Been taken off venlafaxine

[Babyincoming2022]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone else has had the same experience/advice and can offer any support...

Last week I found out that I'm expecting! I'm 23yo and have been on 150mg of venlafaxine for 2 years. My doctor has stopped me cold turkey and I'm really struggling. I'm cold all the time, severely sick (not sure if this is baby related though,) can barely sleep and just want to cry all the time. Yesterday he prescribed me 20mg of fluoxetine and told me it will help. He had also put me on cyclizine to help with the severe sickness.

Has anyone got any coping methods for the withdrawal from the venlafaxine? I'm struggling so much.

rhonddacynontaf- that was my point in posting the link. The website is cautious and it doesn’t point to any clear significant risks- so it does come down to keeping mum well.

@StarCat2020

Do you have a pharmacist at your GP surgery as they may be more knowledgable than your GP?

Not that I'm aware and tbh my gp surgery are pretty useless as a whole

Not that I'm aware and tbh my gp surgery are pretty useless as a whole
Mine too.

The only other thing I can think of is asking for a referral to the Community Mental Health Team as they are likely to be far more knowlegable than the GP with regards to ADs.

I hope you get it sorted soon,

Perhaps let the GP know how dreadful you feel? Do they know the fluoxetine and anti sickness medication not working?

Ca man you ask for a referral to the peri natal. Service. As their psychiatrists will be the best to advise and support you while pregnant.
I would be very concerned coming off it cold turkey. I can’t miss a dose at all.

During my pregnancy I was on a diff one and gp stopped it over night and my depression caused me to be very ill. The peri marek service couldn’t believe how many times gps wrongly do this.

Don’t suffer thru this xxxxx

A quick update to everyone.

First off I can't thank you all enough for your advice!

Following requesting a referral to the perinatal team I saw a lovely consultant in December who decided it was better for both me and baby to be on venlafaxine than without it.

I am on 37.5 milligrams and although still struggling slightly with my anxiety it is manageable and I'm keeping positive that I'm due in 11 weeks at then can go back on my original dose.

I'm now under consultant led care, have a baby alert in my maternity notes and as a whole doing a lot better.