anxiety and pregnant!!!

[Becki16]

Hello, I was wondering if there are any women out there that have gone through or know anybody that has, having severe panic and anxiety attacks while being pregnant? I have suffered from this disorder all my life and have had 3 other children while not taking anything, just in the last 2 years have I been taking xanex .25 to .5mg a day. I am now pregnant with twins around 8-9 weeks. I am horriably afraid to stop taking these and am also afraid of the side-effects of the drug itself on the babies. I was just wondering if there's anyone out there that has gone through this and if so what advice do you have for me.

[fearfactor]

Hi, I know how you feel!  I have been a life-long anxiety sufferer (ever since I can remember, probably age 5 or so).  I had panic attacks and anxiety while pregnant with both my children.  I took Xanax throughout my last pregnancy, about .5 mg per day.  I was advised by my doctor to stop but I just couldn't do totally without it.  You should know it could possibly cause birth defects, though this risk is low.  Lots of women take Xanax while pregnant.  You should talk to your doctor about it, of course.  I just want you to know you are not alone - I too have struggled with anxiety while pregnant and know how hard it can be!

[debaser23]

Wow.  Easy for me to say, perhaps, but I certainly wouldn't take them.  Even if the risk of birth defects is low, it would be too high for me.

If you take them, please take very small doses.

[medmama]

   Hi, i'm 37 weeks pregnant and although i've had a history of anxiety attacks throughout my life, i didn't start having any until about 8 weeks ago.
   My o.b. and pharmacist recommend to not take xanax, however, every person is different. You may want to ask your o.b. this question "which will cause more damage to my babies, xanax or stress hormones".. I really don't know what his answer will be, because only he will know the severity of your anxiety based on what you tell him. But no matter what, be honest, don't over embellish. Think about your little ones and concentrate on a healthy pregnancy and the attacks will come less frequently. I wish you lots of luck..

[ConcernedFLMom]

I'm on the pill (Ortho-Cyclen) and didn't get my period this month. I'm now officially 2 weeks after my period was supposed to start.  I took at pregnancy test and it said negative.  So I continued my next pack of birth control pills.  Along with that, I suffer from severe anxiety since the birth of our daughter (I had post-partum depression and anxiety).  So I take 1mg Xanax usually before bed- and occasionally .5 during the day.  Now I'm getting paranoid and thinking "what if I am pregnant"?  I'm a nervous wreck thinking that I could have done something.  

[hatgal]

When I became pregnant 2 years ago, I was taking zoloft, wellbutrin, and klonopoin. The doc said to continue taking them as MY side effects would be harmful to the baby (stress, anxiety attacks, etc.).  I never took the klonopin, but continued on the wellbutrin and zoloft.  The baby is FINE!  Maybe you could change the xanax out for klonopin as I believe it is a lesser med.  Best of luck to you.  

[ipz]

I am a mother of 3 and have suffered from anxiety attacks before my first child.  However, during my pregnancies I was anxiety free.  I thought that it was because of the changes in my body.  My last child was born in 2003 and I had continued to live an anxiety free life until July of 2006 when the stress started piling on.  I was prescribed xanax and zoloft to control the attacks.  I refused to take zoloft because of all the horror stories but need to take the xanax as an instant relief.  I find myself living my life scared of losing control and now I am pregnant.  I am affraid because now that the anxiety seems worse will that affect me more now that I am pregnant?

[shell_n_virginia]

I am currrently 7 weeks pregnant.  I had been taking zoloft and klonopin (.5mg) for the past two years for anxiety and panic attacks.  When i found out i was pregnant i stop taking my klonopin as my doctor told me to, if i was every to get pregnant.  But now i am so anxious and have a lot of panic attacks.  I am not sleeping and not eating....which is all bad for the baby.  I want to go back on my klonopin but i don't think my doctor will allow it.  What should i do?

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

beck congrats on the twins hope you can enjoy your pg and not be stressed the whole time . congrats on everyone pg hope its not in the water lol.

[ocean77]

I am 3 weeks pregnant and have pretty much always had anxiety and panic attacks where I could not catch my breath.  I take xanax as needed, about .50 mg once every other day.  Now that I am pregnant, the panic attacks are coming on really strong and I need the xanax to make them stop. My doctors say that I can not take xanax since it is classified as a category D in pregnancy.  I am so worried about this and not sure what to do next.  Any one have any information that can help me?

