Looking for meds safe to take while trying to conceive/pregnancy

[adgal]

Today I had a very scary incident.  I had taken my son to visit the new daycare he will be starting on monday.  Leaving him is always stressful for me and it seems it triggered a panic attack.  We were driving home and I was thinking about leaving him and that familiar tightness in the chest, hard to catch my breath feeling.  I was thankfully able to pull over and talk myself down, but it was scary as I know for a few minutes I was not fully in control of my vehicle. So, decision made, I am going back on meds.  Clearly I need extra help besides just therapy here.  I took cypralix before and responded well with no real side effects.  Problem is that while on it I had to stop nursing.  It is not recommended during pregnancy/nursing.  Too bad, it worked very well.  We are trying to have another baby and I am curious as to what meds others have taken that were considered safe?  I know my therapist will also have good recommendations, but it's always good to hear from others who may have been in the same boat as me.  I have a history of miscarriage (I miscarried again just recently) and my RE is not crazy about me being on anything, but I need to get this back under control.  I am grateful in advance for any suggestions.  Thanks so much!

[adgal]

Thanks so much.  I think the decision to go back on meds is pretty much decided.  Really, the problem is finding something that both works and minimizes risks as much as possible in a (hopeful?) pregnancy.  But I do know that many women have done this successfully.  I will talk to her about Prozac at our next appointment.  I am currently leaning towards cypralix again though as it just worked so well before.  I had no side effects to speak of and when we decided to wean me off of it, that wasn't tough either.I felt so normal again. She is being really great and helping me work through this so that it is my decision.  If only there wasn't such a negative reaction from my RE.  She is not against meds, don't get me wrong, but she just prefers if in situations like mine we keep anything we take to an absolute minimum.  She does recognize it can be necessary though, and is otherwise supportive.  I just can't believe how much conflicting info is out there...different Dr.s with completely differing opinions.  Crazy!

[nursegirl6572]

Keep in close contact with your docs like you're already doing.  These decisions are rough, but each person must do what is right for them.

I took Prozac during my pregnancy with my son and had no problems at all.

Good luck to you hon!

[adgal]

Thanks for the info and the responses. Although I would not wish this on anyone, it is comforting to know I am not alone.

My physciatrist and I, and my RE and I have been discussing this.  It's tough.  My RE really doesn't want me on anything because they just don't know what is causing me to continuously miscarry.  But, at the same time, I have a responsibility to my child (and my husband of course) to be a stable mom.  Plus, my son was in the car with me when I had my anxiety attack, and I gotta tell you, it was a very scary situation for me.  When I think what could have happened..I don't know.

My Dr. says that cypralix (which I responded so well to before) has been used many times in pregnancy.  The problem is of course no real testing has been done as obviously there aren't too many pregnant women out there willing to be test subjects.  I stopped nursing at my Pediatricians recommendation as she felt it wasn't good for my child.  So much conflicting information from the medical community..its not making this any easier at all!  I really want one more child so badly, but I also recognize that medication may very well be necessary for awhile.  Perhaps for good, who knows?  I wish there was something you could take "as needed".  So often I can talk myself down, but there are times taking something would really help.  

Thanks so much to both of you.  I truly do appreciate your comments.

[Julie359]

To be honest most if not all anti-d's are considered risky to take during any stage of pregnancy.  In the early stages there is a risk that they can cause heart defects, which may require surgery after birth.  Or if taken in the middle or third trimester there is also the risk of the baby suffering withdrawal once born.  Benzo's pose the same problem with withdrawal if taken on a regular basis even for a few weeks.  

However when a doctor either puts or keeps a pregnant woman on medication they are having to weigh up the risk to the mother not being on med's against the risk to the child being on med's.  It is tricky but if u really feel that your not coping and need medication then that has to be the first priority really.  

Before trying to fall pregnant it will be the best idea to go and have a long chat with your doctor to get the answers you desire, they may be able to work out a pregnancy plan with medication included that would be controlled in a safe way that is best for both of you, to minimise risk to the baby.

[slightlycosmo]

It's all so hard, isn't it?  I've dealt with infertility and miscarriage, and during that time my depression and anxiety issues have ebbed and flowed.  I've taken Xanax for anxiety, but my doctor says it is preferred for people with chronic anxiety to take an SSRI.  I've taken Paxil which isn't safe in early pregnancy, so I didn't go back on that.  I have been on Zoloft in the past with good luck; I chose to go back on that because it's the #1 choice for pregnant women, but it was like taking a sugar pill.  It didn't work for me.  After my most recent miscarriage I knew I needed something asap and knew Zoloft wasn't the answer, so I did some research and requested Prozac.  It's not one of the most common SSRIs used for anxiety, but for me it has been wonderful!  It has been so, so helpful.

I'm actually pregnant again and my doctor still wants me on my Prozac.  I'm really thankful I can still keep taking it!  I'm much more anxious now, but I can only imagine how crazy I'd be feeling without it.

All the while I've had a prescription for Xanax.  I only take it as needed, and when I'm taking a SSRI that's working for me I rarely need it.

I hope you find a good fit for you!