[msshamis23]

This is kind of a random question, but one I feel is kind of important, but something my doctor says not to worry about right now. Though I can't help, BUT worry about it right now, and I'm sure you ladies understand.

I have GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) Insomnia, and more importantly MRSA. (And also as you can understand the first two have gotten worse since my loss)

I'm taking Lexapro, Klonopin, Ambien, and Zyvox daily for these. I'm worried the effects it might have on my body (and in the future, when/if I get pg the bebe)

I know that when I don't take the Lexapro, or I have to wait to pick it up another script for it (there's no generic for it, and so it's really spendy to get) I have really bad withdrawal symptoms (Again, understandable) it's like I lose my personality, and become a robot clone of a robot clone. I can go without the Klonopin, but when I do I tend to get more anxiety attacks, I can go without the ambien, but I find it near impossible to sleep at a decent hour without it (I can't take OTC sleep aides, they make me restless, and itchy, and herbals like melatonin don't really work at all) and Zyvox for my MRSA (Again, a really expensive antibiotic. Think 180.00 for a two week supply with good insurance. I usually have to order in advance because the pharmacies around here don't carry it because it is so rarely used)

So there's my med history. I know that some/all of these are not safe to take while pg, (i'm not sure about TTC) But i'm worried about what they can cause, if I continue to take them while ttc, and what happens if I'm still taking them when PG (Even if it's for a week or two in the 2WW) and how it could possibly affect my body, etc when I stopped taking them with the withdrawal symptoms. I know if it's not good for me, it couldn't possibly be good for a baby. (withdrawals)

Does any of this make sense? I know what i'm trying to say, but i'm not quite sure if I worded it right.

My doc says that, we'll cross that bridge when it comes, but it continues to be a concern i'd like to look into if i'm going to have a hard time of it when that bridge does come. I'd like to make that crossing as effortlessly as possible. Though he did mention that he wanted me to come in for some more blood work because it's possible that the methotrexate I had, could have killed off my MRSA (I got it from my mom when she was pg with me) I usually had problems with it once or twice a month depending on my stress level, and since my loss I haven't had one problem (which makes no sense because my anxiety, and stress went up nearly 100%) So it's very likely that it's gone. Which I guess would be the ONLY thing good to come of the methotrexate shot (that and the possibility that if I don't have it anymore, I can't pass it on to any children I might have later)

Sorry it's so long, and if you got this far thanks!

Any ideas ladies? If this made ANY sense at all.

[ohnicole]

Amy, I'm sorry but I have no advice I would guess you should trust your doctor, but is it possible to make appointments with the doctors who treat your other issues and start talking about how to stop those medications? That way you could have more support for whatever changes may happen when you stop... like maybe arrange some therapy for the anxiety issue or figure out how to make it through the withdrawal symptoms? It's a lot of stuff to manage, Amy. I wish you didn't have to deal with all that

[AmyLM]

Hi, I wanted to jump in here and tell you that although I don't know about the meds you are on, I'd like to tell you my story. I take a blood thinner called coumadin. When I'm pg I have to take a different one called Lovenox because Coumadin is not safe during pregnancy and causes birth defects. I was told it only causes the defects during weeks 4-6. I told my family doctor that we were ttc. He told me that once I got pg, stop taking the coumadin. So, when I got my bfp, I stopped it immediately and switched to the other med. I m/c 2 weeks later. Out of curiosity, pain and the need for answers I looked up the medication insert online for Coumadin. The manufacturer says that women of child bearing age should not take this med. If a woman becomes pregnant she should consider termination because of the horrible defects it causes. That's NOT what my doctor told me. So, please learn from my heartache that your doctor, although they should know, they may not know every side effect of the meds you are on. Please be proactive and look up the info, ask a pharmacist, something, so that you can be prepared to change your meds, stop them, whatever, when you decide to ttc. Good luck to you!

[mmllhh]

I don't have an answer for you but what i can suggest is that you make an appt with a gyn that deals with high risk. They have more knowledge in these areas than a GP or GYN.
Also, have you tried acupuncture for any of these issues. I dont' know what msra is but i do know that acupuncture can help with anxiety and depressive disorders.

[Celena]

Amy,

I'm also on several medications for different health conditions which were checked out by my perinatologist maternal/fetal high risk doc.... she said they were all fine during ttc and pregnancy. Things like ambien, darvocet, flexeril, lamictal, labatelol... some are in catagory C but she explained it to me as in there's been no confirmed abnormalities in babies or mommy, only in lab tested animals which they were give 1,000x's strong a dose than a human would take. So she gave me the ok on all meds whether they're "as needed" or a daily, twice a day treatment.

So I'd suggest talking to a high risk ob about your meds, they may have something more to say... oh and also my peri said to take an extra 1200-2000mcg's on top of the 800mcg to prevent neural tube defects.

[ashj_1218]

I will second what some of the other ladies in here have said...time to check out a doc who specializes in these things.

When I got pregnant with Liam, I was on Paxil (for OCD)...a known risky drug for pregnancy. I did call the doctor, but you can not just stop taking that drug because of the withdrawl symptoms. So by the time I got to the doc and we started switching over to a "baby friendly drug," I was at least 6 week pregnant. He is quite fine and it had no affects. From what my doctor told me, the baby is functioning on the yolk sac that early and therefore the drugs you are taking are not going directly into his/her system. The worry begins when they are actually using the placenta and then the drugs are coming in as we take them. However, the ones that actually can cause miscarriage are often a different story (like a blood thinner or something).

But I would talk to someone a little more knowledgable on the subject and possibly even see if there are other meds you can try while TTC. You might be surprised if some of the other meds work pretty well too. I have switched over to Zoloft, that doesn't work as well, but I see a therapist and she helps me deal with the OCD thoughts that are leftover. I really would recommend some CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to help you deal with the GAD while pregnant as well. Stuff like that tends to flare during pregnancy and I know I was at my therapist's office more frequently when I was carrying Liam.

[avasmom603]

I was on Lexapro for years for anxiety. When I thought about TTC I started to wean off. I was taking 20mg and stepped down slowly. At first I would do 20mg Sun/Mon then 15mg on Tues; 20mg Weds/Thurs and 15mg Friday. I would do that for one to two weeks depending on how I felt. Then I'd go every other day for one to two weeks until I was down to 15. I kept doing that until I was finally off. I have had quite a few very bad things happen this year, including the death of my mother, all while stepping down. I did not have any issues with the anxiety so that's good.

Sometimes I'd get flu like symptoms and realize I was stepping down too quickly. Nothing I couldn't handle, but just achy all over and general feeling of ick.

If you do decide to wean just do a google search and you can read about how others have done it My doctor was really flexible with it and let me do what my body wanted me to do.

Good luck.