![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
I am 27, married, and I just found out that I am 6 weeks pregnant.
Unfortunately, my husband does not quite understand what I am going through concerning Effexor and getting off of it etc.
Having a child is very important to me. It turns out that I had a miscarriage a few months ago, and my doctor did not think twice about the fact that I am taking Effexor. I have been taking Effexor XR, 300 mg a day, and have been taking it for so long that I can't tell anyone truthfully actually how long it has been, since it simply has Seemed like Forever...And the one good thing: since taking Effexor, my life has improved dramatically. Elimination of suicidal thoughts, no fear of life in general, courage to speak, courage to sleep.. and to do all this as a normal person, to feel normal and be normal without an afterthought; has been a gift.
Now what happens when the beneficial effects of Effexor are depleted? What will happen to my life? Will i start acting strange again? Will I 'freak out' when stress begins? Will I start cutting my arms up again in order to have control over some of the hurt?Now I am SCARED! I do not want to lose this baby.. and I know that I have to get off this medicine. So for the past week I have cut myself down to taking 150 mg Every OTHER day. That's the limit the body has imposed upon me: the withdrawal is substantially uncomfortable. Dizziness that is caused by my nerves feeling like they are exploding; and dizziness is a word that just doesn't do Any justice to the reality of what it is that I am actually experiencing. My nerves are affected thorughout my entire body, feeling spasms in my arms, and god forbid if I MOVE. My every movement is significantly accentuated with reactions to the withdrawal. I just cannot seem to find the words to explain how bad it feels to have these juices of hell searing throughout my blood creating havoc.
And here I am with a developing second life inside of me.. how is it affected by my needs for Effexor? Does it feel the withdrawal also? But if it absorbs the venlafaxine and the affect of that is low birth weight.. what is the significance to my child's life? Will it be normal?
Augh. and how am I going to be a functioning person for nine months while tryiong to carry this child and yet still be a productive person with responsibilites?Who has gone through this and survived?
Posted by stjames on May 31, 2001, at 14:42:44
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
I would not do every other day dosing. Effexor is very short lived, active less than a day, so you are going through total withdrawal on the off days, which will make it harder to get off. Take it every day and slowly reduse the dose. Get you doc on board with this, also.
James
Posted by Cam W. on May 31, 2001, at 14:50:54
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
Marie - I am sorry if I am going to be vague on the topic of antidepressants and pregnancy. It is just that every case is individual and must involve informed consent between a pregnant mother and her doctor. Anything I could say may be taken the wrong way and I am not up to a liable suit.
I will tell you that Effexor is too new to have any real data on its effects in pregnancy. It is classified as a Schedule C drug in pregnancy. That is, there is a slight risk of fetal problems "in animals", but no human studies have been done (for obvious reasons).
You are very correct that there is a definite risk versus benefit issue going on here. The risks of a depressed mother not taking care of herself properly (eg. not eating right) and the potential for a depressed mother to do harm to herself or her fetus is very real. But are these risks worse than taking a drug to treat the depression? In some cases, yes; in other cases, no. Here is something to read regarding psychotropic medication in prenancy. See table 3 as well:
http://www.aap.org/policy/re9866.html
You could ask your doc how he/she feels about substituing the Effexor with Prozac for a couple of weeks to avoid the Effexor withdrawl symptoms.
Pregnant women are at a high risk to relapse during pregnancy. Many times it is far safer to medicate than not to. Again, the decision is done on a very individualized basis. The other option is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is the treatment of choice in pregnant women and little risk to the fetus. Again, ask your doc if this is a viable option for you.
Good luck with your decision - Cam
Posted by JAMMER on May 31, 2001, at 19:34:17
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
> Who has gone through this and survived? -Marie
Marie, First off, talk with your Dr's.
