I've had a few panic attacks in my life but theyve never been frequent enough for me to be diagnosed with PanicDisorder, or to be given anything more than a 1 time only prescrip for Ativan. Now I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant and this past week I've started having panic attacks at least once a day. I've been having trouble getting to sleep at night (normally in bed by 10 now I don't sleep til 5am) and when I finally do get to sleep I have strange dreams or even nightmares that lead to waking up in a panic. Im terrified of being left alone even sometimes being in a room by myself is scary, and I can't make myself get up to go to the bathroom at night no matter how many lights I turn on or how full my bladder is because I'm afraid something is "going to get me." I feel like a 5 year old who stayed up late to watch a freddy krueger movie...I'm terrified all the time, day & night, and I just don't know what to do.
Has anyone else experienced similar things? How'd you cope? Any suggestions?
2006-10-10 16:50:43 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I'm reluctant (as I think any woman should be) to take any medication that will cross the placenta. My doctor is going to have to tell me that something is 100% baby-tested & safe before I'll consider anything like that.
I'm more concerned about what my panics will do to the baby than what they do to me, but worrying about the baby's health only makes the attacks worse.
I've gone back to doing my old meditations (extremely modified Tai-Chi stuff), and I think they may have reduced the number & intensity of my daytime attacks, but it's had no affect on the nightmares or the attacks I wake up having. My body is more relaxed, but my mind obviously isn't following the way it used to, so I'm looking into some new techniques.
I'm starting to wonder if this could be somehow related to my blood sugar? I'm very hypo-gylcemic (low blood sugar) & I wonder if that could be somehow related-has anyone heard of anything linking the two like this?
thank you for the kind answers & support
2006-10-10 17:12:55 · update #1
Sounds like you have a panic disorder like I do. I just had a baby in February and I understand totally. There are some things that your doctor can prescribe for you in order to help, but you have to be persistent because they are reluctant to give out those types of medications for the baby's sake. However, if you have an experienced OB/GYN and psychiatrist, they can work together to find something that works. It is necessary to do this because being stressed out during your pregnancy can be harmful to your baby as well. Good luck! I know you will be just fine!
2006-10-10 16:55:39 · answer #1 · answered by It's Been Cool 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your back and stomach may be hurting because all your muscles are stiffening up when you have a attack. You should call a dr and see if you can get in soon to see if there is anything you can do to help control the attacks. You probably cant take any medicine for it right now but you can try to learn some breathing techniques to calm yourself down and that can help you with labor as well. Try to stay away from stressful situations and if something starts to bother you walk away and calm yourself down before you go back. Stress and panic attacks are not good for you or the baby. I know its going to be hard but you have to control your stress level. Remember to just breathe through it and walk away if a situation gets to stressful. Good Luck! And CONGRATS on the baby!
2016-03-28 04:24:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I went through wasn't as severe as what you're going through but. . .
When I was pregnant we had a house fire. I was living somewhere, planning to create a nursery, and bam, living somewhere else with none of my stuff.
I got really depressed and panicky due to the fire and my crazy hormone changes. I managed to stay off of anti-depressants, but did take Valium for the anxiety once in a while. I went to a psychiatrist, and I suggest you do the same. Your hormones are dragging you way down.
I want to reassure you that your panic attacks won't affect your baby. I was so panicky and down-in-the dumps while pregnant, and the first thing everyone says about my 18 month old is, "She's such a happy baby." She is! And smart! So don't worry about that. Worry about staying ahead of the panic. Even if you do have to take some medication, cause it could get worse after the baby is born, and then it will affect him/her.
2006-10-10 16:56:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway
Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?
