TTC while DH is on anxiety treatment?

Hi,

My DH had anxiety disorder (uncontrolled feeling of apprehensive on
topics seems ridiculous to normal persons) a couple of years ago. He
managed to get over that condition and has been a happy and normal
person for the past several years.

But unfortunately, his anxiety reoccurred recently. This time it seems
worse than before. He looks so sad and depressed everyday, even talking
about suicide to get relief. His doctor asked him to take Zoloft
100mg/day and Clonazepam 0.5mg-1.5mg/day.

We have decided to start TTC this year. But after his anxiety problem
reoccurs, he hesitates on this idea. He's worrying that if I get
pregnant now, our child would have higher chance to suffer from the
anxiety as well. Also, we are not sure if there will be any impact to
the baby if I get pregnant while he is taking the drugs.

I'm 31 this year. The best time to get pregnant for a woman is running
away. I love my husband and I know he loves kids. I really want to get
pregnant as we originally planned. But I also don't want this to make my
DH's condition worse.

What should we do? Is it worth to wait for DH to recover from the
anxiety before TTC?

Some search on the web says that a person with an anxiety disorder
parent would likely to get anxiety disorder. I don't care about this too
much and would like to have kids with my DH although he had anxiety
disorder history.

But would DH's current condition and drug treatment increase the chance
of our baby to be impacted in any ways? I don't want to see our child to
suffer what her/his father has suffered if the chance could be reduced
if the baby is conceived when we're both happy and normal persons.

Anybody would like to give us some advice? We appreciate your help.

Thanks much in advance!
mq

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 13:55:25 -0800, mqwq
wrote:

But would DH's current condition and drug treatment increase the chance
of our baby to be impacted in any ways? I don't want to see our child to
suffer what her/his father has suffered if the chance could be reduced
if the baby is conceived when we're both happy and normal persons.

Anybody would like to give us some advice? We appreciate your help.

To the extent the anxiety disorder is a chronic condition, it may be
more likely (or related disorders may be more likely) to turn up in
the child of a sufferer than in a random child. But that's genetic; it
won't make a difference whether your husband is having an outbreak of
it just at the moment. I've never heard that the medicines you mention
have any effect on sperm, but you may want to check with his
prescribing doctor about that before you try. I don't think you're in
any greater danger of having a baby with problems if you TTC right now
than if you TTC with the same genetic combination at some time when
the disorder isn't active. You may want to consider, though, to what
extent your husband will be up to handling the strain of a pregnancy
and a child while his disorder's acting up; it can be pretty scary
even to people who don't have a problem already.

Naomi

If his anxiety issues are genetic, it doesn't matter if you ttc now or
later -- if the kid will inherit them, then the kid will inherit them. So I
don't think it's an issue of when to ttc as far as the child possibly
developing anxiety issues.

It is an issue for you, if you get pregnant, and dh needs caretaking with
his anxiety issues, when you are feeling vulnerable and need caretaking
yourself. On the flip side, the fact of you getting pregnant may also cause
dh some level of anxiety, perhaps bringing on another bout of it. I think
you certainly want dh to be feeling better and have his anxiety under
control, if that is at all possible. At the same time, you might not get
pregnant right away. I guess you and dh have to be on the same page,
whatever that is. If that means waiting another couple months, then that is
what you should do. Another few months, at this point in your life, isn't
going to drastically affect your fertility one way or another.

Hugs and good luck.
--

Jamie & Taylor
Earth Angel, 1/3/03

Check out Taylor Marlys -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clark_guest,
Password: Guest1
Become a member for free - go to Add Member to set up your own User ID and
Password

Handmade Baby Blankets -- www.geocities.com/digit_the_cat/Blankets.html

mqwq wrote:
Hi,

My DH had anxiety disorder (uncontrolled feeling of apprehensive on
topics seems ridiculous to normal persons) a couple of years ago. He
managed to get over that condition and has been a happy and normal
person for the past several years.

