I've been taking
EffexorEffexor
Effexor xr XR for at least five years, and before that I was on another brand of anti-depressant.
I have tried to wean myself off this medication before, as I hope to become pregnant, and it's effects on the unborn child were/are still unknown.
I decreased from 150 mg to 75 mg, then spent about two weeks on 37 mg then stopped, but terrible withdrawl symptoms forced me to take it again 150 mg. I also kept taking the contraceptive pill.
Recently, I tried to wean off it again, more gradually this time and spent over a month on 37 mg.
The
firstFirst progesterone mc10
First progesterone mc5
First-progesterone vgs 200
First-progesterone vgs 400 and second days off it I suffered short 'eye-shakes' in one eye only. It was like everything was vibrating.
The third day off I was extremely tired all day, kept going back to bed, felt depressed, fought with my parents, cried and had what other people describe as 'brain-zaps', (like sudden static electricity
shocksAcute respiratory distress syndrome
Cardiogenic shock
Electroconvulsive therapy
Hepatic ischemia
Hypoglycemia
Hypovolemic shock
Lithotripsy
Shock
Toxic shock syndrome).
The fourth day off I went shopping and came home because I was feeling dizzy, as well as the other symptoms previously described.
Should I go back on the 37 mg dose and have one every 2nd day, and then every 3rd or 4th day, and wean off it more gradually? I no longer see that psychiatrist, who increased her fee dramatically and did nothing to improve my moods except prescribe me this shocking medicine, with no warning!
Is anything known about the effects of this drug on unborn babies? I am 39.
Time will tell if I suffer depression like I did before, but right now I feel great that I've beaten this poison!
I would like to suggest to other people who seem to be going through hell this way, that they wean off Effexor very, very slowly, (spend 2 months on each lower dose if that's what it takes), and if you suffer withdrawl symptoms once you're finally free give your body time to get used to the shock before you go back on the drug.
P. LERRY
Everyone's different. You didn't say what strength Effexor you are on, but at least try to wean down in strength. Follow your doctors advice.
Best wishes to you and bubs!
LERRY
I was actually wondering how you are going with stopping effexor? Keep us posted, we would all love to hear that your transition to a med free future was a smooth one.
Have you looked at the other posts about effexor in this very forum? I think you would be blown away by the thread about effexor started by 'seektolearn'. We are all guinae pigs! It reassures me to know some people do not get birth defects while taking effexor - could you show me where to find out more about this drug and pregnancy? Thanks again Lerry, and hope to hear from you again soon.
cd26 how far along are you? The doctor told me that physical birth defects would occur (if they were going to) during the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. If I were to start withdrawing now I wonder if the damage would have already been done??
Good luck to you (and me) with effexor and pregnancy - it's a very hard decision to make and I am also reluctant to stop taking something that is helping me so much. Let me know what you decide to do or email me at ts.***@****
Love from hangin'in there!
I was pregnant with Effexor and thank god my baby is healthy. Try not to worry about it. I reduced my dose a bit but I still take it. Don't breastfeed your baby if you are still taking the medication.
Good luck!!!
My Q: Am switching to 37.5mg of Effexor in a week. After that, is there any way to then SPLIT the 37.5 dosage as I continue a very slow weaning? I am highly susuptible to Effexor's nasty withdrawal symptoms (hence the 5yr long addiction). I have before been known to split the capsules and divy up the tiny little balls of medicine; however, each day is not a consistent dosage.
Any one found any tricks/tips/hints on making the jump from 37.5mg to NADA without the bite?
thanks
***@****
I have been on Effexor for 2 years and recently reduced from 150mg to 75mg. I am turning 40 in March and also hope to try and fall pregnant before it is too late. I am really struggling with fatigue, shock-like sensations, headache and anxiety. I am so relieved to find that I am not the only one in this situation - I started searching the net yesterday, when I thought I was going mad trying to cope with the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. I have also gained 40 unwelcome pounds, which I hope to lose before I fall pregnant.
Another problem that I would appreciate some feedback on is this: My thoughts are very foggy and unfocussed. I struggle to plan and get going with tasks that I have done 1000 times before. I am easily confused and cannot cope with too much going on around me, especially if it is noisy. At work I am sluggish and slow - it takes me ages to get my paper work done and to ensure that it has been done properly. Do any of you have info about the effect of Effexor on thought processes and concentration?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone out there!
Thanks
Chella
I am 5 weeks pregnant and on 150mg Effexor XR. I suffer from depression/anxiety/bulimia. Where can I find more information on this drug during pregnancy and why am I reading that I shouldnt breastfeed? What substitute might be comparable and still let me breastfeed? Thanks, Barb
For me, I know I have to get off of depakote because it is known to cause many severe birth defects and the chances are not worth it. But as for the effexor, the risk are very little as far as I have researched. I've also talked to both my psychiatrist and my obgyn and they agree that the effexor should pose no real threat to an unborn child. I have had friends who were on prozac and zoloft during their entire pregnancies and had not only healthy beautiful children, but also enjoyed both their pregnancies and post-partum period. I, on the other hand, did not do this with my first pregnancy and was a complete wreck, especially post-partum.
