Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I edited the pinned post above to include the link to this thread.
Great thread!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

just to update....

i spoke to my doc and was given Pristiq... she said it can work within a week, if not - 2 weeks for sure.

i am DEFINITELY feeling some relief....i feel less 'desperate' and feel more relaxed. When she cries - i feel less like i want to cry and more like - what can i do to fix ya?

i have to see my doc in a few weeks for my follow up to see how i'm doing...and i'm glad i'll be able to report an improvement.

i hope everyone/anyone else is doing well!!!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I ended up calling my insurance company and speaking with a clinician on their mental health line.

She spoke with me for a half and hour- just listening and talking. While she said it didn't seem like I was having full blown depression, she did give a list of therapists/psychologists (not sure what the correct title is) in my immediate are and explained how I can go on as many appointments as I want until I find the right one I "click" with.

So far today I am much more relaxed with DH's help- since DD has napped a total of 20 min. since 6:30 am today, I thank God he is home today!

We've agreed to just see how I am doing after tomorrow when I am home alone with her again and then proceed from there with an appointment with a doctor.


I am so thankful for all you brave women who were not afraid to discuss your feelings and stories!!!! You truly have changed my life today!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

when i saw my OB - she gave me a list of therapists...but i figured i'd see if the meds worked first....and to be frank - i have a CLOSE bunch of girls on here i talk to regularly about it...so i feel that i have an open line of communication with many caring people....and that has helped so immensely.

when i say that i don't know what i'd do without this website - i mean it more than anyone could ever know.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

*How do you KNOW if you have PPD?

Well for me, after the birth of both kids my moods changed drastically. After my daughter, I was prone to just bursting into tears over nothing without even a moment's notice. I got frustrated & upset much more easily than usual, but that was pretty much the extent of it.

After my son, I more just feel totally inferior. I've didn't have the same issue with crying constantly, but I just felt sad all the time & I often feel like I am just failing my kids with every move I make. I went through about 2 weeks in the beginning where I turned off my cell phone for most of the day & wouldn't check facebook or any other social networking outlet because I didn't want anyone to be able to get in touch with me. I just didn't want to be near anyone or even talk to anyone.

I have thankfully, never experienced any negative feelings towards my kids.

What are the treatment options? I don't really know. I never sought treatment either time. I know my midwife mentioned that they can prescribe anti-depressants.

How long does it typically last?

I think it can last a year or more. After my daugther, the first two months were the worst, and then by 3-4 months I was back to my usual self.

My son is nearly 4 months old & I am a little ashamed to admit that, while it's definately eased up, I'm still feeling the effects.

Do you see your REGULAR doctor for it or your ob???

I think it would be best to call your OB. My midwife told me after I had my son to call her any time during the first few months if I felt like I may be suffering from PPD.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Jess, you're awesome to start this!

I've wondered too if I have it...when Riley gets crazy fussy and screams non stop, I have to control myself from screaming too. Actually, I needed a big scream in the car today since she didn't want to stop screaming in our entire half hour ride in the car today. I'm thinking that a lot of this is new mom anxiety...lack of sleep...insecure I'm not doing a good job...and I plan on talking to my OB about it when I see him. I'm hoping whatever I have is mild, but it does concern me.

I felt awful cuz I had family over today...and even having them here at first overwhelmed me! I had questions coming at me left and right...and kids wanting my attention...I had to literally tell everyone to leave me alone until I calmed down and had a seat. I think I have a lot of anxiety while she's sleeping...anticipating the mood she'll be in when she wakes up...worrying she won't give me a break to do anything (she's SUPER needy). During the past two really BAD days I had this week, I had moments of missing my old life - and I HATED myself for that. I'm happy to say I haven't cried today though!

I did feel better after going to a BF support group today...and knowing that I'm going to a new mom support group helps too. But I do plan on getting this checked out to be sure. PPD is just scary and I really don't want it to take over my life, if in fact I do have it.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Jess, I want to give you

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Danielle - i did the same thing kinda....

i never answered my home phone and left my cell on vibrate almost all the time. i did NOT want to 'talk' to anyone....while i was okay typing (though i would cry) - on here, or in emails - or even on facebook....if i spoke about it aloud - i'd cry and not be able to even breathe....

it's getting to the point where i will answer the phone - but if i'm asked about it - i will kinda just say i'm doing better and move on. I AM doing better - but 'talking' about it out loud just i don't know....affects me in some way...

