Post Partum Depression - North Richland Hills,TX

Oh dear, how I can relate! I won't go into everything that has gone on with me, but almost 6 years ago when I was 6 weeks postpartum and I was in my OBGYN's office crying my eyes out for no apparent reason , I too was diagnosed with PPDepression and put on a small dose of Zoloft. It didn't help- they raised the dosage twice and I was still depressed. Something was off. My family doctor recommended I see a Psychiatrist - after a year of things not working. When I saw the psychiatrist it became clear to me that a psychiatrist is REALLY the only kind of doctor you should see for psychiatric drugs-- they are really the only ones that know what is the best drug and what is the best dosage. This doc discovered that I did not suffer from post partum depression, but Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Started me on different drugs - they made a different, then they would n't and we'd switch, again and again. I switched do tors. I now know I have Bipolar Disorder - the med
fixative for this are one big circus

My point?
If you want the correct meds go to a psychiatrist. A therapist is always an excellent idea too.
If you are anywhere near Addison message me and I can give you an excellent name of both.

Wow! It seems you really have been through it! Your body has been completely drained of omega-3 fats, not only that, but without your gallbladder you have a hard time breaking down fats in your system. This can lead to serious vitamin D deficiencies and digestive problems which can lead to immune problems as well. Very important to get you on at least 2000mg of fish oil (Omega-3's) per day, a good whole food multivitamin, a B-complex, bile salts to help you absorb and break down fats and vitamin D. The amount of vitamin D you need would depend on how depleted you are. Insist that your doctor run a test to determine how low you are. I recommend products from Standard Process. You can only get them from practitioners such as myself, but you can look on there website for one closest to you or I can help as well. The products you need to look up are: Catalyn, Cataplex B, Tuna Omega Oil, Cholacol. Let me know if I can help. Your body just needs some nutrition that has been sucked dry so your body can function properly. I see it everyday! God Bless, it will get better.

I had HORRILBE post partum with my 3rd. I took Pristiq and it helped for a few weeks then made me really irritable. It took a little bit to find the right one, but now I take celexa and its great. Luckily for me I saw a counselor, and she kept me off work until I was mentally fit to go back to work. I don't know if that is an option for you, but depression is a real medical condition and you CAN get time off for it. Don't feel guilty, it's horrible to go through, but at least you recognize a problem, and you will come through it!

oh i'm so sorry for you! I know this may sound like a simple thing. But take some time everyday to do skin to skin with your daughter. Take both of your shirts off and lay her on her chest. (sometime when she is happy, like just after feeding) Her skin touching yours creates a hormone in your body that will help you heal. I would go see a counselor right away! I hope you get better soon and be sure to tell someone if you feel like you are going to hurt your baby!

I also had a horrible pregnancy. Then, was very sick after delivery and in ICU and almost died. It does make for a much difficult time post partum. I took several different meds and was finally okay but it got much worse before it got better. I would go straight to a psychaitrist because they really know body chemistry, hormores, drug interactions, etc best. You may need both a SSRI (anto depressant) and an anti anxiety med (xanax) or a mantenience anti anxiety med like busbar. You are smart to know to do somthing about it now before it gets worse. Good luck and let us know what you do.

When my 2nd daughter was 3 months I started getting depressed where my chest literally was burning and I hated my husband for no reason. I was bawling trying to explain to him I hated him but I didn't know why..... (sounds ridiculous NOW but was true at the time!) He happened to have Paxil from a car accident that he never took, so whenever I felt that burning feeling I just took 1 and it helped, but I heard there are alot of bad side effects that come with Paxil thank the Lord I only took it about 10x total. My best friend has some depression and she takes Zoloft and it works really well for her and its ok for breast feeding. I'm pregnant with #3 and if I start to feel the same way I think I'm going to ask to be on Zoloft. Hang in there mama! I didn't go through anything near what you went through, hope things get better real soon!

I agree with Jennifer that you probably need some nutritional supplements in combination with anti-anxiety/depression meds. Also try to get as much help from family as you can to help with your son and the house. Maybe getting help w/ some meals everynight so you have a little more one on one time w/your daughter. Like someone else suggested maybe a little more time off work if possible would be beneficial. I know all the moms that suggested you see a therapist, but my first thought was how do u fit that in your schedule. Well I knew this lady that I used to work with, she had a therapist that she met one time in her office and then after that they had phone conversations. Sounds strange, but it might be what works for your situation! Finally...Lean on God! He can see you through this! I'll be praying for you!

