Question about anxiety medications (warnings)

[ProfessorChaos]

Hi All. I hope this post is okay here. ***Warnings*** I'm an infertility patient with a history of multiple unexplained pregnancy losses (five to date), and early pregnancy is incredibly difficult for me. I don't have panic attacks, but I have bad insomnia, lots of anxious thoughts, and, most problematic for my job as a tenure-track professor, an almost complete inability to concentrate on anything. My understanding is that most anxiety drugs would help with everything but the ability to concentrate. Is that correct? Does anyone know of a pregnancy-safe med I could potentially take that would allow me to actually do my work? I'd appreciate any help. I'm not seeing any kind of therapist, but my OB said he'd be supportive of putting me on meds to help me cope with this stage.

Thanks!!  

[yoshijo28]

Hey girl. Zoloft is safe and has helped me a lot ( I have pretty bad ocd and anxiety. I'm not sure if that is recommended for anxiety without ocd). I've been on it almost 2 years. I had a fetal echo because of it and the doctor doing the fetal echo said any risks are very low. She even told me the risks of IVF are higher than being on zoloft for baby (I don't say this to worry you, just to ease your mind about starting on meds when KU). Anxiety, paif/pgal, and pregnancy is a rough combo. I made it through the early weeks with therapy 2x a week too. I'd advise to do whatever will make you feel the best. And we are here for you!

[yoshijo28]

Also to add, not sure if it helps me concentrate more but it slows down the speeding train of ocd thoughts so I can think more clearly

[Deleted]

Lack of concentration is a really common symptom of anxiety, so hopefully that will improve with the anxiety. I take Klonopin for my anxiety/insomnia. I only take it as needed, though, and I don't work so I could get away with not taking it as often. I stayed on it until the end of 2nd tri when it started making me really hyper.

[bocaburger]

I have anxiety & a panic disorder that was very triggered by IF, so I went on Zoloft before starting IVF (which my RE fully supported). It is safe in early pregnancy. It can be linked to heart defects if used in third tri, but the risks are low and depending on your level of anxiety at that point the benefits may still outweigh the risks. I tapered off slowly during first tri but my OB would have been fine with me staying on a low dose throughout pregnancy if I had needed to.

FYI it is also safe during breastfeeding. I went back on for PPA as soon as I got back from the hospital and I'm still on it.

ETA Congratulations & a h&h 9 months!

[roseinbloom]

Congratulations, fingers crossed for you.

It might be caused by anxiety, but it also might be "baby brain." That happened to me (also in a competitive academic setting, so I would really sympathize if it happens to you), and unfortunately taking Zoloft was great for other stuff but didn't noticeably affect my lost mental acuity. That came back about a year later.

[ProfessorChaos]

Thanks everyone. ***Warnings**** Unfortunately today I was diagnosed with a pretty large (relative to the sac) SCH, so my anxiety isn't going to improve anytime soon. The embryo was there with a good HB, but I know the risks of a loss just went UP, not down. Repeat ultrasound on Wed., and I may ask about meds then.

[bocaburger]

May 15, 2017 20:41:50 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

Thanks everyone. ***Warnings**** Unfortunately today I was diagnosed with a pretty large (relative to the sac) SCH, so my anxiety isn't going to improve anytime soon. The embryo was there with a good HB, but I know the risks of a loss just went UP, not down. Repeat ultrasound on Wed., and I may ask about meds then.

Many SCH's resolve with no problems! FX that Wednesday's scan shows good news.

[ProfessorChaos]

May 16, 2017 15:26:10 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

May 15, 2017 20:41:50 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

Thanks everyone. ***Warnings**** Unfortunately today I was diagnosed with a pretty large (relative to the sac) SCH, so my anxiety isn't going to improve anytime soon. The embryo was there with a good HB, but I know the risks of a loss just went UP, not down. Repeat ultrasound on Wed., and I may ask about meds then.

Many SCH's resolve with no problems! FX that Wednesday's scan shows good news.

Thanks bocaburger. I know that's typically true, but mine is much, much bigger than typical. All hope is not lost, but if I had to guess based off what I've read online I'm guessing my chances are 50/50.

[bocaburger]

May 16, 2017 16:15:18 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

May 16, 2017 15:26:10 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

Many SCH's resolve with no problems! FX that Wednesday's scan shows good news.

Thanks bocaburger. I know that's typically true, but mine is much, much bigger than typical. All hope is not lost, but if I had to guess based off what I've read online I'm guessing my chances are 50/50.

(Hugs). I'll keep my hopes up that everything turns out fine.

[ProfessorChaos]

May 16, 2017 18:00:31 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

May 16, 2017 16:15:18 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

Thanks bocaburger . I know that's typically true, but mine is much, much bigger than typical. All hope is not lost, but if I had to guess based off what I've read online I'm guessing my chances are 50/50.

(Hugs). I'll keep my hopes up that everything turns out fine.

Looked much better today! Not totally out of the woods yet, of course, but feeling much more confident. Thank you!!

[bocaburger]

May 17, 2017 10:39:31 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

May 16, 2017 18:00:31 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

(Hugs). I'll keep my hopes up that everything turns out fine.

Looked much better today! Not totally out of the woods yet, of course, but feeling much more confident. Thank you!!

This makes me so happy :-)