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I did the same thing with the phone. It pretty much went unanswered for the 8 weeks. It actually got to a point where I turned the ringer off AND the answering machine off because I just didn't want to deal with the outside world. I was EXTREMLY anti-social.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

i just read this in the July Parenting magazine (yes - i only now just had time to read it)...anyhooooooooo - i found it VERY interesting....

---------------------------------------------------------
Beat The Baby Blues

Pospartum depression affects as many as 15% of new mothers, yet many women still remain unaware of the disorder's signs - or how to treat it. Fortunately, recent research has found new ways to help predict and prevent PPD.

THE DIABETES LINK: A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that gestational diabetes is a significant risk factor. Researchers found that women who had the condition have nearly double the risk of PPD compared with nondiabetics, so it's critical that they receive depression screenings post pregnancy, advise the study authors.

THE TALKING CURE: Having heart to hearts could be enough to keep new moms from developing PPD. A study in the British Medical Journal found that receiving a few calls from a volunteer who'd dealt with PPD herself cut women's risk in half. "Talking to a mom who had a similar experience can be beneficial." says study author Cindy-Lee Dennis, Ph.D.
---------------------------------------------------------

I found this very interesting. I had GD - i wonder how many more of us did....

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Wow..that's very interesting Jess! I had GD too..

I was also wondering how many of us also passed the PPD screening they do in the hospital. Mine came back with no risk. Maybe that's something they should do 2 weeks post partum and not when you are on a natural high of having just given birth to your DC

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I had PPD with both girls..the 2nd time it was worse...and it went undiagnosed for almost a YEAR!

I didn't have symptoms everyday, just okay, bad and worse days..i was very weepy, overwhelmed, irritable, angry, frustrated very easily.. My PPD had digressed into physical symptoms too-contant backache, shoulder pains, neck pains, Headaches that would last for days, sometimes weeks and i was EXTREMELY fatigued.
With meds and weekly therapy, i'm back to myself and totally off meds for months now.

It's not your fault, my pride and guilt got in the way..i knew something was off and i knew i wasnt myself but i had to come to it on my own..i was the worst year of my life..was hard on everyone and had a big part in the marital problems i have now.


Please if anyone wants to contact me i'm here for support, a shoulder..you are not alone..



ETA: I didn't have GD with either pg. But there is a history of depression in my family.

Message edited 8/7/2009 9:55:39 AM.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Has anyone been prescribed zoloft? I'm so hesitant to take it...I know I don't have a severe case, I just have tons of anxiety (SO not like me) and a short fuse (ditto). Also extremely emotional, 6 weeks PP. I have good days and bad...not sure what to do. Story of my life these days!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by TaraGotHutched

Has anyone been prescribed zoloft? I'm so hesitant to take it...I know I don't have a severe case, I just have tons of anxiety (SO not like me) and a short fuse (ditto). Also extremely emotional, 6 weeks PP. I have good days and bad...not sure what to do. Story of my life these days!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

just wanted to see how anyone/everyone is doing!!!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by davenjess

just wanted to see how anyone/everyone is doing!!!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

for those BTDT moms that were on medication...

when did you 'know' it was time to go off the meds??

how did you do once you went off of them?

i would like to go off of them - but i worry. i HATE that Emma's with a sitter 3 days a week (soon to be 2 i hope)...and that's with me ON the meds. i shudder to think of how miserable i'll be without them...

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

bumping for am crowd..

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by davenjess

for those BTDT moms that were on medication...

when did you 'know' it was time to go off the meds??

how did you do once you went off of them?

i would like to go off of them - but i worry. i HATE that Emma's with a sitter 3 days a week (soon to be 2 i hope)...and that's with me ON the meds. i shudder to think of how miserable i'll be without them...

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I just wanted to say (without reading the thread, rushing as usual).
I hope you are all doing very well.
PPD is no joke. Wish I had this thread and board when I had it.

Hugs to all

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

i have a few more ?????

anyone that was on meds - did you ever 'plateau'?? I have apparently, and my meds were doubled. I am now on 100mg instead of 50mg of pristiq.

for anyone who DID plateau and took more meds... how long before you saw the effects?

i have been feeling miserable lately - and when i spoke to the doc - she said i plateaued and doubled my meds... i'm just wondering how long it's going to take for me to feel better...