I survived ending Effexor, after several attempts. And it took time, and slowly moving to very low doses, but taking it everyday. I replaced it with talk therapies and life style changes. stjames is right on about taking it everyday. And don't go down too fast if you decide to end it's use. It sounds like your feeling that result already. Perhaps moving the dose back up to relieve withdrawal symptoms until a solid plan is in place. I have seen many references to switching to Prozac to reduce the withdrawal from coming off Effexor, as CAM stated.Talk with your Dr.!!! This is of great importance to you and your family. Esp. if you decide to stay on Effexor (since you say it works well for you), as when the baby is born, it will no longer be on the medication through your system, and could go through withdrawal itself...
Definitely talk to your DR. Be firm, yet open. It's your baby's health as well as your own.
Best wishes,
James
Posted by Marie B on June 6, 2001, at 16:30:38
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by JAMMER on May 31, 2001, at 19:34:17
Thanks to all of you who have reponded to my pleas!
I have stopped taking Effexor for the last 6 days. I just do not want to harm the baby. And I have lived through the worst of the Withdrawal I am hoping, as each day goes by I am hoping that I'm that much further away from the need for Effexor.
I simply cannot believe that they do not SOMETHING for those of us in this situration. Tests etc need to be done.
Feeling flip-flops all day long while trying to help customers at work, it's just frustrating to live with.
Thanks again for your support.
Posted by Kaysey on June 6, 2001, at 17:54:15
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on June 6, 2001, at 16:30:38
> Thanks to all of you who have reponded to my pleas!
> I have stopped taking Effexor for the last 6 days. I just do not want to harm the baby. And I have lived through the worst of the Withdrawal I am hoping, as each day goes by I am hoping that I'm that much further away from the need for Effexor.
> I simply cannot believe that they do not SOMETHING for those of us in this situration. Tests etc need to be done.
> Feeling flip-flops all day long while trying to help customers at work, it's just frustrating to live with.
> Thanks again for your support.Marie:
Please see my post in the 'effexor life saver'section below.
Thanks
Posted by jm on December 27, 2001, at 16:49:27
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
>I just want to tell you that I went through the same thing when I found out I was pregnant 6 years ago.
My son is very healthy and extremely smart so the effexor had no adverse effects. I quit cold turkey at 6 weeks and it was almost unbearable except I didn't want to harm the baby and the doctors never warned me of any side effects when doing so (actually they didn't know!).
One thing I want to tell you because perhaps I can save you alot of suffering, is that I went through post pardom depression at its worst and almost lost my life and my son and it went on for two years (now it's happening all over and I don't know why). The worst part is that I asked the doctor for help and told him the effexor isn't working when my son was one month old. His response was 'you look good to me' and told me another twisted story and sent me on my way. Not even 4 months later I tried to kill myself and honestly thought my son would be better off being raised by my parents (which is something I know would be a horrible life for any human being, especially my son, when I'm not as lost).
In the hospital, and under better care, I found out that after you have a child your hormones are all over the place and nothing is the same. The dosage I was taking was far too little and a doctor should know better as far as thinking your body will react the same way to the dosage you were on before giving birth.
Makes complete sense to me now but I think we depend on our doctors opinions far too much. It's hard for them to know everything so we rally have to do our own research as far as our health and our children's health are concerned.
I was a mess when I was pregnant but got through it only because I kept thinking of the inocent child growing inside of me who deserves the best chance at life.
I hope you get to read this as I could go on and on but mostly because I want you to be very careful after the baby's born and believe yourself most of all. Post pardom is a natural thing but don't let it get too out of hand because it's much harder coming back.
Posted by mdertinger on January 3, 2002, at 13:08:05
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by jm on December 27, 2001, at 16:49:27
I totally agree! I went off my Prozac with my first child and got post partum depression really bad. When I went back on, I needed a higher dose. I again stopped taking any AD's when I was pregnant with my second child. I guess I'm lucky because the pregancy hormones seem to keep the depression at bay. But then after my second was born, I had really, really bad post partum. I had to be admitted to a hospital. I saw a new pdoc and she told me that 1) post partum gets progressively worse after each child and 2) I should have started back on the Prozac in my third trimester, or right after birth. Prozac is ok to take while pregnant and while breast feeding, but I thought I could get by without it.
