting 4 hours of sleep and my insides feel shaky. I'm seeing a social worker tomorrow but need to get of meds regardless. I'm so tired and don't feel in control of my emotions (they are not harmful but it's a negative conversation regarding money and expections from other people). I'm just so tired.

onlymeggan · August 2012

I had to switch off of Cymbalta because it causes heart defects in babies. I've taken zoloft through my last pregnancy and will be taking it through this one. It doesn't work as well but it's better than nothing for keeping the anxiety levels chill.

ShadyKull · August 2012

Have you spoken to your doctor(s)? There are some anxiety medications that are considered safer than others during pregnancy. If you really need it to feel in control and to stay healthy during your pregnancy, it might be worth the risks to take one of the safer options. Your doctor(s) can help you weigh the risks and benefits. Hang in there.

sgb721 · August 2012

No- but I'm starting to feel like I need them to handle the pregnancy. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about something safe to take during pregnancy that can give you some level of relief?

shandorfml2 · August 2012

Yes, I would take ativan as needed (pretty rarely needed) but definitly cannot take that during pregnancy. I also take lexapro for anxiety/depression, and have tried going off and I cannot do that. The risk is low and I have consulted with my docs. I would speak with your docs/OB/social worker because there are some meds that are safer.

aeb20 · August 2012

Hi,

I am sorry you are having a hard time. I know that it is very difficult to get off anxiety medications in general but especially when you weren't expecting to have to do this. Have you thought about seeing a counselor regularly during the pregnancy? I know that this isn't always as effective as medication for some people, but sometimes it can be helpful. Anxiety often stems from not feeling like you have control over things in your life and in pregnancy unfortunately there are LOTS of things that we don't have control over. I also struggle with anxiety and OCD and even though I have been off my medication for a couple of years, when I got pregnant my anxiety and OCD tendencies have really spiked. UGH I am currently getting acupuncture for some other stuff but she has been doing some work on anxiety too. I am not sure if it has been helpful for the anxiety or not, but it has been kind of helpful to have a place to go talk. Good luck and hang in there.

SmoothieQueen · August 2012

First off, I'm sorry to hear you had to abrubtly stop your meds, that's quite a shock to your body- add a hormonal increase, and I'm sure it's overwelming! There's a lot to be considered here, and mine is just one opinion. You said you're seeing a social worker tomorrow- do you mean a case manager, or a counselor? I'd suggest finding a couselor to talk to, having a non-biased individual to process all these huge life changes may be beneficial (and don't be concerned if you don't 'click' with the first one you see, sometime it takes a little bit of searching to find the 'right' counselor). With a counselor, you could talk about all the old and new triggers for anxiety, warning signs of an on-coming panic attack, and positive coping skills to decrease anxiety without meds which could be harmful to your pregnancy. Best of luck to you on your journey!

ToBeJBG · August 2012

Yess! My mother passed away this January unexpectedly due to Ovarian Cancer (we were told she was in remission just a few months before). I started having issues with panic attacks a month or so later. I had extreme issues with anxiety (apparently similar to Post traumatic stress disorder), probably due to the suddeness and having to make the decision to take her off life support. *sigh* so hard...

Thank God I very rarely, if ever needed to take my xanax, and got off completely once TTC. But the other day that I had bleeding I had my first anxiety attack in months and couldn't take anything! It was terrible, not even a glass of wine, noooothing. I just started crying and shaking. My husband and aunt were able to help me breathe and relax and eventually it passed. Thank goodness baby is ok, but it's hard to have issues with anxiety and realize once pregnant you're ALWAYS worrying about everything.

JenS8 · August 2012

I was also on Cymbalta, as well as Maxalt for migraines. This was an unplanned pregnancy for me as well. My OB told me I could taper off of the cymbalta, but knowing it can cause damage to the baby, I went off of it cold turkey. It's definitely been rough adjusting.

laurenbell09 · August 2012

My Dr told me to quit mine, Pristiq (dep meds) but didn't give me another one to replace it with, so I'm off and have been for 3 weeks now. No side effects really... but I thought it was strange to be cut off immediately - I've worked in a pharmacy for years, and we tell patients to do the complete opposite of what my Dr prescribed.

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