Paxil/pregnancy/Cold Turkey/heeeeelp

12-01-2004, 07:54 AM

Hi, I've been off paxil and rivotril for 5 days now and the symtoms are a nightmare rollercoaster ride.

I chose cold turkey because I discovered that I'm pregnant and was told that there was not enough evidence that the drugs were safe to take during pregnancy. Although adament that I won't go back on the drugs I'm afraid of what withdrawing is doing (or will do) to my baby.

Has anyone gone cold turkey due to pregnancy? Do they know of anything (preferably natural) that can be used during pregnancy to help with the physical pain? How is this effecting my baby?

scotty · 12-01-2004, 09:35 AM

Tough questions with not alot of answers. Research on paxil and pregnancy is almost non-existent. Withdrawal research is also non existent. I hate not being able to reassure you during this already stressful time. All I can say is the less paxil in your system has got to be better for the baby. Talk to your OB about fish oils and magnesium and see what his thoughts are on those supplements. DON'T take anything without talking to him first. Bev will hopefully answer here and give the lowdown on natural supplements that have helped withdrawal in Non pregnant people. These have to be cleared by an OB first since different substances,even the natural ones,can effect a pregnancy.

rdjanis · 12-01-2004, 10:03 AM

I agree with Laurie, clear anything you take with the OB first. Little is known about these drugs and pregnancy, worrying is not going to help you or the baby. Try to focus on the good stuff, the less stress the better for both of you.

mapleleafgirl25 · 12-01-2004, 10:47 AM

in one of my pregnancy books there is a paragraph specifically about Paxil...it says that the most dangerous time to go off of it is in the third trimester!!!..and that the medications can be transfered during breast feeding..

Michele

MizzT · 12-01-2004, 01:05 PM

Hi Beth! Welcome!
I went cold turkey 1/15/03.

i can say that i have absolutely no idea how it will affect the baby but its a part of you right now and your whole body is affected.

My GUT feeling on this.....I would rather have my child go thru withdrawal while inside my body, while it has the physical support of the womb around it....and mom doing everything she physically can to help the process. YOU take the brunt of the withdrawal that way. Better than having a 5 hour old infant going into the hell you are probably experiencing now.

How pregnant are you? Hopefully you will be WELL on the road to recovery before the babe is born and he/she will not suffer it on their own. my gut says better to get off now.

IF YOU ARE determined to stay off....hang in there for all you are worth. Im nearly 2 years off and really doing very well. I still have my moments but i know its because i have slipped in my regimen.

Fish Oil for Omega 3 fatty acids will help brain function return to normal over time. I do not think there is any hazard in taking that. Same with Magnesium...in fact i have read a million benefits towards pregnancy because my cousin is pregnant now and i am pushing her to take Mg. There is tons of info in the archives on this. Try to get something like Mg Glycinate. easily assimlated and fairly cheap. Take say 600 or 800 mgs to start and take it at other times in the day than when you have dairy or calcium for full absorption. IF YOU GET the runs.

you need to back off the dosage a little....go to 400 or 600. IF you are constipated....you will LOVE Mg.
It will help replace the Mg that is depleted from taking paxil and also start to level out and rebuild the nervous system. Mg is also needed for over 300 metabolic processes and MOST people tend to be deficient of it.

These are the first building blocks to work with. AVOID grapefruit. avoid caffiene, alcohol....probably all those PG things. drink tons of water.
know that you will not be irretrievably insane from this...as i know from experience that on day 5 you are probably in a nasty place.
it will start to fade but its going to take a little while. probably about 2 or 3 weeks for it to start to REALLY level out....but i was pretty nutty until about day 10. like...seriously nutty, strange, bizarre, insanity. I know its not fun...or easy.
Once you get thru the really bad part...we will get you on a program to help you get on your way quickly. I did not start on supplements until almost a year afterward. Start now and you will get there quicker!

Hang in there, chicken. you will be ok. i promise.

scotty · 12-01-2004, 02:19 PM

Beth its got to be better for the baby to not be having paxil directly effecting him/her. The withdrawal that you're feeling is a direct result of your brain chemicals readjusting and while this effects most of your bodily functions it's only effecting the baby in a secondary fashion.I wish we had some definitive answers to put your mind at ease, but there's just not enough info out there. Take faith in the fact that the placenta and the uterus are two VERY protective organs.

12-01-2004, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Beth its got to be better for the baby to not be having paxil directly effecting him/her.

That's why I'm NOT going back on them no matter how bad it gets.

My GP said to stay off until at least the third trimester, although I thought then that if i'd made it that far why would I go back on, now I can see that I would never do it, especially not if my baby is going to go through even a hint of withdrawal. I had no idea that withdrawal was this bad and I'm sure my doctor doesn't either.

This is my first pregnancy and I'm only about 5 weeks along. I have my first OB appointment on Monday, the poor guy's not going to know what hit him when I come in.

