Pregnant.... with panic attacks...?

Question

Hi everyone... im 20 weeks pregnant... i suffered from panic attacks for years.. when i became pregnant, my doctor took me off of my Lexapro... so far iv been fine.. then last nite.. i started getting that anxious tight chest feeling.. and feeling short of breath.. thats usually how my bad panic attacks start, i still feel that way this morning.... has anyone else been pregnant and had to deal with this? IM SO SCARED... any advice would really help me...

Answer 1

Pregnancy is a very special time in your life, and it can be tough. I have never had a panic attack and have sometimes felt like I am during pregnancy. A panic attack is your body over-responding, you will have to work very hard to maintain control of your brain during this pregnancy but you can do it. The first and most important thing to do is to become a list-maker. When you start to worry (even a little) about something, make a list. Write down the worry and start making a list of ways to tackle it. Write down the logical ways and even the stupid or silly ways to solve the problem. This will help keep the stress hormones from flooding your body and can help prevent the panic attack. If you have a panic attack, it is hard, but think of the baby. Try to focus on what the baby needs; the baby needs you to breathe normally and needs you to be calm and needs you to slow your heart down. Think of these things and try to feel your heart and breathing slowing down and returning to normal. This is very helpful for the attacks but the ability to focus will help you in labor too. You seem to be worrying about having the panic attack, you know that will not help. Call the doctor and talk about ways to deal with an attack, then make a list. Having a plan to deal with things will help you a lot. Good luck.

Answer 2

I also took Lexapro and my doctor took me off by my request as I could no longer afford it when I lost my job & insurance. =( Here's how I learned to deal: Breathe. My biggest thing was that I would hyperventilate, then I would have a hard time slowing down and breathing on my own and my husband would have to talk me thru it. The whole paper bag thing never worked for me... I just learned to breath. I also started reading-books seemed to get my mind off of things and I loosened up enough that I would calm down. Read happy books-I read Amish stories by Wanda Brunstetter cause that's all we had at the time and now I like them. Getting into a story distracts you. I cannot help with the being pregnant and having the attacks because my anxiety was not sever during my pregnancy 8 years ago-mine kicked in about 6 years ago. I have not taken any meds for 3 years and I can usually manage it on my own now without my husband. People who just "worry" and think they are having anxiety do not understand what we truly feel..... Good luck and you will do just fine. Congrats on the new baby-to-be!!!

Answer 3

I was pregnant with twins and terribly mean to everyone on top of the panic attacks... I luckily learned how to deal with out the medicine.... but it was so tough, you have a long road ahead of you... but you should realize that most of the hormones you are feeling will get relied to your baby... so try to calm down. The hardest part for me was actually becoming a meaner person because of this... I would just turn and walk away from a conversation or disenvolve myself from whatever, it seemed so rude and hardly anyone new what I was going through, so that made it worse.... but only I knew how to calm me down... and it was for the babies so it didn't matter what anyone else thought.... make sure that there is someone else around you who can help explain or help take things off of your plate to help the baby.... family, friends, you would be surprised at the level of assistance you will get in the name of a baby so take advantage of it... and what you learn during this process you can take with you for when the baby grows! Please feel free to e-mail me and vent, I am a good listener...!

Answer 4

I was on Paxil when I found out that I was pregnant and they took me off and I also suffured from panic attacks. The only thing that would help me was to call and talk to my mom. I don't know what it was about her but it did help. She also suffers from them. It sometimes took 45 mins but she is the only one that could calm me down and then I would take a warm shower and I would feel better. Is there anyone you can talk to at any hour of the day? Mine usually came at night also. Sometimes just knowing that there is someone there talking to you that knows what you are feeling because they also suffer from it too helps. Good Luck. I really hope this helps!

Answer 5

Hi Hun...
i had my baby 3 weeks ago.. and i was taken off my meds while i was pregnant(still off them and doing great!)
I found that my panic attacks actually got better(less and not as intense) while pregnant.
try to remember that you've got all sorts of crazy hormones rushing around in your body and often times what feels like the start of a panic attack is just a hot flash etc...
I also went to cognitive therapy once a weeks and it helped.. and the book "the Anxiety and phobia workbook" helped out alot.

If you do have an unbearable panic attack take some benyadryl(sp) but make sure it's ok with your Doc first.
hope this helped...
Feel free to e-mail me.. sometimes it helps to just talk it out!

Answer 6

i get panic attacks at least twice a week and i dont take anything. stay away from things that makes edgy. talk to someone right away about it and drink some water and get some fresh air that is what i do. sometimes i am scared taht its a heart attack so that is what i do. i would sign up and do some yoga. oh and 1 thing does your panic attacks only happen at home because mine do if that is the case stay away from the house as much as possible. it might help

Answer 7

I went through this... I didn't have panic attacks before but I got that exact same feeling during and my dr told me it was normal. My heart would speed up, shortness of breath and everything all very SUDDENLY. I hated it but everything was just fine. So my advice would be to just try to take deep breaths, slow down for a minute, maybe just stop what your doing and concentrate on calming down.

Answer 8

I had bad panic attacks but I heard a commercial called Attacking Anxiety. They have a web-site at www.attackinganxiety.com. I bought the program - it has a workbook and a CD set. Its really worth it.

Answer 9

I'd say get back to your doctor. I can't think that having a panic attack can be good for your baby, and the doctor should look after you. Good luck!

Answer 10

i was on depakote for seisures, I just completely eliminated drama from my life. When something started becoming to dramatic for me, i 86ed it.it'll be hard but it's a lot better then spending the last trimest bed ridden