How wrong I was! I don't plan to have anymore children, but if I did, I would start back on Prozac in my third trimester.> >I just want to tell you that I went through the same thing when I found out I was pregnant 6 years ago.
> My son is very healthy and extremely smart so the effexor had no adverse effects. I quit cold turkey at 6 weeks and it was almost unbearable except I didn't want to harm the baby and the doctors never warned me of any side effects when doing so (actually they didn't know!).
> One thing I want to tell you because perhaps I can save you alot of suffering, is that I went through post pardom depression at its worst and almost lost my life and my son and it went on for two years (now it's happening all over and I don't know why). The worst part is that I asked the doctor for help and told him the effexor isn't working when my son was one month old. His response was 'you look good to me' and told me another twisted story and sent me on my way. Not even 4 months later I tried to kill myself and honestly thought my son would be better off being raised by my parents (which is something I know would be a horrible life for any human being, especially my son, when I'm not as lost).
> In the hospital, and under better care, I found out that after you have a child your hormones are all over the place and nothing is the same. The dosage I was taking was far too little and a doctor should know better as far as thinking your body will react the same way to the dosage you were on before giving birth.
> Makes complete sense to me now but I think we depend on our doctors opinions far too much. It's hard for them to know everything so we rally have to do our own research as far as our health and our children's health are concerned.
> I was a mess when I was pregnant but got through it only because I kept thinking of the inocent child growing inside of me who deserves the best chance at life.
> I hope you get to read this as I could go on and on but mostly because I want you to be very careful after the baby's born and believe yourself most of all. Post pardom is a natural thing but don't let it get too out of hand because it's much harder coming back.
Posted by Cindylou on January 7, 2002, at 12:43:22
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by mdertinger on January 3, 2002, at 13:08:05
I'm not really following this thread very well ... are you all saying it's best to be off meds totally when you get pregnant -- or to stay on meds proven safe, like Prozac?
I only have one child, and got off all meds before getting pregnant. I suffered very severe postpartum depression and anxiety, and it has taken me two years to get back on a med combo that works (my hormonal and/or chemical make up must have really changed) ...
Now I am on 100 mg Lamictal and a very small dose of Serzone (75 mg) which seems to help with anxiety. I am feeling better, not 100%, but at least I don't have that heavy, exhausted, have-to-nap feeling all day like I used to.
Here's the catch -- now that my daughter is 2, I would really like to try again and have another. I am scared to get off the meds now, though. I'm not sure if it's worth it to go off the meds and try again now (I'm 37 1/2, so i don't have much "childbearing time" left), or wait another 6 months or so, or just not have another at all.
I've thought about adopting, but I'm not sure I would be qualified to adopt while on medication for a mood disorder..
Any thoughts, comments, etc. are appreciated here.
thanks, cindy
> I totally agree! I went off my Prozac with my first child and got post partum depression really bad. When I went back on, I needed a higher dose. I again stopped taking any AD's when I was pregnant with my second child. I guess I'm lucky because the pregancy hormones seem to keep the depression at bay. But then after my second was born, I had really, really bad post partum. I had to be admitted to a hospital. I saw a new pdoc and she told me that 1) post partum gets progressively worse after each child and 2) I should have started back on the Prozac in my third trimester, or right after birth. Prozac is ok to take while pregnant and while breast feeding, but I thought I could get by without it.
> How wrong I was! I don't plan to have anymore children, but if I did, I would start back on Prozac in my third trimester.
>
> > >I just want to tell you that I went through the same thing when I found out I was pregnant 6 years ago.
> > My son is very healthy and extremely smart so the effexor had no adverse effects. I quit cold turkey at 6 weeks and it was almost unbearable except I didn't want to harm the baby and the doctors never warned me of any side effects when doing so (actually they didn't know!).