But unfortunately, his anxiety reoccurred recently. This time it seems
worse than before. He looks so sad and depressed everyday, even talking
about suicide to get relief. His doctor asked him to take Zoloft
100mg/day and Clonazepam 0.5mg-1.5mg/day.

We have decided to start TTC this year. But after his anxiety problem
reoccurs, he hesitates on this idea. He's worrying that if I get
pregnant now, our child would have higher chance to suffer from the
anxiety as well. Also, we are not sure if there will be any impact to
the baby if I get pregnant while he is taking the drugs.

I'm 31 this year. The best time to get pregnant for a woman is running
away. I love my husband and I know he loves kids. I really want to get
pregnant as we originally planned. But I also don't want this to make my
DH's condition worse.

What should we do? Is it worth to wait for DH to recover from the
anxiety before TTC?

Some search on the web says that a person with an anxiety disorder
parent would likely to get anxiety disorder. I don't care about this too
much and would like to have kids with my DH although he had anxiety
disorder history.

But would DH's current condition and drug treatment increase the chance
of our baby to be impacted in any ways? I don't want to see our child to
suffer what her/his father has suffered if the chance could be reduced
if the baby is conceived when we're both happy and normal persons.

Anybody would like to give us some advice? We appreciate your help.

Thanks much in advance!
mq


I would not worry so much about the inherited condition. I don't know
what affect drugs might have on your DH's sperm, but certainly discuss
this with his doctor.

Maybe you could explore alternative treatments as well as the drugs.
Relaxation techniques, meditation, maybe a change in diet could help his
condition.

Personally I would wait until your DH's condition is under control
before TTC, especially if *he* sees his anxiety affecting your
pregnancy. I have just been through this. My DH suffered major anxiety
throughout my entire pregnancy. It was triggered by something else just
after we found out about the baby. It has been very difficult to deal
with someone who needed a great deal of emotional support when I was
pregnant. It was my third pregnancy so that helped tremendously, I knew
what to expect. But I really felt I needed someone to coddle me and look
after me, I needed emotional support to deal with the pregnancy as well
as the standard day to day life with two other children, and it was not
forthcoming. I felt neglected and there was a cloud or shadow over the
whole pregnancy. It should be a joyful time full of anticipation for the
new family member. I started to become angry with my DH and less
sympathetic, because I needed him and he was not available.

L

As the others have said, an anxiety condition is not more likely to be
passed on just because he is having an outbreak. DH started up his meds
again just before we found out I was pg, so it turned out to be a moot point
for us, but I was not worried about the effect of the drugs on a baby.
I would perhaps be concerned though on the effect on sperm count, though
obviously his health is the first consideration. Just do everything possible
to ensure you are both in the best health, and take your chances. TTC can
take a while whether on meds or not.
Do be aware that antidepressants can cause lack of libido and erectile
dysfunction, so try really hard not to make a big deal of it and put
pressure on him, it will add to his anxiety.
Good luck :-)

"mqwq" wrote in message
news:1076882035.290394@sj-nntpcache-5...
Hi,

My DH had anxiety disorder (uncontrolled feeling of apprehensive on
topics seems ridiculous to normal persons) a couple of years ago. He
managed to get over that condition and has been a happy and normal
person for the past several years.

But unfortunately, his anxiety reoccurred recently. This time it seems
worse than before. He looks so sad and depressed everyday, even talking
about suicide to get relief. His doctor asked him to take Zoloft
100mg/day and Clonazepam 0.5mg-1.5mg/day.

We have decided to start TTC this year. But after his anxiety problem
reoccurs, he hesitates on this idea. He's worrying that if I get
pregnant now, our child would have higher chance to suffer from the
anxiety as well. Also, we are not sure if there will be any impact to
the baby if I get pregnant while he is taking the drugs.

