Pregnancy and Klonopin

[mayfair]

Hi, I'm currently taking a low dosage of Klonopin (2mg/day)to treat anxiety/panic attacks. I've been taking it for 2 months (it started out of the blue.) Is there anyone who was on it before they got pregnant? I'd really like to have a baby soon but am terrified of what will happen when I stop taking the medication. Wondering if there's a similar drug that's safe (know that's unlikely) or if anyone's been in the same circumstance? thanks!

[Lizz85]

I've been taking xanax and kolonopin for 7 years. I started out on 1 mg of xanax a day and went all the way up to 4 mg a day. I knew there was going to be no other way to get myself off the medication besides rehab so i detoxed off totally in about 14 days.  A few months after i started taking kolonopin because i obviously have horrible anxiety. Well i was taking 1 mg a day then when to 3. I found out i was pregnant at 5 weeks so i weened myself down to .5 mg a day. I miscarried at 9 weeks.  I hate that i take this medication, and i wish i would have never heard of it or started taking it.  I can't help but think i caused my own miscarrige. I would never recomend anyone start taking this unless they desperatly need it.

[jade8225]

I am trying to get pregnant, and I am now from 2mg a night, to .5mg. The problem is I can't sleep on .5mg a lone. I drink wine to help me sleep. How did you come off of Klonopin that high of mg's without withdrawals? Did the doctor give you something or did you take something herbal to help you. I would really like your advice.  I have never read of a person taking 20mg.

thanks
Ana

[zetadoll]

Hi there. In response to your question soulcandybt, I NEVER tapered off the lexapro or Klonopin during both of my pregnancies.  In fact, I had to increase the doses with my second pregnancy because I was experiencing a great amount of anxiety due to pelvic pain I developed. I also had to take narcotics toward the end, as he was sitting on my Sciatic nerve causing horrific pain.  Even though I took all these so called " bad" meds for an unborn child, both of my babies were born 100 percent healthy with no withdrawals. Not even from the Vicodin I had to take as needed.  I carefully weighed the risks and benefits with my OBGYN.  to all the women out there who are terrified while taking these medications while pregnant, I hope my story of 2 healthy and exceptionally smart children can offer you comfort and hope.  I would advise to stay on the meds.  My psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety meds and pregnancy had never seen 1 case of a baby with deformities or addiction problems in her entire 20 year career. I hope I can reassure all you moms that it's ok to continue your mediations.  It's most likely better to take the meds, then have continuous elevated stress hormones.  Everyday, I'm blown away by how intelligent each of my children are.  And both of them were exposed to Lexapro, and Klonopin.  My son also to Vicodin. Please don't stress.  Take your meds, and trust your babies will be fine.

[soulcandybt]

I was wondering how you tapered off of the 20 mg of Lexapro when you got pregnant with your 1st? and the outcome with your 2nd? :)

[mommy2b1667]

hello, it is such a relief that your babies are ok. i have been worried to death that i am doing the wrong thing. i was on 2 mg a day and i found out i was pregnant and i have dropped to 1 mg a day... i have been going through serious withdraws. my doctor insists that i get off it completely and has put me on a very aggressive kick. almost too difficult... did anyone suggest this for you? to stop taking them?

again reading your post made me cry. i am so happy that you had healthy children

please email me ***@****

thank you so much

[amg268]

I am 5 weeks pregnant with what will be my 5th child. I have SEVERE panic attacks and have been diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorders (among other things). I've been on klonopin for 9 years and have had several pregnancies (seven) during that time, and carried only three of them to term. I am high risk to say the least, for several different reasons including seizures and frequent anxiety/panic attacks. i am prescribed klonopin for anxiety and seizures because that is the medication that works best for me. During my most recent pregnancy,I was told by my OB to stop taking kolonipin in the first trimester, b/c this is when the fetus is forming all major organs and is the most critical time of development. By the 2nd trimester, or 13th week the fetus has completed the most critical period of development. I was told that I could resume taking my medication, as prescribed at that time. In my previous pregnancies, I suffered terribly from severe anxiety, stress and panic attacks. Doctors felt that this (and high blood pressure) may have contributed to my children being born prematurely. I took 4mg daily of Klonopin in my last pregnancy from the 14th week until I gave birth to my baby. I have a healthy and very perfect little girl who is now 14 months old. She had no delays or birth defects of any kind. She also did not go through withdrawl of any kind. We were both closely monitored because of other issues. However, everyone is different and you should discuss the use of any drug with your doctor. make sure the benefits outweigh the risks. You should try not to take any medications in the first trimester (if you can), I can't stress that enough. If you are on medications, discuss how and if to decrease or taper off. It is not recommended to suddenly stop taking these types of medications, so discuss this with your doctor as soon as you discover you are pregnant. Good Luck, and GOD bless.