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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Can I Take Diazepam?

30 replies

expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 08:44

I am 38 weeks along. I have wretched sinusitis and cannot sleep. Quite literally. Usually start to fall asleep at 3AM, wake every hour till 6, then can't get back to sleep.

I had severe PND with a lot of anxiety after having DD. Needless to say, this situation is NOT helping me or the baby.

I'm growing very, very anxious and desperate.

I have some leftover Diazepam from my first trimester, when sinusitis again left me too anxious too sleep.

Can I take it now I'm this far along? I need some help!

OP posts:
Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 08:44

.

OP posts:
feastofsteven · 05/12/2005 08:47

I really, really, wouldn't.

just found this via google re:diazepam and late PG

"Pregnancy and breast feeding
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or are breast feeding. If your doctor has decided that you should receive this medicine during late pregnancy or during labour, your baby might have a low body temperature, floppiness, and breathing and feeding difficulties. If this medicine is taken regularly in late pregnancy, your baby might develop withdrawal symptoms."

If you are feeling this rotten, go and see GP or midwife asap.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 08:54

They completely fobbed me off. Said it was 'part of being pregnant'. I feel dead on my feet. I'm f*cked. I mean, I wanted to come out of my skin this morning around 6 when I just finally gave up trying to get any sleep. I'm not even able to lie down, I try to sleep in a comfy chair w/my feet up.

NOTHING I do to clear my sinuses lasts more than half an hour. I wake gasping for breath. Same thing happens if I nap during the day.

I've even taken decongestants. I know you're 'not supposed to', but you're also supposed to sleep, too.

Gawd, I want my tubes tied asap! I NEVER, EVER want to be pregnant again in my entire life.

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Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 08:56

The worst part about it is the feeling that you cannot go on like this. I know deep down I can, but all those horrid old feelings I had when I was ill last time come back in the middle of the night - the ones where I'd do anything, literally anything, just to sleep and sleep.

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feastofsteven · 05/12/2005 08:59

is there any sort of contingency plan for you to see a psychiatrist/CPN or start meds after you deliver to guard against recurrence of PND? If you could face up to it, I would be tempted to go down to A & E and demand to see duty psychiatrist, explain history of severe PND and basically tell him exactly what you have said here.

thebecster · 05/12/2005 10:29

Sorry you're feeling so rotten
I think it's a very good idea to go to A&E if you're desparate, rather than taking diazepam. It's such a strong drug - best not to take it without a doctor's supervision even when you're not pregnant. Especially if you have a history of depression - diazepam can really upset your mental balance.
For breathing problems, the things that really help me are steam inhalations 6 - 10 times a day with 2 drops of tea tree oil and a big bunch of fresh thyme, (keep a towel on your head and breath through your nose so you get all the antiseptic steam into your sinuses, and have tissues at the ready for all the gunk coming out!). Also keeping the window wide open when sleeping (even if that means sleeping in a woolly hat with two hot water bottles). I really hope these help, but if you're miserable you should definitely see a doctor.
take care

ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 10:32

you poor poor thing

can you afford acupuncture - it is so brill

ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 10:33

going without sleep won't kill you. Why do you feel so worried about it?

Is there a time in the day when you DO feel tired?

ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 10:34

"Diazepam is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that diazepam is known to harm an unborn baby."

ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 10:35

I think the root of this is that you are worried that you are going to feel the same way after this baby is born. Do you have a kind hv or someone you can talk to about your worries?

strawberry · 05/12/2005 10:48

I feel for you. I had a bad time during when pg with ds2. I was worried if i felt this bad when pg how bad was it going to be after the birth. I found out that there is no connection between ante- and post-natal depression. In fact most people feel better after. This is what happened to me - it was such a relief not to be pg anymore. I'll be having a coil fitted in the New Year!!

Can you find someone to have your dd to give you some space over the next couple of weeks?
Take care

thebecster · 05/12/2005 10:49

Forgot to mention - another reason to avoid taking diazepam without a doctor's supervision. Because it's addictive, the withdrawal dose has to be very carefully monitored by a professional. If you stop taking it without that monitoring it can trigger serious depression, suicidal impulses, panic attacks etc. Honestly, it's serious stuff and if you've had depression before it's really not worth the risk. Please be careful.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 11:03

Cannot afford accupuncture. Have tried steaming with lots of diff herb combos. Even have one of those face steamer things.

