After I had my son I had Postpartum Panic Disorder and I was on a pretty strong medication that helped but left me Groggy. Now, it's been 7 weeks since I gave birth to my daughter and I think I have Postpartum Depression because I hate my life right now, I resent my children and husband, and I find that I feel crabby all the time! Anyway, I want to go to my doctor to see if there's something that can help, but I want to know if anyone else has experience with anti-depressants and nursing. I want something that works, but also has as few side effects on the baby as possible. I hate medications in general, but given that my exercise and healthy eating aren't cutting it, I think I need something else for a little while. If you've had a similar situation and you found success with something, will you please pass your ideas along? Thanks.
Medications has changed alot even in the past few years, it sounds like you were on too high of a dose and/or not the right medication. Talk to your Doctor and the Pedi and tell them your concerns about the medication side effects. I was on the lowest form of Zoloft and only took a 1/2 tablet a day and that worked and it was ok.
Good luck and Congrats
I had good luck with lexapro but be sure to check your thyroid. However, I did NOT do well on the generic for lexapro, which some insurance companies insist you have. Also maybe try seeing a naturopathic doctor. I don't remember but they were, but the naturopatic doctor gave me some great herbs and vitamins that really helped. I know one was L-tyrosine for energy and some Vitamin B...but I don't remember the rest.
I was on Prozac and experienced no side effects and neither did my son. The only thing was I had to wean him off of it as I weaned myself, but we had no issues with that, either.
You can take Zoloft while nursing. I felt the same way after giving birth to my 2nd. She is 14 months now and I am still on the lowest dose of it and it helps a lot! I was very apprehensive about taking anti-depressants, but I realized it was the best for my kids and husband if I felt happier and had more energy to be a good mom. I know with Zoloft it takes about a month to take full effect.
Definitely talk to your doctor more about this.
I'm sure there are medications that can help you that won't harm your baby until you are able to work past this.
Keep in mind your hormones are just all over the place too so that could be part of it, but postpartum depression is real and it's serious, and there's no need to suffer.
I never had PPD, but I know women who did and they truly weren't themselves. It didn't make them bad wives or mothers, it just meant they needed some help getting their systems stabilized for a while.
I do believe your doctor can help you!
I had such a nightmarish pregnancy that the hospital social workers kept a close eye on me after I went home. They never failed to let me know that if I needed help, all I had to do was ask and they never would have done anything to harm my precious new baby.
Talk to your doctor. Make sure you have a good support system around you and don't be afraid to ask for help.
I'll keep you in my thoughts.
