pregnant and anxiety/depression

[viperpilot13]

I am 9 weeks pregnant and suffering from horrible depression and panic and anxiety.  I had these conditions before I got pregnant and when I found out about the pregnancy I was forced to stop 2 of my 3 medications (they let me stay on Cymbalta) so I know what I am going thru is normal.  What I would like to know is: is there anyone else out there going thru this and/or have gone thru this that can share some wisdom on how to get thru it?

[heatherbugTTC]

I'm in the same boat-however, my docs are disagreeing with which one of my meds I should continue- wellbutrin vs prozac (I've been on both for 6 years). I know it's safest to stop both, but with my mental health, it just isn't a good idea. Any suggestions as to which is better? I don't have any words of wisdom except to talk talk talk to supportive friends and family. I had a massive anxiety attack on Tuesday evening after arguing with my doc about meds and ended up in the ER with a total meltdown- my BP was sky high and they ended up giving me a hefty dose of lorazapam (despite my concerns, but they said the level of anxiety I was dealing with was far worse than a dose of lorazapam for my baby...) I'm 6 weeks.

[Kaylanewitt]

I am currently 28 weeks and dealing with the same problems. What I have found that works best is to surround myself with people who I like to be around and openly talk about it with my husband and friends. I hope all goes well for you!

[olderMom38]

Hi..I just wanted to let you know that I understand what you're going thru. I am only 5 weeks, and as soon as I found out I stopped taking my Tegretol (for Bipolar). I had been weaning myself off of it for about 4mos now because i knew we were going to start trying after our wedding, but it happened two weeks earlier (with our suprise). I have been afraid of how i'm going to feel off of it. Esp.with all the stress of planning my wedding, which is Sunday the 12th. So far, i feel fine. I'm not as excited to be pregnant as I thought I would be, but i have so many things happening right now, so i'm hoping that when we get back from Cancun, it will kick in. I'm also nervous about everything with the pregnancy. I'm almost 39 with different medical issues. But i'm also a very strong person and I know that i can do this. Feel free to email me anytime you need to talk. You will need lots of support!!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I am certain that you are going to receive many answers from fellow sufferers, as anxiety and depression are common.  Many of the anxiety medications are not recommended in pregnancy.  
There are many "natural" ways to combat symptoms and I am going to let the forum do its work there, but yoga is one possibility, and the techniques that you learn can be used after the baby is born as well, since that will be a stressful time also.
Good luck!
Dr B