[[e-mail]]

I am a anxiety panic attack sufferer for over ten years now. I have had almost a whole year of panic attack free. I just recently found out I was pregnant and I was off my medicine. I went in a total spriral I didn't know what to do. I was only pregnant for five weeks then misscarried. I thought for sure it was because I was anxious. I get the worse butterflies and unreal feelings and at the pit of myh stomach I sometimes feel like I skip a beat sometimes. But I realized that is not why. you can take your medicines maybe not zanx as much as zoloft or fluxotine. But know if something is going to happen its going to because that is gods plan. Dont look on the internet for negative things that will be my goal for the next time I try to get pregnant. Its a stressfull world out there just keep telling yourself you are stronger than everyone else you can't control that you have anxiety but you can control how you want to take care of it. good luck. you are the one who can get yourself through it.

[worrywart75]

i have had anxiety and panic attacks on and off for over 11 years.  it seemed that as soon as i found out that i was pregnant, my anxiety kicked in (i think it was the hormones as well as worrying about the pregnancy itself).  my obgyn put me on zoloft and i was on a rather low dose 75 mg/day and it helped.  i had a handful of panic attacks where my obgyn said that it was ok to take a low dose of xanax.  my son came out just fine - he had mild withdrawal, which is normal, that consisted of him just being a little sleepy for a few hours after he was born.  my husband and i will be trying for baby #2 in a few months and i will remain on zoloft (which is now at 100 mg as i have had a bad month).  
everybody is different and you need to be open and honest with your obgyn b/c you need to take care of yourself and your baby.  you are not alone and don't feel ashamed for asking to get treated.  good luck and i wish you all nothing but the best!

[babylove032572]

I have anxiety everyday.  I try breathing techniques and try to think happy thoughts.  I just found out I'm 6 weeks pregnant and I'm on xanax 2mg a day and lexapro 20mg a day.  My doctor wants me to quit the xanax, but it's hard.  I went down to 1mg of xanax a day trying to wing myself off.  I just don't see how someone can go off these kind of meds cold turkey.  I think the stress I have may be worse on the baby.  Any suggestions or other techniques I could try.

[airsick_mama]

i am 8 weeks pregnant and i usually don't suffer from anxiety until i get on an airplane then i get really sick. Take off and landings are the worse and i have a connecting flight both there and back. That means 4 take offs and 4 landings! The only thing that  helps me not to get violently sick is xanex, my doctor said that i not only do i get motion sickness but i have anxiety when i'm airborn. My doctor said that i shouldn't take xanax because it is a class D drug. But i'm so scared to fly with out them. Would it be ok to take it for my trip? I'm just worried that i'll get so sick and i don't want to go through hell if i can help it. Is there anyone who has taken this while pregnant and did baby turn out ok?

[Mommy3Girls]

I am pregnant and called my doctor one day in tears asking her for a referral to a counselor for my fiance and I, and she put me on Zoloft. I was quite reluctant to take it and waited a couple days before I started it, but ended up doing it anyways because I was tired of being so stressed out all the time. Now, I am happy, the baby is doing well, and no side effects. I take 50mg of Zoloft every morning, and I am not the only mommy to be on this site that takes it. IT is very safe, and in fact safer than the stress it causes the baby for you to be having panic attacks all the time. Call your doc and ask about ZOloft.

[forthoodmommy]

ive been living with severe anxiety attacks ever since i moved on an army base almost a yr ago. I was on xanax 0.5 mg extended release and it helped me out a lot.  my md insisted on getting off the medication due to becoming addicted to it. About a month ago i slowly started tappering off going to xanax 0.25 mg to half of that every other day its been 2and a half weeks and i havent used it sure i got withdrawal symtoms like muscle spasms on my neck, anxiousness and nausea but it went away and now im five weeks pregnant! i had a miscarriage a year ago not on any meds and im sure if you talk to your doctor he'll find a way to help you and keep you comfortable. Im focusing on my baby to keep me from taking any, but trust me if i find myself needing one (since my husband will be leaving to afghanistan in two weeks) i will ask my obgyn if i could take half of one. Try exercise it sends endorphins to your brain and therapy with a counseler but dont rely on xanax for it only numbs the feeling find out what triggers your anxiety and dont give up, keep busy and go to church. Get on these groups and keep a support system just know you are not alone.