> > One thing I want to tell you because perhaps I can save you alot of suffering, is that I went through post pardom depression at its worst and almost lost my life and my son and it went on for two years (now it's happening all over and I don't know why). The worst part is that I asked the doctor for help and told him the effexor isn't working when my son was one month old. His response was 'you look good to me' and told me another twisted story and sent me on my way. Not even 4 months later I tried to kill myself and honestly thought my son would be better off being raised by my parents (which is something I know would be a horrible life for any human being, especially my son, when I'm not as lost).
> > In the hospital, and under better care, I found out that after you have a child your hormones are all over the place and nothing is the same. The dosage I was taking was far too little and a doctor should know better as far as thinking your body will react the same way to the dosage you were on before giving birth.
> > Makes complete sense to me now but I think we depend on our doctors opinions far too much. It's hard for them to know everything so we rally have to do our own research as far as our health and our children's health are concerned.
> > I was a mess when I was pregnant but got through it only because I kept thinking of the inocent child growing inside of me who deserves the best chance at life.
> > I hope you get to read this as I could go on and on but mostly because I want you to be very careful after the baby's born and believe yourself most of all. Post pardom is a natural thing but don't let it get too out of hand because it's much harder coming back.
Posted by jm on January 7, 2002, at 14:02:22
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by jm on December 27, 2001, at 16:49:27
I don't know what the best choice is for you Cindy but if I was actually planning my next pregnacy, I would completely cleanse my body of any toxins and hopefully have an incredible support group (most importantly, your doctor and your partner - if you are single, don't have another because it is your present child who will suffer most). No matter how safe they say the meds are for the fetus, it is still drugs flowing through your blood stream and ultimitely the child's. Who knows what they will discover 10 or even twenty years from now after all, there was a time when women could give birth and then light up a cigarette immediately afterwards while breast feeding the baby (although women were told formula was the healthier way to go).
Being aware of what you will very likely go through is something that will probably be your biggest ally. I really do understand how hard it is for someone with depression or bipolar to go through such an awful thing but give your new baby the best chance at life that you can. If you have to, take a vacation to the psych ward.
Good luck with your pregnacy and however you decide to do it!
Posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 14:37:12
In reply to Re: Pregnancy and meds, posted by Cindylou on January 7, 2002, at 12:43:22
Cindy:
You've voiced concerns very similar to mine. I'm getting ready to try for a first child, and I am Bipolar. Up to even a few months ago, I would have agreed with jm. But after doing some reading and talking to my docs, I think I will stay on at least a small dose of Prozac and perhaps Lamictal t/o.
My pdoc pointed out that a depressed or manic expectant mother can be very dangerous to the baby as well.
Prozac falls into the C category, which I believe means that they don't have any studies with pregnant women.
My feeling is that if a low dose can help me be more stable t/o the pregnancy, it's worth it. Afterall, we all know how your emotions affect your health.
- K.
Posted by Cindylou on January 7, 2002, at 17:42:20
In reply to Re: Pregnancy and meds » Cindylou, posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 14:37:12
Hi Kat,
Thanks so much for your response ... and I will be wishing you the very best throughout your pregnancy!!My pdoc and my ob/gyn both said they would have me stay on the meds throughout my pregnancy, so your decision to stay on low dose meds does go along with professional advice -- psychiatric and obstetric (they are both very good doctors, too.)
I still fret, though, over the decision for myself. But you are SO RIGHT -- our emotional health, during pregnancy and after delivery, are probably just as crucial -- or more so -- to the health of our babies.
My very best to you!!!! Keep me posted ...
cindy> Cindy:
>
> You've voiced concerns very similar to mine. I'm getting ready to try for a first child, and I am Bipolar. Up to even a few months ago, I would have agreed with jm. But after doing some reading and talking to my docs, I think I will stay on at least a small dose of Prozac and perhaps Lamictal t/o.
