What Is Wrong with Me?

Hi A.,
My name is Kim and I actually work in a hospital in postpartum. I see what you are going through all of the time. If you ever need someone to talk to you can always email me. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter of my own and also my fiance has an almost 4 year old daughter also.
My email is ____@____.com if you need someone to talk to.
Also, I am at work right now and found this interesting information about postpartum support groups in the Wisconsin area, it is called the Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health Hotline and if you call 1-800-722-2295 they will help you find a support group in your area.
I hope I can or could be of some help.
Good luck, hang in there.
KIM :)

1 mom found this helpful

i think we're the same person, except I'm 29 and have three boys. i too am dealing with weaning, ppd and med issues. I think its just a phase in our lives that will pass. i dont have advice but wanted to tell you're certainly not alone!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi A.~

I wouldn't wait a few weeks to see the dr. I'd go back to my Ob NOW. Counciling can help, but if this is coming from hormonal problems, you need to get those under control. Call your dr right away!

In my prayers, G. G.

I know that you are super busy with three small girls, I can totally relate with three small ones of my own, but if you can find the time start exercising if you are not already. Even if it is as simple as taking the girls for a walk now that it is getting a little nicer outside. I personally went through some rough times myself (not a post partum issue but a move that I didn't want to make and then my father passed which sent me spiralling down), and it seemed like I didn't even come close to getting any better until I started forcing myself to get out there. I wish you the best with your situation, and if you need to chat, email me at ____@____.com

Seems that you have been given some very good advice already. I just wanted to say you are not alone nad I can relate. Weaning my daughter nearly pushed me over the edge with depression issues. Hang in there and call you doctor if you are concerned. Sometime just a phone call to the doc is what is needed.

I'm a therapist and I have seen women with pretty serious PPD. Zoloft is usually what is used, but isn't always successful. Feel free to talk to your doctor about other options. You say that you tried counseling...I would recommend seeing a therapist as well as a psychiatrist. If you didn't get help from the first one, try another therapist until you find one you click with.
I'm sure there are also some online support groups for women with PPD that you cook hook into.
It takes a LOT of support so hang in there!

L.

Big hugs! And I am so glad you are asking for help. I echo the advice that you should call your doctor immediately (if you haven't already) and tell them you are in crisis.

You don't mention anything about exercise, but I would encourage you to get out and do a brisk walk (or some other exercise besides hefty around a baby) everyday. If you can arrange to do it with a friend even better, because then you get exercise and a little adult time. Exercise is a huge booster for "good" brain chemicals.

I hope you are able toget some relief soon and keep in touch with the group as to how you are doing.

A.,
I totally know what you are going through having PPD with my twins. I agree with other responses that you shouldn't wait until your next Dr. appt. Call now! Paxil did wonders for me, so perhaps a switch in meds would do the trick. I also think the exercise suggestion is a great one too. Feel free to email if you want to chat: ____@____.com

Hang in there!!!
L.
mom to Gentry and Ainsley 11/03

A., there is nothing wrong with you!! Things happen. You have gotten much good advice. If you need a friend or someone to talk to, please email me at ____@____.com and we can trade numbers or something. Maybe talking to a new friend or learning some new ways can help. Good luck!!
~R.~

You need to get into your doc right away! As I'm sure you know, this is nothing to be passive about. Depression is dangerous to you and your family. When you go to see the doc, it might be a good idea to bring a friend or your partner with you to help advocate for you. You need to let them know that the current treatment is not working and you need a different plan and more help. Quitting breast feeding can be a liberating experience, but it also causes hormone changes. Breast feeding causes a release of happy, lovey hormones that you may be missing. I've always found counseling very helpful and would recommend it, but it isn't for everybody and you certainly do need to find the right therapist for you. I know some good ones if you'd like recommendations. Best of luck. And please, get help RIGHT AWAY!!
M.

It could very well be the fact that you are weaning. I had PPD with my second and third son and I was on zoloft the entire pregnancy with my 3rd son, but once I start to wean him I could feel all the depression again. The doctor said that was normal because I was pretty sure my baby was going to be my last child (I was going through a divorce) and I knew it would probably be my last time nursing. So it could be the lack of nursing. Good luck, and I hope it starts getting better.