I guess my advice (and my doctors) is weigh the options of which is harder on your unborn child (and your newborn). In my case my sanity is a necessity and I would not even consider going off of my effexor. However, if you do go off of it (and I have) go VERY slowly. Effexor is a very good medication for those of us that have tried all others, but you must be very careful when going off of it. I found waiting two weeks between lowering a dose was the best. Good luck!
Good luck! Let us know how it goes...
Cooder
Main thing is that if it is only a slight risk involved...I don't think it would be worth it for me to try getting off my daily dose of 75mg. I can't imagine living like that again...not sure I could make it through with that kind of quality of life. Also, I DO want to breastfeed when we do have a baby...and I have read some disagreable issues about this.
I look forward to your comments and send healthy and happy wishes to you all!
My question is this: Do you think it's wise to taper down on the Effexor as much as possible during the first 6 months of pregnancy, then go off completely for the last trimester?
I've slowly weaned down on the Effexor over the past 6 weeks, and am now down to 75 mg, since I thought I could try to go off completely before getting pregnant. However, I'm already noticing a change, back to the depression (not quite the anxiety) and major mood swings. Not fun at all (I feel like such an angry person), but certainly not as bad as it could be.
I THINK I've come to a decision, but I'm still not sure if I'm completely comfortable with it (or if my husband is). From all the research that I've read, and in talking to my psychiatrist and therapist, it sounds like it might be safe to stay on 75 mg for the first half of pregnancy, then go completely off before the last trimester (where there are the most issues with jittery babies, etc.). I guess I would rather deal with some depression the last few months and know that it's short term until the baby is born. I do want to breast feed, but I think I'll handle that one when it comes up -- if I'm feeling too down in the dumps then maybe I stop breastfeeding and go back on Effexor. Ugh. SUCH a hard decision.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Excellent on your weaning down to 75mg...that will make it so much easier for when you do get pregnant. Try to hang in there with that if you can and know that it's not forever! Perhaps try taking extra vitamins, getting extra sleep and drinking lots more water. I have also heard that for the most part, Effexor seems to be fine through the first 2/3 of the pregnancy...and I would STRONGLY reccommend during those times to SLOWLY ween yourself down to 37.5 mg, so that you can come off completely for the third trimester. And take NO chances on that--there have been reports of deformities, etc with Effexor in third trimester, etc.
But then, as soon as you've given birth and breastfeed your little lumkin for a minimal amount of time (which you DO want to do even if it's just a amall time, for it's building healthy immunities!!), after that--Get your booty started back on the Effexor again!! And dont' forget to start off slowly---Don't forget all those crazy nutzoid side effects that had for the first 10 days!! Then you can build back up to your normal dose again.
Sounds like a lot of effort to go through all this, and I COMPLETELY understand your hesitations!! I am personally quite nervous and think about this every day--the fact that there will be a time when I will have to be off of the Effexor completley....as much as it has saved me and my sanity....etc.
Well, just be sure to talk to your doctors about everything and I know it will ALL be worth it in the end! Keep me posted!!!
Brandy
Over the summer, I cut my dosage in half, to 75mg. And now I'm struggling. I feel more anxiety, and I generally feel more vulnerable, reactive and tired. I also find I become angry more easily. All of which has had a negative impact on my quality of life and makes it more difficult to work.
I appreciate people sharing their experiences in this forum. It's helpful to know I'm not alone.
My hope is to stay at 75 mg as I try and get pregnant. I've added SAMe (http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/samesum.htm which improve some people's depression) as well as Omega 3 EPA and DHA to see if they help.
If I am blessed with a pregnancy, I will attempt to decrease my dosage of Effexor half way through the pregnancy. And if I continue Effexor throughout my pregnancy and thereafter, I will not breastfeed.
My doctor and I met a couple of weeks ago and discussed weaning me off the medication... slowly... as I feel I am ready. She prescribed me 37.5mg and suggested starting with 75mg 6x and 1x 37.5mg per week for a few weeks, then switch to 37.5mg twice a week and so on.
Of course, this is before we knew I was pregnant. I have an appt with her in a week and a half where we can discuss what I am going to do.
I am worried... comes with the parenting territory of course. For now I am still taking the 75mg, but 5x per week... and 37.5 2x per week. I am speeding up the weaning process but also going along with my body signals. So far so good.
I have bookmarked this link and will be checking in every so often to share what I am going through etc. and to also check in on what the rest of you are doing, have learnt etc.
Best wishes to all of us and our babies :)
I am glad to know of someone else doing this and look forward to hearing how this goes for you and what your symptoms might be. It will help to have some idea of what I can expect too. Keep in touch, Jessimica02. I know you will do great! Feel free to touch base with any little details and/or if your in need of any words of encouragement.
God bless and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
B
PS: Emajay, Good luck to you as well and please keep us posted. BTW, Happy Birthday!!!! We are the same age, and late moms need to stick together to share advice and tips!