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| Mon, 01-15-2007 - 8:50pm |
I just found this message board this afternoon, and I've been reading everything. What a wealth of information and support. So happy to have found it.
I've been suffering from anxiety/panic disorder for about 3 years now. I won't bore you with all the why's and where's of it. But, I know that it is real and it is a terrible thing to deal with.
I have a question for those of you that have been pregnant while battling with anxiety/panic attacks.
Let me first say that I'm married to a real angel. He is such a huge support, and is great when I have an "episode". We have 3 kids right now....our youngest is 5. We would like to have one more baby here pretty soon.
I'm currently taking Effexor, but I know that I can't take that while pregnant and nursing. I've heard that it's horrible to get off of though. Any experience with that?
Now for my question, what meds can we take while TTC and while pregnant/nursing? Are there any out there that work?
My doctor said that when we are ready to TTC to go in and talk with him about options. I have an appointment, but not for a few more days. Just wanting to get some experiences and BTDT stories to go in armed with.
Aside from worrying about what I can take while pregnant, I worry that I'll have episodes while pregnant (that's a stressful time anyway....top it off with a patient that has panic attacks and it sounds like a disaster to me!!), and that it may hurt the baby.
I'm pretty good at telling when I'm going to have an attack. I know now when I'm in the middle of one that I'm most likely NOT dying....and that it will pass. But, I still have a tendency to think that everything that can go wrong with me, will. It's just something that I've always dealt with.
Sorry for the novel. Hope you don't boot me out for talking to much. It's great to have people here that actually know what I'm feeling. It's just not the same to tell people about it that have never experienced it.
Nicole

Hi Nicole & welcome! I'm so happy you found us :)
Sheri Ann
Welcome! This board is great isn't it? It has gotten me through some rough times.
I had postpartum depression and took 10 mg. Prozac (about half of a regular dosage) while nursing. I had twins so I only nursed (while supplementing) for about 2 months before hanging it up. Life was too crazy. LOL
I don't have any experience with pregnancy and antidepressants.
hi nicole,
i just delievered 4 weeks ago...
where to begin:)
well, i have a history of anxiety/panic disorder and went throught (and still am) a relapse when i was only 5 weeks pregnante...
i was taking paxil before the pregnancy, and wound up upping my dosage during the pregnancy due to my anxiety becoming out of control.
Hi, Nicole! Good to have you here:) I actually did very well with panic disorder through both of my pregnancies. No meds required. It was after I gave birth that anxiety/depression set in.
I did take effexor 225mg. for about 3 years. I followed the doctor's reduction schedule to a *tee.* In spite of that, I did have occasional zapping sensations, flu-like symptoms & crying jags. It was NOT unliveable & I would go back on the effexor in a heartbeat, if my panic returned. It was a good med for me.
As Sheri Ann said, there are meds that can be used safely during pregnancy. Work closely with your prescribing doctor & your ob/gyn. They can give you the best advice & the latest info on what to expect. All meds affect each person individually. Your health care practitioners know YOU best.
Post anytime & stop into chat. We care & will be glad to support you. GL&GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Wow, thanks so much for the warm welcome! It's great to know that there are people out there that have been pregnant and did fine with meds.
That "zapping" feeling is what I've heard about with coming off Effexor. Yuck, doesn't sound fun. I know if I miss more than one dose, I start feeling those little brain zapper feelings. I currently take 75mg. I've been doing great on it. I actually had a couple of panic attacks at the end of last week. I think it was because we are starting to talk about coming off the effexor, and ttc, and it just got me all worked up.
Anyway, I'll be sure to let you know what my doctor says. He's very sweet, and I'm anxious to get on the road to TTC!
Nicole
Hi and welcome!
I can't give you any advice at all on the pregnancy bit, as I haven't done that myself (and don't plan to), but well done for thinking ahead and planning it!
I do however have experience of Effexor. It was a good medication for me as an antidepressant and stabiliser, but it was difficult for me to come off. Mind you, I had difficulties with any time lapse while I was taking it, as well...any more than an hour late, and I had incredible head shocks.
My doctor didn't really know very much about coming off it, but I'd done my research and went in loaded down with info on dropping down the doses gradually, and he prescribed exactly what I told him to (ex-nurse, he hates me but he does what I tell him...lol). I dropped down to 3/4 full dose for one week, 1/2 of full dose for one week, 1/4 full dose for the last week, and then nothing. The first couple of days with each drop, I had what I call headshocks, where it felt like a bolt of electricity went through my brain, on a regular basis. It's not painful, but it's disconcerting. I had no other particular symptoms, although looking back I was quite anxious-I figured this was probably due to being nervous about coming off more than anything!
Everyone is individual, and I know others have had more problems than I did. It was uncomfortable, and I felt a bit disorientated, but I'd go back on it if I had to in future.
Hugs,
Chris
www.rainbowinspirations.co.uk
http://rainbowinspired.livejournal.com/
Thanks Chris, for your comments on coming off Effexor. That's one of my big worries. It has worked wonderfully while I've been on it, and I would go on it again in a heartbeat.
Nicole
meds!! I did not have any meds when I was pregnant in the
dark ages------ LOL!! I wish you the best! Judy
LoL...the dark ages :)
Thanks for the welcome :)
Nicole