Anxiety Meds

I take Celexa and it is absolutely wonderful. I have been taking it for 8 years and I had NO side effects. It is low dosage and non habit forming. I have 3 children ages 12, 10 and 8. I also have 3 stepchildren the same ages and a ton of neices and nephews that think my house it romper room-I am 33 and if my meds can help me with anxiety then they should be able to help you-I wish you all the luck with the baby and enjoin it-they grow up so quick!!!!!

I have a history of depression and anxiety, and I always erred on the safe side by not taking anything while pregnant or breastfeeding. This worked out OK for me, but I know some people need the medication.

I would not rely on your doctor's willingness to prescribe it alone as proof of its safety. My doctor always gave me the risks/benefits and made it my choice. I would read the actual drug information on the clinical trials and the adverse effects found in breastfeeding infants. Often, no adverse effects were found, but these things can crop up in the years to come.

It is a hard call. Personally, I would not take anything unless it has been proven to be completely safe for nursing mothers. If I felt I needed a drug that had not been proven safe or if the effects were unknown, I would probably stop breastfeeding. It is a matter of really weighing out the risks and benefits to figure out which option is best for you and your child. Good luck.

Hi J.:

Here is a website that is used for the La Leche League as a reference for drug use during breastfeeding. You just look up the drug and the online doctor will have posted a response if it is safe or not - they have pain medication, anxiety and depression medication. I found this very, very helpful when I was breastfeeding. Good luck.

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/

I used Lexapro 5mg while I was pregnant & have continued to use it while nuring - my daughter is now 9 months old. I used it under the permission of my ob & my family doc - her pediatrician is also aware that I use it. We have had no problems. Just make sure you let her doc & your's know you're taking it. Panic attacks are a nightmare, you'd feel much more uncomfortable not taking them. If they weren't safe they wouldn't let us take them. Try to take the lowest dose available & see how it works for you from there. Paxil is def. off limits for pregnant/lactating women so stay away from that. Good luck!

Hey sweetie! Poor you! I also have panic/anxiety. I took Zoloft while pregnant and nursing - my psychiatrist {one who prescribes meds} said it is THE safest one for moms to take. Also benadryl is completely safe to take - I use that to help me sleep, and take the edge off at night - {50 MG}. Belly breathing helps - I know it's hard, you'll get through it :} Take care, it will pass.... I had them for about 3 weeks after my baby was born - and then they subsided, so you may just be able to get by on the benadryl. XOXO

J.,
I am a firm believer in the fact that doctors are human too subject to mistakes like everyone else. I am one such case where medication was prescribed and it wasn't safe,and my son almost died from overmedicating. Definately definately go with your heart. If you feel uncomfortable, don't take it.Only we know our bodies the best! Maybe try herbal remedies and get a second opinion. I have suffered severe anxiety in the past and have been on tons of different meds. Thankfully, I have been anxiety free for about 5 years now.
Hang in there it WILL pass
Blessings,
A.

Hi Jen,

I was on Zoloft for both my pregnancies(at the end) and through the first year of life for my children. I breastfed both of them and they are both fine. They did not have any problems, withdraw or anything. They are both healthy and normal children. It is better for you to have the medicine and be healthy for your children. If you are having anxiety attacks it could harm them more then the meds. Dont feel guilty...it will make you a better Mom in the end. I know some people judge but they cant understand what you need. You child will be fine and you will be better for it too.

Good luck.
S. F

What medication are you on? The book MEDICATIONS AND MOTHER"S MILK by Thomas Hale has info on most medications and the effects on breastfeeding. Just because your doctor prescribed it does not mean it is safe for bf. Most general practitioners and even a lot of ob do not have the most reliable info on med and bf. Also, just because they are not directly passed through the breastmilk does not mean they can not affect bf. Some meds that drs consider ok are ok for the baby, but they can affect mom's ability to nurse- dry up the milk or effect let down for example. I have dr hale's book if you want to let me know what med you are on, I will send you what he says about it.

Hi J.,
The anti anxiety meds out there actually work as tranquilizers to subdue symptoms (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, etc.). However, sometimes doctors prescribe anti-depressants because they have an anti-anxiety component to them (some popular ones are Zoloft, Cymbalta). In any case, the heavier ones such as Xanax and Klonopin are most definitely not safe while breastfeeding. Zoloft has numerous studies that show that it is safe to take for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding. Really, this is a matter of opinion because sometimes your anxiety is more damaging to your child than any medication. I read the extensive study on Zoloft and there is no way that the medication does not affect the child, however, the effects seem to be minimal and not permanent. So, my question to you is what medication did he prescribe and my next question is do you feel like you can handle the anxiety without the meds because if not, you are doing your child more justice by taking care of yourself.

It depends which anxiety meds you are taking. Most will make the baby sleepy if it's a sedative, except for clozapine which will lower their white blood cell. You should question because doctors are not required to learn anything about breastfeeding in med school and might not know what should not be prescribed for a breastfeeding mother. Some doctors take it upon themselves to learn the stuff which is great. You can also do a general search online and sometimes you will find some information on your particular medication and breastfeeding.

There are also times you can take the meds before the baby sleeps and have it be out of your system by a certain time so you can breastfeed.

Good luck,
Y.

I used ZOLOFT while pregnant and breastfeeding it was the safest medicine out there. You doctor should prescribe anything that isnt safe but if you go to this link http://boards.babycenter.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=bcus...#
at the top there is a list of drugs and interactions with milk chart. this is teh depression and anxiety board at babycenter. these ladies are great and if you need to vent or ask any questions these ladies will help you out. I am a member there and have been for the past year>!