xanax..

[lc9986]

Hi everyone this is my first posting I am 7 weeks pregnant and have severe anxiety that I have been diagnosed with for the last 10 years. I am currently taking 1mg of xanax 2x's a day and am worried/concerned if it is ok? My psychiatrist says that it is and in small doses my pregnancy will be fine. I' just scared of the "what-ifs".. If anyone knows anything about taking this medicine or the possible effects it may cause? ANYTHING please help. Thanks

 

[bamabutterfly]

I don't know about Xanax, but I have severe panic attacks, and I've had to stay on my Klonopin which is also a Benzodiazepine. Klonopin is a Category D. My doctor said that the benefit of staying on the medicine outweighed the risk b/c he needed me to be less stressed, and that would help the baby more than me being panicky and increasing my blood pressure. I was upset at first b/c I wanted off of the med, but after trying to come off of it, I was unsuccessful. I just cut my dose in half, but I take it daily, and so far, my baby is just fine. The doctor is the one keeping me on it, so I'm trusting that he knows what is best. Good luck!!!

 

[Mellybelle]

Long term use of benzos for anxiety will actually increase anxiety. Please speak to your doctor again about the safety of using benzos during pregnancy.
I work in a drug and alcohol clinic and i've seen babies born withdrawing from benzos. It is horrible. Worse than heroin or methadone withdrawals. Although, these are likely from women using high doses.
1mg xanax is a very, very low dose. Do you feel any effect from it?

 

[livebychance]

xanax has been linked to fetal distress, fetal deformations, and fetal death- thats coming straight from my perinatologist who took me off of it as soon as i found out i was pregnanct

 

[alaura9]

Hi I probably am going to sound like the worst mother in the history of planet earth. Im around 9 weeks pregnant & ive been on Xanex for so long i cant even remember when i started. I take it not when i have anxiety but i take 4mgs daily to prevent a seriouse full blown breakdown. I have PTSD & sevier anxiety/panic attacks. I was told by several doctors that i would never get pregnant due to SEVERE trama done to me when i was younger & 2 weeks after my 21st birthday i was rushed into the ER for horrible cramps and vomiting, later i found out i was pregnant. I was shocked, scared, happy & just about everything every women on this page felt at the time they found out they were pregnant. I dont drink i dont smoke & i dont do drugs, but I am perscribed 16mgs of suboxone a day because i am an ex heroin addict (clean for almost a year) and if the doctors told me i could go off the suboxone without harming the baby i would in a heart beat but the withdrawls would kill the baby almost instantly. But my biggest problem is i cant get off the xanex. Ive talked to my OBGYN & they have told me to talk to my therapist about the xanex but i cant bring myself to do it so its causing me to sometimes take even more then im perscribed because im so scared & it causes me to have paralizing panic attacks. I want this baby more then anything & i know i sound like a selfish piece of shit but the reality is i feel almost as if ive already done the damage to my baby & that makes me barely able to look myself in the mirror. I see all the other post about mothers worrying about taking .5mgs 3 or 4 times while they were pregnant and that makes me feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest. I go to the best hospital on Long Island & ive told them my xanex intake & all they have told me to do is talk to my doctor perscribing the xanex to me. So ive decided to call my doctor (xanex dr) tomorrow & tell her everything. Id tell her in person but im in Florida taking care of my elderly great grandparents. Im not sure if im looking for a response to this post because if i were to read this idk whether i would have sympathy for the person or make it my mission to let them know how much a piece of shit they are, i guess i just needed to get out how i was feeling & at this point idc if im judged for it i should be, if my baby is hurt in any shape or form it is directly my fault & i cant live with myself if thats the case. so there it is out on the internet for anyone to see how pathetic & weak i really am.

 

[Mellybelle]

If anyone judges you or writes a nasty response, i'll be here to back you up hon.
You are obviously worried about your prescription drug use and its effects on your baby. As I said, long term benzo use for the treatment of anxiety can actually increase anxiety. It shoud be used for short term only but so many doctors (all over the world) love to get our their prescription pads and scribble and hand you the solution to all of your problems. You are right about stopping your suboxone. The withdrawals on your baby could cause you to miscarry. You may even find that you need to increase your dose during pregnancy, or perhaps switch to daily dosing (if you arent already). Perhaps you could speak to your suboxone prescriber about your Xanax use. I dont think its a good idea to stop but your doctor might be able to work out a reduction regime that you are comfortable with. After long term use, stopping may cause seizures. Look into some counselling too hun and get yourself a good relaxation CD. You need a lot of support to do this. If youre not comfortable posting here where anyone can read it, feel free to send me a private message.

 

[cjwilson80]

I have the same problem and my doctor told me not to take Xanax if I could help it. So far, I haven't taken any and have been ok. I do take 10 mg of Citalopram (Celexa) once a day to help manage depression / anxiety. This has helped me so much with anxiety I cannot tell you. See if you can get some of this and not take the Xanax. Although my doctor told me not to take any, he did say that he has had patients in the past take Xanax and everything has been ok. Maybe just take it only when you have a panic attack.

