Anxiety and TTC

emory76 · 06-28-2008, 06:57 PM

Hi everyone! I have taken about a year break from worrying about my PCOS and concentrated on my wedding. Well, my wedding was 5/17/08 and now my new hubby and I are now officially TTC. I didn't know whether to post this on this thread or the thread about depression/anxiety. Anyway, I have had battles with anxiety and panic attacks since I was in high school. It's weird because there will be years that I am ok and do not have it. All during college I had no anxiety/panic attacks and was not on any meds. Recently, in 2005-2006, I had horrible panic attacks while driving and the only medication that I noticed any difference on was Klonopin. (They were debilitating and got to where I coudn't drive). I tried several different anti-depressants and none of them would stop the panic attacks (they were good for depression but not my panic attacks). I was taking .5 mg of Klonopin daily (which is the lowest dose) ever since that time. I have had only a few panic attacks in the past 2 years. Well, now I am offically TTC. My gyno said I needed to be off the Klonopin and I thought I'd be ok. My last Klonopin was 2 weeks ago. I've been taking Prometrium 200mg and am on my 8th day of it. I am supposed to start taking Clomid 50mg after I start AF. Problem is, my panic attacks are back. Luckily I only have to drive across the street to work and back. Still, it's no way to live. The panic attacks are horrible and I don't know if I can go 9 + months with nothing to help stop them. I don't know if the Prometrium has added to my anxiety or what, but it's bad. Now I am terrified of being stuck like this with no relief from these attacks indefinitely until after I have a baby (IF I can have one). Does anyone know about Klonopin during pregnancy at a very low dose, or even on an as needed basis (not every day)?? This site has been a blessing to have...It is SOOO helpful to know there are people out there who know what you are feeling and going thru. Thanks!

FroggieLuvr! · 07-07-2008, 01:27 PM

Hello!

Sorry that I can't offer any advice. But, I do want to bump you up to the top of the page.

I hope someone can answer you soon. I definitely understand your concerns.

Take care and check back in

Amber

SnowFlower · 07-07-2008, 04:26 PM

I have been and am in the same boat but am on a break and have been for a while. I tried everything and the only thing that has helped is being on klonopin. I cant take it as needed because it takes too long so I have to take it on a timed basis daily. I also take Zoloft but we dont think that is doing much.

I have talked to many people (RE's, High Risk OB's, Psychiatrists, Pharmasists) and so on about this. My Dr who treats me for anxiety has told me not to go down on the klonopin but I weaned off it and was ok for a while and then it came back even worse and I ended up needing more to control the attacks.

Klonopin is a category D in the US (Category D : There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective) and I believe a C in Australia. Some Drs have said no way, some have said you have to weigh the benefits and risks etc. They arent going to ask women to be in a study like this so they really dont have much information to go by. I asked all the Drs that and they all agreed that they wont ask women to do a study for that and the numbers they go by and with what date they have is very small. It can potentially cause problems, but again if you are in a panic all day everyday that wouldnt be good for you or the baby either.

For those of us who cant live a normal life without a benzo its extremely hard. And for the people (Drs and others) who dont realize how we feel when going through an attack it makes it even harder. Right now I am not in the position to go off the klonopin. I have weaned down on the Zoloft and have weaned down a little on the Klonopin. It has literally saved my life. I hope one day I will be able to go off it and be medicine free but now have listened to my Dr when he said when you need a medicine its nothing to be embarrassed of.

I do know people and have friends who have had to take benzo's as needed or on a daily schedule when pregnant. None of them had any issues and their babies were perfect, but again thats not saying its good to do or something couldnt happen.

The advice I got for the most part was that if I need to be on these medicines or my life will be non exsistant as I will feel like I am dying and in a panic all the time then I need to continue at the lowest dose possible that will work for me. One of my doctors says he has seen people on benzos for many years. I hope that wont be the case for me, but if it is I have to weigh all my options.

I have tried many other meds, therapy, breathing, etc. Nothing else works. I think you are doing wonderful. I had a few panic attacks before I realized I had panic disorder and went through a very tramatic exp when I was pregnant and they did give me benzos a few times to calm me. My son is perfect. So there is really no best answer. I think you need to come up with the best plan for you and what you can handle and find a Dr who understands your needs and background. I am here if you ever want to talk. Hugs!!