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EFFEXOR XR and pregnancy
I've been taking Effexor 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 first 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 shocks).
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.
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 first 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 shocks).
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.
Yes, I'm 5 weeks pregnant and on 75mg. I think I will wean off it as I would love to breast feed this bub and do not want it to be born with withdrawl symptoms if nothing else.
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!
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 am on 75 mg and my doctor told me it was up to me if i wanted to come off this med, i'm also pregnant, and all my tests have turned out normal. but i would very much like to come off of this, please help if you can thanks.
Thank you, Lerry! Some reassurance and best wishes never goes astray - and I appreciate a kind word.
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.
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.
I have read reports from people that have had perfectly healthy children while on Effexor, so don't panic!
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
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
Oh dear! I'm in this situation myself. I AM pregnant and still on effexor. My doctor says it's not worth the risk and I should seriously consider weaning off it for a while. I'm with him 100%!!! My husband agrees. My advice to pregnant women on meds. is discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor carefully and thouroughly and take the advice given by the expert. A little concerned with withdrawl but am closely supervised by my GP so confident I'll get there. Happy pregnancy!!!
It has now been 7 days since I took my final Effexor tablet and it has taken this long to feel normal again. That aint long compared to other stories I've read. I now no longer get 'brain-jolts' (or whatever you want to call them), dizzy spells, eye shakes, crying fits. etc.
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
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
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