>
> My pdoc pointed out that a depressed or manic expectant mother can be very dangerous to the baby as well.
>
> Prozac falls into the C category, which I believe means that they don't have any studies with pregnant women.
>
> My feeling is that if a low dose can help me be more stable t/o the pregnancy, it's worth it. Afterall, we all know how your emotions affect your health.
>
> - K.
Posted by Cindylou on January 8, 2002, at 6:56:11
In reply to Re: Pregnancy and meds » Krazy Kat, posted by Cindylou on January 7, 2002, at 17:42:20
Hi Kat, It's me again.
Just wondering, did your docs say that Lamictal could be reasonably safe during pregnancy? More so than Depakote (which I saw from a later post you have stopped)?Just curious for my own future pregnancy endeavors!
Thanks, cindy
> Hi Kat,
> Thanks so much for your response ... and I will be wishing you the very best throughout your pregnancy!!
>
> My pdoc and my ob/gyn both said they would have me stay on the meds throughout my pregnancy, so your decision to stay on low dose meds does go along with professional advice -- psychiatric and obstetric (they are both very good doctors, too.)
>
> I still fret, though, over the decision for myself. But you are SO RIGHT -- our emotional health, during pregnancy and after delivery, are probably just as crucial -- or more so -- to the health of our babies.
>
> My very best to you!!!! Keep me posted ...
> cindy
>
> > Cindy:
> >
> > You've voiced concerns very similar to mine. I'm getting ready to try for a first child, and I am Bipolar. Up to even a few months ago, I would have agreed with jm. But after doing some reading and talking to my docs, I think I will stay on at least a small dose of Prozac and perhaps Lamictal t/o.
> >
> > My pdoc pointed out that a depressed or manic expectant mother can be very dangerous to the baby as well.
> >
> > Prozac falls into the C category, which I believe means that they don't have any studies with pregnant women.
> >
> > My feeling is that if a low dose can help me be more stable t/o the pregnancy, it's worth it. Afterall, we all know how your emotions affect your health.
> >
> > - K.
Posted by cbworthi on November 14, 2002, at 4:09:10
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy » Marie B, posted by Cam W. on May 31, 2001, at 14:50:54
I have been taking Effexor XR for about 2 yrs. now, I just found out I'm pregnant. My OB/GYN said to stop taking the Med., but it not familiar with the drug so had no suggestions on how to stop taking w/o having withdrawl. The doc that perscribed the Effexor said take every other day for one week, then go off cold turkey. I know I will still go through withdrawl. I have been skipping days, 2 days, now 3 days and then taking when I feel the withdrawl symptoms flare up. Hoping to get to about 7 days w/o withdrawl then stop taking all together. I'm not sure if this is better, or just go off cold turkey. I'm really scared for my unborn, any suggestions?
Posted by jenni.39 on November 15, 2002, at 18:13:45
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by cbworthi on November 14, 2002, at 4:09:10
> I have been taking Effexor XR for about 2 yrs. now, I just found out I'm pregnant. My OB/GYN said to stop taking the Med., but it not familiar with the drug so had no suggestions on how to stop taking w/o having withdrawl. The doc that perscribed the Effexor said take every other day for one week, then go off cold turkey. I know I will still go through withdrawl. I have been skipping days, 2 days, now 3 days and then taking when I feel the withdrawl symptoms flare up. Hoping to get to about 7 days w/o withdrawl then stop taking all together. I'm not sure if this is better, or just go off cold turkey. I'm really scared for my unborn, any suggestions?