My biggest problems are sleeplessness, migraine, muscular pain, dizzyness and "the runs." I've lost 3 kgs in five days, water tastes bizarre so I'm having trouble even keeping my intake of that up. I'm just hoping every moment that I can do enough to keep my baby safe as that is my number 1 priority.

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm hanging in there and knowing that I'm not alone and have somewhere to turn that truly "understands" is a blessing.

sarah · 12-01-2004, 05:59 PM

Beth, I feel hugely for you. I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy, and a lovely healthy baby. Thank god you had the sense to investigate this issue. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any research into how paxil affects an unborn baby, but you sound like you want to take no chances. I am in total agreement. I would rather go through the withdrawal now, than have my baby come out and go through it. I know that you will get tons of support from everyone on this board. Just keep posting and know you are not alone. There is no-one on this board that would tell you the "right" way, or the "wrong", way to do things. We will just support you all the way, and want to see the pictures of your little miracle at the end. Just keep posting. This is a fantastic board with a lot of hugely valuable information.
Sarah x

MizzT · 12-01-2004, 08:40 PM

5 weeks! *Humongous sigh of relief*...not that its going to be easy on a fetus that small but i think its a better shot than having it go thru withdrawal.

Hang in there for all you are worth and you will get thru this!!

scotty · 12-01-2004, 11:26 PM

Bev, thats exactly how I felt when I saw how early on Beth is. She's going to feel like crap between withdrawal(which hopefully won't be to bad) and the normal 1st trimester pregnancy problems, but I feel alot better about how the baby will handle it now. Hang in there Beth, you are going to be a wonderful Mom!!

elisa · 12-02-2004, 12:15 AM

Bev - I'am so glad for you and your baby that you found paxilprogress.

Is this your first baby?

There is no doubt that you will be a wonderful mother and am wishing you all the best. Please keep on posting as much as you like/need to do. We'll be here for you.

redduner · 12-02-2004, 02:31 PM

My youngest son will be 2 in March and I went cold turkey off paxil when I found out I was pregnant and I could hardly shower by myself. I know exactly what you are going through. I've been on & off meds for almost 6 years and am now back on. The best news from me is that after the 1st trimester I was ok but the first one was HELL. I had awesome support which is the reason I got through it ok. My sister who lives on the east coast (opposite from me) was told by her ob that paxil was ok during pregnancy but mine said because of 0 research I should try not to take it. I didn't take it during pregnancy but went back on 6 months ago. I will pray for you but you WILL be fine!

12-01-2004, 07:54 AM	#1
beth Posts: n/a	Paxil/pregnancy/Cold Turkey/heeeeelp Hi, I've been off paxil and rivotril for 5 days now and the symtoms are a nightmare rollercoaster ride. I chose cold turkey because I discovered that I'm pregnant and was told that there was not enough evidence that the drugs were safe to take during pregnancy. Although adament that I won't go back on the drugs I'm afraid of what withdrawing is doing (or will do) to my baby. Has anyone gone cold turkey due to pregnancy? Do they know of anything (preferably natural) that can be used during pregnancy to help with the physical pain? How is this effecting my baby?

12-01-2004, 09:35 AM	#2
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Tough questions with not alot of answers. Research on paxil and pregnancy is almost non-existent. Withdrawal research is also non existent. I hate not being able to reassure you during this already stressful time. All I can say is the less paxil in your system has got to be better for the baby. Talk to your OB about fish oils and magnesium and see what his thoughts are on those supplements. DON'T take anything without talking to him first. Bev will hopefully answer here and give the lowdown on natural supplements that have helped withdrawal in Non pregnant people. These have to be cleared by an OB first since different substances,even the natural ones,can effect a pregnancy. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

12-01-2004, 10:03 AM	#3
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,238	I agree with Laurie, clear anything you take with the OB first. Little is known about these drugs and pregnancy, worrying is not going to help you or the baby. Try to focus on the good stuff, the less stress the better for both of you. __________________ Rita

12-01-2004, 10:47 AM	#4
mapleleafgirl25 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,132	in one of my pregnancy books there is a paragraph specifically about Paxil...it says that the most dangerous time to go off of it is in the third trimester!!!..and that the medications can be transfered during breast feeding.. Michele __________________ aka MICHELE My history with paxil is too long to write here..lol..but you can look at my old posts to see!

