Anxiety during pregnancy??

[MomNpain]

Hi everyone, I know I haven't been on here much lately so here's an update on me..I'm 31 weeks 4 days now with a boy and other than placenta previa (that corrected it's self) I've had a pretty decent pregnancy.

As some of you may know, I was a little stressed out the last time I was on and well, I think it's safe to say that it hasn't gotten better. If anything, worse. I suffered from anxiety pre-pregnancy but I wasn't on any medication for it because I simply couldn't find the right one. Well, these past 2 weeks I've been REALLY stressed out and knowing that I have 8 weeks left until my baby is due is really adding to it because I still have so much to do. Long story short, I had a panic attack last night that lasted until morning then had another one today that is slowly starting to get better. My thing is, I can't deal with this anymore...I just can't. I can never breathe properly because of my anxiety and now I'm not wanting to eat because of it, it's effecting my sleep and my whole life all around. I have considered seeing a therapist until the baby is born but there are several reasons keeping me from doing so - there isn't anyone within 35 miles of my house that accepts my insurance, gas is $4.01 a gallon here, my car hasn't been running properly here lately and the only other person I have to rely on is hubby and his profession allows very little time for him to be running me around to places 45 minutes from where he works just to sit there for an hour and come back. So, I see my OB on Friday and I'm considering saying something to him about it. I know that my options are limited right now when it comes to medications I can take but right now I feel the risk is greater to my baby if I DON'T get help. Also, every medication my doctors have tried in the past have made me so depressed (I do NOT suffer from depression, I suffer from anxiety) that the last one I tried (Welbutrin) my husband, mother and sister had to be by my side all day long and even follow me to the bathroom because it was so bad that I was trying to kill myself. The thing is, anxiety medications (such as xanax, valum and adavan) are all addictive AND I've seen what they can do to people. So, I guess I'm kind of stuck here. I don't know what to do and I really need opinions, advice, etc. I don't want to be like this when my baby gets here and I was told that with my anxiety the way it is now that I'm at high risk for PPD. Has anyone dealt with anything like this? I would really appreciate input! Thanks ladies...

[motherofan18month]

i started having anxiety attacks when i was about 4 months preggo.....the doc at the hospital tried to convince me to let him run more tests in case i had a blockage as well...because my entire left side would go numb...they put me on the heart floor at the hospital and alot of the nurses were scared to even think that a 20 year old woman at 4 months preggo was having heart trouble...the docs couldn't do anything about them because i didnt want to have a m/c due to the tests they wanted to do,,,they just told me to relax as much as possible .i used to have them almost everyday at work but since i took my maternity leave i have only had them everytime i think about going back to work (work was very stressfull because i worked for a bunch of perverted railroad men) it is normal for a lot of women to experience anxiety during pregnancy, just relax and try to enjoy as much as you can!

[Jame0223]

I have suffered with anxiety for a few years now. I tried Zoloft and it was a life saver. I got to the point to where I would not leave my house for a week and a half...and I couldn't go to school. As soon as I would get there I would throw up or freak out as we were pulling into the parking lot! I got put on the Zoloft and within 2 weeks it was like I had never had a panic attack. Well I stopped taking Zoloft because the side effects when starting the meds were too much. So I got switched to Lexapro...I am still taking it to the day and its wonderful. Its so nice to not be scared to go places! I was always afraid to leave because I was scared I would get sick while I was out and throw up...therefore I would get nauscious thinking about it! I heard Lexapro was safe while pregnant and breastfeeding. I would talk to your doctor about it! It really is worth enduring some side effects for a week and a half.

Also if you really don't want to consider meds.. I have to agree with shadowserpent. If you have something cold around you it will help. I remember when I was going places that would make me nervous I would grab a soda out of the fridge and keep it in my purse...Whenever I felt nervous I would hold it and it would help calm me down. When you have an attack you may get shakey, an increase in heart rate, sweaty palms...that's why the cold compress helps so much. Now that I'm on Lexapro I don't even get panic attacks anymore!

One of my problems was that when I was having an attack I wouldn't tell anyone. I would just sit there and let my mind race a million miles a second. It was so bad to where if someone even said the word death I would start panicing. But I know that if I would tell someone it wouldn't be as bad, or it would go away quicker. Just calling someone and being on the phone gives you that just in case relief. So that if something were to happen to you (which nothing would) you would have someone to ask for help.

All in all...you need to talk to your dr. This is not something you have to live with. If you keep having panic attacks and don't do anything you may start experiencing depression. I did. That's why a lot of meds are anti-depressant/anti-anxiety. But seriously, you're not crazy or alone! We all feel for you and hey...even if you're panicing, get on here and let us know...we'll talk you through it!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I agree that perhaps the "as needed" medication would probably be a good option.  Do some research on that vistaril and perhaps talk to your doc about it.  I don't know if you've tried celexa or lexapro before...Celexa is what they have Joe on along with something called Depakote, I was taking lexapro but stopped when i got pregnant.  Just remember, I'm always here if you need to talk...you know how to find me :)

[Shannon125]

I know that a lot of OB offices around me also offer special counseling and therapy sessions to women who are pregnant, lost a baby, going through menopause or whatever other reason. Since you are already making regular visits to your OB I am assuming every two weeks now because you and I are a day apart!!! Maybe you could ask your OB at your visit on Friday if this is something they offer or could potentially offer to you. Since you're already there for your visits and they obviously already take your insurance it might work out if this could become an option. It would definitely save you the extra driving and gas money if you could get the therapy at the same place you are already going for your OB appointments. Again, I am not sure if this is an option at your OB's office but it definitely wouldn't hurt to ask. Aside from that, just make sure you bring this up to your OB because there could be something out there to get you through the next few weeks until your little boy is born. Good luck with everything and let us know how you make out.