I have been taking anti deps for 2 years or so on and off. first off was seroxat , i found my anxiety was unbearable but with valium i coped and the anti deps kicked in and i felt 'normal' me for the first time in 10 years...then came off them, suffered withdrawal (chronic diahorrea, wind, spaced out/fuzzy) for a week, after another 6 mths had slipped back into depression so started on Cipramil, swapped to Effexor 6 months ago( def had withdrawal from Cipramil whilst swapping over to Effexor) am wondering what side effects of Effexor are? are they always the same re: anti deps as i mentioned above? i get a 'fizzy' feeling all over if i miss a tablet - could be hyperventilation - am interested in others withdrawal symptoms? I want to come off Effexor to have a baby also, tho i think i will go straight back on after birth if i slip into depression again....
Posted by cbworthi on November 15, 2002, at 18:31:03
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy » cbworthi, posted by jenni.39 on November 15, 2002, at 18:13:45
> > I have been taking Effexor XR for about 2 yrs. now, I just found out I'm pregnant. My OB/GYN said to stop taking the Med., but it not familiar with the drug so had no suggestions on how to stop taking w/o having withdrawl. The doc that perscribed the Effexor said take every other day for one week, then go off cold turkey. I know I will still go through withdrawl. I have been skipping days, 2 days, now 3 days and then taking when I feel the withdrawl symptoms flare up. Hoping to get to about 7 days w/o withdrawl then stop taking all together. I'm not sure if this is better, or just go off cold turkey. I'm really scared for my unborn, any suggestions?
>
> I have been taking anti deps for 2 years or so on and off. first off was seroxat , i found my anxiety was unbearable but with valium i coped and the anti deps kicked in and i felt 'normal' me for the first time in 10 years...then came off them, suffered withdrawal (chronic diahorrea, wind, spaced out/fuzzy) for a week, after another 6 mths had slipped back into depression so started on Cipramil, swapped to Effexor 6 months ago( def had withdrawal from Cipramil whilst swapping over to Effexor) am wondering what side effects of Effexor are? are they always the same re: anti deps as i mentioned above? i get a 'fizzy' feeling all over if i miss a tablet - could be hyperventilation - am interested in others withdrawal symptoms? I want to come off Effexor to have a baby also, tho i think i will go straight back on after birth if i slip into depression again....
>
>
Not sure if all withdrawl is the same or not. I get really dizzy, spaced out feeling, tight chest, kind of hard to breath, nausea, and headache, and ringing in my ears. Once I get off them I want to stay off. Sometimes I wonder if the withdrawl is worse than the depression.
Posted by Jacken on April 6, 2003, at 9:18:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by cbworthi on November 15, 2002, at 18:31:03
I've been on Effexor for over a year now. it changed my life and I swore when I experienced "normality" that I would never stop taking it. Now my husband and I would like to try for a baby. I don't know what to do. I know that I couldn't be a mother in my depressed state and I have heard that being depressed whilst pregnant can also affect the unborn child. But how can I knowingly risk effexor crossing the placenta and causing unknown damages to the baby? No one around me seems to understand the seriousness of my situation. I am really thinking that I should forget having a child of my own.
Posted by Sean9 on April 7, 2003, at 13:41:38
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Jacken on April 6, 2003, at 9:18:37
Cbworthi,
We are going through the same thing. Our doctor recommended coming off Effexor and switching to a medication that has had more testing done on it. We are switching to Prozac. Apparantly our Doctor thought this would be safer than being on Prozac, and healthier than going without any medication, expecially since pregnancy can cause episodes of depression. We're on a plan to get off Effexor very slowly and are increasing Prozac as we do it. Read up on the withdrawal effects. Good luck to you, we're in the same boat, and decided it would be worth trying.
Posted by aimee fay on August 1, 2003, at 6:19:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Sean9 on April 7, 2003, at 13:41:38
I am currently going of effexor and planning to get pregnant. i would like to hear any real life stories about your experiences. My doctor has told me there is another drug he can prescribe if i get depressed again. Has anyone been through a pregancy with or without medication, i would really appreciate hearing other peoples experiences. Particularly because my partner is worried i'll become depressed again. thank you.
