[Compabug]

I have extreme panic attacks and need some suggestions for safer options while being pregnant. I am currently on Effexor and Alprazolam. No medication isn't an option. These two meds seem to work well for me, but I realize aren't the safest. I've talked to an obgyn specialist, general dr, and psychiatrist that are unable to offer anything helpful. Any suggestions or similar stories experienced would be appreciated!!

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Compabug

I have extreme panic attacks and need some suggestions for safer options while being pregnant. I am currently on Effexor and Alprazolam. No medication isn't an option. These two meds seem to work well for me, but I realize aren't the safest. I've talked to an obgyn specialist, general dr, and psychiatrist that are unable to offer anything helpful. Any suggestions or similar stories experienced would be appreciated!!

unfortunately being pregnant means a person has to put up with not feeling their greatest and having more problems that because of being pregnant cant get fixed until after the child is born.

that said during my pregnancies I had to go off all my medications because they all are known for causing birth defects, miscarriage and such. what my treatment providers and I did was got m e set up with a naturalist/herbologist. (a doctor that specializes in natural\herbs that work in medicinal ways to fix the same problems that traditional prescription medication fix) this way my symptoms and problems were held on track and my baby was safe from absorbing through the placenta the antidepressants, anti psychotics that I am usually on when not pregnant.

my suggestion talk with your treatment providers they are the best people for treating your problems that you may be having due to the pregnancy and will be able to tell you if you are able to go the natural\herbals route and which herbologists are best for you to see.

[Compabug]

Thanks for your response! Getting off of my medication isn't an option because they are too extreme. I've tried and it sent me on a horrible downward spiral. Are your panic attacks extreme?

[Ladycakes]

Congratulations!

I was taking Effexor before falling pregnant with my second baby (she's 3 months now) and I did have a huge increase in anxiety whilst pregnant. I made he decision not to take any meds whilst pregnant but in hindsight I probably should have. But I've just seen the GP who has prescribed Zoloft. She said Zoloft is safe for breastfeeding and it is used safely in pregnancy too. That might be an option to try instead of the Effexor?

That said, I know several women who continued to take their regular meds during pregnancy. You and your doctors need to weigh up the risks and benefits. But you don't need to sacrifice your mental health for the duration of your pregnancy, especially when you consider the increased potential for postnatal depression and anxiety.

I think of you chat to your doctor again and ask for some more information on how exactly the meds you're currently on can effect your baby. Sometimes meds have a certain period during pregnancy where they are unsafe, so you may have passed that risky period already. The doctors should be able to explain to you the chances of anything happening and that might ease your worries.

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[AncientMelody]

Effexor's main concerns are in the typically in the third trimester and related to baby's lung development. So one thing in your favor is that you have a bit of time to make a decision. Xanax on the other hand should be discontinued....if you use it daily or otherwise quite frequently you'll definitely want a taper schedule from your doc. There aren't really any good safe options for a quick acting anxiolytic. I suppose hydroxyzine would be SafER than xanax as it's a class C where xanax is class D.

[Compabug]

Thank you for these suggestions. My problem is I tried the Zoloft and it didn't work for me. I had to be taken off of it and switched to Effexor. I lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks. I couldn't sleep, it was awful. I would really like to know if anyone has been on these meds during their pregnancy and how it turned out for them their baby?

[Jan1212]

I can't suggest anything else but when I worked at I. Patient a pregnant teen had been on diphenhydramine/benadryl combination with other meds and received regular therapy she was also on various class / cat C D and X. has greater significance outcomes of birth defects. Have group of support systems and back up emergency number to the clinic or close family members. What does your partner say? Since it is his baby ad well.

I had to get off.my medications and ones I used recreational for the sake of my baby. Because I have seen many fetal birth defects both physical and lifelong mental due to drugs while working in pediatrics. I had a tough pregnancy. My OB watched me like a hawk because I would eat 2 slices of pizza. And my sugar spiked leading to a larger than normal baby leading to premature labor and emergency surgery I didn't take.it serious as I should have.

There should be advice given to you. Clear instructions that you should follow. I would look for a second opinion, another gyno and or a nother pdoc that takes this more seriously

please DO NOT quote ANY SELECTION of my post. thank you. have a good day.

[Compabug]

Thanks so much! I'm absolutely just looking for suggestions, experiences, and any advice. I have an spot with my psychiatrist on the 9th, so I am hoping he will have some good suggestions. I won't try or do anything without the approval of my doctors. I am not pregnant yet, but want to start trying and want to do it responsibly. My husband says we need to weigh out the pros and the cons of any suggestions from anywhere and he agrees that I shouldn't get off medication. The aftermath is just too much to bare. I've been reading other people's comments on google of their experiences and it seems like most of them turn out good. I'm just very confused and need help anywhere I can find it. I am open to any suggestions!