Hi! If modern/western medicine isn't working. Sometimes using eastern medicine can help. I don't mean stop what you doing, keep taking the meds and fu with you md, but supplimenting with something like homeopathy or acupucture could help. Eastern medicine works on energy plains instead of physical plains. I hope this help and good luck. Woodwind hospital may be a good place to start. There is also a Meghabhuti Roth MD, at the Total Health clinic in Fridley that I have heard good things about. He is a md that also uses alternative medicine. He may be able to help or refer you to someone who can. The only down side of eastern meds is most insurance will not pay for them. But Can you put a price on 'healthy'.Good luck

You may need to try a different Med. I went through the same thing the med would work for a couple weeks or so and then it was like I wasn't taking it anymore. I would call and say you have to move up the appt because once it all gets worked out you will feel great I do. If you need a mom to talk to my email is ____@____.com
J.
Mom of 3

I think the weening may have something to do with it. When I quit breastfeeding my son when he was 5 months old I noticed a real change in my mood. Yes, it was nice to not be tied down. but the hormone (oxytocin?) that is produced when you 'let down' wasn't in my brain anymore and I really noticed it. Also a friend of mine who had to go back to a very stressful job after having a baby had the problem of her milk drying up (her husband was giving the baby bottles during the day). She actually had such severe post partum depression that she attempted suicide. She miraculously survived and is recovering with the help of antidepressants. I suggest talking to your doctor and a friend (in person not computer :)

A.,
I know you have gotten a lot of good advice, so I will keep this short. I, too, had post partum depression and Zoloft is the only safe drug to take whle nursing...I researched it at the time. You probably need to wean from nursing and switch meds. Post partum is very serious. You need to be healthy to take care of your kids and your baby will be just fine on formula.
Good luck.

Don't wait the couple weeks until your next appointment. Get in and see somebody today, anybody even if it is not your regular MD. You might need more Zoloft or trying a new med maybe the key. It is not worth feeling terrible or putting your familes health and saftey on the line. In two weeks you could be feeling great, or feeling way worse if you let it ride. Good luck

I see you have received lots of great advise!! I also would recommend not waiting for your next appointment. You need to get in and be seen. I had PPD and was on Prozac, had to be on it 6 weeks before the increased my dose. You won't see immediate results with any anti-depressant. They take about a month to get fully into your system at the desired dose. I switched off Prozac when I stopped nursing and am now on Wellbutrin XL. It is the best thing for me!! I love it. I feel 100% better and one of the side effects (oh darn) is weight loose. I have managed to loose 23 lbs just by watching what I eat. I feel good enough to start going to the gym again. I also saw a counselor every other week for 2 months. This has been a long road, but you will get there with the right meds. My daughter is now almost 1 and I feel like I am "normal" again.
Talk to your doctor...maybe see a counselor. The only other thing I can suggest is to get out as much as possible. I found that if I stayed in I felt worse because it was easier to feel bad. Good luck and if you want to chat email me! ____@____.com

Hi A.,
First of all, force yourself to hug and love your kids.......then, second, smile...lots. Third, are you on any birth control? If you are, check into the side effects of it. I had a horrible depressed time being on Depo Provara (Spelling is probably wrong) the birth control shot and it was when I went off all birth control that I then felt like myself.

You are lucky that you know the signs of this and can get help. Be sure to be sleeping enough and eating right and start exercising or going for walks everyday...either with a friend or with your kids or spouse.I find playing my favorite song" Sweetest Escape" by Gwen Steffani over and over kinda loud puts me in a good mood. ;-)

Chin up girlfriend!

J. In Lakeland,MN

I have heard that Zoloft is not that great for PPDepression. Celexa has done wonders for me, I take a 20 mg in the morning, a 20 mg in the afternoon and a 25 mg of seroquel(sleep medicine) at night. Try celexa. Also, get involved w/ a moms group. Make sure you get5 a babysitter at least every other week to get away from the house and kids. Where do you live? Do you have friends who can be with/help you? It weill pass...I had PPD depression DURING and after pregnancy till he was 8 months.
S.

