My anxiety hit a high yesterday. So, I called my RE and they said I can take some low dose lorazepam. After taking it, I was me again. It’s absolutely amazing. However, there were risks to the baby. I’m 4w 1d. I don’t to harm my baby but can’t live like a crying, shaking mess of a zombie with my two little girls . Ugh. Have you been through this? If not, what would you do if you were me?
-
@CatchAFallingStar: I have been on them ALL and every time I have become pregnant, I was told to discontinue use due to the fear of fetal malformations.
Some background:
I was placed on xanax before I became pregnant with both DD and DS as I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, as well as, seizure disorder. My seizures often manifest from panic/stress or from a lack of sleep. I was removed from my medication when I fell pregnant with DD; however, when I became pregnant with her, I was still on BCP (which was rendered ineffective by my anticonvulsant medication), Topamax, as well as, Xanax. When I found I was pregnant, I was 6 weeks along. I was switched to another anticonvulsant before switching to a keto diet, and was told NOT to take my Xanax or ANY anxiety medication. That was nearly 12 years ago ...2 months before I became pregnant with DS, I was switched from Xanax to Lorazepam. I took it until I saw my BFP. I was weaned off of my Topamax and placed on Vimpat (which works as an anticonvulsant and can help with GAD). Both my OBGYN and Neurologist discouraged me from taking my Lorazepam unless I was having a major panic attack. Their fear was the risk that the use of Lorazepam during pregnancy would increase the risk of fetal malformations and would cause withdrawal symptoms in my son. After having him, I was switched from Lorazepam to clonazepam which I was told would "more efficiently take the edge off my anxiety," as well as, would ease my PPD. It worked well enough. When my son was about 2, they switched me to trazodone to aid in my anxiety, as well as, to help me sleep. I did not like the way it made me feel, nor the weight I gained on it. My current doc prescribed me lorazepam "for emergencies ONLY." For the last 2 years, he has had me take a stresd Vitamin B complex with extra C and zinc ... which is not perfect, but does work (and is safe during pregnancy).
I can not tell you what you should or shouldn't do as your need for medication and your manifestation of attacks may differ from mine. I can advise you to listen to your physician, and ask questions if you have any concerns. If your OBGYN feels it is within your best interest for your mental health and the safety of your pregnancy, I would maintain your use but, perhaps limit it to ONLY severe (emergency) attacks.
Good luck with this, and know you aren't alone dealing with crippling anxiety.
-
I am prescribed it but didn't take it during pregnancy. I have a perinatal psychiatrist who runs a whole clinic specializing in perinatal mood disorders so I do trust her a lot. Prior to getting pregnant we discussed medication options knowing I wanted to be pregnant in the future. I was rarely taking the Ativan at that point but she did brush it off as "It's safe in moderation." We never had to dive deeper because I never needed it during pregnancy, but that always stuck out because my previous psychiatrist said it was a big NO. I would highly recommend seeing a psychiatrist who specializes in pregnancy/postpartum because they will likely have the best information for you. My previous psychiatrist told me that even SSRIs are off-limits during pregnancy which the research just does not back up...
Ativan is still listed in my prescribed medications (says "As needed") and I've never been told not to take it. I haven't taken it in a couple of years, but even in this pregnancy no one has said anything about it being on my prescribed list or that I shouldn't take it. Not to say you SHOULD take it, but I don't think it's as black and white as it may seem. I'd hold off until you can get a couple of more opinions and do some research. But I know how you feel...Ativan was AMAZING for me and would pull me out of a severe attack super quickly.
-
I don't have experience with lorazepam, but I took a low dose of zoloft throughout my pregnancy for anxiety. I originally was on zoloft for depression, but stayed on the lowest dose since it helps so much with my daily anxiety. Multiple doctors and my therapist told me it was safe to take throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. My DD is 12 weeks old and healthy.
If your meds arent recommended for pregnancy, would you be able to switch to something that is known to be safer during pregnancy?
I feel like a lot of the time you just have to think of the benefit vs the risk. If the benefit of the meds outweighs the risk to you then I'd stay on meds. It's a tough decision!
-
Now that I typed that I realized I did take it once when I was 4 weeks pregnant (I found out the next day). Obviously anecdotes are not research, but he's a happy, healthy kid. I don't remember any Doctor batting an eye when I told them I had taken it at that point. But definitely disclose that you did and ask about future use ASAP. I hope you feel better soon!! Anxiety is just the worst...
-
Low doses of zoloft are approved for pregnancy.
I dearly wish I could turn back time and get it for my first pregnancy which was plagued with panic attacks and fear of talking to my doctor about it and brushing it off and thinking it would get better and it DIDN'T.
-
Just a note- Zoloft and other SSRIs are a different class of medication than drugs like Xanax, lorazepam (Ativan) and Valium. Zoloft is approved to take through most of pregnancy.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
6 comments