[kam733]

It's good to know that other women have suffered the same issues. I have been fighting against anxiety for a while now and  I am winning. Prayer changes things.  I tried to take medication and felt terrible. I felt like I wasn't myself.  I did not continue the meds. Being a Christain woman I believe I have to be in control of my thoughts, have faith, and not worry.
I did have a miscarraige last year and I totally thought it was because of the anxiety. I realize that symptons of anxiety are negative thoughts and feelings stemming from fear. Now I that I can think more rationally I  don't believe it happended because of the anxiety. Most miscarriages occur due to chromosome abnormalities, not axiety attacks.
These are scriptures I meditate on to keep peace of mind:
2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Matt 6: 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no though for your life

[london75]

this site has helped me, i am a 23 year old woman 12 weeks preg with my 2nd child, the first panick attack I had was the day my husband and I brought home our baby girl, however in time I had no signs of panick or anxiety. my husband is in the airforce, so when family comes around and then leave is when my anxiety and panick attack raise to thier highest. it gets so bad that I can barely function at work (where i was just fines weeks prior) i keeps me wanting to just be at home, I have to talk to my husband on the phone at least every two hours and once in a while I have the feeling im just spaced out. this usually goes away within a day or two of family leaving, however gets worse and time progresss' and they come to visit. I am usually very independant, and a hard worker now I have trouble just droppin off our daughter to the sitter. I just want something that will get me to myself with no harm to me or my babie. But not being able to function in a society is a terrible feeling, and I just want to be me again

[hotange]

i know what everyone is going thru i am 33 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and i should be happy about that but my life right  now is hell. everyday and night its nonstop anxiety and that leads to panic. i have now developed a fear of going places i cant even go to my familys houses. im stuck in my home and feel there is no way out. i cant even go to my doctor appt. i dont know how im going to deliver this baby. i dont take any meds ecept for high blood pressure meds. this is just driving me nuts. i feel like i will die if i walk outside. i dont want to take nothing that might harm the baby but i feel like what im going thru cant be good on the baby either.

[molyba]

I too am worried about the side affects of anxiety medication on unborn children.  My man and I are trying to get pregnant, but I'm on 40mg of Prozac a day.  I know the doctor say I should discontinue once I have confirmed my pregnancy, but I'm worried I'll kill someone if I do!  Not being medicated and being hormonal is just asking for someone to die!

[cjs43]

I just want to put some peoples fears to rest.... I have been on xanax for 7 years now.... I became pregnant and my OB sad the risks from me stopping xanax are greater than me taking them. I stayed on xanax  my whole pregnancy and had all the same fears as everyone else. My baby girl was born 6lb 8ounces and healthy. She never went through withdrawl or had any breathing problems or muscle weakness.. Nothing! She is almost 2 now and is FINE! Im not saying everyone should stay on it or will be as lucky as me but I stayed on .25 a day because i simply had to.I think low doses arent harmfull in my opinion, speaking from someone who went through it and came out on top! Good luck all

[heartsfocus]

Like pp ( i think it was ipz ), my anxiety disappeared while I was pregnant. It was strange because I suffer from anxiety really bad but during my pregnancies I had never felt so relaxed! Must have been the hormones or the comfort of being with child?

I wish I knew what to say, are you feeling worried about the baby's health and well being all the time? That will cause you to feel more anxious during pregnancy.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.....

[SandynDavid]

I am 32 and my husband and I are trying to get pregnant right now.  The problem I have is the anxiety and panic attacks.  Fortunately I take 20mg of Lexapro every day and .25 or.5 mg of Xanax (when needed).  I have heard many stories about taking any type of anxiety medication while pregnant.  I am not pregnant yet but I am already worring about what is to come.  My husband and I have talked about what we will do when I get pregnant.  He is going to do everything he can to keep me calm and stress/worry free.  I am also very fortunate to have family that is ready for the "fall-out".  I wish you all good health during your pregnancies.  I hope mine will be healthy as well.

