Medication withdrawal

[Debukf]

Hey,

I just needed a bit of support and advice if anyone has it?

A bit of an odd one. I've been on medication called Venlafaxine for 16 years (since I was 14) and I've been coming down on it since October 2015 from 300mg to nothing (since Monday). I'm 15 weeks pregnant and to be honest we got pregnant a bit quicker than we expected being surrounded by several friends and family struggling to conceive, so during pregnancy I've come down from 75mg to 37.5mg and now to nothing.

Each time I come down I have quite severe withdrawal and have decided to deal with this before baby comes as I'd be devastated if they had to suffer this withdrawal themselves when they're born however since I dropped to nothing on Monday I have felt so very ill. I have a very bad stomach, pins and needles in my face and fingers and what people who have had this problem will understand, tremors when I look around or get up.

I'm just worrying a bit about baby and the fact that I had two days off sick at work and had to leave at lunch today as I felt so ill. I know baby will be better without me taking this medicine but I'm paranoid I'll have a miscarriage feeling so ill.

Is baby stronger than I give them credit for? I'd really appreciate some support and or advice?

Thanks

[marmotte08]

I can not comment on your specific medication. I have been on Setraline & codeine from 25weeks and from 32 weeks they have added morphine. Obviously I was going easy with the morphine and only took it when it was necessary. My Midwife had warned me about the withdrawal of baby when she would be born. She was absolutely fine.

She is now 8 months and developing very well, so no "mid term" issue. She is monitored closely because I had a severe postnatal depression leading to me being in hospital for 3 months in total.

You need to take care of you and if you have any concerns speak to your midwife.

[Debukf in reply to marmotte08]

Thank you for your reply and sharing what I appreciate is sensitive information. It does ease my worries. I still feel ill so have a GP and an obstetrician appointment lined up.

[Hidden]

Hi strangely enough I was on this medication when I first fell pregnant with my eldest. They kept having to up the dose for me before pregnancy as I was almost becomming immune to it. I just went cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant and had major mood swings and flu like symptoms but it does pass. Took about 2 weeks for me. Remember you are doing this for your baby. Keep at it, you can do it. If I did anyone can.

[Debukf in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the encouragement xx