hi,
i'm new here and i hope that i can get some answeres.
i'm taking paxil 20 and when i got pregnent i stopped and had realy bad panic attack after 4 mo. of being pregnent.
the dr. said that the firs 3 mo. r the most important and i have to be clean of paxil.
i was allready 4 mo. so it wasn't a problem.
i want to have more children but i'm worried that i won't be able to be off the paxil that will pervent me from having more kids.
answeres anyone?
tuti

Tuti:
Don't think anyone can make the decision for you as to whether or not Paxil might or might not hurt a fetus. I had to take as high as 9 different meds when I was pregnant with my third daughter and she was my healthiest. With first born, I took nothing but prenatal vitamins and she was stillborn at 8 1/2 months. With 2nd pregnancy, watched real close, had new doctors and they let me take Valium as I needed it for sleep and my daughter was in neo-natal care unit for 3 weeks. So my experience will tell you to just do the best you can and you and your unborn child's life is in the Lord's hand at all times anyway.
I have a PDR book for year 2000 and would be glad to look up what it says about Paxil in relation to pregnancy, but when I really want to get the lowdown on any of my meds in relation to my already diagnosed illnesses, I ask my friendly neighborhood pharmacist. He knows what I have and most of the meds I take.
I started having really weird thoughts back in July and went to Dr. who oversees all my meds and he put me on 20 mg. Paxil and poof they were gone. The bad thoughts I mean and I'm going through some pretty stressful moments right now and so far I've been able to keep things under control without having a full blown panic attack or sinking into the depths of depression.
Seems like we are always on top of the mountain or down in the valley, now I know why it is said "Life is LIKE a ROLLERCOASTER RIDE"!
Hope this helps in some way!
Bamalady

Tuti,

Hey Tuti, I have 3 kids and I had much of the same worries worrying about having to be on different types of medications during pregnancy. To sit there and worry that you will never be able to be off medications is short changing yourself. Have you bought the program?? If not you might think of investing in it. It will really help you to change the way you think and open up the door to being off medications! Just because you have to be on paxil now doesn't necessarily mean you will have to be on paxil next year.

Take things one day at a time. And if you have to stay on the medication, It's okay too. Your doctor is looking out for your and your babies best interests. The best thing to do is to have a positive attitude and try not to worry. That is the best thing for your health and your babies. Focus on this baby, and try not to worry about the future! Keep smiling!!!!

Mary

Hey. When I saw your post I had to reply. 1 year ago I had my 3rd child. From my 7th month of pregnancy I took Paxil. My baby was fine, and very healthy. But what I found out 4 months later when I stopped taking it was that it dident solve my problem. I, like you had a really bad panic attack only 3 days after getting off it. I think that if it helps during your pregnancy or rough times then thats okay. (As I said my baby was healthy). But eventually you will have to deal with the issues. Do you really want to be a prisoner to medication for the rest of your life? I seriously urge you to seek help for your panic attacks, there is help for this. Try the program, see a therapist,etc. There are so many things that you can do. Dont settle there is life after medication. Good luck.

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SnowBear

[This message has been edited by SnowBear (edited 08-24-2001).]

thanks everyone for writing back.
i was on therapy for years and in time my panic attacks got worse so there was no way out but to take paxil.
my twin sister died in a car accident and after she died all of this happened.
i went to an excelent tearapist.
when i have an attack i feel that i can't brith and i'm going to chock.
it got to the fact that i couldn't drive couldn't eat outside, i couldn't swallow.
just at home i felt safe when people were around.
i couldn't be in closed places.
with paxil i'm a new woman doing everything.
did any of u had the simptoms i had?
any one from chicago area?
tuti

Tuti-

I took Paxil the whole time I was pregnant with the okay of 4 ob/gyns. My healthy baby was born when I was 8 months pregnant as a result of pre-ecalpsia. I continued to take the meds until my baby was over a year old when I stopped taking the meds.

I too, as a result of a stressful and devestating year, began to have panic attacks but the Paxil made a big difference in my abilities. However, the issues (as stated above) are still there and I've just begun to scratch the surface there. Hope you find the answers you need because what works for me or someone else may not be your magic bullet. This support forum is a God send.