2016-05-17 06:11:50 · answer #4 · answered by Lorraine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not pregnant yet (pray for me),but I also have infrequent panic attacks and dreams sometimes that make me paranoid. And when I am sleepless I get so frustrated by the fact that I dont sleep. So I understand what your going thru. I have started meditation, not like the weird chanting kind, but listening to relaxing music and let my mind drift. And guided meditations that help you focus on relaxing your body and your breathing. Also reading a good book. Something totally fictional that you can read at anytime to take your mind off of you mind. Sometimes though you just have to sit back and make yourself relax and breathe thru it. Knowing that it is in your head. Also know that the stress is not good for you or your baby's health. Good luck
2006-10-10 16:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by success 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its the hormonal thing..Ive been there.But usually something brings this on,even the smallest thing that overly upsets you can bring this on. Ive got a history with panic attacks,but not very frequent, unless Im pregnant. All the emotions and hormones in your body is going crazy, and sometimes I really think a woman can too,Im not sure what all can be done beside, like my doctor gave me celexa,20 mg tab prn{as needed} for these, it helps alot. You need to speak with your doctor if its really affecting your daily life, I would recommend this pill to any preg women that is going through this, I hope you start feeling better soon. best luck!
2006-10-10 16:59:43 · answer #6 · answered by luv2bawifenmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a panic disorder and went through my 3rd pregnancy with lots of panic attacks. I would suggest buying a pregnancy yoga DVD or going to a class and learning to do the breathing. It will help you get through the day. My dr had me on ambien when I was pregnant. It will not harm the baby- but helps you sleep at night. You should try that. Hope this helps.
2006-10-10 16:57:07 · answer #7 · answered by Tammy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
k take this i used to get panic attacks also
man that the worst felling ever like your not gonna live feeling but what u should know
is it from being stressed all day that finnally leads to a panic attack it called anxiety even the thoughts u have it all just antiety
it does make you feel like someone gonna get you you need to talk to your docter so u can talk to to someone on how to relax your thought it could be from thinking to much ass well
i dont know how i coped i just had an up sension like i was going to die and i thought about it all the time
for me i grew out of it i guess
buy the way it sounds you need help tho
just know they could be worse because pregancy take a toll on your bodie and the dreams im pregnant and have total crazy dreams
2006-10-11 01:09:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats interesting that you asked about anxiety attacks..as I just had one about an hour ago....I get really lonely or down in the dumps I guess you'd say and freak out for about an hour..crying..breathing really hard..getting dizzy...that sorta thing..I use to pass out when I was younger but I have got them under control..I have found that because I am pregnant (17 weeks) the anxiety attacks are more intense...I dont get them all the time..just every once in awhile when I am feeling upset. When I was younger I wouldnt be able to get control of them because I didnt know what to look for...so here is what you look for that tells you, you may be about to have one...if you get an anxious feeling, sudden change in moods, I always start to feel clausterphobic and I get a pain in my chest like someone is sitting on me....when you start to feel any of these..walk......put on a good pair of shoes and walk...take a friend or a dog or whatever.....just walk and dont focus on whats going on..focus on little things...stupid things actually....like all the blades of grass on the lawn...or cracks on the side walk...or ants..eventually you will be able to walk yourself out of feeling this way..and then if you do have one..it will be a small one..maybe a cry or so....I have never felt this fear that you are talking about with going to the bathroom or anything like that with an anxiety attack..panic attacks and anxiety attacks are pretty much the same thing....I would talk to my doc..if it gets worse...no medicine isnt the cure..I agree with you there..but your doc. may be able to tell you what is causing this or give you more suggestions on what to do about it...the night mare thing is hormones..i have horrible nightmares too....so did my mom..and my grandma when they were pregnant...those are normal...good luck and you can email me if you wanna talk..I am having some insomnia problems too lately...that has nothing to do with the panic attacks...thats just pregnancy lol...good luck again
2006-10-10 17:47:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only a qualified doctor could tell you what's wrong but in the meantime you could take some Bach flower Rescue Remedy for the panic attacks. I recommend it because it works.
It is entirely homeopathic meaning it cannot harm you, and is safe to use during pregnancy.
For more information check out this website www.bachflower.com/rescue_remedy/htm or any other website dealing with Bach Flower Remedies or Australian Bush Flower Essences. Good luck with your baby and pregnancy.
2006-10-10 17:02:06 · answer #10 · answered by Freddy F 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