[NikoleWillis]

I have suffered from anxiety attacks for years. I'm 26 and 7wks pregnant with my third child. My doc put me on xanax 1mg three times a day. He said the risks of stress related effects on the baby are greater than the risk of me only taking the xanax when I need them. I don't take them every day but do take one every couple days when needed. I hold out as long as I can until I can determine if I will get over the attack or not. Taking a bath and deep breathing, sometimes screaming in my pillow for a few minutes will make the attack go away. I only allow myself about 10 minutes until I know I need the xanax.
I think it is based on your doctors experiance with the drug during pregnancy and also how bad your attack get and what physical changes you have during these attacks.

[kellie2121]

I am 19 weeks pregnant.  I have a cronic anxiety disorder that I take Effexor XR slow release tablets for.  I went off them the first month of pregnancy because my doctor said it wasnt good for the baby.  My anxiety is so bad that I feel like I am dying.  It doesnt help that my fiancee is never home and gambles all the time, that I live 3000 miles away from my friends and family, and that I dont work anymore.  I want so bad to stop my anxiety and panic attacks but have no way to.  My fiancee thinks I am just crazy and need to be a strong woman by controling it on my own.  He shuts his phone off so I cant contact him when I am anxious.  What other coping skills do people use to handle their anxiety besides medication? How do you get your significant other to understand the pain of anxiety and what it does to a person?

[Jasmione]

I'm also an anxiety sufferer and have been for the last 11 years. About 2 years ago I also started suffering severe panic attacks and thus became agoraphobic, never wanting to leave the house.
I never went on meds for this, I did take them years ago when I first started getting anxiety attacks, but I felt they weren't much help. Medications are not a cure, they are necessary when severe and you can't cope any other way, but anxiety is not something that goes away, it does get better, but it is important to learn coping methods.
I got over my agoraphobia and stopped having panic attacks by meditation and relaxation, yoga, learning breathing techniques and undertsnading my thoughts. I also don't panic when I start to have anxiety symptoms, I just let those 'feelings' pass through by sitting down or lying down and just 'watching' them pass (it sounds scary, but it works) I used to find by trying to distract myself it made them worse, I guess becauise I was active and moving and thus more stressed.

I'm now 8 weeks pregnant, extremely tired, nauses all day/night, loss of appetite, and am just overall exhautsed by all the changes.
I think it's because of the lack of control I feel, but I have not left the house in 2 weeks and also because I feel so sick all day. I'm hoping it's not just my anxiety, but I think it is, which is frustrating because I was doing so well.
I've been told by my obgyn that by week 12 the sickness and tiredeness will go away and I should have more energy, so I'm hoping this will lessen the anxiety. So far it's a wait and see and I'm just going to stay in bed, relax and not feel bad about it.
If I still have the anxiety after this, I will definately be back on my relaxation path of meditating, yoga, and possibly getting some cbt therapy to help with my thought processes.

[shaneswife]

My hubby and I found out a week ago I am 5 weeks pregnant! This was definitely a planned pregnancy... We both wanted this baby so badly!! Yesterday my "outlook" completely changed. I started feeling so overwhelmed about everything that has happened! "Did we make the right decision? Are you really ready? How will we be after a baby is here?" I have my first doctor's appointment tomorrow... My family keeps telling me its just my hormones that are startingto go out of control. But i dont want to feel this way the rest of my pregnancy!! I want the desire and anticipation i had when we were TRYING for a baby... Please let me know I'm not the only one who has felt like this, and what did you do!! HELP PLEASE!

[NINI34]

hi. no u are not alone. i am about 7 weeks pregnant and am going crazy aiwth anxiety and panic attacks. i don't know what to do to feel better. just always have a fear of something going so wrong. i have 3 other kids, this was an unplanned pregnancy and i don't know how i can make it to the end of pregnancy feeling this way! anyone have advice

[jjjjjj85]

hey so i just found out im about 5 weeks pregnant and i to also have anxiety disorder and im so afraid that it will harm the baby i dont so much have attacks more like constant worry to the point of not eating not sleeping and freaking from the time i wake up to the time i try to sleep im not haveing an episode rite now but im really getting worried that i might and hearing all the horror storys about some of the possible compications that come from anxiety and pregnancy and im also trying to quit smoking which isnt helping at all HELP!