 

[Megylyn]

Hi all... There's a lot I would like to say but im typing on my phone and its nearly dead... anyways, I'm on 40 mg of celexa and it has helped a lot but I had to go cold turkey on my klonopin when I found out I was pregnant... I was prescribed 0.5 mg three times a day and it has been very hard so I understand a little of what you are going through and you are NOT a horrible mother. Xanax and klonopin and all benzos can cause birth defects so definitely talk with your doctor. It is a D in pregnancy, meaning benefits need to out weigh the risks. In general I would try your best to get off of benzos in the first trimester when most birth defects are formed. Good luck to you all! XOXO

 

[Andypanda6570]

Hi I probably am going to sound like the worst mother in the history of planet earth. Im around 9 weeks pregnant & ive been on Xanex for so long i cant even remember when i started. I take it not when i have anxiety but i take 4mgs daily to prevent a seriouse full blown breakdown. I have PTSD & sevier anxiety/panic attacks. I was told by several doctors that i would never get pregnant due to SEVERE trama done to me when i was younger & 2 weeks after my 21st birthday i was rushed into the ER for horrible cramps and vomiting, later i found out i was pregnant. I was shocked, scared, happy & just about everything every women on this page felt at the time they found out they were pregnant. I dont drink i dont smoke & i dont do drugs, but I am perscribed 16mgs of suboxone a day because i am an ex heroin addict (clean for almost a year) and if the doctors told me i could go off the suboxone without harming the baby i would in a heart beat but the withdrawls would kill the baby almost instantly. But my biggest problem is i cant get off the xanex. Ive talked to my OBGYN & they have told me to talk to my therapist about the xanex but i cant bring myself to do it so its causing me to sometimes take even more then im perscribed because im so scared & it causes me to have paralizing panic attacks. I want this baby more then anything & i know i sound like a selfish piece of shit but the reality is i feel almost as if ive already done the damage to my baby & that makes me barely able to look myself in the mirror. I see all the other post about mothers worrying about taking .5mgs 3 or 4 times while they were pregnant and that makes me feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest. I go to the best hospital on Long Island & ive told them my xanex intake & all they have told me to do is talk to my doctor perscribing the xanex to me. So ive decided to call my doctor (xanex dr) tomorrow & tell her everything. Id tell her in person but im in Florida taking care of my elderly great grandparents. Im not sure if im looking for a response to this post because if i were to read this idk whether i would have sympathy for the person or make it my mission to let them know how much a piece of shit they are, i guess i just needed to get out how i was feeling & at this point idc if im judged for it i should be, if my baby is hurt in any shape or form it is directly my fault & i cant live with myself if thats the case. so there it is out on the internet for anyone to see how pathetic & weak i really am.

I commend you for coming on here and getting it out. If you were a bad person or a bad mother you would not be here posting your heart out and telling us how awful you feel, that is not a bad person, that is someone who cares and just needs some help. Sometimes we all need help.I lost my Ava in March, I gave birth to her and buried her on 3/11/2011 and out of all the pain and sadness and heartbreak I learned never ever to judge anyone unless you walked a mile in their shoes. Talk to your therapist(If you have one) your doctors and go from there, tell them the truth and see what can be done. If you ever need a friend I am here..XOXOXOXOXOO

 

[Tracybabydust]

I cant relate to any of yr situations but i wish u all the best in yr journeys. Please ease up a little on the im a bad mother part as u all r doing the best u can given yr personal situations. Good luck ladies and welldone on getting the advice n support u all need. X

 

[alaura9]

well thank you so much to everyone who has respnded, i almost feel as if a weight is lifted off my shoulders because i am not alone in this struggle. Alot of ppl think anxiety is justsomething people make up & its all in their heads well anyone on here knows that its like your have a full blown heart attack, your heart races, your chest hurts & so on so panic/anxiety attacks are as real as cancer. Ive already tryed today to cut back to 2mgs instead of the 4mgs & so far im okay. I need to be intuned with my doctor alot more along with being more honest. Now let me say to the women on this page i got the exact opposite response that i almsot was hoping for. I wanted the women to tell me that i was a horrible person & if anything was wrong with my baby i deserved it but instead i recieved posotive, understanding & most of all supportive feed back & to you MellyBelly thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you so much you are truely a wonderful & understanding human being who I would be honered to continue talking to on this site. Thanks girl I inted to continue my posts and updates & i would love to read yours as well. Oh & AndyPanda I will pray for your baby Ava tonight, im sure shes looking down so proud of her mommy right now. God bless you all & once again thank you for your wonderful support XO

 

[Mellybelle]

Alaura9...you have me almost in tears with a case of the warm and fuzzies.
BnB is a beautiful, supportive forum with some wonderful women.

 

[alaura9]

i agree 100% and i ment everything i said i really cant thank you enough for not judging me but showing me love. Im scared you know a wife & monther all before 22 its very scary for anyone aspecially someone in my situation, but thats a whole other thing. Once again thanks and please keep me updated and ill do the same. 16 weeks how exciting!!!!

 

[Mellybelle]

Yep, its exciting but scary. This is my 7th pregnancy, but I've only got two children. I'm starting to feel more hopeful as each week passes.

