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Re: ativan and paxil during pregnancy
From: beth (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 20 Sep 2000 16:23:25 -0500 (CDT)
How are you doing with your medications and the pregnancy?
Anyone should be very careful about going off psychotropic medications
too quickly. I would never encourage anyone to even start paxil just
because of the extreme withdrawal that it can cause. I took myself off
of paxil over the course of 3 weeks and became violently sick. The
biggest problem was a complete loss of equilibrium. If I just turned my
head to the side I felt like my whole world was spinning. This is
apparently quite common and I am upset that I was never informed of the
consequences. Since your dosage is low, your withdrawal shouldn't be
bad, but I would think twice about ever taking paxil again.
Good luck!
At Thu, 14 Sep 2000, Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. wrote:
>
>In that Ativan is Category D, you may wish to consult a genetic
>counseloor to do a literature search for you and give you the specifics
>and possiblities. In that abortion is not an option for you, this
>information will be just that - not decision making info but info to
>prepare you - one way or the other.
>
>HSM
>
>At Wed, 13 Sep 2000, kim wrote:
>>
>>I am 28 and have been taking 10mg of Paxil and 1-2mg of ativan for Panic
>>Disorder for about 10 months. At the end of August, I found out I was
>>pregnant (this was unplanned) and I believe that I became pregnant
>>between the 7th and 10th of August. I searched on the internet for
>>information about these drugs and pregnancy and did not find much. I
>>did find warnings about possible seizure if I stopped taking Ativan
>>cold. I did not realize that lorazepam could be a problem for the
>>developing fetus. I just saw my psychiatrist (on September 10) and she
>>scared me severely about the dangers of the drug and said I should not
>>have gotten pregnant while on these medications. I told her it was not
>>planned. She quickly told me that cleft palate and other abnormalities
>>can occur because of the use of Ativan. She acted surprised that I was
>>going through with the pregnancy; she made me feel that she thought I
>>should terminate it. I do not believe in abortion and I told her this.
>>I left with a prescription for Paxil and for 10, .5mg of Ativan, and
>>advised to reduce and stop the Ativan in one week's time. I now feel
>>more worried than ever-that if I take the drug (and what I have already
>>taken) I will hurt the baby, or if I stop will have a seizure or severe
>>panic attacks. I am reducing the intake and feel okay, but I don't want
>>to hurt this child! Everything I have read is vague and makes me feel
>>insecure and terrified for the baby. What should I know? What tests
>>should I have performed? Can this baby be born without problems? Please
>>help with any information as soon as possible.
>>
>>--
>>THANK YOU,
>>
>>KIM
>>
>--
>Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS
>Great Neck, New York
>
>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
>and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
>This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
>consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
>and/or interventions.
>
>**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
>consequently no private emails will receive a response.
>
>**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
>
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