I KNOW this will clear up after the baby is born - it's a complication of pregnancy. Called pregnancy rhinitis or some other term like that. I'm not worried about having depression after the baby comes, I'm worried about making it till when the baby comes at all.

Extreme sleep deprivation can render you insane - that's why it's used as a form of torture on prisoners of war. Won't kill you? It can drive people to want to commit suicide. There's no time of day when I feel tired. I've gone well past that now.

We have no HV at the mo - the one we had was just there on a locum, and the one who's coming to take her place won't be here till after XMas. GP/midwife just useless despite knowing my history.

I'm going to try the A&E duty psychiatrist tonight.

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ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 11:05

Expat I suffered terribly after dd2 was born with sleep deprivation - to the point where i was having horrible obsessive thoughts and really thought I was going mad. in fact I think I was going mad. So I do sympathise.

BUT I do think you need to put it in perspective. Do you work? Can you doze in the day? What time do you go to bed? Do you get any exercise? Can you get any kind of steriod spray for your rhinitis?

morningpaper · 05/12/2005 11:08

expat: does alcohol help at all? 2 or 3 glasses of wine knocked me out in late pregnancy. I've also suffered from mental health probs and I know how awful and scary the sleep-deprived 3 a.m. feelings are. xx

cod · 05/12/2005 11:09

Message withdrawn

Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 11:13

Don't work anymore. The problem w/exercising is that I'm so swollen it's causing concern. I have to have my bp monitored every other day b/c of the pitting in my legs and arms.

I'll bring it up again to the nurse tomorrow when I go in for the bp check.

I just don't feel like dozing in the day at all.

If I fall asleep at night, I don't stay asleep. I wake about about 40 minutes and it can take hours to get back to sleep. I try getting up and cleaning or baking or anything to make me tired.

Lie down, doze, one side or both become bloked and I wake up gasping.

This is actually WORSE than when DD was born and I had the PND, b/c my mum came and lived here for 4 months and sort of took over w/the baby.

DH has been picking up extra hours, so here I am w/DD - age 2.5 - she won't let me sleep during hte day.

OP posts:
ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 11:14

don't get up!

lay there and try and meditate or clear your mind. Even if you are there for hours you will be resting your body and trying to rest your mind.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 11:15

Alcohol! I'm gonna try it, mp! Thanks. I hadn't even thought of that!

My mum and dad will be here 20 December. They've rented a flat just up the road, in one of the nice Victorians we could never afford.

But I am literally COUNTING the days b/c they'll be here till Feb.

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Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 11:16

I've read LOTS of book, including 'The Constant Gardener'. I think the film might be better.

I'm going to the library this afternoon to refresh supplies. I might even re-read 'Moby Dick'. I don't care for Walt Whitman, but the other night he was all that was around, so I memorised a couple of poems.

Maybe I'll pick up a tome of Anne Sexton just in case, b/c all I've got spare is Tennyson !

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Original poster
expatinscotland · 05/12/2005 11:24

Now I'm REALLY excited - time to drive up the town and buy DD some shoes. Ooooo, shoes!!! Nice, new Start Rites to wear w/her Xmas dress.

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ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 11:25

i've a feeling you have read jonathan strange and mr norrell but it is fab

When I tried to turn things around with my sleeping I used to make a 'nest' for myself downstairs before I went to bed - cosy blanket on sofa, good book, lamp in the right position. Then I could migrate down there and read until I fell asleep

ENIDeepMidwinter · 05/12/2005 11:25

leave a glass of red down there too

feastofsteven · 05/12/2005 11:26

glad you're sounding a bit chirpier. If you're going anywhere near John Lewis, might be worth checking their shoe department - some of them have quite a good sale on.

Nemoinapeartree · 05/12/2005 11:27

expat I have had a blocked nose constantly since I got pg and had the same with DS. The best trick I have found it to sleep sitting up right nose still gets blocked just not as badly. Can empathise with the pnd etc as you know am still under psychatrist and being induced for that reason. MAybe you should speak to mw about seeing consultant about induction???????