Anxiety Meds and Pregnancy
gatorgal04 posted:
My husband and I are very desperate to get pregnant. There are a few possible health issues that may be affecting our ability. We've been trying for 6 months. I know how important it is not to stress during this process or it can have ill affects as well. One of my issues I believe is that I was diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder about 2 years ago. I was on Paxil and Xanax and had reached a point where my anxiety was largely under control. After meeting with my doctor to discuss getting pregnant I was taken off Paxil right away and switch to Zoloft, and was told I wouldn't be able to use the Xanax while pregnant. At that time I was down to using xanax maybe once a week. During the last 6 months my anxiety has increased again and my as needed usage has gone up to treat when I'm having a full blown attack. To the point where I take it daily again now. I think perhaps not being able to take it is adding to the anxiety as well as the stress of wanting to be pregnant. My purpose for posting and my question is, is there any kind of as needed anxiety drug that can be safe for use while pregnant? I want to be as healthy as possible and I'm trying other methods, but it would be nice to feel like I have a back up that won't harm my child!
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Anxiety Meds and PregnancyMy husband and I are very desperate to get pregnant. There are a few possible health issues that may be affecting our ability. We've been trying for 6 months. I know how important it is not to stress during this process or it can have ill affects as well. One of my issues I believe is that I was diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder about 2 years ago. I was on Paxil and Xanax and had reached a point where my anxiety was largely under control. After meeting with my doctor to discuss getting pregnant I was taken off Paxil right away and switch to Zoloft, and was told I wouldn't be able to use the Xanax while pregnant. At that time I was down to using xanax maybe once a week. During the last 6 months my anxiety has increased again and my as needed usage has gone up to treat when I'm having a full blown attack. To the point where I take it daily again now. I think perhaps not being able to take it is adding to the anxiety as well as the stress of wanting to be pregnant. My purpose for posting and my question is, is there any kind of as needed anxiety drug that can be safe for use while pregnant? I want to be as healthy as possible and I'm trying other methods, but it would be nice to feel like I have a back up that won't harm my child!
An_242764 responded:
I have depression and high anxiety and I am on Zoloft. When talking to my doctor she said that there shouldn't be too many problems with pregnancy. The biggest problem for baby is the withdrawl effects after baby is born. If you breastfeed the withdrawl is less because the medicine is secreated in breast milk. I was very worried about what Zoloft could do to my baby so I asked a lot of questions. I have more indepth ultrasounds just to make sure everything is ok. Right now i'm 20 weeks pregnant and baby looks great. He's really moving around and has a strong heartbeat.
Have you tried doing yoga? Or going to a massage therapist? Or tried learning some relaxation exercises? All of these can help with your anxiety. Massage works at relaxing the muscles that tense up from anxiety and it also releases the toxins that build up in your muscles. If you drink plenty of water before and after a message you are less likely to feel sick afterwards. If you can find a massage therapist that uses essential oils it helps more. If you are scared about being naked under a sheet you can do what my sister-in-law dies and wears a bathing suit. Massages help the most with my anxiety.
Learning relaxation exercises also helps a lot. You train your body to relax and calm itself.
Stress can mess up your periods making it harder for you to get pregnant. You really need to find ways to help reduce the stress in your life. Stress also affects your blood sugar making it higher than it should be.
Have you tried doing yoga? Or going to a massage therapist? Or tried learning some relaxation exercises? All of these can help with your anxiety. Massage works at relaxing the muscles that tense up from anxiety and it also releases the toxins that build up in your muscles. If you drink plenty of water before and after a message you are less likely to feel sick afterwards. If you can find a massage therapist that uses essential oils it helps more. If you are scared about being naked under a sheet you can do what my sister-in-law dies and wears a bathing suit. Massages help the most with my anxiety.
Learning relaxation exercises also helps a lot. You train your body to relax and calm itself.
Stress can mess up your periods making it harder for you to get pregnant. You really need to find ways to help reduce the stress in your life. Stress also affects your blood sugar making it higher than it should be.
Report This| Share this:Anxiety Meds and PregnancyI have depression and high anxiety and I am on Zoloft. When talking to my doctor she said that there shouldn't be too many problems with pregnancy. The biggest problem for baby is the withdrawl effects after baby is born. If you breastfeed the withdrawl is less because the medicine is secreated in breast milk. I was very worried about what Zoloft could do to my baby so I asked a lot of questions. I have more indepth ultrasounds just to make sure everything is ok. Right now i'm 20 weeks pregnant and baby looks great. He's really moving around and has a strong heartbeat.<br /> <br />Have you tried doing yoga? Or going to a massage therapist? Or tried learning some relaxation exercises? All of these can help with your anxiety. Massage works at relaxing the muscles that tense up from anxiety and it also releases the toxins that build up in your muscles. If you drink plenty of water before and after a message you are less likely to feel sick afterwards. If you can find a massage therapist that uses essential oils it helps more. If you are scared about being naked under a sheet you can do what my sister-in-law dies and wears a bathing suit. Massages help the most with my anxiety.<br /> <br />Learning relaxation exercises also helps a lot. You train your body to relax and calm itself.<br /> <br />Stress can mess up your periods making it harder for you to get pregnant. You really need to find ways to help reduce the stress in your life. Stress also affects your blood sugar making it higher than it should be.
Elizabeth_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi Gatorgal04 -
I wanted to pass along the link to our great Trying to Conceive Community.
You may be able to connect with members experiencing similar situations and get possible expert response from our doctors in that community.
We also have a wonderful Anxiety & Panic Community with Dr. Patricia Farrel. She may be able to offer some advice.
Best of luck for a successful and happy pregnancy,
Elizabeth
I wanted to pass along the link to our great Trying to Conceive Community.
You may be able to connect with members experiencing similar situations and get possible expert response from our doctors in that community.
We also have a wonderful Anxiety & Panic Community with Dr. Patricia Farrel. She may be able to offer some advice.
Best of luck for a successful and happy pregnancy,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
~To be a child is to know the joy of living, To have a child is to know the gift of life.~ Author Unknown
~To be a child is to know the joy of living, To have a child is to know the gift of life.~ Author Unknown
Report This| Share this:Anxiety Meds and PregnancyHi Gatorgal04 - <br /><br />I wanted to pass along the link to our great <a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction-exchange">Trying to Conceive Community.</a> <br /><br />You may be able to connect with members experiencing similar situations and get possible expert response from our doctors in that community.<br /><br />We also have a wonderful <a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/anxiety-and-panic-disorders-exchange">Anxiety & Panic Community</a> with Dr. Patricia Farrel. She may be able to offer some advice.<br /><br />Best of luck for a successful and happy pregnancy,<br />Elizabeth
