Posted by SLS on February 26, 2005, at 14:30:22
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal - very bad news, posted by leedoole on February 26, 2005, at 12:16:07
> I had been on Effexor for approx 6 years. I reduced the dosage, per doctor care, twice over the years. The latest dosage was 37.5. This week, I stopped taking it completely. I am pregnant, and do not want to spend the whole pregnancy going on & off different meds.
>
> I am having extreme withdrawal symptoms, as well as nausea from the pregnancy. I cry several times throughout the day, and just feel lousy. I read many of the threads, and I'm very nervous about this withdrawal lasting so long.....Your baby is probably experiencing the same distress (withdrawal syndrome) as you are. I think you are better off discontinuing the drug in a way that prevents withdrawal.
I would either:
1. Reintroduce the Effexor and use a flexible dosing schedule to taper.
2. Take Prozac 20mg for 3-5 days and then discontinue the Effexor. You might not have to take Prozac beyond the fifth day.
When mothers take SSRI antidepressants or Effexor in the third trimester, the baby does undergo a withdrawal syndrome upon birth that is quite dangerous, and can last for weeks.
Symptoms include irritability, constant crying, shivering, colic, increased tonus, eating and sleeping difficulties, hypothermia, and convulsions, just to name a few.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:461547
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050214/msgs/463794.html