several questions

[lellieann]

I just found out I am pregnant yesterday. We are very excited. I have a wicked anxiety disorder, for which I take 40 mg of paxil daily. I know paxil can cause heart and lung problems for the baby. I obviously want no harm to come to our baby but I am TERRIFIED of stopping the Paxil. The last time i tried I got the withdraw symptoms of derealization and depersonalization. it was the most horrifying experience of my life. I do not ever want to feel that again. So, any advice on this would really help.
Also, is it possible to have a light, short period at the very beginning of the pregnancy? I ask because the first day of my last period was June 6th(i think, I have a crazy cycle that was hard to keep track of). I noticed it was very light and only two days which is uncommon for me. I don't have a Dr.s appointment for 13 days,and it's not even with my doctor, it's with his nurse practitioner(which I don't know what means), and I just can't wait that long to hear some kind of feedback, you know?

[Sarah61086]

the bleeding you had was probably implantation bleeding.
Spk to your dr about your tablets, they can put you on a different tablet that is safer for your baby

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I agree with sunworshiper.  I do NOT have any professional training but from my own research Zoloft is the safest for pregnancy and breastfeeding.  I, too, feel that becuase of your circumstances staying ON an SSRI throughout your pregnancy is more beneficial.  You should call and schedule an appt with your doc right away.  Some docs won't do the first ob appt until around 8-12 weeks so when you call explain your reason for wanting to get in ASAP.  

As for the bleeding, it is not uncommon for women to have light bleeding in early pregnancy around the time of their normal period.

[lellieann]

Thank you so much. I really needed to hear that. I'll call my doctor ASAP. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[SunWorshiper_26]

Zoloft is the safest SSRI in pregnancy which is in the same category as paxil. The best thing the dr can do is keep you on the paxil, add zoloft, wait 2 weeks then slowly decrease the paxil while increasing the zoloft. This should take approx 1 month or longer to do so that you do not experience any withdrawal symptoms. I suggest calling your OB office in the morning and let them know you are taking a medication not safe in pregnancy and you need to speak to or see the dr to remedy the situation. Do NOT stop taking the paxil suddenly it will make you feel that awful again but don't stress about a slow transition you shouldn't experience any side effects or withdrawal symptoms during it if it's done correctly.

Congrats and best of luck!

PS finishing up my doctoral dissertation in clinical psychology I have a lot of knowledge of psychopharmacological medications as i have completed all course work for my Ph.D in Clinical
Psychology

[MissmyAngel]

I agree, you need to call the doctor and explain to the receptionist that your taking paxil and that your worried about the effects it may have on your baby, hopefully they can get you in sooner, or else make plans to pick up a script or have it faxed.
All during my first trimester I had horrible indigestion. your digestion system slows down so that you can get all the vitamins possible from food for your baby, which is also why most women have problems with constipation.

[Clysta]

Some women report it. Your uterus is already starting to get larger, which puts pressure on other organs. This can cause slower digestion, and so your body produces more stomach acid to counter this. This could cause the pain and the extra gas in your stomach.

[lellieann]

Also, I have A LOT of heartburn and burps, is that even normal so early in the pregnancy?

[Clysta]

I would call a doctor and ask about the Paxil as soon as you could. There seems to be a higher link in defects, especially when it's used in the first trimester. They might be able to fax a script for something better so you won't have that risk. Then you won't have to go through withdrawals either. (Or hopefully won't) You wouldn't have had a "real" period. Likely it was implantation bleeding if it was light and short.