lexapro and pregnancy

jamanda527 · Post by **jamanda527** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:42 am

Hello everyone,
I was just wondering if anyone has or know someone who has been pregnant and took lexapro the entire time.
My husband and I really want to start a family but my anxiety has been keeping us from it.
I have tried several times to get off my med(lexapro 10mg) but my anxiety keeps coming back even after I wean off it very slowly.
I'm finishing up my last year of college so I can't afford to have anxiety cause my agoraphobia to come back again. I'm just so confused and concerned. My husband wants to start our family so bad(so do I) but I'm afraid my anxiety will not let my b/c I can't be on meds. I'm afraid if I get off the lexapro my anxiety will come back like it has before and then I won't be able to finish college(which leads to us having to pay back loans ) ;
So does anyone know or have experience with taking lexapro and being pregnant!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:59 pm

Hello Jamanda,

I can't comment on the meds. I don't have enough experience with them to share. But I would like to suggest that you might look into a professional naturopathic physician for help with your anxiety/panic during your pregnancy. I have been on herbal therapy from my Nutritionist doc (Ph.d.) for many months now and my anxiety/panic is completely under control. I only have trouble during my PMS cycles as I think I am beginning perimenopause and the hormone imbalances that happen during that time cause anxiety. My naturopath doc is helping this situation with herbs as well and they are beginning to do their magic. Natural herbal therapies have no side effects and are not addictive. No danger in them, but with pregnancy, you should still get professional guidance.

You can ask family/friends if they know anyone that they would recommend, or check your local yellow pages, or look on the web. You could probably still see you OB/GYN for the pregnancy and the holistic doc for the anxiety. That would be something to talk to them about.

Here are a few web sites resources you might find helpful:

<A HREF="http://healthjourneys.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://healthjourneys.com/</A> (very helpful - guided imagery products).

<A HREF="http://www.womentowomen.com/default.aspx" TARGET=_blank>http://www.womentowomen.com/default.aspx</A> (women's health).

<A HREF="http://www.drnorthrup.com/index.php" TARGET=_blank>http://www.drnorthrup.com/index.php</A> (womens health).

This web site is for a diagnostic company that does specialized testing and may help you find someone in your area that uses them and is a naturopathic doc...

<A HREF="http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/</A>

Search the web under pregnancy and natural care.

Hope this is helpful,

Eileen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:30 pm

I don't have expericne with taking meds while pregnant. I quit taking an antidepressant before getting pregnant and then went back on it after the birth. It may be more of a challenge, but telling yourself it is only for 9 months helps. I know that some dr's say its okay to be on it but I didn't want to take any chances. You may want to get a good pregnancy book that lists drugs and how they effect the baby. All drugs are categorized for pregnancy by their risk to the baby. Here is a link that explains the FDA categories...

<A HREF="http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/medicatio ... inpreg.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/medicatio ... reg.htm</A>

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:27 pm

This is the biggest reason why meds are not always the answer. Because eventually you have to overcome your anxiety without them!

I want to really encourage you to overcome your anxiety without the meds!

The program reminds us all that although medications can be helpful in the beginning the time will come when you have to face your fears without them.

I know that may sound harsh but it's the God's to honest truth!

I would never subject an unborn baby to psychotropic drugs. That is just my opinion.

I overcame agoraphobia and panic attacks without meds simply because this program told me that eventually I would have to face my fears and feel the sensations anyways. I just decided to get it overwith and I am so glad I did.

For many, they find themselves trying to recover for the first time after being on meds for years.

I just want to encourage you to overcome your anxiety before having children. I am a mother of 3 and if your anxiety is not dealt with properly it can really complicate things.

If I can do it, you can do it!