I just wanted to post a little update on the whole Effexor thing. I followed the pharmacist's advice and tried every other day, but it was just making the "brain twitches" yo-yo, so I went cold turkey (from the lowest dose available) this weekend. It took about 2 days to feel normal again, but by the end of the second day I finally had some motivation to do things, something I hadn't had in months. I had been having to force myself to clean or work on anything, but I'm feeling more like myself now, and finally finished the MOUNTAIN of laundry that had been growing. I'm just glad it's all over, it was such a horrible experience, and one that could have been avoided with a little research on my part.

By Feona on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 04:10 pm:

At least it is over now.

By Tripletmom on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 07:56 pm:

I'm a pharmacist technician and heard alot of complaints of effexer for some people.Some mds work so much with different doses that sometimes I think they should try a different drug.I'm glad your feeling better. You know yourself better than anybody else.

By Annie2 on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 08:37 pm:

Glad you are feeling better, Crystal.

By Crystal915 on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 09:45 pm:

Thank you, everyone!! Sherri, this is one drug I've hear way more complaints about than positives. The most ironic part is they put me on it because we were TTC, and needed a drug for depression that was safe to take during pregnancy. After talking to the pharmacist and reading the drug information I found that it most certainly is NOT recommended for pregnancy, so I'm very glad that we did not conceive during that time. The whole thing has left a bitter taste in my mouth about doctors and their actual knowledge of drugs.

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:42 am:

Hi Crystal- We have a drug here called Paxil it is good for depression you can be safe on it while TTC and you can also breastfeed while on it. It is the most common antidepressant for PPD.Believe or not the pharmacist is a very good candidate for selection of drugs.They deal with side effects and drug interactions everyday.They are also the best person to ask proper dosage forms for children I dont know how many times we have to call md offices and verify correct dosages.

By Feona on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 10:03 am:

St. Johns Wort is bad for tlc I remember reading. Don't know what it does but I think it makes it hard to conceive somehow.

What about Same herb? Would those herbs help at all? I have taken St. Johns wort. It is very mild...


http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/treatment/alternative/sam-e.asp

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 04:31 pm:

I've taken Paxil, it doesn't do well with me, even at a very low dose, it makes me lethargic. I'm done with SSRIs, I've taken quite a few and have not had one good experience yet. Thank you for the advice though, I know now that I should always talk to the pharmacist about the medications I'm considering, that was a hard learned lesson.
Feona, there was a recent study that shows that the herbal treatments for things like depression and arthritis are actually ineffective, but the "cures" people experience may be valid because it's a psychosomatic thing. Either way, I'm going to continue with the Xanax XR until we're ready to TTC again, and cross that bridge when we get to it. I'm very hesitant to be on ANY drug while pregnant, because I fear the effects on the baby's forming brain.

By Conni on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 05:56 pm:

(((HUGS))) Glad you are feeling better!!!

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 07:55 pm:

Youre fear and anxiety while being pregnant will do more harm than any safe drug.Just take 1 day at a time and deal with what comes youre way.You are definately on the money when it comes to herbal treatments.There is not enough studies done to prove these meds.Why try something new when alot of them dont go through the stages to be approved by the FDA.I had to go off some pretty harsh meds before I could conceive for at least 4 mths and I still worried that it was still in my system. We will do anything for a nice healthy baby even if it means we sacrifice ourselves at times.Good luck with everything Chrystal