Question:
I am 30 years old and would like to have a baby in the next decade.
However, I have a panic disorder and have been prescribed valium for the
past 6 years (as needed). I obviously cannot take this during
pregnancy. I will be talking to my doctor soon, but would like to know
if there are any women out there who have gone through a pregnancy with
this type of disorder and if so, how did it go?
Answer:
I'm 34 years old. My situation is a little different from yours,
in that I did not have panic attacks before pregnancy. So when
I did start getting them while pregnant, I REALLY panicked -
I had no idea what was going on. I was convinced that I was going
to either die or be institutionalized for the rest of the pregnancy
or possibly my life!! It was very scarey, to say the least.
I ended up NOT taking any medication, but going to counseling and
taking private yoga lessons *AND* cutting out meat and milk from my
diet. A vegetarian for 10 years, I had intense cravings for meat, so
I ate it, and I drank cow milk every day from about week 8 til
week 14. This happened to be the period when the attacks were
building up to a big 2 day fear-fest. Now I'm back to my old
soy milk/tempeh diet. Who's to say why I'm not panicking anymore
at week 19? Could be any of the factors mentioned above or something
completely different.
Anyway, what might be helpful for you to know is that panic attacks
during pregnancy, though not common, are beginning to be recognized
by professionals. Below is an article someone sent me that suggests
in extreme cases medication may be warranted.
Talk with your doctor/therapist. Good luck to you and anyone else
out there with panic attacks! We are not alone.
I have/had panic attacks and am pregnant. (4 1/2 months).
Ever since I had the ultrasound and saw her (yes it's a girl :) ),
I can feel the attacks coming back. AAAHhhh!
My question is what is it in milk that would cause panic attacks?
I don't drink a lot of milk at all and just started drinking
chocolate milk to get more calcium. I eat no red meat. Did you
also cut out other dairy products as well ? (Yogurt & cheese).
I read your message about pregnancy and anxiety disorder. I have had
agoraphobia for years and was taking a medication called Nardil. I had to
go off of it before I became pregnant. I am 19 weeks pregnant, and I
think I am doing very well off of the medication. I haven't had to
schedule any appointment with the psychiatrist. I do feel some
anxiety/panic symptoms at times, but I've been able to get through it. I
hope that I will be able to stay off the medication forever!!