[Dennigan]

I am 10 wks pregnant with baby #1. My husband and I tried to get pregnant for over a year. When it happened we were thrilled. A week or two later I started with my anxiety/panic attacks again. I have had anxiety/panic for 5+ years- was on Effexor 75mg and Xanax .25mg as needed. Before I got pregnant I went to a high risk OBGYN and they told me to take Zoloft during pregnancy, not Effexor. I am on 175mg of Zoloft now and still feel anxious. I called the OB and they said to take Ativan .25mg when needed, but not daily. It does help some.. I started to see a therapist as well and she tells me that after our hormones level off alittle anxiety usually decreases as well.

Just know- we are never alone. There are so many pregnant women dealing with this horrible anxiety. I am not sure how on some days, but we make it through each day and it just has to get better! It does not feel it on many days, but just close your eyes and remember yourself at your happiest moment in life- and know that we will get there again!!!!! Please feel free to reach out to me- I know we are all having different experiences, but anxiety & panic is all to farmiliar to all of us!  

[JJLook]

I hope that your twins came out ok. As you know, twins are a high risk pregnancy. I hope that you did not complicate it by using Xanex. There are alternative medication for anxiety which do not pose as high  a risk. You had three children already. I understand not wanting to stop for yourself, but once you became pregnant, it is no longer about yourself. Piece of advice. Get some sleep. I was having panic attacks after my second child. It was almost like post traumatic stress. I went without sleep for so long so much that when I could sleep, I would have a panic attack. Being well rested will eliminate much of what you are going through including depression which is ultimately related to your seritonin levels, ie sleep. You don't need medication if you get natural rest. I hope you can afford a Nanny or have lots of help. It is time for your husband to get his tube tied. Once your youngest is 3, you will return to normal again. Good Luck

[ashkee]

I just found out i am 5 weeks pregnant and my anxiety was doing pretty good until i found out i was pregnant.It was not planned.I was using vcf and apparently it didnt work My heart rate is just racing everyday day because of the worry.I hope that we will all be ok.good luck

[LadyLothlorien23]

I'm now 7 weeks pregnant. I was taking so many meds it's hard to count. One of them was a heart med because I have severe Tachycardia. I was also taking Xanax to help control the tachycardia and for severe anxiety and Demerol (tore my ligaments and tendants in my foot). The doctor told me to stop taking the Cardizem (heart meds) but to keep taking the Demerol and Xanax (just sparingly). I take 1mg a day sometimes less of Xanax and 100mg of Demerol (sometimes non at alll) a day. I go for my first UltraSound next week @ 8 weeks. The doctor whats to check to see if the baby has a heartbeat because of all the meds I was on. He says the Xanax and Demerol are okay to take but the Cardizem could have caused problems. I'm just stating this because alot of women are wondering about the Xanax. My doctor seems to think it would cause me more harm than good.

[love80]

Just be glad you aren't in my boat.  My anxiety is so severe that I take 6 mg. of Xanax XR every day (2 mg. 3xper day).  I am not pregnant yet.  The doctor worries, but she says she can live with me getting down to 3 mg. per day.  She says that Xanax has not shown to be as much of a problem as other benzos, but because it is a benzo, it is in the same category and it has to be assumed that the same risks are possible.  She told me cleft pallet is the worst risk.  She says she wishes I didn't have to take anything but is afraid the benefits of the drug outweigh the risk.  My former OB/GYN thought I was some kind of idiot and wanted me to just come off Xanax...FYI withdrawal is awful.  Hopefully I can taper down where she wants me or farther.  The thought terrifies me.  I have horrible panic disorder.  I function just fine in everyday life with meds.  I take Wellbutrin XL too, as well as Lamictal (for migraines, off label use).  Here's the funny thing...I'm a therapist myself!

[countrygal82]

hell0 i am a  panic attack suffer. i am on xanax taking 0.5 mg. 3to 4 times a day and always been on pain medicine. i asked to come off my pain meds but knew i cannot come off my xanax. now the doctors tell me DO NOT come off either! so i listen to them and now they are bringing in DCF and taking my kids from me even though they told me i have to stay on my  meds! anyone have any thoughts are maybe know  what i can do to keep my children?? maybe someone went threw this and can help me too make sure i do not loose my kids  are give me advice on how they handled there situation??????????????????