can I begin taking anxiety medication during my pregnancy?

[ShawnaElizabeth]

I've suffered with anxiety since I was 10 years old, but my parents didn't know what it was at the time and so I spent the majority of my time at many doctors and hospital visits until I was much older (22, I am 24 now) but the process of finding what worked for me was very hard and almost seemed impossible. By the time I found the right medication (I was 23, almost 24) and my panic attacks went from being 6a day, to once in a blue moon which I was okay with.

A few months later, I fell pregnant. I found out at 5 weeks and so I immediately stopped my medication. I was on effexor 225 MG and 2 MG of abilify to help with my bipolar. These worked wonders but we're ruled out unsafe so I didn't even think twice about stopping. I began experiencing the exact same attacks again atbilifbiut grain du now it's back up to being everyday. It affects my sleep, my eating and it causes me to fall very I'll sometimes.

Symptoms I experience: dizziness/lightheaded, sweaty clammy skin, nauseous, disoriented, speech goes slurred, I can't walk because my body literally turns to jelly and through all of this I am crying for it all to stop which always makes it worse. I can't control them and it's like I can't even leave my house anymore and it's making me so depressed.

What is safe to take? Is anything safe? When is get like this, I lose all motor skills and I fear I am not going to be able to care for my child once she is born if I am having them so frequent throughout the day ... I don't know what to do, all I know is that i am freaking out.

[tiffanya2015]

Nobody on here can tell you what you should take or be prescribed. We don't know your situation or your medical history. The only person that can give you accurate information is your doctor

[Emalee132]

There usually isn't much that's safe to take but they will prescribe it, again... Any medication comes with risk and antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds have higher dependence issues for you and I'm sure the baby as well, usually it's a choice the mother takes because I know for a fact they do prescribe them! Anti-anxiety meds usually slow your heart rate down so I'm not 100% sure if it'd be something you'd want to do. I struggle from anxiety disorder but have learned that the more meds you take, the worse the issue gets in the long run. Have you looked at any therapeutic ways to get rid of anxiety? For me, exercise, books, movies or cold things (ice packs, ice cubes wtc.) help tons! Maybe talk to your doctor on your options and risks of those options! I'm sorry you're struggling though, anxiety isn't fun! Good luck mama! Hope you feel better

[kitenKitty]

This is something you absolutely need to talk to a doctor about face to face. Asking this kind of thing online is just going to confuse and missinform you as you get given personal opinion and antidotical information. And never be afraid to get a second opinion from another doctor if things don't seem right. But don't take advice for medication online. there is a reason it takes years to become a professional chemist or doctor.