Pregnancy And Anxiety Medications

[WorkingThruIt]

I have been doing really well and thought that I was finishing up this recovery thing. That was NOT one of my most intelligent assumptions.

It was the 19th anniversary recently and my symptoms are out of control and worse than they have been in several years. I went to the see a doc and her suggestion was to take Benadryl (an antihistamine), since I am in my 26th week of pregnancy. She also suggested a psychiatrist, but it takes months to get in to see one. She was totally not getting what I was trying to explain and kept asking stupid questions like if I had any emotional support for the pregnancy. She actually told me that many women worry during prengancy. WTF?? I am going to talk to the OB/GYN at my appointment today, but I have a feeling that their advice will be the same. I understand that my medication options are limited, but I need something more than a pat on the back and some allergy meds.

I need help NOW, not in a few months. How can I convey that to these people? Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[catjudo]

Your medication options for anxiety are extremely limited. There are some anti-depressants that are okay during pregnancy but since depression isn't your issue at the moment, that is of very little help. In my own personal experience, I mostly had to suffer through the anxiety during my pregnancy. There were a handful of times, late at night, when my husband convinced me to take some Benadryl. By no means would I consider it a great anti-anxiety option but the few times I used it I was able to at least lay still long enough drift off to sleep.

Sorry I don't have any better advice to offer. I know it's really tough. Hang in there and good luck.

 

[nic]

SSRIs can be safely taken during pregancy. Yes, they are for depression, but many help with anxiety as well.

 

[WorkingThruIt]

I saw the OB (actually a nurse practitioner) yesterday and explained the situation. She gave me a anxiety/depression questionnaire to fill out. After a few more questions, they had a psychiatrist for me to see in 2 hours. He prescribed Xanax. All the risks are for the beginning and end of pregnancy, so I have a window of another month or so that I can take it as long as it is used as needed and in moderation.

As an interesting side note, he said that the progesterone levels of pregnancy will make PTSD symptoms worse.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[morgan]

I am glad to read that you got some relief. Anxiety is a bitch.

Take care, Morgan

 

[catjudo]

I'm glad you're able to find some relief. I hope that you're able to work with your doctors to come up with a plan for how to deal with the anxiety a month from now when the Xanax is no longer an option. Best of luck.

 

[john07]

These are the latest medicines in treating depression. The famous brand names are Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, and Paxils. Out of these intensive studies have been done on Prozac and it has been shown to be safe during pregnancy. However, their long term effects are still not clear. Other SSRIs are also not shown to cause any fetal malformations. Preliminary studies indicate them to be safe during pregnancy. However, the effect of these SSRIs around delivery is debated. It is suggested that they may cause symptoms like tremor, restlessness and increased crying.

 

[Selena5473]

I am 30 weeks pregnant and am taking fluoxetine. I have a prescription for xanax (alprazolam) but I have suffered through the worst of it, I am trying my hardest to not take it. You should ask for promethazine, that's what my OB gave me, it combats nausea but also takes you down a notch and makes anxiety less of an extreme.It is normally prescribed to cancer patients. Could be worth a try.

 

[PTSD sufferer]

Thanks for these threads, they are very useful. I am glad to hear (Working Thru It) that you were able to get the medical attention you needed. Persistence pays off :)

I am not pregnant (yet) and will have to go on hormonal drugs to stimulate ovulation - fertility problems. My Dr wants to prepare me for the IVF program in the future - if the hormonal drugs don't do their job effectively.

As an interesting side note, he said that the progesterone levels of pregnancy will make PTSD symptoms worse.

This exact thing has been worrying me a little....The hormone drugs suggested to help me conceive will increase progesterone. It takes about 6 weeks to be effective, but might have to be on it for a while.

I have been considering going drug free before I start the hormone drugs and during pregnancy. And, if I run into problems then, might consider suitable medication.

I guess I was wondering, if you have any tips you can share with me to make the 'ride' a little easier? Just want to make sure I do the best thing for Mum and baby and try anything I can during the pregnancy to stay well.

 

[Sterre]

Im sorry the read that becoming pregnant is not easy for you PTSD sufferer! But maybe my experience will lift some of your worrys about pregnancy and worsening PTSD symptoms.

During my whole pregnancy I took 50 to 100 mg of Fevarin, (Fluvoxamine). For the first two weeks I was pregnant without knowing I was pregnant.

I have found that during the pregnancy my PTSD symptoms were not as strong as before pregnancy of after. I found that the hormones that are released trough pregnancy made my mood more stable and lifted it up. I was fairly stable during the whole pregnancy. ( once I recovered from the shock of this unexpected pregnancy)

 

[Abrasky]

If you are pregnant, make sure when you have bub you breastfeed. Breastfeeding acts like an antideppressant and it's marvellous. When I breastfed my son fully for 4 months, my PTSD symtoms went away for 12 months.
Congratulations too!

It's better than alchohol(the effect of such large amounts of oxytocin releasing). Seriously, now I now why cows like to go to the milking shed.