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Medication And Pregnancy

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ladylee70

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Medication And Pregnancy Posted: 06-16-07 20:58pm


I have severe anxiety. It has gotten pretty bad lately and since I am pretty close to the end the doctor prescribed me Clonazapam - the lowest dose possible. I have only taken a couple because it is category D and a large part of this medication is excreted through the breast milk. I plan on solely breastfeeding.The good part about this medication is that it clears the system fairly quickly and I don't need it all the time. Zoloft and some other antidepressants are also used for anxiety. Through my own "research" I noticed that Zoloft probably isn't excreted through the breast milk as much. It is a category C. Those categories are more important during the first three months of pregnancy. I am nervous about taking this med because there has been some studies that shows babies are at higher risk of being in the NICU and being more fussy if this medication is taken three months or less before they are born. I am against meds during pregnancy but my anxiety is over the top. I also "worry" (anxiety) what my hormones will do after delivery if I am this anxious now. Has anyone else taken prescription meds like the ones mentioned above during the last few months of pregnancy? If so, what were your babies like? I had no medication during my first pregnancy and I have to say that Nathan was the BEST baby. It could have been just his personality??

kaerbear

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Posted: 06-16-07 21:31pm


i'm sorry to hear that you're feeling that way. I know this isn't what you were asking but i just wanted to say i've been on zoloft before. if you were to take it just be careful about not quitting it without easing yourself off of it. i had depression and ptsd when i took it and i just stopped taking it one day and i pretty much had a breakdown. i couldn't stop crying for literally days on end, so hard that i would hyperventilate. i was on the floor in a heap and unable to move. i kept saying i'll go see the doc as soon as i can stop crying but in the end i just went the way i was because i couldn't stop. they put me on a lower dose and eased me off of it because they said i could have had a psychotic episode from it or something like that. not trying to scare you or anything, just be careful if you do take it. i'm sure your doc would tell you all that, i just wanted to stress the importance of it. i can understand the anxiety thing, i've been there. i was worried about how i could be during my pregnancy and postpartum because i've been depressed before. it's good that you can get help from your doc with this, just remember communication is sooo important as well. talk to whomever you can about it as often as you need to and don't let yourself feel bad about it. letting people close to you know how you are feeling and what you are going through can be a big help, they can also keep an eye on you and make sure you are okay. i won't knock antidepressants because they work for a lot of people, but no meds ever helped me as much as talking and counselling and learning coping mechanisms that worked for me. good luck, i hope you feel better soon.

babyAndy

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Posted: 06-16-07 22:10pm


IF the docs say they are safe then they are safe. Becareful with those that are excreted through breast milk...means your baby will get it. Zoloft is not an anxiety med, its a sleeping pill, otherwise known as immovane, so it should only be taken before bed. Taking these meds throughout pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding can make your baby a bit drowsy, depending on how much you take. Be sure to take them only when you need them and not more. Take good care of yourself. Maybe look at some alternative ways to deal with anxiety, i.e. self talk, journaling, talking about your anxieties, warm (not too hot) baths, go for a walk. There are many other non medication ways of controling anxiety.

ladylee70

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Posted: 06-16-07 22:48pm


Do you mean that Clonezapam is often used for sleeping?? That medication does cause drowsiness and should be avoided when driving. Zoloft is an antidepressant and is often used for anxiety. A lot of SSRI's are used for other symptomology and not only depression. Immovane is similar to the benzodiazepine family and Clonazepam is considered part of that family. Is this what you are talking about?? The main reason I was very concerned with taking the Clonezapam is because it does cause me to become pretty drowsy. I am worried about the effect it would have on my child. I have taken Zoloft before but I didn't have the same withdrawal effect. I stopped suddenly when I found out I was pregnant with my first. When my doctor did find out I stopped suddenly, he gave me the third degree. Just because I didn't seemingly have withdrawal effects the first time, doesn't mean I won't another time. As for counseling, I have tried that many times. I have advanced degrees in counseling and psychology and I am very much aware of the methods they are using on me. Most counselors/psychologists actually annoy me when I go to them because they are just using basic techniques that you learn in the very beginning counseling courses. The only approach that has worked for me was cognitive behavioral therapy used by an individual who was very blunt and straightforward. He was good!! He actually gave me homework. I have had anxiety since I was around five years old. I have taken medication since I was in college. My whole CNS seems out of whack. Most of the time, I don't even know what is making me anxious. I am sure some of the people on this forum who have heard about my 'woo's" in life I have experienced these past few years can clearly point out the most likely reasons for my anxiety. Perhaps I do need to find a good cognitive/behavioral therapist!! Actually, I will do that!! I probably really do need that again. Warm baths are wonderful and so is aromatherapy. I found those two things really do help with my anxiety!! I haven't done those lately. I was told a while ago, I should avoid baths during this pregnancy. I think that "ban" has been lifted:) Oh, I really would love a warm bath!! I should try some yoga or some other relaxation technique. I really need to go back to the basics like the other ideas you both mentioned! Thanks for the advice.

