I hope I can post this here.

[catlvr976]

Hello everyone,

If this doesn't belong here, please move.......

I have been having off and on panic attacks (only at night) since July of last year. Since then, I am terrified to go to sleep at night, every night. My husband works night turn. I get a sick, horrified sensation and sometimes even want to cry a few hours before my dh leaves and I go to bed. I even went so far (for a while) as to stay up until 2 am so that I would be ultra tired and hopefully fall asleep fast. I wake up nightly at around 3 am and usually cannot go back to sleep for 1-2 hours. I cannot do this anymore. I've tried doing relaxation techniques and it's not working. I think it's getting worse b/c I never used to get this way on the weekends when dh is off, but now I still have this fear even then. I had a panic attack last night and finally made an appt to see my ob tomorrow. I've felt extremely down today b/c of last night. I'm tired of this.

What I want to know is, are there any medications that are safe to take while pg and breastfeeding (I'm still bf'ing my 17 month old)? A few months ago, my regular dr said she could've given me some meds, but, I haven't wanted to take medication. I think that's what I'm going to have to do. I also only get a discount on prescription drugs, so does anyone know if there are generic alternatives?

Thanks so much for your help.

Jessica

[wonderfulmom]

((hugs)) That's a long time to be suffering with this. I hope you find a medication or something that helps you and allows you to continue breastfeeding. There must be something that would help- sorry I can't help more. ((hugs))

[GoodWillHunter]

Jessica, your OB will be able to help you find the right medication, or find someone who can get you the right meds. to you... I know how you feel...

[Foobar]

I think you should call your OB and have her direct you to someone who specialises in PPD. This will be the best way to assess the situation.

I am pregnant and on lexapro. Unfortunately, it is expensive because it is still a name brand, but celexa is similar and just came out as a generic.

I like the lexapro better.

It is safe, although small amounts do get through breast milk, so that is something to consider.

Anxiety attacks are a sign of PPD.

Sending you hugs. You need to sleep!

[catlvr976]

Thanks for replying. I went to the OB today and they are going to try and set me up with a psychiatrist (my insurance doesn't cover mental health).

Maybe this will help.

I didn't realize that anxiety attacks are part of PPD. Why though, would they have started 8 months after dd was born? I do remember feeling very overwhelmed and sad after dd's arrival, like I wasn't going to be a good mom; but I thought that I was doing ok up until the stupid anxiety attacks started.

Thanks again everyone...

[BoxOfRainMama]

I would say if you can skip your ob and go right to a psychiatrist. I have found that OB's really aren’t as informed about depression and anti-depressants as they should be.
There are several medication you can take while pregnant and or nursing. And even some that aren’t labeled "safe" that are still just fine.
I have problems with the way my body absorbs medication, and the only medication that works for me is a class "C" for pregnancy and nursing. I started taking it when I was 35 week pregnant with my 2nd child, when he was born I had to have blood tests done on both of us every time we would change the dosage to see if it was passing to him, and even though I was on a extremely high dose his blood tests never showed a trace. So if you were nervous about medication affecting your nursling you could always do your own research like I did.... I found it very comforting to see it on my own.

Good luck and I hope you find something that helps. I know its not easy... hang in there.

[Foobar]

Jessica-

PPD doesn't have to hit right away. It can really hit later on including as late as 2 years later!

[EllasMama]

PPD hit me when DD was about 18 months old. I also didn't know it could occur later, but learned first hand that it can manifest in many different ways than I'd previously thought (having bad blues just a few weeks after birth is just one of them).

I wish you luck with the psychiatrist, hopefully you'll get some relief soon. Remember with any practitioner, if you don't get the answer you want and/or don't feel comfortable, ask for another referral or seek out someone on your own. Also, meds are not on most people's list of ideal things they want to have to take, but they sure can make life better sometimes! Lack of sleep can contribute to so many other problems (rage, depression, wishing you could run away and hide), that I'm really glad that you are getting help now. Therapy can also be wonderful and since it looks like you live in/near a large town, you should be able to find someone who'll support your lifestyle and let you bring your baby if you want to.

Carol

[SpiralChrissy]

Hi! I wanted to add my 2 cents.
I've struggled with anxiety as part of my PPD.
Of all the "natural" stuff I've tried, exercising and cutting back on coffee helped me a lot. Also, I made a list of things I can do when I've feeling anxious. That way, I have a good list in front of me so I know what to do when I'm anxious. It's so hard to think clearly when I'm in the middle of an anxiety attack.
I hope that helps you. Hang in there
You'll get thru this!
Chrissy

[lisab]

I hear you...

I was recently diagnosed with postpartum panic attacks and am now taking Lexapro (my doctor originally tried me Zoloft, but it made things worse--waaaaaay worse!). My son is now 3 months old, and the anxiety first hit 2 weeks after he was born and has been been pretty constant ever since. What struck me about your post it that mine too are ONLY at night, and before I started taking the Lexapro, they were absolutely paralyzing. I dreaded going to sleep and I'd wake up once I was asleep (also, strangely, around 3 am) and be totally panicked and not be able to get to sleep.

My doctor is a family practitioner, and is well-versed in the effects of different SSRI's (that's the class of meds that Lexapro and Zoloft are in), and I'd definitely recommend going to someone who knows his/her stuff. The Zoloft literally made me want to kill myself--I'm not kidding here--a few days after I started taking it, and if I hadn't known that was a potential side effect, things could've been bad. It was particularly evident that the feeling was a drug reaction because I've never, ever ever felt that way before or since I stopped the Zoloft.

I just want to sympathize and say that I've never had anything like this before in my life, and they're really scary. Please take care