[AncientMelody]

Seriously Xanax is not a good drug for a baby to be exposed to. Even if there may be good stories out there of babies who made it ok. The fact that you are discussing this pre-conception is a good plan. good luck

[Compabug]

Thank you! Has anyone heard of anyone taking anything for severe panic attacks that worked out for them besides Zoloft, Effexor, and alprazolam that I can ask my dr about?

[AncientMelody]

Originally Posted by Compabug

Thank you! Has anyone heard of anyone taking anything for severe panic attacks that worked out for them besides Zoloft, Effexor, and alprazolam that I can ask my dr about?

As I mentioned in my prior post, hydroxyzine perhaps.

[Compabug]

No other ideas or experiences?!

[AncientMelody]

If you're looking for "hey it's totally fine for babies to be exposed to xanax" I'm not so sure you're going to get that. Otherwise, I'm not really sure what you're looking for. Have you actually listened and acknowledged other post on this thread?

[Compabug]

I guess I am looking for other people that took medication while they were pregnant, and if so if there were any safer medication options. Or if there's anyone who has taken medication while pregnant, what was the medication, and outcome. I can't not be on medication, but I am looking for other safer options and other people's experiences.

[AncientMelody]

Yeah...if your primary care doctor, ob/gyn, and psychiatrist are all stumped on options, then there very well may not be safe options. You might want to see if there are herbal or alternative treatments available that your doctor felt comfortable clearing you for.

Hyland's Rescue Remedy, Calms forte, chamomile, these alternative anxiety treatments. I do not know what their safety profile in pregnancy is, but it's worth investigating these with your doctors

[LonesomeTonight]

Maybe try a magnesium supplement, like Natural Calm (a powder you mix with water)? Check with your doctor first. I also had bad issues with anxiety during pregnancy--it sucks! Maybe also consider aromatherapy, like lavender, something like that? Again, check with your doctor first.

[Compabug]

Thank you, I will definitely ask my doctor about these options! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply! It's very helpful! I see my psychiatrist on Monday to go over my options, so I'll be sure to mention all of these suggestions!!

[amandalouise]

I just saw I had posted in this thread. yes my anxiety was bad. but because psychotropic medications (anti depressants, anti anxiety, anti psychotics....in other words all medications for treating mental disorders) is very well documented to cause miscarriages, birth defects, dangers to the life of the baby and pregnant one my treatment providers removed me from all medications during my pregnancies. we all worked very closely with herbologist, nutritionists to ensure my mental disorders were held on track through out my pregnancies.

each person is different, some people are not able to do things the way i, and my treatment providers had to do, with taking medications that makes the risks to miscarriage, birth defects and such higher.

my suggestion since you are not yet pregnant work very closely with your treatment providers. they will know what your's and your future childs needs will be. they may even be able to get you into a program that may fit your pregnancy vs mental disorder needs. some programs include daily blood tests to adjust your dietary needs and other programs.

[Compabug]

Went to my psychiatrist and he said that I would be fine on the Effexor and it doesn't cause birth defects. I just have to come up with something else instead of the alprazolam. I used to use Benadryl and that seemed to work. I will review this with my obgyn first. Any thoughts?

[AncientMelody]

Well, hey there may be some good news for you yet! Benadryl is a class "B" drug so it's definitely a pretty safe option. With a caution: my ob/gyn during my first pregnancy said no to antihistamines in the first trimester alone. However that was six years ago and in reveiwing the medication data, it doesn't list a caution for first trimester. You may want to keep an eye on dosage though and of course as you said clear with your ob

[Ladycakes]

Did the Benadryl have codeine in it? I don't really see how an activist eminen or a cough medicine would help with anxiety or panic attacks, but if it had codeine then that would have a euphoric and calming effect on you for a short while so that might be why it worked. Codeine is safe in pregnancy however it does carry a risk of addiction, so if a mother took it every day whilst pregnant then baby might be born addicted and suffer withdrawals.

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[Compabug]

Thanks! I'm hoping it's not one of those things where I tell my obgyn that my psychiatrist and psychologist are on board with this medicine and she says no or won't be my obgyn if I choose to do that. Although I don't know why she would if it has their approval. Just don't know how this whole process works. Thanks for all your input though, it has been very helpful!