Generalised anxiety and pregnant?

Question

I have suffered with GAD for the last 8 years, i have tried various SSRi's which have not helped and for the last year i have been prescribed Diazepam and Propranolol, which has helped me tremendously, i have not had to up my dosage of Diazepam, so i really do not think that i have become addicted to it. My anxiety is so bad that before i took the Diazepam and Propranolol I was agraphobic, which was extermely crippling both emotionally and financially. I can not claim benefits because my husband is working and earning £16,000pa. I have now become pregnant (not planned) and of course have stopped taking medication. I have an appointment with my gp next week to discuss what we can do to help my anxiety as he is worried that my anxiety might get worse. If anyone has been in this situation i would appreciate some advice and maybe let me know how you coped, i would also appreciate some general advice.

Thanks

Answer 1

hi i Am 32 weeks pregnant and i to suffer from generalised anxiety disorder i was on proprananol and citralopram but stopped when i found out i was pregnant without the medication it does get hard some days i am planning to start medication the minute i have had the baby i don't want to be worrying all the time about things specially with a newborn baby


when you are having a bad day go out even just for a walk be with friends take your mind off things if you sit in the house you will just worry more

Answer 2

I am surprised your GP would express worry that your anxiety will become worse. Negative projections such as his are known to increase anxiety in patients. Fortunately, many women report the cessation of symptoms of GAD during gestation and lactation. Fear from knowing you cannot rely on medication to ease your symptoms will probably be the biggest obstacle you have to face. It is very hard, but if you can focus on your body's work of producing a new life, it will help you relax and ease your symptoms. I was symptom free for four years. It was a very needed respite and I truly miss those years. I wish I could offer you more information. I am sure you already know about various therapies and relaxation techniques.

Answer 3

Before I got pregnant i was on Flupendixor (spelt wrong, but its prozac bascially) I was on a medication for anxiety and panic attacks and also on a mood stabiliser. I came off it all immediately but cant lie and say it has all been plain sailing. I suffer with personality disorder and struggle generally with feeling in control. The minute I feel out of control the panic sets in and I become difficult to rationalise with. I have managed without my meds and as I want to breast-feed my Doc says I will have to continue without them when Im no longer pregnant but I see my Doctor regularly, which although isnt a cure it does help to not feel totally abandoned. I cant really offer you any advice except if you need help ask for it. I wish you lots of love and luck. Congrats on the baby! X xxx

Answer 4

I'm sorry I've no personal experience but I think that worrying about your problem coming back is likely to bring it on. You are going to be a mum, do your best and try and stay positive, you have that to motivate you and keep you healthy.

I do have a friend of a friend who was clinically depressed and had to come off her medication to have a baby (planned), from what my friends told me it was extremely difficult but she got through it and now they have a lovely little girl.

I hope everything works out for you x

Answer 5

i was on a cocktail of medication for years for depression and anxiety. i went to a counsellor and she was not only hopeless but she mistook my concerns over my then boyfriend's drug addiction as my own addiction and informed my doctor who then informed my employer. i lost my job as no one believed me despite offering to take drug tests at their convienience. this was my lowest point and i completely lost faith in the medical profession. they did me a favour because it made me see that the medication i was on was only dealing with the symptoms not the cause. i made a decision to start my life anew. it was really difficult and sleeping was impossible as i was used to taking sleeping tablets but there was no way i was going back to the doctors. i wasted 10 years trying to find a tablet that would make me better but in the end its just about saying to yourself, thats it, no more and getting on with it. i was never going to change my past but it wasn't going to ruin my life anymore. i've been off medication for 5 years now and have a new relationship and a new baby. understanding that the way you react to whatever makes you anxious and depressed is wrong and you can control it is the first step. read pyschology books. understanding the disease is the best way to conquer it. your baby deserves a mum who isn't doped on valium and crying. my older children remember how i was and it makes me feel so guilty. no one can cure you apart from yourself and in my experience most medications just detatch you from reality. good luck with your pregnancy x

Answer 6

i dnt want to scare you but u comming off your meds was the best thing i was on diaspam 4 anzity and panic attcks i stayed on them when was preg b4 i had a mc now im preg 12 wks 4 days tomorr and dr took me off everything

Answer 7

I'm wondering if your doctor ever actually treated the anxiety rather than simply prescibing something. You could be blocking the Holy Spirit's attempt to get through to you and that may be the source of the anxiety. If you aren't spiritual, say a simple prayer: God if you exist, I need to know it. Please help me.
You have my prayers.