Posted by Nissy on August 1, 2003, at 21:34:35
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
Hi,
I had to stay on effexor xr throughout my pregnancy. I took 300 mg daily and my baby is great. She is now 17 months and she is perfectly normal. And actually above average in the smarts department (looks too LOL).
I have talked to several others who took it as well and their baby are just fine.
good luck,
Nissy
Posted by dizzy on October 4, 2003, at 22:41:36
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Nissy on August 1, 2003, at 21:34:35
Ok, I'm coming off of effexor and have decided that I absolutely can not do this pregnancy without any meds. I quit paxil with 1st pregnancy and did fine but was right back as soon as she was born. Eventually that quit working, finally effexor straightened me out and now I'm pregnant again. I've went from 150 to 37.5. I'm supposed to go every other day then quit. It gets so bad on the day I skip I feel crazy. That scares me. I think I could get by with 37.5 a day, does anyone really think that would hurt?? My husband even said he'd rather me stay on it because of how bad it has been. Are there any other drugs safer and just as effective??
Posted by leopard on December 18, 2003, at 17:23:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by dizzy on October 4, 2003, at 22:41:36
> Ok, I'm coming off of effexor and have decided that I absolutely can not do this pregnancy without any meds. I quit paxil with 1st pregnancy and did fine but was right back as soon as she was born. Eventually that quit working, finally effexor straightened me out and now I'm pregnant again. I've went from 150 to 37.5. I'm supposed to go every other day then quit. It gets so bad on the day I skip I feel crazy. That scares me. I think I could get by with 37.5 a day, does anyone really think that would hurt?? My husband even said he'd rather me stay on it because of how bad it has been. Are there any other drugs safer and just as effective??
I have been taking Efxr 37.5 2x p/d since august. my doc supplemented this with geodon for my BPII and I loved the way the Geodon worked. I stopped taking the Efxr...slowly...and it was still hell...I am now officially off the Efxr and taking 20 mg of Geodon (lowest dose) 1x p/d. I just found out that I am pregnant! :) I am very worried about the right meds to take during pregnancy. I do know that BP while pregnant is very bad for the child but there are not enough studies for class c drugs out there. (both geo and efx are class c) My OB said she has several patients taking efxr during their entire pregnancy and while they are breastfeeding. My ob did a blood sample on the newborns and showed slight levels of the efxr in the babies and she also took blood samples while the babies were breastfeeding and said the levels were also very low. This is just one doctor and a few patients...but I hope this info helps! I am on the fence about what med to proceed with. I sure am relieved to have this forum to bounce ideas off of fellow members.
Posted by carol_seiji on January 10, 2004, at 3:13:09
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
I wouldn't worry about the Effexor at all. I stopped taking my meds when I had the slightest inkling I was pregnant (I knew when I was ovulating and quit them then). At the time I was taking a total of 450 mg/day of Effexor XL, 400 mg/day of Wellbutrin SR - and 40 mg/day of dextroamphetamine (makes the effexor work about 6X better). At three months I knew there was no way I could continue the pregnancy without medication, so in consultation with my OB/GYN and my Psychiatrist I went back on all of them at the same doses. My son was born August 23, 2003 completely fine (also very happy sort a mellow laid back little dude, whereas I'm totally type A), and I still take those meds, with the exception of the Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine) just because I felt bad about giving the poor little guy amphetamines!!! However, my condition has worsened, and with pre-existing depression, the Post Partum Depression was almost a given and I also slipped over into PPP - Post Partum Psychosis. I don't really remember much of what I did, where I went, with whom I talked, etc. from Dec 5 through New Year's and my cognitive thought processes were highly diminished. I've started taking Geodon - 20 mg at bedtime and am wondering if anyone else has taken it and continued to breastfeed. If so, please let me know! I can be reached at [email protected] because w/ my current short term memory loss I'll probably forget to check here again! Geez!
