Is It PPD?

I took this when i was on the edge of freaking out http://www.sam-e.com/

and it helped a ton! I don't know if its ok to take while you are bfing though, also i second your omega3s, bfing twins could be depleting your body sources.

I am all for the natural way, but i think that if there is something really going on that you shoudl go see someone. Having a happy health balanced mommies is the #1 most important thing that you can do for yourself and for your kiddos. (((hugs)))

After I had my son (Dec 2003), I had PPD but mine lasted longer than what my doctor said it should so he gave me 25mg of Zoloft. WOWOWOWOWOWOW what a difference. My crying stopped within 2 weeks and got better and better as time went on. Then we moved to Cedar Hill 4 mos later, without having family or friends, and I became overwhelmed and anxious and sad but like you, not all the time. My dosage increased to 50mg by my PCP and when my irritability did not change, she referred me to a psychiatrist. This began in January 2007.

Based on my symptoms, my psychiatrist determined that I had Bipolar II (not the crazy one) which is depression and hypomania (which is a lesser severity of manic). So right now I'm still taking Zoloft with my Bipolar med and (in the words of the fish from Cat in The Hat) "Do I like this? Not one little bit!" (I think I've got that book memorized now.)

I hate taking meds but it beats the alternative of major mood swings, crying and just not pleasant to be around. Do I get sad and depressed still? From time to time but it's never as severe as it was in the past.

I don't think you have clinical depression because you probably can get out of bed and do what you have to but you still have those other symptoms, which do sound like Bipolar II. Look at Webmd.com. Here's a link for you to research: http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/default.htm

St. John's Wort is not regulated with the FDA, I don't think it's a good herb to take unless you know more about it. I would definitely go to your family doctor or even gyno and talk about it and see if they recommend you go see a psychiatrist.

If you weren't like this before babies then it might just be a classic case of anxiety/sadness which an antidepressant can help you with.

I hope my response helped you. Write me if you want to talk more.
Barb

Heather,
Do you like to read? I have a wonderful book that is a must have for every woman. It is my bible besides my bible. It is called THE SCHWARZBEIN PRINCIPLE by Dr. Dianna Schwarzbein who is a specialist in hormone systems.
Educate yourself with this common sense book that will answer all your questions about how we can get out of wack. Analyze your sleep, nutrition and stress levels. Do not let a doctor prescribe antidepressants. Get the root and balance yourself naturally. Good luck, Heather!
Karen (age 47, mother of 4 teenage girls)

I had PPD after the birth of my eldest daughter. I don't know that it's the same for everyone, but my anxiety was severe every day. Every single miserable day. I would lie in bed at night and think of horrible, awful things that could happen to me and my daughter. I planned escape routes for different situations. I was so afraid to leave my bedroom (my daughter and I shared a room; I was a single mom, living with my parents) at night that if I had to potty, I'd go on a pile of towels. I also felt completely overwhelmed every day. Doing laundry, leaving the house, taking a shower...it was all too much, usually. That's not to say that I didn't ever do those things. Ofcourse there were days that it was easier.

I ended up finally seeing my doctor about the situation when my daughter was about a year old; I just couldn't live like that anymore. I took medication for a few months.

I would think that it's perfectly normal for a SAHM to twins to feel overwhelmed and stressed. I'm sure a good counselor will be able to help you; I'd also bet there are tons of books on holistic healing for these types of feelings.

Good luck to you! I hope you are able to feel better very soon.

And way to go for breastfeeding twins for nearly a year!! :)

Try Omega 3-fish oils, about 2400 mg a day. There is good resarch that this can help or prevent PPD. 100% natural. I call them my happy pills :) I like the brand Nordic Naturals but try to get a quality brand that tests for metals. They are a teriffic mood stabilizer and good for baby too! You should notice a difference in a week to 10 days.

