[kimmydawn]

Dr. S and anyone who has input...

I know that other antihistimines (i.e. vistaril and benedryl) are used for anxiety.

My daughter has grave's disease and is pregnant...bad, bad combo potentially. Well, she's having a really rough time. She wasn't dx'ed until she got very ill AFTER she found out she was pregnant. No dr's found it...even her opthamologists with her Grave's Opthalmopathy. Anyhow, she had the intolerable hunger due to severe hyperthyroidism combined with morning sickness. While pregnant, she lost 34 lbs in two months. The phenergan not only helped her tummy, but we also noticed that it calmed her drastically, and we use it for that too. I've never seen an illness affect someone so much mentally/emotionally like that in combination with all the physical. She was really off the charts at times, PLUS the anxiety, panic, fear, trauma of her situation.

Anyhow, has anyone else ever noticed this effect? Is it prescribed just for anxiety relief or no due to the high "knock out" value?

Is there something else that we could recommend to dr for her so that she isn't knocked out when she starts to ramp up...safe for pregnancy? He prescribed buspar but the dr. said it would take two weeks and she needs "quick in" if there's something safe. Plus she doesn't want to take another med daily to add to the others. She's much better at controlling her panic now as she's recognized, well learned, that she's not going to die with the tachycardia/heart palpitations and has seen her little boy via ultrasound and he seems to be doing good. She's so strong. Anyhow, we don't need something often anymore, but when we do, we do.

Thing is, right before her pregnancy (2 months before) she was dealing with two herniated discs in her back and that's starting in again...with sciatic nerve pain getting really bad as well. she's better with that the last couple of days, but it might come back because, well, she has two herniated discs.

She's already taking a med that isn't approved for pregnancy. In fact, I think it's labeled as harmful...PTU. Plus she's having on again/off again hepatitus due to the hyperthyroidism. It's a mess, so a med would have to be really safe if it even exists.

We're also doing non-med things like crafts, breathing, sometimes mom just stroking her hair and "cooing" to her. It's so hard on her...all of it. She's clearly traumatized by all this happening to her body one right after another at the young age of 18 1/2. She was on the pill, so even though she wants her child, she wasn't expecting/planning for this...certainly not ALL THIS.

Sorry for the book, but that's the WAY short version...LOLOL.

Thanks!

KD

[MissCharlotte]

Kimmy,
When I was traveling with my hyperactive son, the doctor gave me a prescription for phenargen to knock him out on the transatlantic plane ride--so yes it has this effect.

I can't help otherwise except to suggest other non-med interventions: such as good old chamomile or "sleepytime" tea (it really helps me a lot); relaxation tapes from www.healthjourneys.com (they have loads for both general anxiety and specific medical conditions).

Good luck and Happy Mother's Day!

[kimmydawn]

Thanks, sister.

Oh yeah, the phenergan is WAY better than nothing. Whew. It's been rough and there were times I looked forward to the effects caused by it for her.

I'm trying really hard to do these things. We have a couple of tapes, crocheting for her baby, crafts, progressive muscle relaxation. I'm really excited for her in that once she was able to see the line where the physical was crossing to panic, she's controlling it REALLY WELL. I'm amazed actually. We have very few huge incidents anymore. That's why I was asking about the meds. she's an amazing girl.

BTW, I've heard great things about the site from professionals and clients alike. I've been there and some stuff is on my "wish list".

Thank you!

KD

[psisci]

KD, This is a difficult question to answer. Nothing is safe in pregnancy really. Phenergan is antihistaminergic, but is also a very potent phenothiazine similar to older antipsychotic meds... I would avoid that. I will do some checking and see what might be safer. Off the top of my head I would feel better about something like ambien or lunesta.

[kimmydawn]

OH, WOW, Dr. S. Thank you!

My daughter only takes it when absolutely necessary because she hates that she has to take anything due to the pregnancy, but we know she has to FOR the pregnancy to carry on.

It's so tough, but she's doing so much better. She's managing a good 90% of it on her own which is a blessing. She's a very strong girl, and that stubbornness as a VERY strong-willed child is a blessing for her as an adult.

Thanks so much!

KD