Does anyone know which drugs for MAV are allowed during pregnancy?
I donāt have anything to announce but it is something in the back of my mind. I donāt wanna become hooked on something that I later 100% have to come off if I want to have a sproglett.
In Australia thereās an organisation called āMothersafeā and Iām sure there must be something similar in the UK. Itās a free service you can call where they tell you what meds you can and canāt take while youāre trying to conceive, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In Australia meds are graded a, b, c (and perhaps d) as to how āsafeā they are.
Generally speaking, the older the med is the more is known about it in terms of long term risks during pregnancy and beyond.
ETA: when I Googled Mothersafe they had a link to āoverseas affiliatesā but it was only to a North American service called āMother to Babyā. Hopefully one of the UK members can chime in with something more local!
Hi MissMoss,
When I got pregnant, I switched from taking prothiaden to 4mg of periactin a night, on the advice of my obstetrician. My neurologist advised me to take nothing, but I didnāt feel I could handle that. My obstetrician was happy for me to take the periactin, so thatās what I took. I actually improved during pregnancy, which was a welcome relief. Coming off the prothiaden was not awful, so donāt worry too much about having to taper off your medication if you do become pregnant. I think that with us VMers, we are a strong bunch and we deal with what comes our way. I guess sometimes it comes from having no other choice, but donāt let this condition make you fear becoming pregnant. You may find that, like me, you actually feel a little better during pregnancy.
Regards, Helen
Victoria- Youāre logic always slaps me in the face and I have no idea why I never think of the things you do. I blame it on the brain fog. Thank you
Helen- Thanks for writing. MAV DOES make me fear pregnancy. Massively. So many what ifs.
I have never before thought that coming off meds would be āokā but youāre message made me think perhaps itād be bareable- afterall, Dr S always talks off the meds being a āplasterā over the problem. So perhaps if you take the plaster off, the brain has heeled a little bit.
Itās very encouraging to know you felt better during pregnancy.
Do you mind me asking if you experience worse dizziness around your period now? Hormones for me are a big player so I wonder how pregnancy would affect in particular.
Hi MissMoss, yes, Iām definitely worse around my period, even though I take a combo of prothiaden and topamax. Those meds have helped, but at that time I get more breakout dizziness, headaches, generally feeling like crap. Thatās the worst time for me as I know hormones are probablyy biggest trigger.
Regards, Helen
I think amitripyline in low doses is considered safe to use during pregnancy. If Blondie is still around, Iām sure she can tell you about this, as Iām pretty certain she took it during her last pregnancy.
Iām like you in that Iām very affected by hormones, and even when I felt fine all month, I would still feel my balance being off and a bit of a spaced out/brain fog feeling for a couple of days before my period. Iāve had three children. I didnāt have MAV at the time, but Iāve always had terrible migraines, and I have to say that my pregnancies were generally a good time for me in terms of migraines, as I had a lot fewer than usual. I also had a fairly good spell for a while after giving birth as well. I know everyone is different, but I donāt think itās that unusual to get an improvement during pregnancy, so maybe you would get lucky.
Yes I was told through thorough research that even though Nortrip category d newer studies have found it to be safe. I have a link of university in mass doing research on this very topic. Having trouble finding it. Will keep looking.
Think this was it. Look through. I believe thereās a section on several drugs including Nortrip hope it helps you or anyone else in future womensmentalhealth.org/
Missmoss
I know that all the drugs I take now are considered a category d for pregnancy. Which means it would harm the fetus. Topamax especially. I had a tubal ligation done so I would never get pregnant again. I figured id always have to take these meds and I know how hard it is now with just one ā¦even though I love him. MAV changes everything. I do think nori is safe in low doses. Paxil and benzos are not. Ill try and find u that category list.
Hi MM
I took ami throughout my son is fine I had a good pregnancy minimal symptoms thought I had recovered lol
I only got bad at 37 weeks and afterwards meds did nothing then for me.
Iām a lot better a week before my period high progesterone makes me feel better which is why pregnancy was so good!
After was hell though progesterone crash caused a relapse but my son is six months now and im loads better a consultant said I could carry on taking ami dose was low I feel benefit outweighed the risk x
I think I normally feel better for the week before my period then I usually go a bit worse for the next week or two. I am rubbish at science but does that mean progesterone could be a factor? If it is low then does it make VM worse for females? x
Thatās what my Neuro told me low progesterone makes it worse for some people. It must be true as Iām worse on my period when progesterone is low a lot of women are.