Babble

I'm on 1/2mg twice daily of Klonopin just upped from 1/4 mg for the 1st 24 weeks of my pregnacy. When I hit week 24 I hit bottom with my depression and had to increase it per my doctors. I was wondering what dosage you took and if your babies had any problems at birth or now. My doctors keep telling me healthy mom= healthy baby. Any response back would be greatly appreciated. mdhall08@bellsouth.net

 

Hi there,

I am currently 5 weeks pregnant and taking effexor 75mg. Wonderful to hear that you have had 2 healthy children and breastfed both. Do either of your children have low muscle tone or were they very unsettled as babies? I am interested because my girlfriend took effexor 150mg throughout her pregnancy and her son was diagnosed with hypotonia and was a very difficult baby (though no dr has ever said that the effexor was the cause.)

I'd really value your reply

thanks Laura 

 

 Your story is sooooooooo nice to hear. I am a happy healthy person on effexor 75mg, and a poorly functioning anxious mess without it. I am 5 weeks pregnant and stressing quite a bit about the possible effects of the drug on my baby. Thanks for sharing your positive experience.

Laura 

 

I have been taking Effexor XR for six 6 years. My son is 4 years old and he came out perfectly healthy and no side effects from it. I was taking 75mg at the the time. Now I am pregnant again with my second child and my doc told to get off of it completly that was bad I have anxiety and depression about the pregnancy even though it was planned. So now they are trying this drug call Remeron they said is less harmful to the baby, it is not as strong as my Effexor but I will give it a try for the sake of the baby. It has worked for my anxiety maybe you can inquire about this drug and so you won't feel any guilt about the baby having side effects from Effexor.

Hi. I'm getting married in 7 weeks and I'm already stressed out about getting pregnant. I am looking forward to having a baby more than anything in this world. I have been on anti-depressants for about 6 yrs now and so has my husband to-be. I'm on effexor 150mgs and he's on a different one. I am also overweight. Any advice you guys could give me is GREATLY and sincerely appreciated. My psych told me staying on Effexor is fine but my regular MD told me to get off for at least 6 months. Also, I'm currently on birth control and the obgyn told me it's fine to try a month after you get off of it, but my mom and others have told me to wait for it to leave my system. Is this true? Does it matter that my fiancee is on antidepressants too? ... Has anyone else gained weight on Effexor?...

 PS yes I would like to get pregnant, but my libido is super super low. The doctor said it's due to effexor. Is this true? How do I overcome it?

 

Thanks!

malvarez1224@bellsouth.net

Anyone here live in NYC and have a good psychiatrist to recommend? I'm on Effexor 75mg/day, trying to conceive, and would like to see a doctor who seems knowlegable about this issue.

Not sure who you think you are to dictate who can and cannot reproduce!  Why don't you focus your attentions on all of the drug abusing women out there who "choose" to have children and then cannot properly care for them, or all of the teenage pregnancy we see nowadays, and these children now have to grow up with people who can't support them.  Seems to me that people like you, with black and white views and the lack of empathy for others, should perhaps reconsider reproducing!

Hi, I have also been on effexor for aprox 2-3 years now.  I went through a terrible, depressing pregnancy, and an even worse post-partum depression until my doc put me on effexor.  I was always fairly thin and able to control my weight, fast forward to now, doesn't seem to matter what I do, my weight just keeps increasing and am now heavier than when I was pregnant!  I also have experienced the low low low libido.....both of these side effects my doc, at the time, told me is not a symptom....bologne!  I think the main issue that we all seem to be having is our doctors are all saying different things, which makes it difficult to know what to do.  I don't have an answer, but wanted to let you know you are not alone!

Anonymous:

I am currently on Effexor XR 37.5mg for Panic Attacks.  I am 8 weeks pregnant.  I just re-started the Effexor 1 week ago.  I was off the Effexor for about 3 months because my husband and I wanted to start trying for our second child.  I knew that no meds were the safest.  I could not deal with the panic attacks any longer so I had to restart it.  I feel so much better since going back on it.  I have done plenty of research about pregnancy and Effexor. Basically, what I have read is the risks verses the benefit.  I have read several success stories from other mothers taking the drug while pregnant.  I just need plenty of reassurance.  I hope to just stay on the 37.5mg dosage throughout my entire pregnancy.  I guess I just have to wait and see if it controls my panic attacks.    Need some advice and reassurance.

 

 

                                                                                              ASM

                                                                                             muddfarms@peoplepc.com

                                                                   

I was on 150mg of EffexorXR when I learned I was pregnant. My PC told me to wean off until I talk with an OB/GYN. I weaned myself down to half that;by then I was seen by the OB/GYN. She told me with no uncertain terms to NOT discontinue my meds, and that pregnancy was a roller coaster hormonally, and the added depression would be devastating. She told me that there are uncertainties surrounding studies, and drugs effect people differently, but overall since I had been on meds all of my adult life, it was not a good time to quit. Despite the constant guilt trips from the babie's father and parents, I followed my Dr.'s advice. I stayed on 75mg throughout the pregnancy and during the 3 months that I breastfed. The only thing unusual to me was that he didn't sleep well at first, but I have heard that sounds normal. He was not a fussy baby and is a super intelligent 2 year old now. I am wanting another little angel and will take Effexor during that pregnancy too. As for the judgemental people out there, if you don't have mental illness, you should be happy and not make people less fortunate in that way feel bad for wanting children. I probably inherited my anxiety/depression, but I thank God everyday my Mom still chose to conceive me. Life is a blessing and at least the people on here have sought help and want to have the most normal lives possible. My experience is that I enjoy the little things that so many people miss. God Bless You all!!! You are not alone and have the ability to be great mothers and have healthy babies.

Shannon

Thank you Shannon for the info.  It really makes me feel more at ease knowing someone took Effexor and the baby and mom did well.  Amy

 Have you considered Zoloft?  I was on Effexor big time for years and got PPD and then took 300 mg/day.  But Effexor pooped out after 4 months of the high dose; but they put me on Zoloft @ 200 mg and it really helps with the OCD, anxiety and depression.  Zoloft is considered safe to nurse with.  Some ob's will allow their patients to remain or even start on antidepressants about a month before delivery.  Good luck and that's wonderful about your new baby!  Also I had shown my daughter (who is 20 months old now) a video of when I nursed her (I only had the chance to nurse for 3 weeks).  Now she often wants to "pretend nurse" which just warms my heart.  My other friends who were able to nurse for over a year, their babies want NOTHING to do with the boobies!  

A happy healthy mom is the best kind of mom to be.  We forget that we need to stay well FOR the babies as well as for ourselves. 

Stay on the Effexor!  I was on a whopping 300mg throughout my pregnancy and breastfed for 18 months.  My son showed no problems whatsoever and was the best, easiest baby in the world.  He is exceptionally bright and verbal and has been the picture of health for almost 2 years.  Your mental health is paramount to your ability to be a good parent.  You will do far more damage to yourself, your current son and unborn child if you go off your meds.  I too was worried about being on the meds when I was pregnant but both my psychiatrist and OB-Gyn encouraged me to stay the course on my meds and everything turned out great.  I am now pregnant with number 2 and have since cut my dosage to 150mg.  I have learned the hard way that my happiness and stability are partially dependent on my medication.  I have accepted that and consider myself a wonderful mother who can truly enjoy her child and function like a human being.  

Okay.

 Good on you