Toddler withdrawal from Effexor with weaning

[PickwickNext]

I take quite a large dose of Effexor, though managed to reduce it during my pregnancy. Since giving birth, I have gone back up to my previous therapeutic dose, though not all at once.

I BFed exclusively for 6 months, from about 6 pm - 7am until 15 months, just morning and night until 18 months and have weaned DS entirely now. I was told that whilst he would get some of my meds, that breasts are much better filters than the placenta. (Into my blood, into my milk, through his digestive tract and into his blood vs straight from my blood to his.)

Although it's about 3 weeks since he's had a BF at all, the past few days especially, he's been out of his tree with tantrums and not eating properly. Yes, the finger is in the ear, he has a runny nose and is salivating a great deal, but his temp is normal. This is far beyond any previous teething trouble we've had.

Any ideas anyone? Anyone else weaned a toddler in similar circumstances?

[newlife]

Effexor is a strong ant-dep drug that can have severe side effects. I suggest you take your ds to your gp or to who ever manages your meds ASAP. If he is withdrawing then he needs to be monitored. Good luck.

[MeNThem]

Completely agree with everything newlife said - I just wanted to add... it sounds like pretty normal behaviour for a child his age - especially if maybe teeth are moving around (molars?) and may be exacerbated by the affects of coming off the meds after quite some time... but it could just be a developmental jump he is in too?

[PickwickNext]

Thanks folks,

We went to the doctor who said it wouldn't be withdrawal this long after weaning. Phew. I try to avoid parental guilt, but that would have been a biggie for me. DS had flushed cheeks by then, and a rash on his back, pointing to slapped cheek virus. Bring on the Nurofen and wish currently-stay-at-home-dad luck and patience!