I dont know if you would still have PPD so long after delivering...but with twins and the life change you may. The counselor will hopefully be able to help you. I had PPD very badly after I had my little boy last Aug. If you are not feeling like yourself for two weeks or more you may have an issue. I took zoloft while I was breast feeding...my brother is a phsyciatrist and explained if I took the zoloft at night and had 7 hours of sleep it would pretty much be out of my system before I breast fed in the morning. Unfortunately, I had to get on stronger meds...WHICH GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK when I didnt think I would EVER recover...but I had to stop breast feeding. My little one had fromula from the time he was 1 month old and has never had an ear infection or a severe illness. We have been very blessed, I am an elementary school teacher and was so scared all the germs I was around would come home with me and get him sick. So, in my case, my fear of the whole immunity of the baby being affected by not breast feading did not hold true. My sister breast fed like a fiend (we had our babies at the same time) and her little one ended up in the hospital with phnumonea and was sick many times with ear infections etc...just an FYI. I was so stressed out about having to stop breast feeding and in my case it all turned out just fine! :)

Good luck...just make sure you listen to yourself. If you feel you are not "right" there probably is something going on. Going to a counselor is a great step in the right direction. Let me know if you have any other questions. I know I suffered severly with anxiety my first 2 months and thought I was going crazy. The Dr.s wanted to hospitalize me! I knew deep in my heart I could beat it with out the hospital, I just needed the right "something" whatever that was, and in my case it was meds. After the meds kicked in I was like my old self again!

I know that me not being wracked by anxiety and depressed has been wonderful for my baby! A happy mother means a happy baby (most of the time)! Remember, you have twins and that in itself is way stessfull. I REALLY admire you...I often wonder what I would do if I had twins and I dont think I could handle it on my own...so pat yourself on the back and feel proud!

Again, I just want to stress that this was what worked in MY case. Every one is unique and you just have to try to see what works for you...getting ideas on what worked for others is great...then think about them and see what you feel comfortable with and what works for you. Sometimes it is a little bit of trial and error before you find what is right for YOU! Again, best of luck...and know you are not alone. If you have any other questions dont hesitate to reply.

That is really great that you are going to see a counselor. I applaud you for being open to that and for also being open to medication. Clinical depression is a physical disease, it is not just something people can always "get themselves out of". I know that with PPD the hormone changes in our bodies are a severe blow to our system.

I can understand completely you wanting to go without medication because you are still breastfeeding. I would feel, and did feel, the exact same way. You may be able to do it without medication but medication may be necessary AND THAT IS OKAY. :-) If meds are the step the doctor recommends don't be afraid. Weigh the pros and cons. Depression affects your children too. If the side effects of the meds are less than the side effects of the depression than it is worth it.

You sound like a wonderful , loving mother. It will be alright. Seeing professional help is a great avenue. If you ever need to talk please feel free to email me.

Warmly,
A.

Hello Heather,
I have been using a product by Allergy Research Group. It is called Zen. My osteopathic doctor prescribed it for my 11 year old daughter. It is GABA and L-Theanine..brain food. You can take as much or little as you feel you need. I usually take it twice a day during high stress periods and once a day at other times. Check it out online. It has been wonderful for both of us.

You may just have some stress in your life you don't realize. I find I get a little "off" when that happens. I have been reading an excellent book called The Relaxation Response. It helps with anxiousness, and can help with mild depression by focusing on your body and mind together.

Good luck!

Hello Heather :) I promise I am not stalking you, but I do tend to read any of the mental health posts!

No, you would not necessarily feel depressed or anxious 100% of the time. You would have some good times and some bads, but you would more than likely know that you do not feel like yourself and did not like how you felt a lot of the time.

I cannot tell you how many times I have had people tell me that they 'did not have a reason to feel depressed.' Some people have situational depression because of a loss or something, but some people have depression just because. Our feelings just are, and there is no right or wrong to them.

