Question:
The Dr's advice was to stop taking everything, have an u/s to make sure of
how far along she is, and when an amnio is offered, take it. She's having
an u/s Thursday to make sure exactly how far along she is. She often had
months when she wasn't sure if she was pregnant or not (she wouldn't get a
period but tests were negative, then she'd have very light bleeding). So
her and her husband came up with her being 5 weeks along (factoring in when
he wasn't deployed - lol). She's also in the past lost 2 babies (her words - not sure if she meant
still births, miscarriages, or what). And she's *really* worried about what
these 2 weeks of Zyprexa might have done to the baby. I told her I would
ask you guys and pass on any and all information you all had for me/her.
Answer:
My friend is 27 and just found out yesterday she's 5 weeks along (she
thinks) with her 4th child (other children are 7 yrs, 3 yrs, and 22 months).
She was on the pill as well as taking Ambien (for sleeping). Now her real
fear is about the fact that she had been taking a drug called Zyprexa. She
said it's the drug that is replacing lithium but she has never taken lithium
or any other mood drug, just this Zyprexa. She's 5 weeks along (like I
said - she thinks) and had been taking Zyprexa for only 2 weeks.
The Dr's advice was to stop taking everything, have an u/s to make sure of
how far along she is, and when an amnio is offered, take it. She's having
an u/s Thursday to make sure exactly how far along she is. She often had
months when she wasn't sure if she was pregnant or not (she wouldn't get a
period but tests were negative, then she'd have very light bleeding). So
her and her husband came up with her being 5 weeks along (factoring in when
he wasn't deployed - lol).
She's also in the past lost 2 babies (her words - not sure if she meant
still births, miscarriages, or what). And she's *really* worried about what
these 2 weeks of Zyprexa might have done to the baby. I told her I would
ask you guys and pass on any and all information you all had for me/her.
Sorry, can't answer your question, but I'm curious if she's still taking
Ambien? Isn't this drug highly addictive? I was taking Lithium, Depakote, Ambien, and Effexor when I found out that I
was pregnant (no one bothered to tell me that most of that crap can make b/c
pills ineffective). Like your friend, I had only been taking it for 2 weeks
and stopped immediately. My doctor referred me to a perintologist even
though he felt that the rish of birth defect or other complications was very
low. My sweet angel was, and is fine. Even the perintologist said that the
risk was very low since the medication was taken for such a short time. Her baby will most likely be just fine. Please reassure her & let her know
that the chance of anything being wrong as a result of her medication is
slim. Lithium can cause congenial heart defects in a fetus but I believe
that my doctor said the biggest risk was during the 7-9 weeks that the heart
is forming and is still a very small risk.
It's not really "highly addictive" though many people report having
difficulties falling asleep when they stop taking it. People may become
dependant on it for sleep if they use it for an extended period of time, but
not exactly addicted to it.
Zyprexa is an antipsychotic used for treatment of
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Remember the earlier discussions
about Haldol? Well, Zyprexa is considered to be the new Haldol. It has
been out for about 5 years and has been very effective in managing
these disorders. (I know this off the top of my head because my MIL is
on them.) These are both serious drugs she has been prescribed. She
needs to see a doctor NOW; if she's going to stop taking them, she
would, I think, need to be watched carefully. I wouldn't think that
she would fall under the uncomplicated pregnancy category, but I'm no
medical expert. They told her to immediately stop taking it so she has. This all just
happened yesterday so I have no idea if she's having ill effects or anything
yet. I honestly know nothing about any of the drugs she's taking.
