Aa
xanax and pregnancy...
I am 14 weeks along and have been on Xanax 4mg per day for almost 9 years. Of course anyone who knows anything about benzos, they are the hardest thing to get off of and if not done correctly, serious consequences and withdrawals can and will occur. I have had seizures which ended me with broken bones in my face, black eyes, concussions etc...plus all of the other withdrawal symptoms that come along with it. I talked to my ob and she advised I stay on the medication because the good out weighs the bad in my case. I found that 2mg a day makes the withdrawals a little less potent and avoids seizures for me. I am so scared to go less cause it can be fatal for my baby and I. Since I'm not very far along and so far all has gone ok, I want to try to wean down because my Dr has now dropped me as a patient and my ob won't prescribe the xanax. I'm between a rock and a hard place. I have a months worth left and I know it takes months to usually wean off, but I don't have the option to do that. Any suggestions on what to do?? #scared#
Hello there, I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation. A few things I would like to clarify....you said your OB told you to stay on the Xanax, but she won't prescribe it for you? That doesn't make sense. So, was the doctor who dropped you the one who was Rx'ing it? I too am curious as to why you were discharged from his practice.
Xanax is one of those medications that is RARELY RARELY recommended during pregnancy, ESPECIALLY during the first trimester. Here's some info:
Risk of Fetal Harm
Benzodiazepines can potentially cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. If Xanax is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Because of experience with other members of the benzodiazepine class, Xanax is assumed to be capable of causing an increased risk of congenital abnormalities when administered to a pregnant woman during the first trimester. Because use of these drugs is rarely a matter of urgency, their use during the first trimester should almost always be avoided. The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered. Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant during therapy or intend to become pregnant they should communicate with their physicians about the desirability of discontinuing the drug.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category D
(See WARNINGS section).
Nonteratogenic Effects
It should be considered that the child born of a mother who is receiving benzodiazepines may be at some risk for withdrawal symptoms from the drug during the postnatal period. Also, neonatal flaccidity and respiratory problems have been reported in children born of mothers who have been receiving benzodiazepines.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/xanax.html
You REALLY need to find an OB with experience in these situations, and urgently. Either way at this point presents some pretty big risks....there are risks to the fetus if you continue taking it, and, like you said, there are risks if you discontinue it.
Bottom line, it's a tough spot, and it sounds like there was some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding among the two doctors. Honestly, I've never been aware of a case of an OB recommending an expectant mother remain on Xanax. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's NOT common.
I wish you the very best, please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
Xanax is one of those medications that is RARELY RARELY recommended during pregnancy, ESPECIALLY during the first trimester. Here's some info:
Risk of Fetal Harm
Benzodiazepines can potentially cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. If Xanax is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Because of experience with other members of the benzodiazepine class, Xanax is assumed to be capable of causing an increased risk of congenital abnormalities when administered to a pregnant woman during the first trimester. Because use of these drugs is rarely a matter of urgency, their use during the first trimester should almost always be avoided. The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered. Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant during therapy or intend to become pregnant they should communicate with their physicians about the desirability of discontinuing the drug.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category D
(See WARNINGS section).
Nonteratogenic Effects
It should be considered that the child born of a mother who is receiving benzodiazepines may be at some risk for withdrawal symptoms from the drug during the postnatal period. Also, neonatal flaccidity and respiratory problems have been reported in children born of mothers who have been receiving benzodiazepines.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/xanax.html
You REALLY need to find an OB with experience in these situations, and urgently. Either way at this point presents some pretty big risks....there are risks to the fetus if you continue taking it, and, like you said, there are risks if you discontinue it.
Bottom line, it's a tough spot, and it sounds like there was some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding among the two doctors. Honestly, I've never been aware of a case of an OB recommending an expectant mother remain on Xanax. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's NOT common.
I wish you the very best, please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
I'm not sure what is worse for the baby : the effects of the Xanax (2mg) should you be able to continue and gradually wean off Xanax , or the distress and the extreme withdrawal effects, affecting your unborn baby.
.
From what you're saying the 1st option is better and safer, however, as Pantx said
your OB should refer you to an MFM OB or help you do a supervised detox.
It's up to you to convince her/him.
Why did you own doctor drop you? Just curious.
Niko
.
From what you're saying the 1st option is better and safer, however, as Pantx said
your OB should refer you to an MFM OB or help you do a supervised detox.
It's up to you to convince her/him.
Why did you own doctor drop you? Just curious.
Niko
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