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I am a Resident in Psychology. If you have panic attacks...you should realy try`Progressive Muscular Relaxation. It consists of tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in your body while doing some relaxation. You have to practice this and do it 2 to 3 times a day. Within 2 weeks, you will start to feel less anxious. ALSO, you cannot die from a panic attack!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just knowing that can make a difference in our reaction when the panic attack starts. It is important to start breathing and think positive (breath in for 4 counts and out for 8 counts). Make sure you don`t breath too fast or else you are making yourself worse by hyperventilating. Therapy can also help. Here is a very good explanation : http://www.guidetopsychology.com/pmr.htm

I too suffer from panic attacks and currently 36 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I discussed with my obgyn and my therapist about taking medication when I first found out I was pregnant. They both agreed that I could continue taking Zoloft at 75 mg. I found out that it's one of the number 1 drugs prescribed for pregnant women with anxiety or panic. I haven't had any problems with my pregnancy and my baby is developing very well. I hope this information might help you and your friend.

i had a problem with anxiety while i was pregnant, no so bad as to where it brought back the attacks, but it was there. My doctor told me about zoloft, and also gave me some very useful info. He said that if i decided to take it, there was a high chance that the baby would be born addicted to it. I did some research online, and it's one of the mst addictive perscription drugs for unborn children. You might want to look into this before the baby's born, or you might have some very sleepless nights. I know that having my baby, it was hard enough trying to adjust to his schedule. I wouldn't have wanted more added onto it.

Did you take any medication for anxiety while you were pregnant? I didn't take any after I had my anxiety attack at 5 1/2 months pregnant. I was fine up until then. I know that there are some pregnant women who are able to be medication free through their pregnancy.

Thank you so much to Frances for your post i'm 30 weeks and i alos suffer from panic attcks and they are really bad so the docotr desided to put me on med for it he said that zoloft is the best for it and i have been doing better since i strted it i was takling only 12.5 mg but i know i increased it becuase i have been having a couple of episodes so he wants me to be completly calm so i'm taking 25 now, i hope everthing is fine with my baby i have meet a lot of people in the same situation, good luck and god bless you if you need to talk you can always e-mail me abulily@aol.com.

hello girls... well i too suffer with these horrible attacks, mine have been going on for 7 years and have never got any better unless i have had medication, i was spiked with speed from one of my so called friends at 17 years of age, and i ended up in hospital as my lungs had collapsed, ever since then i panic im dying every day, i think im having a heart attack, or i have a brain tumor, or cancer, i check my pulse every other hour to check if i am still alive and to be honest if i wasnt in a very supportive relationship with a fantastic man, and didnt have a child and one on the way,, i would have proberbly taken my own life by now, as i am just wasting it by thinking these awful thoughts everyday, im just so sick and tired of this as its taking every bit of energy i have, i dread bed time, as i fear i will die in my sleep and never see my family again, just so fed up... xxx she deffinatley needs meds as soon as possible really xxx

Wow! I can't believe this boad. I just received a postive pregnancy test last Friday and had a bad panic attack on Monday night. I'm taking injections of hormones following IVF, and I'm sure they are not helping. Monday's attack really went on all day. I was good on Tuesday, now today, I'm panicky again. I saw a psychiatrist yesterday who gave me a prescription for Prozac which I started last night. But I know it can take a couple weeks to kick in. I am so terrified, as I keep hoping I miscarry. Go for first sonogram tomorrow.

By the way, if anyone wants to discuss the panic attack issues with me, I'm at defplus@verizon.net. I haven't even had my first OB visit yet, and already I'm in a crisis.

WHAT ABOUT THERAPY??? No one seems to talk about psychotherapy. It is proven that the best treatment option is to COMBINE medication and psychotherapy and that therapy can sometimes work as good as medication alone!! If you want I can e-mail you a list of "what to do in case of a panic attack". Write me at psychologie777@hotmail.com

Sweetie dont feel alone i have the same problem i get the same exact feeling you do all the time and i have been in the hospital so many times my husband is so p__sed off at me that he doesnt eevn get down anymore and he takes me becuase I'm 32 weeks because he is telling me that if i continuew to get this attacks when I'm not pregnant I'm going to have to go alone to the hospital, if you need to talk ydont hesitate to e-mail me at abulily@aol.com, good luck you are in my prayers.

same to you Eileen i know how you girls feel and it helps so much to talk to other people about it if you need to talk e-mail me at abulily@aol.com, god bless you.

I wish all of you the best throughout your pregnancies. I am doing much better after seeing a therapist after my panic attack at 5 1/2 months pregnant. I am now in my 9th month. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not on any medication. I was able to control the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic through exercise, nutrition, relaxation techniques and creating a support network of family and friends. I am working with my therapist to work on the negative thoughts. We are getting to the root of my problems, which go back to self-esteem, and other personality issues. I really think it is important to talk to others who have the same issues. I am available if you want to email me privately: mdecker_us@yahoo.com.

I would encourage your friend to some treatment by a psychotherapist trained in pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. Psychotherapy can help panic. Also there are some medications that can be taken during pregnancy. Panic is not good for a fetus. She can find a therapist through Postpartum Support Internationa (www.postpartum.net). She may benefit from the book I co-authored, Beyond the Blues, A Guide to Understanding Prenatal and Postpartum Depression. We discuss panic. www.beyondtheblues.com best wishes!

I have had PA 's for over 10 years. One of the best things I've tried is EMDR therapy. Google it. Hang in there ladies, there is help.

To Another Melissa--Thanks for the reference to EMDR therapy. I will look into it. My therapist uses cognitive behavorial therapy which is one of the leading treatment methods for anxiety and panic.

I wanted to let everyone know about a chatroom for those suffering from anxiety and depression. It's on the Freedom From Fear website: www.freedomfromfear.org. I have met some pregnant women with anxiety and panic. The site has both men and women who suffer from anxiety, depression, panic disorder and OCD. It is great to chat with others with similar issues. People are online at different hours of the day and night. A schedule is posted on the site. It has helped me immensely.