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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by momma_meg on July 9, 2005, at 22:18:48
Hi all,
Anyone else been through this before? I was told by the doctor who put me on effexor to stop cold turkey since I am 7 wks pregnant. Actually, I was told to do this over the phone through his nurse. I know he doesn't really care about my well being or my baby's, so I've been reading up on everything I can find about effexor and pregnancy and what the best decision is for me. This is my second day off of effexor (75mgs) and those brain zaps are killing me!!!! and as for other symptoms, I can't tell if they are due to my pregnancy, the withdrawl or both mixed together. everything I've been reading on quitting cold turkey is scaring the crap out of me, but I don't want to hurt my baby by continuing the meds or even tapering...I guess I'm just scared in general of a lot of things surrounding this. I wonder what is safer/healthier for my baby (and my 20 month old)...the withdrawls and possible return of daily panic attacks or taking a chance and either staying on the meds or tapering off and hopefully stopping by my 3rd trimester (when studies have shown the drug crosses the placenta). I've been thinking of tapering until my first appointment with my OB and then see what he says. any thoughts or support would be greatly appreciated. thanks!
Posted by Patty R on July 10, 2005, at 8:51:58
In reply to Pregnant and quitting Effexor cold turkey, posted by momma_meg on July 9, 2005, at 22:18:48
> Hi all,
> Anyone else been through this before? I was told by the doctor who put me on effexor to stop cold turkey since I am 7 wks pregnant. Actually, I was told to do this over the phone through his nurse. I know he doesn't really care about my well being or my baby's, so I've been reading up on everything I can find about effexor and pregnancy and what the best decision is for me. This is my second day off of effexor (75mgs) and those brain zaps are killing me!!!! and as for other symptoms, I can't tell if they are due to my pregnancy, the withdrawl or both mixed together. everything I've been reading on quitting cold turkey is scaring the crap out of me, but I don't want to hurt my baby by continuing the meds or even tapering...I guess I'm just scared in general of a lot of things surrounding this. I wonder what is safer/healthier for my baby (and my 20 month old)...the withdrawls and possible return of daily panic attacks or taking a chance and either staying on the meds or tapering off and hopefully stopping by my 3rd trimester (when studies have shown the drug crosses the placenta). I've been thinking of tapering until my first appointment with my OB and then see what he says. any thoughts or support would be greatly appreciated. thanks!Dear momma
I went off effexor cold turkey, first 6 days in bed most of time had all the withdrawals possible but into week 3 I am much better. For me cold turkey was the best I did't want to drag it out and sounds like ones who taper have same problem just longer. I am in 50's
so done having babies, but have 10 grandbabies.
I am not a dr but would get off effexor soon.
I found clartin-d 2xday helped me and vitb-12
and ginger root for vertigo and nausea.
Patty R
Posted by SLS on July 10, 2005, at 9:59:15
In reply to Pregnant and quitting Effexor cold turkey, posted by momma_meg on July 9, 2005, at 22:18:48
> hopefully stopping by my 3rd trimester (when studies have shown the drug crosses the placenta).
Does the drug cross the placenta in the 1st and 2nd trimesters?
> I've been thinking of tapering until my first appointment with my OB and then see what he says.
I am partial to your discontinuing Effexor using a taper. You should be able to do this within two weeks. Even if the Effexor doesn't cross the placenta, stress hormones do (cortisol). Going through an intense withdrawal period might be as distressing to the fetus as it is for you.
Perhaps you can try combining a flexible-dose strategy to taper Effexor while adding some of the vitamins and supplements suggested by Rabble_Rouser.
A flexible-dose strategy gives you more control over your withdrawal symptoms. With Effexor, I think it is particularly important to take smaller amounts of drug more frequently during the day - perhaps 3-4 times a day. You might want to experiment to find the minimum dose that allows you to go 6-8 hours without experiencing the withdrawal symptoms. Once you begin to feel the withdrawal symproms return, only then do you take your next dose. It is sort of like taking aspirin only when you feel a headache coming on. I believe this method forces the system to re-regulate itself to normalcy much more quickly. I have submitted quite a few posts describing in more detail how to go about using the flexible-dose method. You should be able to find them archived on the board and by using the search function.
If you don't have tablets, you might have to do what others have done - count the beads located within the capsules and dividing them up into smaller doses. How about starting with 18.75mg (1/2 37.5 capsules) 3-4 times a day taken only when you need to? When this dose amount is capable of preventing withdrawal symptoms from appearing for over 8 hours, try reducing the dose size. Absolute precision in dividing the doses is not necessary because there is a 6-8 hour window of activity. Continue this way until no further reduction is able to last at least 6 hours. This is the point at which you discontinue the drug entirely. Again, it is important to allow the withdrawal symptoms to reappear before taking your next dose. However, don't let them persist for more than 30-60 minutes before taking more Effexor.
I can discontinue taking 300mg of Effexor in less than two weeks using this flexible dosing strategy. Without it, I, too, experience all of the familiar withdrawal effects. I am not somehow immune to a withdrawal syndrome.
Confusing? Probably. What questions do you have?
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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