Has anyone stayed on meds when they got prego

Remie · 07-01-2008, 12:37 PM

Hi,
My question is has anyone ever stayed on meds when they got prego? I ask this since I have been on meds for over 10 years and I am coming off of them now to try and have a baby again. I am on or should say on paxil and kloniphin for panic depression ect. I must say its very hard to come off and I am doing it very slowly. I was able to get prego out of the blue last oct but there was some type of problem and I had a dnc. My obgyn said it was due to the meds I was on. The good news i was able to get prego. The bad news I am not sure about being off meds. My heart breaks about the whole thing;(

RoaryKennedy · 07-01-2008, 05:06 PM

I'm so sorry, Remie, about the loss of your baby. I can only imagine the pain you must feel...

From what I understand, Paxil is the one antidepressant that is absolutely not recommended during TTC or pregnancy. However, there are others that are approved, when it is in the best interest of the mother.

I took Zoloft all through my pregnancy. I spoke with both my family practice doctor and my OBGYN, and they both confirmed that it would be relatively safe. My daughter was born with no issues or withdrawal symptoms.

For me, it was a non-issue: it would've been much, much worse for me to be off the antidepressant, so the benefits outweighed the risk. That's an individual decision you can make for yourself, along with your doctor.

Good luck on your journey!

PBLayzod · 07-01-2008, 05:16 PM

I was taking Lexapro when I conceived and continued to take it for a while during the pregnancy. My OB wanted me to reduce my dose and ultimately stop taking it, but I didn't want to. I knew that it was safe, and had discussed it with my psychiatrist. I did stop taking it because of morning sickness and for whatever reason did fine med-free during the pregnancy. I started back after the baby, though.

Paxil was changed from a catagory C to an X a couple of years ago. Apparently it is found to increase the risk of a genetic defect. My psychiatrist said the defect is a minor hear defect that can be surgically repaired and is not life-threatening. You don't want to be taking Paxil during ttc and pregancy if there are other options, but if there aren't other options you should know the risks. For some women Paxil may be the only option.

I was switched to Paxil when my Lexapro quit working (from stopping and starting several times while ttc). I switch back to Lexapro at a higher dose when the new study came out. It seems to work fine now but I'm still not great about remembering my meds every day.

Remie · 07-01-2008, 06:22 PM

Thank you guys for responding. Sometimes i feel like i could write a book with my story. Thank you for letting me vent. I am doing ok I feel like off the paxil right now. Now coming of the klophin might be a little harder. I am waiting to see my dr to see if i can stay on that or if i have to come off that one too. From what i read it says to come off.

PBLayzod · 07-01-2008, 06:46 PM

I was told to not take the Klonopin during pregnancy, but not why. I'd ask what the specific risks are before making a decision.