I'm 31 this year. The best time to get pregnant for a woman is running
away. I love my husband and I know he loves kids. I really want to get
pregnant as we originally planned. But I also don't want this to make my
DH's condition worse.

What should we do? Is it worth to wait for DH to recover from the
anxiety before TTC?

Some search on the web says that a person with an anxiety disorder
parent would likely to get anxiety disorder. I don't care about this too
much and would like to have kids with my DH although he had anxiety
disorder history.

But would DH's current condition and drug treatment increase the chance
of our baby to be impacted in any ways? I don't want to see our child to
suffer what her/his father has suffered if the chance could be reduced
if the baby is conceived when we're both happy and normal persons.

Anybody would like to give us some advice? We appreciate your help.

Thanks much in advance!
mq

"mqwq" wrote in message
news:1076882035.290394@sj-nntpcache-5...
Hi,

My DH had anxiety disorder (uncontrolled feeling of apprehensive on
topics seems ridiculous to normal persons) a couple of years ago. He
managed to get over that condition and has been a happy and normal
person for the past several years.

But unfortunately, his anxiety reoccurred recently. This time it seems
worse than before. He looks so sad and depressed everyday, even talking
about suicide to get relief. His doctor asked him to take Zoloft
100mg/day and Clonazepam 0.5mg-1.5mg/day.

We have decided to start TTC this year. But after his anxiety problem
reoccurs, he hesitates on this idea. He's worrying that if I get
pregnant now, our child would have higher chance to suffer from the
anxiety as well. Also, we are not sure if there will be any impact to
the baby if I get pregnant while he is taking the drugs.

I'm 31 this year. The best time to get pregnant for a woman is running
away. I love my husband and I know he loves kids. I really want to get
pregnant as we originally planned. But I also don't want this to make my
DH's condition worse.

What should we do? Is it worth to wait for DH to recover from the
anxiety before TTC?

Some search on the web says that a person with an anxiety disorder
parent would likely to get anxiety disorder. I don't care about this too
much and would like to have kids with my DH although he had anxiety
disorder history.

But would DH's current condition and drug treatment increase the chance
of our baby to be impacted in any ways? I don't want to see our child to
suffer what her/his father has suffered if the chance could be reduced
if the baby is conceived when we're both happy and normal persons.

Anybody would like to give us some advice? We appreciate your help.

Thanks much in advance!
mq


I can only go off my experince of my mothers anxiety and depression....it
started with anxiety then she went into deep depression and was unable to
care for herself let alone anyone else, I could not manage her at home she
became unreasonable and could not dress herself and had to go to hospital
for 3 months (it was really bad)...
If your DH is talking about suicide he is clearly unwell and needs help asap
before it gets worse. Gosh I wish you all the best and hope he is feeling
better soon.No advise on when to TTC that is for you to decide.
Alissa

Thanks so very much for all of your advice.

I had hoped my pregnancy and expecting for the new life might help
releasing his anxiety. But I think you are right that we should wait
until his anxiety is under control. He might not be as excited as he
would be on the news of a coming baby now. And the last thing we want to
experience is that the pregnancy would make his condition worse.

Take care you all and thanks again.

M

I think that is probably wise. The fact is that for people with anxiety
disorders, things that we wouldn't bat an eye at, or things that we think
would be great news, can be serious triggers for them. So although finding
out that you were pregnant would be joyous news to you, it would likely be
panic inducing news to him -- giving him tons more things to be anxious
about -- will the baby miscarry, will you be okay, will he be able to love
the baby, will the baby get hurt and die someday, etc. Talk about something
fraught with danger! Yikes!
--

Jamie & Taylor
Earth Angel, 1/3/03

Check out Taylor Marlys -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clark_guest,
Password: Guest1
Become a member for free - go to Add Member to set up your own User ID and
Password

Handmade Baby Blankets -- www.geocities.com/digit_the_cat/Blankets.html


"mqwq" wrote in message
news:1076958497.990363@sj-nntpcache-5...
Thanks so very much for all of your advice.

