Question:
1- Has nayone used or heard of Klonopin not being so bad to use during
pregnancy if used SPARINGLY.....by sparingly, I mean ONLY as needed with a
protracted panic attack, as a last resort. As in, at the end of pregnancy,
only about 10 Klonopin total were used throughout the entire pregnancy in
dire situations.
2. Is there anything that is safer to take that I can use to prevent or
abort panic attacks while pregnant? What about Buspar? Should I just go back
on Paxil and not risk the Klonopin? When I first started Paxil I was taking
the CR 37.5 mg daily, and 1mg of Klonopin twice a day. Later I foudn myself
not feeling like I needed Klonopin and when I got pregnant I was only using
it rarely, to help get through intenselt stressful days at work etc. I
didn't even have to wean off of it, since I used it so rarely.
Is Klonopin harmful to a fetus? Just during the 1st trimester? I have
researched it but can't some up with anything concrete, just precautions
that say it's safer not to take a risk.
Answer:
I used to suffer from really frightening panic attacks. I never got any help
for them. I'd say I had several per year and I would really freak out. The
worst is the feeling that I can't breathe, the rapid heartbeat, and the
claustrophobic feeling. It wasn't until I got treatment for stress and
generalized anxiety disorder that I realized I was having actual panic
attacks and began understanding them. I was put on Paxil and 1mg Klonopin
twice a day. Months went by and I was feeling so much better and I noticed I
did not have one single panic attack!
I have been married for a year and am now pregnant. I stopped all my meds to
be safe as soon as I found out 3 weeks ago (I am just over 6 weeks along).
My doctors told me at the time to let them know how I was, that if I needed
to I can go back to the Paxil, but klonopin during pregnancy is a no-no. I
told them I think I'm ok.
Well, I have had 2 full-blown panic attacks this week. I am miserable...last
night was the worst...I started the familiar dread and my skin was crawling
and although I tried to breathe slowly and think of something to keeo my
mind off of it, for about 20 minutes I was trembling, sweating, with rapid
pulse and feeling like the walls were closing in. I couldn't get my husband
awake because I almost in shock or something- I couldn't get any words out
except a real faint "oh jesus....help....help...."
Some have told me they were allowed by their doctors to use Klonopin very
occasionally during pregnancy....none of my doctors thinks it's ok but they
also tell me I should try not to take ANY medication..pretty much Tylenol is
all they condone.
I am just trying to find out if anyone has used Klonopin while pregnant..I
don't WANT to take it but I can't bear these panic attacks....I am going to
talk to my doctors again. I already have Klonopin with refills, but I refuse
to take it unless I can be assured taking it once or twice won't hurt.....I
am wondering if it is ok to take just one to abort a panic attack? PAs don't
last that long but with me, when I get one, I will be edg y and prone to
them for the next day.....if it's during the night I can't sleep anymore
that night.....
My first priority is the health of my baby but it can't be good to go
through the stress of a panic attack...mine are physically very bad.
1- Has nayone used or heard of Klonopin not being so bad to use during
pregnancy if used SPARINGLY.....by sparingly, I mean ONLY as needed with a
protracted panic attack, as a last resort. As in, at the end of pregnancy,
only about 10 Klonopin total were used throughout the entire pregnancy in
dire situations.
2. Is there anything that is safer to take that I can use to prevent or
abort panic attacks while pregnant? What about Buspar? Should I just go back
on Paxil and not risk the Klonopin? When I first started Paxil I was taking
the CR 37.5 mg daily, and 1mg of Klonopin twice a day. Later I foudn myself
not feeling like I needed Klonopin and when I got pregnant I was only using
it rarely, to help get through intenselt stressful days at work etc. I
didn't even have to wean off of it, since I used it so rarely.
If your doctors tell you you shouldnt use klnopin during pregnancy,
would it be ok if people in this news group said they did it?
I'm curious if this could be hormone induced. A friend of mine had a severe
depression come over her during her 3rd pregnancy and she was wanting her
baby OUT OF HER... She got through it, it only lasted a short time.
I used to have upward of 20 panic attacks daily in my 30's, was diagnosed in
my 40's and have been on 2mg a.m. and p.m. since. I just turned 50. You
might ask your doctor what he/she suggests for panic disorder, or maybe find
a psychiatrist who might help you, understanding that you are pregnant with
this disorder and they could work with your doc. Are you going to an OB/GYN
or just a G.P. It could make a difference as well.
I think Jill is asking what experiences women have had rather than just rely
on what her doctor said. Sometimes doctors can be too cautious about the
effects a med will have on the baby and forget what effects no meds can have
on the health and wellbeing of the mother. My psychiatrist told me it would
be better to stay on klonopin 2mg per day for my first 2 pregnancies. During
my 3rd pregnancy I was no longer seeing the psychiatrist and went along to
my gp who advised me of the dangers of Klonopin. I stopped taking it and
several weeks later I miscarried. Went back on Klonopin and a year later
fell pregnant again - this time stayed on the med with a healthy 3 year old
now. The only probs experienced when the each baby was born was that they
had the shakes a little as they were withdrawing from the med.
