https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:39:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-432975 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:47:05 +0000 aprk 432975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: totally agree about the vicious cycles. I am trying to get an appointment with a counselor or psychiatrist, but it's tough so last minute. My husband took off work today to stay with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-432885 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:57:20 +0000 tororojo 432885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have taken the generic version of Xanax before and it helped calm me down a lot. I went to the doctor (at a walk-in clinic, but thankfully I saw an MD) freaking out from chest pains and after an EKG and chest x-ray they said nothing was wrong physically and my symptoms were caused by anxiety. They advised that I stop stressing over little things, exercise more, eat better, etc, and have half a pill when necessary. </p> <p>I liked having the pills on hand (they gave me 10 and those lasted over a year) just in case I feel the need for one, and now that I'm aware of how anxiety can lead to physical problems (like heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest pains, all of which I've experienced) it's easier for me to chill out and calm myself down without taking pills. I don't think you can take Xanax while pregnant or BFing. </p> <p>If your anxiety stems from something specific (i.e. fear of DH getting sick/cancer/etc. rather than just general, untraceable panic) it may be a good idea for you to talk to a professional and try to deal with the root of the problem. I work with a girl who takes anxiety meds every single day and thinks everyone should do the same but her quality of life is not so great...I think relying on the meds long-term should be a last resort. BUT if you need them/your doctor thinks you should try them, they can be a good thing!</p> <p>Random fact: When I saw my regular doctor for a physical a month or 2 after being prescribed anxiety meds, he asked how old I was (27) and said something like "yeah, that's pretty common for people your age..." --Apparently people in their 20s and 30s are very prone to anxiety; maybe we just have too much going on!</p> <p>*ETA* Sorry, @APRK -- I was looking at the original question. But I think worrying about your anxiety/lack of sleep is very likely fueling your inability to sleep, just like me worrying about my symptoms made them worse. Is there someone you can talk to about it, whether a medical professional, pastor, mentor, etc? :( Maybe there are some anxiety meds that are pregnancy-safe and will help turn your brain off...I don't know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-432822 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:19:50 +0000 aprk 432822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm resurrecting this question in light of recent developments. I haven't had a night of sleep in almost 10 days, by which I mean, I get one or two hours max. The sleeplessness is fueling my anxiety about getting enough rest, which is causing me to not sleep. Sitting or laying down, even while not sleeping, is not relaxing. In fact, it's scary.</p> <p>I find no relief from meditation, visualization or deep breathing. I have started acupuncture, and had a panic attack on the table. I saw a dr yesterday who prescribed Ambien, which didn't help me sleep.</p> <p>Has anybody taken anti-anxiety medication while pregnant? Are there any that are safe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-97120 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:03:08 +0000 heffalump 97120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@katmmad: I'm not breastfeeding, so no worries there. I'm already on so many migraine meds that I couldn't take breastfeeding anyway. I've also done things like biofeedback for my migraines, but it just doesn't work for me. I've tried a lot!</p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: I have a degree in art therapy so I'm all about therapy. But as sad as it is I don't feel like I'd have time. I'm always saying that I have to take care of myself before I can take care of LO.... but it's hard to take care of yourself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-97115 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:00:03 +0000 Mrs. Bee 97115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>have you looked into cognitive behavioral therapy? it is shown to be just as if not more effective than prescription meds. i took lexapro and wellbutrin in the past. they definitely helped, but so did therapy. if i needed them again, and i weren't breastfeeding, i would definitely go on them again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-97114 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:57:25 +0000 katmmad 97114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just FYI, you can't breastfeeding while taking those. I've taken Xanax a few times (with a prescription) but nothing since we were TTC (and my son is 7 mo). I still have anxiety but have lately been trying to focus on relaxing every muscle before sleep. There's another thing too that's drug free. Autogenics, I think? Haven't tried it yet but you make different parts of yur body feel heavy, I think... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-96817 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:35:38 +0000 MamaMoose 96817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been on both daily and as needed anti anxiety drugs. I was on the daily medal for only a short time before my wedding. They really helped me but had some bad side effects and I didn't want to become dependent so I went off. Now I use Xanax as needed and it's a real life saver for me when I get anxious. As you know I just found out in pregnant after an mc and I'm Gavin a hard time handling the worry and not being able to take anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-91610 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 09:09:04 +0000 pastemoo 91610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a different mental health issue than anxiety, but it's always best to go to a real psychiatrist--they know when to give you meds and how much and how to adjust them--and they know when to add or stop therapy and make a plan that is right for you/customized for you. It may take a little while to find the right one, but once you do--much better than going to your PCP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-91604 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:57:47 +0000 heffalump 91604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilteacherbee: Thanks for sharing! My husband also takes them and they help him. He tried to stop because he thought he didn't need them anymore... but he realized it was just because they were working so well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-91603 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:45:26 +0000 lilteacherbee 91603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've taken them a few times, but only when I had to go to the doctor for invasive procedres. I get really REALLY anxious. Yesterday, I cried when I had to get a strep test done... </p> <p>Usually when I would go to the gynecologist for my annual visit, I'd have 2 valium because I was so scared and it hurt me so badly. I found out from my new ob/gyn that I have scar tissue from childhood surgeries that makes paps painful and it wasn't all in my head. I didn't take a valium this last time because I wanted to try to get used to all the poking and prodding since we just started TTC. I'm honestly really nervous about all the bloodwork and exams that happen when you're pregnant, but having a child in the end outweighs the fear. </p> <p>In your situation, it sounds like they could really help. DH took anxiety meds in college and they really helped him. He was able to relax and not be worried about things. His family was going through some issues, we had broken up, and the typical stress of college was too much for him. He only took them for a short while, but they totally helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-take-anxiety-meds#post-91597 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:13:48 +0000 heffalump 91597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always been an anxious person, but with li here it's a million times worse. I'm always worried that something will happen to me, my husband, or lo. My husband's best friends mom was just diagnosed with cancer of the plasma and she's not doing well at all, so of course seeing someone close to us go through something like that makes it more real and feel like it can happen to us. I especially worry because my husband has crohns and lots of people in his family have passed away from colon cancer. With an inflamed colon you're way more likely to get it.</p> <p>So of course I'm up all night worrying, I get no sleep, and I g a migraine. I think it's time to get some meds.</p> <p>Do you take anxiety meds? Do they help? Did you go to a specialist for them or your primary doctor? </p>