urgent! any pregnant women on medication for anxiety

[FeelingBeautiful]

i really need to know if it is safe. i have been suffering from pretty bad anxiety for about 6 weeks and it's not getting better. have been talking to my doctor and psychiatric services but turned down medication in favour of long walks and meditation. it's not working! the anxiety is so bad this morning - and it's not necessarily about anything it's just there! it could be about anything and when i am worrying about something it is irrational.

to be clear i am not normally like this. is it hormones? it happend before coronavirus so that is not the cause.

so i need to know, what medication are you on, did it work, how long does it take to work? will i feel sick on it?

i have been searching threads on mumsnet and from what i've read stress and anxiety don't cause mc. being stressed about being stressed was also becoming too much

appreciate any help you can give me

I'm on 100mg sertraline for anxiety and depression. I was on 50mg before pregnancy but my doctor actually upped it when I was around 8 weeks as I was struggling. I feel good now (aside from coronavirus like everyone else). From what my doctor told me sertraline is very safe during pregnancy. And you need to look after yourself as well as baby so if you are really struggling to cope meds can help.

I was taking sertraline for years and was on 100mg at beginning of my pregnancy. I intended to stay on them because they had levelled me for so long.
I had awful morning sickness though and migraines and what ended up working was to come off my meds. I had some awful dips and scary thoughts. But I levelled out. Hormones play a massive part in anxiety I think. I was taking pain meds when j found out too so coming off those was nasty.
It's different for everyone, but Sertraline is safe in pregnancy.
If you try them, try not to worry about taking them. Your doc won't suggest anything harmful. And your mental health and well-being is so important.
Is your heart rate high? Mine is very high and I ended up being very anaemic (high heart rate is common in anaemia) and I had to get an iron drip. Maybe ask docs about your iron levels?
Hope this helps! Good luck

@Yaty so good to hear that it is working for you. i will mention that one to my doctor. i know coronavirus probably doesn't help, im worried too but somehow more worried about what i'm eating and everything getting to the baby...i'm so glad you are feeling better

@MisschanandelerBong thank you too for your msg, i just got myy bloods done and waiting to hear back. i think i am eating ok...in fact it's food that is making me very anxious. my hubby just made me a pineapple and banana smoothie and i was so upset afterwards about the possibility of listeria in the pineapple, even though he washed it and peeled it....that's the kind of thing.
my heart rate can get up but i do some breathing exercises and that helps but very soon after i am anxious again. it feels like a full time job trying to manage it. i'm glad the medication worked for you too, i will mention that one to my doc for sure x

Hello - I’m a pregnant doctor and take sertraline! I also went from 50 to 100mg during early pregnancy because my anxiety got worse due to the hormones

I spoke to multiple other doctors (GP, obstetrics, psych) and did a lot of my own research when I was TTC to see if I should come off the sertraline during pregnancy, but was reassured that it’s safe.

Remember that part of the anxiety monster will be worrying about taking medication too, so if you do start on it, try to stick with it because it takes up to 6 weeks to feel the difference. I feel for you, anxiety is horrible xx

@Nelbert19 wow thank you that's great you're a doctor! i'm going to try it. i can't imagine the anxiety lifting, i hope it does. i'm in bed now just exhausted from worrying today so far...about what i ate, losing our house, running out of money (even tho there's nothing to say any of that is going to happen, we have two good jobs). i just don't feel safe, i feel like something bad is going to happen all the time. i hope it's the hormones and i don't feel like this after pregnancy

I'm currently 15+2 and take 20mg citalopram. I was on 40mg but have reduced since finding out I was pregnant. I saw an obstetrician to ask about how the medication affects the baby and he confirmed that my anxiety could be worse in pregnancy and that the benefits outweigh any low risks

@CNovittBolden thank you, feeling very down today but also relieved to hear all these medications can be taken in pregnancy...thank u so much for answering

I take medication for a long term mental health condition. I got advice prior to conceiving which boiled down to medicated and mentally well is better than unmedicated and mentally unwell, so I have stayed on my medication. There are some medications that can cause issues but there are also lots of options that are safe. I hope you find something that helps

I was on 100mg of sertraline and doctor recommended coming off them during pregnancy so I did. Was fine at first but now I can feel myself sinking back into depression, doctors isn’t open so can’t sort it out. Just got to pray I don’t get as bad as I did before I was on them (self harm and suicidal thoughts)

Good luck xx

@kittykat7210

There must be a primary care service you can access, even if just for telephone consultations. Please get help, you don’t have to feel this way and you need to be fighting fit to get through pregnancy and for when the baby comes - both mentally and physically

@kittykat7210 that's awful advise from your doctor, I'm sorry you are feeling like that. Maybe try 111 if you cant get through to the doctor?

I might contact my midwife, I have a phone appointment with her on the 15th (my 34 week appointment) so I’ll mention it then, hopefully she’ll be able to at least point me in the direction of somewhere to help

How many weeks are you?

I found up until about week 10 or so my anxiety, depression and crying was on the up. The midwife etc said it was normal and to try and stay off medication until after the first trimester and see how it goes. (I've been on and off medication for about 14 years and currently off).

Touch wood, I'm nearly 16 weeks now and the past month I have been feeling a lot calmer. I think hormones have calmed down somewhat. But it is reassuring to know should I need it I could go on medication.

In terms of non medication stuff which you can try and do with or without medication are:

Vitamin d tablets (it's surprising how much a lack of it fan affect depression)
Time outside in garden if you can
Exercise
Meditation
Distractions such as movies, books, art etc
Writing down things such as worries, good things that have happened this week, gratitude lists etc.
Browsing online for baby stuff - it's only been the past 2 weeks I've felt enthusiasm for this, before it felt like it would never happen.
Eating healthy and little and often
Sleeping when you need it
Learn it a new skill - I downloaded duolingo and spend a few mins a day learning Welsh and German
Pamper yourself - paint your nails, do a face mask, long soak in the bath
Chat with family and friends
Its ok and normal to feel sad or want to cry so let those moments happen without judgement of yourself x
Speak to midwife if you have particular concerns
X

I came off my anxiety meds when I found out I was pregnant, my Dr and Midwife strongly urged me to stick with them.

They're pretty safe to take. Read BUMPS guide on the various medications available.

Personally, I've been trying to manage my anxiety without medication and it's worked for me so far. You need to do what is best for you.