Posted by leslieg on January 21, 2003, at 12:01:14
In reply to lexapro and pregnancy, posted by newuser2 on January 21, 2003, at 8:28:50
Such a difficult decision. We're talking seriously about trying starting around August. (We've got a 20 month old). Our belief is that there simply isn't enough research, especially long-term, to take the risk of my taking anything so systemically potent during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Unless I were suicidal or doing self-injury or packing my bags to run away. I'm very nervous about getting off Lexapro before at least 1 year has gone past, as I believe there is research that shows that a minimum of one year is needed before your body is capable of carrying on the new levels of neurotransmitters on its own.
If we do decide to get pregnant, I will spend at least 3-4 weeks tapering off of Lexapro. I had very bad withdrawal from Effexor and will never go through a fast reduction in ADs again.
I know pregnancy will be very hard. On all of us. I'm already trying to find ways to keep myself sane when I have no drugs. Thinking about comedy TV series I haven't seen that we could borrow or buy on DVD to watch regularly. That sort of thing. Thinking about expressing milk while I'm pregnant and drug-free and storing it so if I have to go back on drugs after giving birth my baby has some breast milk. Planning on cutting back on as many commitments, etc. as I can so if I spend a day "freaked out" in bed, I won't have to apologize to people I don't know well. And if we deicde I need to go back on Lex (or another AD) while pregnant, I'm going to postpone it as long as possible.
Oh yes, I'm also going to be taking fish oil, as that can be very good for baby brains anyway. It may help take the edge off...
Good luck,
Leslie G.> My husband and I are talking about starting a family soon. I have been on lexapro for severe panic attacks for about 12 weeks. Does anyone have infomation regarding the effects of lexapro during pregnancy? Are there alternative medications safe to use during pregnancy? It is possible to quit Lexapro "cold-turkey" during the pregnancy? Any information would be helpful!
> Thank you!
poster:leslieg
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030119/msgs/136879.html