I work in a drug and alcohol clinic (mainly opioid treatment) and we work closely with the Substance Use in Pregnancy team at the hospital. If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer them, but bear in mind that i'm not a clinician, but i'm happy to speak with the Dr at the clinic I work at to find out anything for you.

Pregnancy is a scary time hun, but its also a beautiful and magical journey. Try your best to enjoy it.

 

[alaura9]

i apreciate that because Ive talked to doctors that say suboxone is bad because theres so many conponents in it & i should try to get on subutext but my insurance doesnt cover that even knowing im pregnant & its like 500$ a month plus the 140 a month to see the doctor. So idk what I should do because ive researched alot & asked alot about methadone while pregnant & they know the most about pregnancy & methadone then anything else because they've had so much more time to study it then suboxone & subutext. Im just scared because i dont want to have a screaming infant & be kicking methadone, also I like the safety net of the suboxone because if i have a craving ill have to feel like ahit for 2 whole days to feel even a rush from shooting heroin plus the 2 days will mostlikelty kill or cause permanent damage to my baby & doing heroin while pregnant?!, come on im beating myself up over xanex. Id never do hardcore drugs while pregnant (not even smoke pot) Im also very afraid because CPS (child protective services) has to be involved in your life when your baby is born addicted to something but if they drug test me & the baby and only find methadone then follow up with the clinic then im pretty sure i should be okay. maybe they will check in randomly 1 or 2 more times but im not worried because i have no intensions of even drinking anymore even after the pregnancy. So i think im going to finish up the suboxone i have then find a methadone clinic on Long Island where i live (their everywhere so it wont be hard) and get started bc its 5$ a week or free with my insurance instead of 640$ a month for suboxone & the more important issue, studies have shown that besides for the physical dependancy the baby willl experiance the first few days their born that there is basically no reported cases of birth defects directed directly to methadone (dont quote me I just read it on the computer) so idk what do you think MellyBelly? & it might be different because i see u live in australia & everything is way more fcuked up here in america

 

[alaura9]

oh & im sorry to hear about the prior miscarrages, im posotive this baby will be strong enough to make it just stay posotive. You've managed to keep me posotive when i thought my world was coming to an end so you can do anything you put your mind to xo

 

[Mellybelle]

Your doctor is right about the suboxone. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. It was developed to remove the 'street value' of subutex. The naloxone in subutex is inactive while it is absorbed sublingually (under your tongue),but if injected it can cause some nasty withdrawals. No research has been done for suboxone during pregnancy and over here we change pregnant mothers back to subutex for the duration of their pregnancy. If you cant afford to switch back to subutex, then methadone is probably your best option for your baby. I work for a public clinic over here so all medication is free. Methadone and buprenorphine are free everywhere in Australia, but a dispensing fee is charged at pharmacies and private clinics. Usually no more than $7 a dose. Department of Human Services (child protection) are involved with the mothers during pregnancy. We have to make a report whenever any of our clients become pregnant. Its actually better to have them involved early over here and we encourage the women to use DoHS as a support service. DoHS ask that we do regular urine drug screens on the women during pregnancy.
I've not heard or read of methadone or buprenorphine or even benzos causing birth defects but your baby will be born in withdrawal hun, whether you are on Subutex or Methadone. Its an awful thought but its a reality. The babies are given a 'score' and usually placed in the neonatal special care unit and monitored closely. They are medicated with morphine and/or phenobarbitone for their withdrawals. Once upon a time breastfeeding was not advised but I know that we encourage it here for mothers on methadone. There doesnt seem to be any correlation between a mother on high dose or low dose and the baby's withdrawal. There are some mothers on huge doses and their babies seem to cope ok and sometimes there are mothers on low doses and the babies have terrible withdrawals. Babies with a benzo addiction combined with methadone or subutex have a terrible withdrawal. I think this is usually from high doses of benzos. Maybe your hospital has some kind of Substance use in Pregnancy program. If not, make sure they will be aware of your opioid treatment so they are ready and have a plan to treat your baby.
Is it worthwhile getting CPS involved now? I dont know what sort of services they offer, but if they can see that you are doing trying to do everything right for your baby right from the beginning, then they might be more supportive.

I hope this post hasnt frightened you hun I know you want whats best.

 

[Mellybelle]

And I'd just like to add here that if anyone plans to contribute anything nasty or judgemental to this thread....dont bother. The women who have posted here are after support and advice, not judgement.

(Had to add that as i've seen a few threads get out of hand and this one is lovely so far. )

 

[Maddy143]

Hey everyone!! If anyone can help with some information it would be great!, I been taking Xanax that I get from my doctor for the past ear and a half. I recently found out I am pregnant. I'm about 4-5 weeks along I just found out two days ago. I want to keep the baby, but I'm scared because I been taking Xanax as doc says Which is 4mg a day so ever since iv conceived I been taking it not knowing I was preg. I'm scared it will affect my child. I been weening myself off the past two days but is it to late?

 

[Mellybelle]

Maddy, make sure you speak to your doctor who can help you with a plan to reduce,