I just read this fantastic book by a Dr.Shoshanna Bennett, called "Postpartum Depression for Dummies", it's a really fantastic book, well written with all the right questions and answers. She has found a nutritional system that feeds the brain everything that it needs to feel happy and well, giving it everything it needs to produce the right neurotransmitters. The system is all natural and organic. I just started it a few weeks ago and it works! I feel wonderful. Here is what she says about it in her book. You can call her and talk to her she is soooooo nice and generous with her time and knowledge. Best of luck, C.

THE SYSTEM THAT I FOLLOW
I’ve always had a deep interest in nutrition and feeding the body what it naturally needs for optimum functioning (including brain functioning). A health nut since the 60”s, I’ve tried every way of healthful eating out there (a couple that were on the weird side, now that I lock back!). I believed in nutrition-not diets. My incessant search for acomplete, simple system finally ended a little over two years ago-I found it. Since then, I’ve been using this nutritional system and introducing it to my clients (and all others I care about). It’s complete with high quality organic protein shakes, amino acids such as tryptophan (which raise serotonin), live enzymes, the essential fatty acids (Omega,6, and 9) in the correct ratios, vitamins, antioxidants, and ionic plant minerals.
The system, which consists of foods that you eat in addition to whatever healthful food you’re already consuming, has a total body cleansing and detoxing component as well. The results have been quick and dramatic, and I’m thoroughly passionate about it. Some of the problems that I’ve seen either totally disappear or at least decrease significantly with this system are depression, anxiety, decreased energy, difficulty losing weight, insomnia, sugar cravings, low sex drive, and difficulty concentrating. I’m not mentioning this system by name because I want to make sure you’ll be ordering only what you need and should have, depending on whether you’re pregnant, nursing, or finished with both. If you're interested, feel free to contact me for more information by calling ###-###-####.

____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't pick lemons.

I went through this with all three of my children. Try switching your medication, that's what worked for me. Do you have enough help at home? Is dad around? Do any friends come over to chat and help around the house? My friend and I take turns hosting each other for dinner once a week to get us out of the house and give us "adult" time. That has really helped both of us get through things.

If you ever need another mom to talk to, please feel free to email me anytime at ____@____.com. I hope things get better soon so you're able to enjoy life and your kids again.

I too have post partum depression, and you should probably see an actual pyschiatrist if you can. If not, talk to you doctor about adding Wellbutrin in addition to Zoloft, or if that isn't possible, switching to Wellbutrin all together. Wellbutrin has been shown very effective for PPD, especially when used with another antidpressant. Hang in there - it will get better!

Nothing is wrong with you, you might just be experinceing a side effect of the uped dosage of your meds your doctor would know. Just remember you are a beauitful person and things will get better.

Hi A., I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I have a 6 month old daughter and I have been dealing with the same problem. I was put on Prozac about 2 months after I had the baby, and it just got worse I went quite a while before they switched it. I am now on Paxil which I think works a lot better. The only thing is that I'm not sure if it's good if your breastfeeding. Also are you on birth control? Because I was on the depo shot which I found out later is not good it makes depression much worse. My biggest suggestion to you is keep going back to your doctor as much as you need until you get it figured out. I have been going through these problems for so long that now I have developed panic attacks, and trust me you don't want that. Good luck.

Alls I know is as long as your treating it...it takes time. It will get better but takes time. I took zoloft and that makes u gain weight. U might want to ask 'bout that so your not unhappy 'bout that.

i think you have depression.you have anxiety too?after my first child i thought the same thing.ive been on meds since i was 18 after my first child.i thought i was nuts etc.get on the right meds youll be fine.if its not working try something else.youll feel more yourself once you find the right one.dont give up!summers right around the corner enjoy your kids!A.

Weaning the baby could be adding to the depression. Breastfeeding releases Oxytocin to the brain, which is the natural chemical that causes mother and baby bonding so quickly, it causes the uterus to shrink back, and it causes a sense of euphoria (extreme happiness). If you are breastfeeding less then your body is recieving less oxytocin so your brain chemistry is crashing a little. It should go back to normal on its own, and the drugs should help. All you can do in the mean time is wait it out and know that it's pretty normal.