Posted by Kaysey on June 6, 2001, at 17:50:51
In reply to Re: effexor is a life saver, posted by Marie B on June 6, 2001, at 17:16:49
> Well just remember me later on...
> and read this post too
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>
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/65571.htmlHi Marie:
Though explanations are probably not very comforting to you now (I am truly sorry for the pain you are experiencing--though I have never been pregnant, there have been times when I had tremendous hormonal fluctuations and was off my meds and I could not stand to be in the world!), I felt compelled to shed a little light on why we often 'do what we do' with regard to such meds. Many of our doctors (especially GPs and often pdocs) base their recommendations on what they have read in the literature--medical journals--about the results of the clinical trials of these medications. These randomized clinical trials (double-blind, placebo controlled being the 'gold' standard), often last no longer than a few weeks (as with venlafaxine--effexor, the trials were about 6 weeks plus/minus). Moreover, for obvious reasons, pregnant women are not included in these studies. As a result, what is studied obviously does not reflect chronic use or teratogenic or mutagenic (birth defect/dna mutation) effects.
No, this doesn't seem fair at all. Moreover, it is extremely frustrating. As an individual who has been involved in medical research for a number of years (chronic disease causation, specifically), I can tell you that we have to bow to the supplier of the funding (with regard to meds, that is often the drug company). That greatly limits the magnitude of the study.
One of my goals in life is to work toward enlightening the world with regard to these health problems and their solutions. Hopefully, we won't have to rely on the drug companies as the source of information, and rely just on message boards for the real effectiveness. In the mean time, we have to realize that we are taking some risks in order to hopefully better or lives and the lives of those around us.
I'll get off my soap box, now, and just say that you are probably doing the very best you can do. I noticed a previous post from Cam that suggested you check with your Dr. about perhaps utilizing a small amount of Prozac. You do really need medical support during this time. Not only for the sake of your unborn child, but for the sake of your own mental health.
Sorry for the long post. Please stay in touch with us.
poster:Kaysey
thread:65532
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/65578.html