12-01-2004, 02:19 PM	#6
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Beth its got to be better for the baby to not be having paxil directly effecting him/her. The withdrawal that you're feeling is a direct result of your brain chemicals readjusting and while this effects most of your bodily functions it's only effecting the baby in a secondary fashion.I wish we had some definitive answers to put your mind at ease, but there's just not enough info out there. Take faith in the fact that the placenta and the uterus are two VERY protective organs. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

12-01-2004, 01:05 PM	#5
MizzT Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NM Posts: 6,881	Hi Beth! Welcome! I went cold turkey 1/15/03. i can say that i have absolutely no idea how it will affect the baby but its a part of you right now and your whole body is affected. My GUT feeling on this.....I would rather have my child go thru withdrawal while inside my body, while it has the physical support of the womb around it....and mom doing everything she physically can to help the process. YOU take the brunt of the withdrawal that way. Better than having a 5 hour old infant going into the hell you are probably experiencing now. How pregnant are you? Hopefully you will be WELL on the road to recovery before the babe is born and he/she will not suffer it on their own. my gut says better to get off now. IF YOU ARE determined to stay off....hang in there for all you are worth. Im nearly 2 years off and really doing very well. I still have my moments but i know its because i have slipped in my regimen. Fish Oil for Omega 3 fatty acids will help brain function return to normal over time. I do not think there is any hazard in taking that. Same with Magnesium...in fact i have read a million benefits towards pregnancy because my cousin is pregnant now and i am pushing her to take Mg. There is tons of info in the archives on this. Try to get something like Mg Glycinate. easily assimlated and fairly cheap. Take say 600 or 800 mgs to start and take it at other times in the day than when you have dairy or calcium for full absorption. IF YOU GET the runs. you need to back off the dosage a little....go to 400 or 600. IF you are constipated....you will LOVE Mg. It will help replace the Mg that is depleted from taking paxil and also start to level out and rebuild the nervous system. Mg is also needed for over 300 metabolic processes and MOST people tend to be deficient of it. These are the first building blocks to work with. AVOID grapefruit. avoid caffiene, alcohol....probably all those PG things. drink tons of water. know that you will not be irretrievably insane from this...as i know from experience that on day 5 you are probably in a nasty place. it will start to fade but its going to take a little while. probably about 2 or 3 weeks for it to start to REALLY level out....but i was pretty nutty until about day 10. like...seriously nutty, strange, bizarre, insanity. I know its not fun...or easy. Once you get thru the really bad part...we will get you on a program to help you get on your way quickly. I did not start on supplements until almost a year afterward. Start now and you will get there quicker! Hang in there, chicken. you will be ok. i promise.

12-01-2004, 05:59 PM	#8
sarah Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: UK Posts: 3,204	Beth, I feel hugely for you. I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy, and a lovely healthy baby. Thank god you had the sense to investigate this issue. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any research into how paxil affects an unborn baby, but you sound like you want to take no chances. I am in total agreement. I would rather go through the withdrawal now, than have my baby come out and go through it. I know that you will get tons of support from everyone on this board. Just keep posting and know you are not alone. There is no-one on this board that would tell you the "right" way, or the "wrong", way to do things. We will just support you all the way, and want to see the pictures of your little miracle at the end. Just keep posting. This is a fantastic board with a lot of hugely valuable information. Sarah x Last edited by sarah : 12-02-2004 at 04:33 AM.

12-01-2004, 08:40 PM	#9
MizzT Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NM Posts: 6,881	5 weeks! Humongous sigh of relief...not that its going to be easy on a fetus that small but i think its a better shot than having it go thru withdrawal. Hang in there for all you are worth and you will get thru this!!

12-01-2004, 11:26 PM	#10
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Bev, thats exactly how I felt when I saw how early on Beth is. She's going to feel like crap between withdrawal(which hopefully won't be to bad) and the normal 1st trimester pregnancy problems, but I feel alot better about how the baby will handle it now. Hang in there Beth, you are going to be a wonderful Mom!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

12-02-2004, 12:15 AM	#11
elisa Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11,509	Bev - I'am so glad for you and your baby that you found paxilprogress. Is this your first baby? There is no doubt that you will be a wonderful mother and am wishing you all the best. Please keep on posting as much as you like/need to do. We'll be here for you. __________________ On A/D's since 1995, switching due to side-effects on 30 different brands of TCA's, SSRI's, SNRI's, Antipsychotics, Benzo's & Imovane. 6 ECT's. Tapering from 225 mg Effexor XR May 17, 2004. (Equiv. to 60 mg Paxil) Last taper Effexor XR Jan 17, 2006 down to ZERO. Currently protracted withdrawal. Sept 2006: 25 mg Doxepin. March 13/09: 10 mg Desipramine

12-02-2004, 02:31 PM	#12
redduner Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 19	My youngest son will be 2 in March and I went cold turkey off paxil when I found out I was pregnant and I could hardly shower by myself. I know exactly what you are going through. I've been on & off meds for almost 6 years and am now back on. The best news from me is that after the 1st trimester I was ok but the first one was HELL. I had awesome support which is the reason I got through it ok. My sister who lives on the east coast (opposite from me) was told by her ob that paxil was ok during pregnancy but mine said because of 0 research I should try not to take it. I didn't take it during pregnancy but went back on 6 months ago. I will pray for you but you WILL be fine!

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