As to whether you need meds, you can talk about that with your therapist or with a doctor. Therapy can definitely help, but it can take a while. You could possibly take something for a while (in combination with counseling), just to get you back to par, and then stop it when you are feeling better (not cold turkey though, you have to wean yourself a bit). I went on Zoloft for about 3-4 months after Jack was born. I was nursing him, and that is safe to take while breastfeeding. Like I wrote above, I just did not feel like myself and didn't feel like I was able to give my best to my son or my husband. After a few months, I felt better and slowly stopped taking them. And, though I am sure you know, let me say: Anti-depressants are not happy pills. Their purpose is not to make you ridiculously happy, but rather to bring you back to a normal level of functioning. And just because you may need them for a while, it does not mean you will need them forever. And it in no ways means you are a failure as a person, mother, or wife if you are depressed or need meds. (These are all misconceptions that I hear.)

If you are looking to go a drug-free route, I recommend these things, though all can be hard when you have kids: Exercise has the same level of benefit as a low-dose anti-depressant. It is a natural mood enhancher. Also, taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep and proper nutrition. If your body is well-fueled, it will run better. And get support where you can, through the moms group, family, friends, etc. Get some time away from the boys every once in a while; my MIL watched Jack for a few hours today, and I felt almost rejuvenated from it and couldn't wait to get him back.

I hope you start to feel better soon and have a fantastic vacation!

Hi Heather,

Others have answered your question on PPD. I just wanted to say you are a Mom to twin boys and probably exhausted. That does not mean you don't love being a Mom. Do you take regular time just for you? Get enough rest? I'm so glad you are going to see a counselor. More rest, girlfriend get aways, massage, or pedicure could be great natural routes.

I have PPD, but I was not depressed or anxious all of the time, it would just happen at random times. Talk to your doctor as soon as you can. You don't want to mess around with it. I didn't think I wanted to be medicated either, but it has made a tremendous difference. I didn't realize how bad I felt until I started to feel much better. Also PPD can develop anytime from delivery to 12 months post partum.

It might be but I would consult your doctor for this. You can tell your doctor you don't like meds and ask if there is a herbal. ST. John's Wart is know for depression but if you are having anxiety not sure it will work for you. It could also just be that you are overwhelmed with the difficult task of raising twins who are at an age where it is a double time job just to keep up with them. Since it isn't everyday not sure it is depression. There could be something triggering it on those days yo do have that feeling. I would say go to the doctor.

Could be PPD, there are meds that are safe to use while breastfeeding. COunseling is your #1 best first option. In my case (and likly yours too- you have twins!) I was just TIRED. Sleep did so much more for me than the antidepressants did and so I got off of them when my daughter turned 1. Antidepressants can't fix a lack of sleep, but they can help some of the depression that lack of sleep causes.

Don't forget you might not have PPD at all. You might just be overwhelmingly tired. DO talk to a counselor and go see a doctor. But, also consider trying to get some help so that you can take a nap/go for a walk/ get away for a couple of hours. I just had a baby in December and my parents took both of my kids for two weeks (this is the beginning of the 2nd week). I feel like I am in heaven. I am getting some real rest, getting some real chores around the house done, and still getting to go out to dinner and the movies. I can't remember the last time I felt this unburdened - and I just feel better down to the core. I think most of this feeling better is getting my first real sleep in practically a year.

It's not 100% of the time, and a lot of the times there's guilt mixed in there. IF it just started, though - it seems more like regular depression than PPD, because your boys are already 11 months old.

That said - I recommend the book "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns - and prozac is my best friend, but it's not recommended while you're nursing.

S.

I know this sounds crazy, but you need to do my nutrtion response testing. It could be a scar you got during delivery, that needs to be treated with cold laser or wheat germ oil. I see this ALL the time in my practice. It even happened to me. I have lasered my scars and I apply wheat germ oil them and I am doing so much better. The scars block acupuncture (meridian) pathways and it messes up the nervous system and it causes a "strange unexplained depression". Call us and we will fix you up. Dr. J.
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