I had hoped my pregnancy and expecting for the new life might help
releasing his anxiety. But I think you are right that we should wait
until his anxiety is under control. He might not be as excited as he
would be on the news of a coming baby now. And the last thing we want to
experience is that the pregnancy would make his condition worse.

Take care you all and thanks again.

M

Hi,

Last Oct, DH and I decided to have a baby this year. I then scheduled a
pre-conceive checkup with my OB/GYN. I'm 30 (going to be 31 in March)
consider myself a healthy person. I do exercise regularly and all my
family members are quite healthy. So I didn't expect this check-up to
find any problems, just like my yearly peps and wellness checkup.

Anyway, my doctor asked me to take an ultra sound to check the uterus.
During the u/s, they found a cyst in my right ovary, about the size of
4.6 x 3.7 cm. My doctor then had me take a serial of follow up u/s to
monitor if it would grow bigger or go away by itself. Of course, I was
advised to avoid get pregnant in this period.

First u/s, Nov 11: 4.6 x 3.7 cm

Second u/s, Nov 26: 4.4 x 3.2 cm

Third u/s, Feb 2: 3.8 x 2.8 cm

Forth u/s, Feb 23: 3.5 x ?? cm

Although the cyst becomes a slight smaller in each exam, it did not
completely go away after 3 months. Since it did not grow bigger and I
don't feel any pain during my period, my doctor thinks it is benign. But
he still wanted me to take birth-control pills for 2 to 3 cycles to
remove it before I get pregnant.

I hesitated on taking the B/C pills as I don't want to wait for another
2 - 3 months to start TTC!!!

If I didn't go for the pre-conceive checkup, I might have got pregnant
with the cyst. But many other women got pregnant without a pre-conceive
checkup, God and mother nature would take care of everything, right?

Have anyone in the group got pregnant with a cyst? My only concern is
would it bother the development of the fetus?

Thanks much in advance.
G.G.

Hi GG

Last year I fell pregnant, but it had not been confirmed by my doctor when I
suffered severe pains during the night. The next day the doctor confirmed
that I was pregnant and sent me for an u/s, because of the pain the night
before, which showed I had 3 cysts, the pain was caused by one of them
bursting. I was extremely lucky that it did not affect my pregnancy in any
way and I now have a beautiful baby girl. I was given the u/s very regular
throughout my pregnancy to keep an eye on the other 2 and to make sure that
no more appeared. I hope you get the all clear soon and I hope my experience
is off use to you.
Tracey



Last Oct, DH and I decided to have a baby this year. I then scheduled a
pre-conceive checkup with my OB/GYN. I'm 30 (going to be 31 in March)
consider myself a healthy person. I do exercise regularly and all my
family members are quite healthy. So I didn't expect this check-up to
find any problems, just like my yearly peps and wellness checkup.

Anyway, my doctor asked me to take an ultra sound to check the uterus.
During the u/s, they found a cyst in my right ovary, about the size of
4.6 x 3.7 cm. My doctor then had me take a serial of follow up u/s to
monitor if it would grow bigger or go away by itself. Of course, I was
advised to avoid get pregnant in this period.
Although the cyst becomes a slight smaller in each exam, it did not
completely go away after 3 months. Since it did not grow bigger and I
don't feel any pain during my period, my doctor thinks it is benign. But
he still wanted me to take birth-control pills for 2 to 3 cycles to
remove it before I get pregnant.

I hesitated on taking the B/C pills as I don't want to wait for another
2 - 3 months to start TTC!!!

If I didn't go for the pre-conceive checkup, I might have got pregnant
with the cyst. But many other women got pregnant without a pre-conceive
checkup, God and mother nature would take care of everything, right?

Have anyone in the group got pregnant with a cyst? My only concern is
would it bother the development of the fetus?