Posted by erikab on November 21, 2004, at 23:36:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by carol_seiji on January 10, 2004, at 3:13:09
To all who have had to question their judgement to become a parent due to psych meds- I feel for you all and just want to give a big hug. I have been there 3 times and am 37 weeks along with my fourth!!!! I should start with my history. While pregnant with my first I was on Prozac about 6 months after he was born and soley breastfed. He has no medical problems. With my second I was on prozac while she was newborn due to an increased post partum depression which turned into post partum psychosis. I breastfed her for 18 months and she also has no medical problems or otherwise. With my third I was suicidal at 7 months pregnant and started on Zoloft. It didn't really help and my dose just kept climbing until I was at the maximum dose. He was born 4 weeks premature and had feeding and breathing problems. His lungs were expending too much energy to nurse, so I had to pump and bottlefeed while he was on oxygen for 5 1/2 weeks. I ended up with the worst depression I have experienced to date and the medicine wasn't working. That's when my doc introduced me to effexor. I started 150 mgs of Effexor XR while my son was 6 months of age and soley breastfed for 13 months. My husband and I started noticing our little guy had tremors in his hands all the way up to his elbows. He is now two and the tremors have only worsened. After an MRI revealed nothing, we still don't know what is wrong.
So I stared researching and found that SSRI meds are attributed with tremors and all the other troubles that my little one was born with; especially if taken in the third trimester. Hooray for Docs that can't keep up in their own field and go around prescribing this to pregnant and breastfeeding moms! =( There was an article released in JAMA in June or July 2004 to back this up. Interestingly I also found that the drug manufacturer Wyeth is looking to possibly change labeling of the drug for these reasons. The FDA is also on board with this. Sadly I found out all this at 28 weeks pregnant and was basically scoffed at. So I decided to be my own health advocate and wean by 37.5 mgs weekly from my 225 daily dose. I was also taking Wellbutrin (a class B med) to help the transition. This took about six weeks and I took my last dose on the 17 of this month. Now I am withdrawing pretty badly. I am worried what this is doing to my baby as I can barely function even with 300mgs of wellbutrin daily. HELP!!!!!!! I don't know what to do and can hardly take care of myself- much less three kids aged 2, 4 and 6, PLUS be pregnant. I am experiencing vertigo, nausea with vomiting, nerve "zaps" and horrible mood swings. I just don't want to hurt my baby inside me with this medicine after seeing my 3rd go through rough times to this day. If anyone can help or just lend some support; I would greatly appreciate it!
Posted by dancingstar on November 22, 2004, at 16:53:15
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal and Pregnancy, posted by Marie B on May 31, 2001, at 12:33:19
My heart goes out to all of you that are doing this while pregnant. I don't know what I would do. Maybe it's better that the drug is out of your system, rather than in it to protect your unborn child from carrying the drug with them into the world, but I don't know for sure. I wish the doctors knew more about this. There are so many women in this position and so little is known about it.
I guess that I can't help but be angry at Wyeth for allowing this drug to be prescribed without enough testing to know that this can happen or to know that this can happen and allow it to be prescribed anyway. Maybe you don't agree with my position, but I truly feel like the desire for profits in the last decade encouraged many companies to jump the gun on these drugs, knowing that they could backfire in the longrun but hoping to get the money in the shortrun and sell their stock before the proverbial -- well, pizza hit the ceiling ;-).
I want to organize a group of people to protect our interests. Will anyone that cares about your life or the lives of your children and has concerns about the misrepresentations made about Effexor or possibly any other ad please send me a babblemail or click on my name so that I can send you my email address so that you can find me if you feel that you want to pursue this at some point. Even if it is not for us personally, it is my feeling that the public should have the right to know what we all know. And the children should not have to suffer for what we have done to our own bodies.
I am doing this now while I am still in pain and still angry and still in the bathroom most of the day because I feel as though this is as good a time as any.
As always, I pray for you guys that have it worse than I do.
Bebe
This is the end of the thread.
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