Re: taking matters into my own hands

[Guest guest]

I'm on Zoloft and even my midwives are fine with that. In fact they

encourage me to stay on it through the pregnancy and beyond to prevent PPD.

I will ask on my AP list about effexor in pregnancy; several of the members

there have medical texts which cite studies & reccomendations for specific

meds. Your local LLLL will have the same text(s) and could also advise you.

She would also know of drs who are familiar with prescribing medications

during pregnancy & breastfeeding.

There are antidepressants and antianxiety meds considered safe in pregnancy

and breastfeeding. I am pretty sure Prozac is one. Zoloft obviously is

another. Paxil comes to mind as well but again I'm not positive. Some are

labeled as " unsafe " although studies show no adverse effects and/or that the

med does not cross the placenta or into the breastmilk, or that if the med

does cross it is not absorbed by the baby, or not absorbed in significant

amounts. There are political reasons behind this. Sometimes you have to

find the studies yourself and show them to the doctor before s/he will

prescribe for you. Sometimes you have to switch doctors. Believe it or not

there are doctors out there who will tell you not to take so much as a

prenatal vitamin while you're pregnant.

I agree with your decision to take the meds. Ask your psych what the hell

you're supposed to do with your children while you're hospitalized for the

next 2 months. Grrrrrrr.

-Sara.

[Guest guest]

From a very nice person on my AP list who took the time to type all this in!

HTH , if you have questions please ask. This does offer Zoloft &

Paxil as safer alternatives.

-Sara.

----------------------------

Here's what Hale's says:

Venlafaxine (Trade: Effexor)

Venlafaxine is a new serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. It

inhibits both serotonin reuptake and norepinephrine reuptake. Somewhat

similar in mechanism to other antidepressants such as Prozac. Fewer

anticholinergic side-effects.

In a recent study of three mothers (aged 26, 35, 30 years) receiving

venlafaxine (4.1, 3.0, 8.2 mg/kg), the mean milk/plasma ratio for

venlafaxine (V) was 4.1 (range 3.3-5.2), and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV)

was 3.1 (range 2.8-4.0). The mean total infant dose of V was 3.5% (range

3.2-5.2%) and of ODV (as V equivalents) was 4.1% (range 2.0-5.6) of the

maternal weight-adjusted dose. The combined infant does in V equivalents

was 7.6% (range 4.7-9.2%). While venlafaxine was not detectable in the

infant's plasma, the metabolite ODV was (median 100 micrograms/L),

indicating the the infants were able to metabolize the drug. Peak milk

levels occurred at 2 to 4 hours with the highest recorded peak levels being

4316 micrograms/L for V and 3099 micrograms/L for ODV. While the infants in

this study were apparently unaffected, the dose transferred via milk is

relatively high and some caution is urged.

Pregnancy risk category: C (Either studies in animals have revealed adverse

effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal, or other) and there are no

controlled studies in women, or studies in women and animals are not

available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies

the potential risk to the fetus.)

[i believe Benedryl is a class C and I was on that for most of my pregnancy

with to control vomiting. I was throwing up 6-8-10 times a day

without it and lost 10lbs in 4 weeks. In your current situation, IMO, the

benefits do indeed justify the risk, until you are able to get something

safer that does the job for you. Of course it is your decision! Just

trying to offer some support. ]

Lactation risk category: L3 (Moderately safe: There are no controlled

studies in breastfeeding women, however the risk of untoward effects to a

breastfed infant is possible; Or, controlled studies show only minimal

non-threatening adverse effects. Drugs should be given only if the

potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant.)

Theoretic infant does: 647.9 micrograms/Kg/day

Adult concerns: Nausea/vomiting, somnolence, dry mouth, dizziness,

headache, weakness

Pediatric concerns: None reported via milk, but no studies are available.

Drug interactions: Serious, sometimes fatal reactions when used with MAO

inhibitors, or if used within 7-14 days of their use.

Alternatives: Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil)

Adult dosage: 75 mg TID

[Guest guest]

> I'm on Zoloft and even my midwives are fine with that. In fact they

> encourage me to stay on it through the pregnancy and beyond to prevent

PPD.

I don't understand how taking Zoloft during pregnancy and beyond can prevent

PDD. Is this something that has been tested or did I misunderstand?

Sissi

[Guest guest]

Sissi,

She said PPD, which is post-partum depression, not PDD. :-)

ellen

Re: taking matters into my own hands

> I'm on Zoloft and even my midwives are fine with that. In fact they

> encourage me to stay on it through the pregnancy and beyond to prevent

PPD.

I don't understand how taking Zoloft during pregnancy and beyond can

prevent

PDD. Is this something that has been tested or did I misunderstand?

Sissi

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 11/25/2002

[Guest guest]

Okay, It's late and I'm a dunce.

Boy, do I feel dumb.

Sissi

Re: taking matters into my own hands

> I'm on Zoloft and even my midwives are fine with that. In fact they

> encourage me to stay on it through the pregnancy and beyond to prevent

PPD.

I don't understand how taking Zoloft during pregnancy and beyond can

prevent

PDD. Is this something that has been tested or did I misunderstand?

Sissi

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 11/25/2002

[Guest guest]

Hehe, happens to all of us! Go to bed. :-)

ellen

Re: taking matters into my own hands

Okay, It's late and I'm a dunce.

Boy, do I feel dumb.

Sissi

Re: taking matters into my own hands

> I'm on Zoloft and even my midwives are fine with that. In fact they

> encourage me to stay on it through the pregnancy and beyond to prevent

PPD.

I don't understand how taking Zoloft during pregnancy and beyond can

prevent

PDD. Is this something that has been tested or did I misunderstand?

Sissi

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 11/25/2002

[Guest guest]

But wouldn't it be great if it worked for PDD?? ;0)

Georga

Register to win $50 in free books. Visit www.ubah.com/F1549

Start your own Usborne Home Business in November for only $34.95! Ask me how!

Re: taking matters into my own hands

> I'm on Zoloft and even my midwives are fine with that. In fact they

> encourage me to stay on it through the pregnancy and beyond to prevent

PPD.

I don't understand how taking Zoloft during pregnancy and beyond can

prevent

PDD. Is this something that has been tested or did I misunderstand?

Sissi

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 11/25/2002

[Guest guest]

So , how goes it?

-Sara.

[Guest guest]

> So , how goes it?

-Sara. <

it goes. still waiting to hear back from the OB :/

" Something important to remember...we'll always be who we are. " - Mr.