Anybody deal with infertility problems and panic disorder?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:08 pm

Wow. I'm sad to say that I'm actually glad to see I am not the only one dealing with both of these things at the same time. It truly is awful.

I spoke w/ my reproductive doc {RE} about the panic and she told me to go back on the Zoloft for now, and to also stay on the klonopin while doing IVF. She feels it would be better in the long run. She told me as long as I got off the meds before the 8th week, everything should be fine. I just started the Zoloft again 3 days ago, I did very well on it the last time I took it, so I'm hoping to see the same results.

The panic attacks have still been at an all time high though. It's now ruling my life. I am going to a new therapist tomorrow, hoping she can help me before I lose myself completely.

Thanks for all your input!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:40 pm

Hi Rowan,

This is a topic that hits home. Last summer I took Clomid in hopes to get pregnant. I fought with my body to get off the Klonopin since my doctor would not give me the Clomid until I was off it. I went thru horrible withdrawls from the Klonopin and after two months, had to stop the clomid since I was a complete mess. I found another doctor in the meantime and he has been a blessing. he put me on Celexa and I have hardly had any attacks. I went back on the Clomid, but no such luck. I am so aggravated. Nobody seems to understand why I am not getting pregnant. I have tried for years. I use to tell myself that the reason I was not getting pregnant is because I would be a horrible mother. I thought it would make not getting pregnant easier to accept....WRONG. All I did was feed into my anxiety. I know I would be a great mother and I can tell you will also. Don't let this disorder take over your life. Do the IV and have that beautiful bundle of love you so desire. That is suppose to be my next step also, but the cost of it is preventing me from being able to try. If you can do it....GO FOR IT!!!!

marygold · Post by **marygold** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:16 am

This is a great post because I am sure so many people are dealing with anxity/panic disorder and infertility. Double whammy!

As for me I am thinking about going back on an anti depressant. I am worried because with trying to conceive the last time I was on meds they raised my prolactin level. A hormone that is vital for ovulation. If it is too high it can stop ovulation which happened in my case.

I did not know that some anti depressants can raise your prolactin level. I am currently on a med which has lowered it and ovulation is now happening.

So Along with MANY other concerns of starting an anti depressant I am worried because we are currently TTC with no sucess yet.

For those who are TTC..and on anti depressants do you all get your hormones checked regularly?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:46 pm

Harlow,

Thanks for the insight. I did not know this about some anti-depressants. I now am on Celexa and will have to investigate if that will prohibit ovulation. My hormones have been checked, but I swear they are off. I have been getting bad hot flashes at the age of 37 for quite some time now. All docs don't have an answer why but they do state it is not early menopause....UGH! Anyways...thanks a lot for the info!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:41 pm

Hi Rowan. I usually just "lurk" on these forums but I had to reply when I saw your post. I suffer from panic disorder and went through IVF last year. I now have a 4.5 month old baby girl. I had the exact same concerns you are having. About coping with the procedures, the finances, and what kind of mother would I be when i feel so out of control when I have panic. I have to tell you that I went through my entire pregnancy med-free and feeling pretty good(aside from morning sickness). I had anxiety now and then, but I only had major panic attacks around 2 months before I was due. I think I was overly nervous about delivery and having a newborn, etc. I went on Lexapro(which I had taken in the past) after delivery and still take it now. It has always helped mye greatly, and while I still get attacks, they mostly occur when I am home alone; my husband travels for business wuite a bit. I am so bucy taking care of the little one that its almost like I dont have time to panic. I know that sounds weird, but I bet you'll be the same way. Please dont doubt your ability to be a good parent. Even with my attacks, I knwo that I am a wonderful mother to my little girl and there's nothign I wouldt do for her. She'a almost made me stronger, where I ward off panic when I fel it looking because i know I need ot be there for her. I guarantee after going through IVF you will come out 100x stronger than you were before. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk or have any questions about IVF or anything...I have to run-I have a screaming little one calling me...Take care, Ali

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:43 pm

Hi again Rowan, Sorry for all my typos in that post, I really rushed through it because of the baby, Im not that bad of a speller!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:00 pm

Hello everyone..I just read through all of the posts about panic disorder and infertiity. My husband and I have been dealing with infertility for about 3 years now. I was on Buspar 2 years ago and since going through the program over and over again I no longer need any meds. My problem was that I wasn't ovulating and I too was put on Clomid(the max dose my gyno could give me) and still nothing. I have an appointment tomorrow with a fertility Dr. and let me tell you my panic level is up there. I also was telling myself that the reason I wasn't getting pregnant was because I wouldn't be a good mom and that my anxiety and panic would prevent me from doing my best. I also had the "what if" fear when I would hear of a mother hurting her children and I would think "Oh my what if I ever got that bad that I would do something like that"...then I listened to the tapes and there is a point that Lucinda says " If you can say to yourself at the end of that though...but I would never do that" and the scarey thought actually scares you that means you are "what if " thinking. I know I would never do anything to harm anyone but the idea that someone could really upsets me. I am 32 and have been married for 4 years..all of my friends are having children and I really feel pressure..I heard that along with fertility treatments you should take accupunture?? Also..does anyone ever get the feeling that they need to leave a room when they are in a meeting and just have that "get out" feeling?? I get that sometimes and I hope that tomorrow I can really pay attention to the Dr. and not get that feeling....please wish me luck and I am praying that we all come back here are write that we are expecting little miracles...God Bless You All

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:28 pm

When you said "Wow. I'm sad to say that I'm actually glad to see I am not the only one dealing with both of these things at the same time. It truly is awful." I really felt compelled to post instead of just lurk. I feel the exact same way. My husband often points out that he has no idea what I'm going through, which never really helps. I wish he would sometimes just pretend, it makes me feel very alone.
I have a five year old and have struggled to get pregnant again for the last 4 years. We went ahead and registered with an adoption agency this last year but I'm not giving up on a biological child yet. I guess whatever God makes happen first is the way it's supposed to be.
I truly am terrified of the procedures you've described so it's very encouraging to hear that despite your anxiety and fears you're battling through them and continuing on. If you can maybe I can too.
Keep your chin up, God really does have a plan for each of us.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:57 pm

Thanks so much for all the input guys. It's comforting to know I am not alone. I felt like I was the only person in the world dealing with both of these problems, which can play havoc with your emotions and well-being.

I start my injections for IVF tomorrow. I'm currently not panicking too much, and hoping I won't be. {although the klonopin does help, and I was also put back on Zoloft}

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:39 am

Harlow - I posted earlier - but yes I am now 6 weeks pregnant following IVF. I take Citalopram (not sure what the brand name is in USA) - it doesn't stop the panic attacks though. I also have Klonopin. Any psychiatrist says to keep taking the meds. I"ve never met anyone who says to come off meds when pregnant at any stage.
Anyway - I am borderline agoraphobic and don't know how I'm going to cope with being pg.
Love Mumpy