Help Loosing my mind

[ALybella]

Hi guys, it's me again.  Well last time I posted I had lost weight during my 20 week appointment.  Thank God, I went back this week and I had gained the 3 lbs and more.  However, my anxiety is overwhelming so my doctor prescribed me Zoloft.  I do not plan to take it I am so scared, my baby is my priority.  However, I cannot take this anxiety anymore, all I do is cry, I have not slept for 2 days and today I have no appetite.  This appetite thing is really scaring me.  It seems when my anxiety is really bad I don't get hungry and can't swallow food.  I'm consumed with thinking I have some sort of terminal cancer, despite all bloodwork and testing normal.  My obgyn promised me I was OK and it was all in my head, but how can someone just loose their appetite.

I need some help

[mookster]

Hello!  I just read the comment from the person who was considering zoloft.  I am going to get back on it in the next few days.  I am 5 months pregnant and had "tapered down" from zoloft in the spring, with no problems until now.  Over the past 3 weeks or so, I have had a severe return of my anxiety (also diagnosed "general anxiety disorder".  It has arisen from insomnia, which I'm sure was exacerbated by the expected sudden rise in hormones, knowledge that I am having twins... I have tried other behavioral changes in past, which have worked at times (meditation, yoga, acupuncture, etc- all good at some point in the past).  But his time I felt up against a wall- no sleep can definitely mess with your head!  I totally understand how you feel to feel so scared.  At first, I was opposed to a return to zoloft, but after reassurance from my ob (who deals with high risk pregnancies, a clinical psychiatrist, other moms who've done fine with it during/after pregnancy, and research of studies conducted) I feel like this is the best route to take to prevent the damage stress could transfer to the fetus(es).  Don't judge yourself- the baby needs a healthy mom.  Also, remember that a lot of moms benefit from this- my ob said that it's more than you think.  Maybe by now you have found relief in some way.  I'd be interested in hearing how things are!  Take care!

[JoAnnaRF]

I hope the poster is seeking professional help from a Psychiatrist/Psychologist. My son was recently diagnosed with OCD and Seperation Anxiety Disorder and was put on Prozac. He's 14 and I was hesitant about using medication but I have to tell you, I am starting to see my son again. He has been lost for a while and a lot of the thoughts you guys mentioned about your fears and death I have seen him go through. It was crippling him and if a pill can make him feel better than I had to surrender. Your Doc has offered you this as a possible solution and I have to agree with the above posters, it will be so much better for you and the baby if Mommy is feeling better, resting, and eating properly. But I also think you should be seeing someone who can do a more complete assessment of what is going on and diagnose and treat you. Nothing against you OB/GYN, but Mental Health is not his/her specialty and the same way you wouldn't go to an Orthopedist to deliver your baby, you don't rely on your Obstetrician to treat your Anxiety Disorder. I hope you are feeling better soon.
--J

[shanfowler]

It is whichever gives the benefits vs weighing the risks. I would think you are better off taking the meds the doctor told you to take - it will help your state of mind so you can deal with things better.
I was diagnosed with OCD at 29 and 8 months pregnant. I was depressed and suicidal. I was put on Zoloft and I used Benedryl as an anti-anxiety med. Much healthier for my baby to have me sane!
So I am working on another. I take Wellbutrin XL 300 mg a day plus 200mg Zoloft per day. Both my OB and Shrink said it should be OK and I may have to breastfeed to wean the baby off the meds. It is much better than getting so depressed I want to hurt myself or the baby. That is what I meant by weighing the risks and benefit.

Best wishes to you :) The mind can be so cruel.

PS both my doctors also said prozac and paxil are not good to take while pregnant. Always talk to your doctor!!!

[sillymae]

I had the same sort of irrational fears at one point - not while I was pg though. My Dr. put me on Zoloft at 15 because I was obsessed with thoughts of dying young. I honestly believed I would be dead before my 18th birthday, I obsessed even to the point of giving away some of my things and writing a will...it seems kind of freaky now, but I made it. I'm turning 19 in Feb and I've been off my meds for over 7 months now. I'd reccomend taking them, your Dr. wouldn't have prescribed them if he hadn't known they wouldn't hurt your baby. Believe me - I know the horror that you're talking about, I was at the point that I didn't know how bad I really felt until I got better, I wouldn't go back for anything in the world. I suggest you at least try the meds. Best of luck!

[MandaJo111]

I took Zoloft with my daughter and I had no problems from it at all.  I too was worried.  I asked my doctor before he prescribed it if he would let his wife take it if she were pregnant again and having anxiety and/or depression.  He said yes, without hesitation.  That sold me!  I felt soo much better after I took it.  After I had my DD, the anxiety/depression completely disappeared.

[ALybella]

Nalla.  You also experienced a loss of appetite.  I mean I have not eaten since 3 and I have no desire to eat.  Did that happen to you also

[nalla]

I went through that with my second pregnacy. I would cry all day and be so angry. I had no idea what was wrong with me. I had no appitite at all and jsut didn't want to get out of bed. My Dr. said those pregnancy hormones can really mess with a woman. My Dr put me on Zoloft with that one and all my other pregnancies and it was amazing! Take the pills and you will feel better. Take it for a few weeks and if it doesn't help than go back and they may need to up your dose. Listen to your Dr. She wouldn't do anything to hurt you or your baby.

[ALybella]

Thank you guys,  The Dr. says the loss of appetite is from my Generalied ANxiety Disorder.  I guess I just have to belive her.  SOmetimes my head just goes cray, thinking of colon cancer, liver, all those horrible things.  I wish I could be normal.  I feel as if the old Julie is dead, and this monster has replaced me.

[AnnieBrooke]

Zoloft is the drug of choice for pregnant women who are also suffering from anxiety.  They take women who are pregnant off Prozac, etc. and put them on Zoloft.  So don't make things worse by not taking what the doctor told you to take.  The stress you are carrying around now is a thousand times worse for your baby than taking Zoloft.  Also if you are consumed with fear of something as irrational as dying of cancer, it's time to talk to a psychiatrist or psychologist or other good counselor.  You are going to drive yourself crazy, and pregnancy is crazy enough, (LOL).  Good luck, honey!!!  Annie

[oceans3]

terminal cancer?
your dr. prescribed you the zoloft for your anxiety. she is a dr. she would NOT give you something that could potentially harm your baby! besides that is BETTER than having all that srtess and anxiety on your baby. your baby feels that anxiety and it is not good to be stressed. so take the pill to calm down. plus once you are calm, you may be hungry and able to give your baby the nutrients it needs. i know how you feel about taking the meds but she gave it to you to help you. cant you try to eat some crackers or fruit? take a nice relaxing bath, go for a walk, watch a funny movie. you have been reassured that all is well. i can tell you want to take care of your baby but let me tell you, the worry never goes away so please, just try to calm down this early on.