Oh my gosh - it sounds like we had very similar pregnancies and I had very bad anxiety afterward. All my pregnancies were bad (bed rest, hospitalizations, weekly doctor visits, etc) but with my fourth I was hospitalized 6 times during my pregnancy and had my gallbladder removed in emergency surgery when my daughter was 10 days old. Honestly, I felt I was REALLY not myself (like you said, I could not feel happiness or joy -- it was the worst feeling), and my OB did not respond other than to give me a low dose anti-depressant. I ended up finding a good psychiatrist (after trying one therapist who basically told me I should not have had a fourth child! stopped seeing her after that appointment!) and was on pretty big doses of anti-anxiety meds and anti-depressants for 6 months postpartum. You will get through it, but I would push to get medical intervention (and therapy if you think that will help). I hope you feel better soon.

I also had a bad pregnancy-- I was pregnant w/ twins and started having contractions at 19 weeks. I was on strict bed rest for 3 months and hospitalized bed rest. The kids were born 6 weeks early and I had other complications, too. Needless to say, I suffered from PPD and what worked best for me was Zoloft as well as weekly therapy. I really don't think the medication alone would have helped... it was the combination of the two.

I would suggest going back to your doctor and discussing what other medications are out there for you to try. 20mg sounds like a starter dose, so maybe it needs to be upped. Just keep trying until something works-- good luck to you!

I had pretty bad postpartum too, I remember how horrible it was, so my heart goes out to you. You WILL get through this, so hang in there!

I took Lexapro with my last bout of post-partum, but if I remember correctly (I might be wrong, who knows...), 20 mg was just the starting dose. I think I went up to 40mg. Try getting an increase.

I've also had good results with Pristiq. There are much fewer side effects with Pristiq. I had pretty bad constipation with Lexapro, also insomnia and sexual side effects, but none of those with pristiq.

Talking to other Moms who have been through it helps. I hate to say it but as far as we've come as a society, post-partum is still over-looked, not talked about enough, and some people still judge Moms for having the feelings they have, even though it's NOT YOUR FAULT!

Good luck to you, I hope you get some relief soon so you can enjoy your beautiful child!

I did 100mg of Zoloft and went to a counselor, I was only on the zoloft for about 3 months.

You poor girl! You have been through a lot this year.

I"m so glad that you took the step to see your dr and tell him that you were not feeling well. The next step is therapy. I too had a bad pregnancy (but no where near as bad as yours) and found my self in the throws of PPD. But it wasn't really a depression as much as it was post partum anxiety. What really helped me was the combo of meds and therapy. Talking to another woman about how you are feeling will help tremendously. Also, sii if there are support groups for new moms in your area. That will help too. And in time, I promise, you'll feel better.

Also, if you are feeling very anxious and need to chill a bit, a small dose of Xanax will help so much. It kicks in ASAP and chills you - but a small amount won' alter you too much (you'll be able to ake care of the baby). But I don't think you can breast feed with it?? How long have you been on Lexapro? It will take 2-4 weeks to settle in and work. Feel better!! And enjoy your baby. This will pass.

I'm sorry you are going through this. I too had postpartum depression after my second daughter was born. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! This is something that happens to a lot of women. You have been through a lot in such a short amount of time. One thing I know is if the medication your doctor prescribed is not working, then ask for a switch in meds. Not all medications work for everyone. You also need to be on them for a few weeks before they really being to work. In addition to the prescription, I was asked by my doctor to see a therapist. I didn't want to, nor had the time, but he said that if I didn't he would not refill! I found the time and it really helped! If you are ever feeling like you are really depressed and are going to "lose it". Make sure to put the baby in her crib and your son in a secure location and call someone.

Once things started to level out, I read the book Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields. It was very interesting and I felt like I was not alone.

It is going to be OK. YOU are going to be OK and you are going to love being with your children. Honest!!!

All the best and a great big HUG to you!