kaerbear

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Posted: 06-16-07 22:51pm


isn't zoloft prescribed for anxiety and ptsd? it's an ssri. i've never heard of it referred to as a sleeping pill but i could be wrong. and i seem to remember having severe insomnia while i was on it. i think i was taking a pill to help me sleep while i was on it but i can't remember the name of it now. *i remember now it was trazodone and i hated taking it cuz it knocked me out cold Last edited by kaerbear on 06-16-07 23:12pm; edited 1 time in total

ladylee70

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Posted: 06-16-07 22:58pm

kaerbear wrote:

isn't zoloft prescribed for anxiety and ptsd? it's an ssri. i've never heard of it referred to as a sleeping pill but i could be wrong. and i seem to remember having severe insomnia while i was on it. i think i was taking a pill to help me sleep while i was on it but i can't remember the name of it now.

Me too!! I had insomnia while on Zoloft, so I think I was prescribed Clonezapam or a medication similar to it to help me sleep. I took it before pregnancy. After pregnancy, I got insomnia again but that was because I was hyperalert due to my new arrival.
I completely forgot about that side effect. Thanks for mentioning it. I really should just try therapy and the alternatives that you both mentioned first. I will probably end up being an insomniac like last time so why make it worse with a medication?

kaerbear

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Sorry, This Is a Bit of a Tangent Posted: 06-16-07 23:04pm


well, if you need meds don't feel bad for getting them. you're a smart person so i'm sure you'll figure out what you need to do. i was wondering if you ever tried....uh i don't know what it's called but it's this technique where they use a light or they tap your hands. it has something to do with rapid eye movement and reprocessing thoughts and memories to make them have less of an impact on your conscious thought. or something like that anyway. it's not hypnotism it has something to do with the conscious and unconscious though. anyway, i was trying it with a psychiatrist and it worked while i was doing it, but i stopped seeing the psychiatrist for other reasons and ended up just doing traditional group counselling. i just thought it was an interesting method and thought you might know about it. i don't meant to take your post off topic, i was just wondering.

monkeygirl22

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Posted: 06-16-07 23:15pm


Zoloft is not a sleeping pill-it is an an anti-depressant. I think baby was talking about the clonozepam. I have that but have never actually taken it. That particular drug is a tranquilizer. It literally is but does the job when you really need it. Like my doctor told me-it's better to have a happy mommy than a depressed and anxious mommy.

babyAndy

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Sooory Posted: 06-16-07 23:36pm


Ya ya ya I got the mixed up I actually mistook it for Zoplicone..whichis the sleeping pill. Haha SOOOOOO sorry. Clonazepam is an anti anxiety and it will make you sleepy, it is meant to sedate, so it will make your baby drowsy if you take it while pregnant or breastfeeding. booo sorry , dunno how or why I got them confused. but eitherway take all your meds as little as possible and work with those alternative methods. I also have a degree in psych and have been on antidepressants and antianxieties in the past...but I have managed to get off them using all the alternative methods, I do ofcourse still suffer from time to time, specially when things get stressful. Self talk is Huge for me and realizing I do have anxiety and my fears are often irrational...

ladylee70

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Re: Sorry, This Is a Bit of a Tangent
Posted: 06-17-07 00:33am

kaerbear wrote:

...uh i don't know what it's called but it's this technique where they use a light or they tap your hands. it has something to do with rapid eye movement and reprocessing thoughts and memories to make them have less of an impact on your conscious thought. or something like that anyway. ... i don't meant to take your post off topic, i was just wondering.

I don't think it's off topic. I have never heard of what you are talking about but if you remember the name, please let me know. It sounds very interesting.

Better to be a happy mommy and not a depressed and anxious mommy - good words. That sentence does help!! I really need to remember that as well.

Thanks baby andy (don't know your name, sorry). Those medications do sound similar...simple mistake.

kaerbear

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Posted: 06-17-07 08:48am


ok it's called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). i found info on it on wikipedia. it looks like it's mainly for ptsd as it is for reprocessing memories to make them less traumatic. i don't know that that would apply in your situation, i was just curious as to whether you knew anything about it. i think it's rather new.

annesian

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Posted: 06-17-07 09:29am


I have anxiety and panic disorder. I've had it for the last 19 years, and I refuse to take anything for it. Knowing that the anxiety, although frightening at times, is harmless makes it easier for me just to go with the flow. It's up to you if you feel you really need it. You were very wise to research these medications, so kudos to you!