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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mspuny on November 15, 2002, at 8:29:57
My doctor has advised me to take 1mg/daily of Klonopin for panic disorder. I also have a beautiful 6 month old son who attends daycare and gets mostly formula and babyfood, but likes to nurse a little in the evening before bed. Can I continue to nurse occasionally while taking this medication?
Posted by IsoM on November 15, 2002, at 14:41:40
In reply to Klonopin while breastfeeding, posted by mspuny on November 15, 2002, at 8:29:57
As far as I know (from what I've read), yes. The fact you only nurse him a little & in the evening, will mean very little gets through to him.
Posted by judy1 on November 16, 2002, at 23:39:47
In reply to Klonopin while breastfeeding, posted by mspuny on November 15, 2002, at 8:29:57
I nursed my daughter up to last month (she's 8 months old now), taking 3mg of klonopin/day and supplementing with formula. Developmentally she is doing really well and showed no signs of sedation. The first 3 months I was able to get by w/o klonopin and then the hormones must have kicked in because my panic disorder came roaring back. I think the progesterone production in pregnancy kept it at bay. Congratulations on your son and I'm sure he'll do fine. take care, jud
Posted by mspuny on November 17, 2002, at 6:48:07
In reply to Re: Klonopin while breastfeeding » mspuny, posted by judy1 on November 16, 2002, at 23:39:47
Thanks so much for your reply, Jud. It helps allot hearing from another mother who's gone through the same thing. Has Klonopin helped your panic disorder? Are you taking any SSRI's or other meds along with the Klonopin? I've been on 50mgs of Paxil for over a year now, and my doctor is telling me to continue the Paxil along with the Klonopin, but I'd like to stop taking the Paxil if I can make an educated decision about taking Klonopin alone. Thanks again!
Posted by judy1 on November 17, 2002, at 13:50:41
In reply to Re: Klonopin while breastfeeding, posted by mspuny on November 17, 2002, at 6:48:07
You're very welcome. Klonopin has been wonderful for my panic disorder (along with xanax prn). I have bipolar disorder also and therefore cannot take ssri's (also my pdoc is very much against them in panic disorder- they make it worse for a lot of his patients.) Are you depressed? Because, if you're not, then it would be great to get off your AD- talk to your pdoc first of course. If you do decide to taper off of paxil, there's a lot of support here from people who had difficulty discontinuing. Best of luck- judy
Posted by mspuny on November 17, 2002, at 14:39:53
In reply to Re: Klonopin while breastfeeding » mspuny, posted by judy1 on November 17, 2002, at 13:50:41
No, I'm not depressed, although panic disorder can be really depressing. I was originally given Paxil for panic attacks by a general practitioner who thought anyone who needed benzodiazepines were "junkies". I was only on the Paxil for a couple of months when I got pregnant, and like you, my panic disorder was better during my pregnancy. I haven't begun the Klonopin yet, I'm still taking the Xanax, but my new pdoc is against Xanax because of the roller coaster effect is has due to its short half life. Were you also taking the Xanax while nursing? I only take my Xanax now while my son is in daycare. On the weekends, I try not to take it for fear it could be dangerous to him. (He likes to nurse before he takes his naps if he's home with me.) I'm currently on extended leave from my job due to my panic attacks having come back with a vengeance. I worry sometimes that I'll never feel strong enough to go back to the office. Hopefully, the Klonopin will be the answer I've been looking for.
Posted by judy1 on November 17, 2002, at 19:08:28
In reply to Re: Klonopin while breastfeeding, posted by mspuny on November 17, 2002, at 14:39:53
that's really typical- being given paxil by 'benzophobic' drs. so you don't need it, that's great. on the benzo front- i did take xanax while nursing, but only once in a while because the klonopin helped so much. I don't want to discourage you, but even though my panic attacks have subsided I still wasn't able to go to work, I'm agoraphobic also. So I'm on disability and really happy to be with my baby. best wishes- judy
Posted by hildi on November 20, 2002, at 2:51:44
In reply to Re: Klonopin while breastfeeding, posted by mspuny on November 17, 2002, at 14:39:53
Hi gals. I'm sorry I havem't any words of advice on this subject, but this post peaked my curiosity about taking benzos or other anxiety meds during pregnancy- Judy, I believe I have seen posts in past about what you did during pregnancy, but cannot really recall details.
Same with other posts on this subject-the details didn't stick.
I may be pregnant and do take xanax and tranxene. I cannot imagine life without these meds. Pure hell it was before I got on them. Did you-(or any others may respond here)- continue klon or xanax while pregnant, especially in the first trimester?
I need to know from women who have been there just how dangerous it is-
Hildi
Posted by mspuny on November 20, 2002, at 7:56:53
In reply to Re: Klonopin ,while pregnant too?, posted by hildi on November 20, 2002, at 2:51:44
My anxiety was much better during my pregnancy, so I was only taking Paxil. However, my pdoc informed me that Ativan is the safest choice as far as benzos go during pregnancy. She has had many pregnant patients who have done well on the Ativan and delivered healthy babies.
Posted by judy1 on November 20, 2002, at 16:44:41
In reply to Re: Klonopin ,while pregnant too?, posted by hildi on November 20, 2002, at 2:51:44
I actually miscarried once when I stopped my klonopin during a pregnancy- my pdoc and I both felt my panic disorder was worse on the fetus then benzos. None of the literature is conclusive on effects of benzos, many show they are safe and others have shown a higher incidence of cleft palate problems. For my last pregnancy I stayed on klonopin and xanax during the first trimester until my progesterone levels kicked in and then I was able to taper off. I also took other psychotropics when needed during pregnancy. My dr. has had patients who had to remain on benzos throughtout their pregnancy and their babies were normal too. So try not to worry (I know it's hard not to). Congratulations- judy
Posted by hildi on November 22, 2002, at 22:45:19
In reply to Re: Klonopin ,while pregnant too?, posted by mspuny on November 20, 2002, at 7:56:53
This is the end of the thread.
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