[evthing4reason]

You really need to talk to your OB. I would ask about a med just to treat the panic attack. This is what my Dr gave me after losing my baby, and you know....just having it there "in case" really helps, I've only taken a few, there where times I could've taken them but just knowing i had them in the cupboard made me feel better.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I wish I had some input on this but I don't.  My friend took Zoloft for anxiety but she was not pregnant.  I alway get PPD after I have a baby.  I have 5, so I always plan for it.  I leave the hospital with a prescription in hand.  I also took Zoloft for that.  I would def talk to your doc.

Please let us know and keep us posted.  Have a healthy and safe delivery!!

[MomNpain]

While it's unfortunate, I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one going through this. I will definitely mention this to my doctor on Friday. I really look forward to some relief at this point. Thanks!

[baby_edgar]

my husband had to pick me up from work today and take me to the hospital because i fainted. the hospital said it was a stress attack and just to try and stay calm/ thats easy for them to say lol

[BTS1022]

MomNPain-

I have had anxiety all my life, and was in the same boat as far as medications. Nothing worked until I found Celexa, and boy has it been a wonderful addition to my life. Although I do not know the side effects when pregnant, the side effect that I had when I wasnt was minimal. I had some nausea, sexual side effects where it was hard to have an orgasm and at first I was an emotional roller coaster, but after 2 weeks most of it had subsided, the longest side effect I suffered was the sexual side effect which only lasted me about a month or so.

I would consider looking into it or asking your doc about it, on top of that it isnt very expensive incase you have to pay out of pocket.

[spade22]

Definitely talk to your doctor about this - it is important to take care of mom in order to take care of baby.  Also, as you say the panic could be worse than the "cure".

I went though a similar situation a few weeks ago and this is what my OBGYN told me.  There are quite a few medications that can be prescribed during pregnancy that cause very, very, very few problems ESPECIALLY when taken during the 3rd trimester.  One option is vistaril which can be taken on an as-needed basis to treat a panic attack itself - it is a non-addictive, relaxant that has similar effects to that of Xanax and is a Class C drug (Xanax is a Class D drug so should not be taken during pregnancy).  It is taken every 6h as needed and I can attest that vistaril is quite effective for treating a panic attack.  Also, since it doesnt sound like you have benefited from SSRI's in the past (these tend to work best when anxiety is SECONDARY to depression, not the other way around and can sometimes make anxiety worse) and these also typically take about 6 weeks to "kick in"  anyway this probably wouldn't be the best option for you for treating your anxiety BUT if you are at high risk for PPD this is something your doctor may want to start you on at this time.  Lexapro and Zoloft are two of the preferred options and you can breast feed while taking these, Paxil is now a Class D drug and should NOT be taken during pregnancy, and Prozac  is safe to take during pregnancy BUT is expressed in breast milk and has a long half life so this is NOT recommended if you are considering breast feeding.

Counseling would definitely be helpful but if this isnt going to be a viable option, medication can help you get through this - my PERSONAL opinion is that something you can take on an as-needed basis when you suffer from bad panic attacks is a good option (especially if it is not addictive and will not harm your baby) .  In any case, it is important that you share what you have told us with your doctor so that treatment options that are most appropriate for YOU can be discussed.

[shadowserpent]

I have had anxiety disoreders for around 10 years now and have panic attacks on a daily basis, so i really feel for you! Since ive been pregnant and off my meds its ade it worse than normal so let me try and help you with what ive learned!
First off dont feel guilty about being anxious! it just makes it worse! Talking to your ob may help, but here are a few simple things you can do to help when your anxious or having a panic attack!
Cool air, fresh air air conditioning and even cold water and i mean COLD can stop a panic attack in its tracks!
Using a hairtie on your wrist and focusing on it very hard can also help!@ breathing is always good but hard to do when your freaking out, Do you have someoen you can call when this happens? One of the best ways ive found is to have a friend come over and just talk to me, and ill come out of it!
Pets can also be a lifesaver, anything tht you can focus on besides how horrible you feel really helps alot! But sometimes nothing can help, i tend to try and sleep of panic sometimes, and it can help to.
if i think of more stuff ill let you know and i wish you the best of luck, i would not wish anxiety or panic attacks on my worse enemy!
feel better!

[illsurvive]

i m having anxiety too. i m only 6 week pregnant. this is not because of pregnancy. iused to have before too. but now its more frequent. n i cant take medicne. my doctor said only try to relax breath slowly like inhale n exhale.just try to relax.