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

First, I have to ask if you are getting your meds from a psychiatrist? I ask because they really are the most qualified to prescribe meds for this condition and also be able to target specific types of anxiety, depression, etc.

That being said, yes, I did plateau on Cymbalta. I felt extremely lethargic and sad and depressed and I was on 90mg at that point. I decided to wean myself off of it and see if maybe I was ready to be med-free. Unfortunately, I was not ready to be med-free. As soon as the meds completley left my body, it was like the switch to my anxiety was flipped back on full-force. So I went back to my psychiatrist and she prescribed me something different. Now I'm on Zoloft and i feel much different. Less cloudy than on the Cymbalta, no side effects whatsoever (I had tons of side effects on Cymbalta), and I'm on a fairly low dose. My psych. said that often times, people will need to switch meds because they plateau when your body gets used to a drug. For the cymbalta, when they tried to increase my dose, it caused sleeplessness, mind-racing, etc., so I knew it wasn't working. For the Zoloft, I took 12.5mg for a while and it wasn't working, then I upped to 25mg and it seemed to get better in like 2 weeks, but then I decided three months into it to go up to 50mg and it took another 2 weeks to get the full effect again. Usually two weeks is the amount of time it takes, but Cymbalta was immediate because it has a short half-life in your body.
HTH

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by prncsslehcar

First, I have to ask if you are getting your meds from a psychiatrist? I ask because they really are the most qualified to prescribe meds for this condition and also be able to target specific types of anxiety, depression, etc.

That being said, yes, I did plateau on Cymbalta. I felt extremely lethargic and sad and depressed and I was on 90mg at that point. I decided to wean myself off of it and see if maybe I was ready to be med-free. Unfortunately, I was not ready to be med-free. As soon as the meds completley left my body, it was like the switch to my anxiety was flipped back on full-force. So I went back to my psychiatrist and she prescribed me something different. Now I'm on Zoloft and i feel much different. Less cloudy than on the Cymbalta, no side effects whatsoever (I had tons of side effects on Cymbalta), and I'm on a fairly low dose. My psych. said that often times, people will need to switch meds because they plateau when your body gets used to a drug. For the cymbalta, when they tried to increase my dose, it caused sleeplessness, mind-racing, etc., so I knew it wasn't working. For the Zoloft, I took 12.5mg for a while and it wasn't working, then I upped to 25mg and it seemed to get better in like 2 weeks, but then I decided three months into it to go up to 50mg and it took another 2 weeks to get the full effect again. Usually two weeks is the amount of time it takes, but Cymbalta was immediate because it has a short half-life in your body.
HTH

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by davenjess

Posted by prncsslehcar

First, I have to ask if you are getting your meds from a psychiatrist? I ask because they really are the most qualified to prescribe meds for this condition and also be able to target specific types of anxiety, depression, etc.

That being said, yes, I did plateau on Cymbalta. I felt extremely lethargic and sad and depressed and I was on 90mg at that point. I decided to wean myself off of it and see if maybe I was ready to be med-free. Unfortunately, I was not ready to be med-free. As soon as the meds completley left my body, it was like the switch to my anxiety was flipped back on full-force. So I went back to my psychiatrist and she prescribed me something different. Now I'm on Zoloft and i feel much different. Less cloudy than on the Cymbalta, no side effects whatsoever (I had tons of side effects on Cymbalta), and I'm on a fairly low dose. My psych. said that often times, people will need to switch meds because they plateau when your body gets used to a drug. For the cymbalta, when they tried to increase my dose, it caused sleeplessness, mind-racing, etc., so I knew it wasn't working. For the Zoloft, I took 12.5mg for a while and it wasn't working, then I upped to 25mg and it seemed to get better in like 2 weeks, but then I decided three months into it to go up to 50mg and it took another 2 weeks to get the full effect again. Usually two weeks is the amount of time it takes, but Cymbalta was immediate because it has a short half-life in your body.
HTH

thank you for all of the info!!!!

i am seeing my regular family practice doctor for the meds. she knows my medical history.. i have seen a therapist before & didn't get much out of it at all... if this 'increase' doesn't work however, i will definitely consider it as an option..

thank you!!