Im Pregnant and taking effexor xr

[orilokids]

Ok. I found out a couple of days ago that I am 6 weeks pregnant. I little surprised but happy. I take Klonopin as needed which I have stopped. I also take effexor xr. Up until 3 days ago I was on 150mg daily. Three days ago I started the 75 mgs. What is the best way to ween off of this. I have heard so many bad things but so far it is ok. I have been on the effexor for 1 1/2 yrs. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Melinda

[1347N]

I was on 150 mg Effexor XR for two years.  I have completed the weening off by going down to 75 mg for 7 days then 37.5 for 7 days then skipping one day between taking 37.5mg.  Then I took the 37.5 with two days between.  Tomorrow will be one week with none.  I didn't realize there were so many withdrawals from this medication.  Weeks ago I started feeling sick every morning and every time I ate something.  People thought I may be pregnant....but My husband can't get me that way, so I knew better.  Then I became very irritable, which is not like me.  I have told a few friends just what I thought when I should have kept my mouth shut like I usually do.  By this time I thought I was going crazy!!!!   Starting crying over silly things.  When I couldn't lay down at night because I felf like I was going to have an anxiety attack, which I have never had. Someone then mentioned it could be withdrawals from the medicine.  So i started looking online.  That scared me to death.  On wednesday when I tried to go to the tanning bed I couldn't stay in for even a couple of minutes.  I called the doctor from there.  They said I could count the granules in a capsule and trying coming off slower, but I refuse to put that stuff back in my body.  I think it should be removed from the market.  I was told most people go back on it because they can't take the symptoms of withdrawal, or they go on something else.  I never want to see another antidepresent again.  I can deal with all the many symptoms, but the anxious feeling and panic feeling, Which luckly only happens when I slow down.  I was given valium 5mg to take the edge off, but am scared to get hooked on that so I only take it at night .  It doesn't help me go to bed any sooner or to stay asleep.  I take it by dinner time and haven't been to bed before one am.  I am a fighter so I will continue trying to get through this knowing there is a light at the end of this tunnel, but my family is also paying the price. Good Luck I hope you are in the percentage that doesn't have to have all these symptoms.  Just be aware that the symptoms start before you are completely off the medication.  Of course you may not know what is coming from the pregnance and what is the withdrawals. I hope I haven't scared you to death, I just wish I would have known in advance.  Allison

[orilokids]

Thanks to the both of you. I am just scared. Really scared.

[RubyWitch]

Excellent advice from nana...........get in to see your OB/GYN as soon as you can and do the w/d under his/her supervision, please, for both your safety and that of your baby.
Peace
Greenlydia

[nana902]

Please do this with your doctor!!!  Also...with my expierence  I had to do it VERY SLOWLY.  Good luck....Nana