Question:
I would like to hear from any women out there who may have gone through
pregnancy with this disorder. I'm guessing there are no safe drugs to
take while pregnant, but I'm concerned what the blood pressure will do
when attacks occur.
Answer:
I went through 5 pregnancies while having panic disorder. I was allowed to
take a "chip" of Serax (benzodiazepine) when absolutely necessary. Did my
utmost not to take many, usually used camomile tea and a few
valerian/raspberry leaf drops under my tongue. My blood pressure has
never risen while having a panic attack, so I can't help you there.
Anecdote you might find of interest: Friend got pregnant. While pregnant
she began having panic attacks. She suffered from panic for 18 years until
she accidentally got pregnant once again. During her second pregnancy her
panic attacks subsided. Her daughter is now almost 7 and my friend has
been panic-free since becoming pregnant with this second child. Her
doctor, she and I are all convinced that in *her* case, hormonal imbalance
played a major (if not sole) role in her panic attacks.
I have been through two pregnancies with PD"S. I can say for me there may
be a hormonal balance out of whack, because when I was pregnant I was
better. No full blown panic attacks, just mild to moderate anxiety. But,
when I delivered, I suffered horribly, not admitting I was depressed and
engulfed in so much anxiety that I should have seen help.
For myself I know that the added responsability has made my PD worse.
Also the fact that with 2 kids in tow it is harder to get out of a
situation when I need to.
Some people like having a child to bring around with them as a security,
therefore lessening their PD.
There is one fantastic side to this. I would do it all over again. My
children bring me such joy. I love to watch them grow and learn about
life. I am trying to learn all I can about PD so that I can help them
perhaps Not suffer also.
My husband is also a big key. My husband is the best support person
around. He understands as much as he can, and puts up with it all. He
can read me better than I can now.
Everyone is different. Every doctor is different. Find a listening and
understanding OB/GYN who can help you through this. I do believe that
there is some medications out there now that you can take and carry a
pregnancy. It's worth the research.
Forgot to tell you, I had spastic colon attacks with my 2nd pregnancy,
where my blood pressure would drop down and I would pass out. Doctors
told me the baby gets everything first and is OK. They were not overly
worried about my fluctuations in blood pressure. My daughter is one tough
cookie, has fought us since day 1. I contribute that to her hard time
dealing with my body as a fetus.
I had panic attacks throughout my pregnancy 9 years ago, and it
was no picnic, however my OB thought my pregnancy uneventful despite my
palpitations, dizzyness, etc. Although I had had episodes of PD before,
the pregnancy made the symptoms much more acute. Surprizingly, they
waned in the months that followed as I nursed and although I was wary of
post-partum depression, I never experienced any. I wonder however if
there have been long term studies on the effects to the children.
