Moms with anxiety that take medication

I have been diagnosed with anxiety after some SEVERE anxiety attacks. My Dr wants me to go on medication , he prescribed Lexapro. I didnt start it yet b/c my biggest concern is coming off of it when we want to try to TTC again. I have a blood disorder so cannot start trying until the fall, when , hopefully, my DR gives the okay.

Anyway - I read the symptoms can worsen when coming off the meds so I am worried about that along with ttc'ing.

Any advice
thanks

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I have been taken paxil for years. If you come off of the medication properly, there generally are no side effects. You are not just supposed to stop taking them cold turket...that can cause withdrawal symptoms. I wouldnt worry about it. Just follow your dr's advice.

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I am on zoloft, and was able to stay on it, but with the dose lowered from 100 mg to 25 mg, with both pregnancies.

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I was on Zoloft for years before my first pregnancy and then went off it for the entire 9 months. I had no side effects but my problem was that 6 weeks after my DS was born my anxiety came back full force and the dose that I was on didn't work for me. It took almost a month to find the right dose and feel better.

I just had my second DC and my doctor did not want me going off of the medication again because she said it might not be effective at all the next time. I didn't listen because I really didn't want to be on meds during my pregnancy and so far so good. My DD is 4.5 weeks old and I'm all right.

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I'm on and off Lexapro for 6 years and I can't say that my anxiety has come back any stronger each time I go back on (i've probably been on or off 5 times since I started).

i've never had a problem coming off as long as you do it slowly. I was off for the entire 9 months of pregnancy and was fine. In fact, I never felt better anxiety wise. Post-partum was a whole different animal because I had depression on top of the anxiety which I didn't think could even happen...but it did. So now I'm on it again. Not sure when we're going to TTC but I do have fears of going off because I don't want to feel as horrible as I did post-partum. But i will committ to doing the 9 months lexapro-free. And then consider going back on after DC is born. But then that means no BF this time so that will be a big decision for me.

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I have been on Lexapro for about 2 years and went off while I was pregnant. The withdrawal was very bad. I went back on after I stopped BF.

You can speak to your dr. about meds that are safe to take throughout pregnancy. I know there are quite a few.

ETA: I was on Lexapro while TTC. Only after I got the BFP did I stop taking them cold turkey.

Message edited 8/19/2009 7:52:28 PM.

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

thanks everyone

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I take Lexapro, too (it made a huge difference for me) and stopped taking it gradually while TTC. I was off it while pregnant and breastfeeding. Even though I came off it slowly, there were some withdrawal symptoms-- but I wouldn't let that stop you if your anxiety attacks are interfering with your life.

Re: Moms with anxiety that take medication

I have anxiety as well but no longer take medication for it. My mom however had been taking Lexapro for some time and when she came off of it she experienced much worse symptoms.

I've heard Zoloft can be taken during pregnancy.