Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by prncsslehcar

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!!

Well, it's not so much that you should see a psychiatrist for therapy purposes, they can just manage anxiety and depression meds much better than family doctors. They know SOOOO much about each med and how to target very specific types of anxiety with different types of meds. I don't see my psychiatrist for therapy, just for med management. Just something to think about if you feel like the meds aren't helping you feel any better. I love my family doctor and she originally prescribed me my meds, but suggested that I see a psychiatrist who is more knowledgeable on the specific types of meds.
And on a side note, I've decided with my psychiatrist that it is in my best interest to stay on the Zoloft for this pregnancy and hopefully not have to deal with PPD after I have this baby

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Posted by peabody

Posted by prncsslehcar

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!!

Well, it's not so much that you should see a psychiatrist for therapy purposes, they can just manage anxiety and depression meds much better than family doctors. They know SOOOO much about each med and how to target very specific types of anxiety with different types of meds. I don't see my psychiatrist for therapy, just for med management. Just something to think about if you feel like the meds aren't helping you feel any better. I love my family doctor and she originally prescribed me my meds, but suggested that I see a psychiatrist who is more knowledgeable on the specific types of meds.
And on a side note, I've decided with my psychiatrist that it is in my best interest to stay on the Zoloft for this pregnancy and hopefully not have to deal with PPD after I have this baby

I agree with Rachel. I ended up seeing a psychiatrist to manage my meds and a therapist to talk to and add provide her input to the psychiatrist. They are a team practice.

I am not pregnant, but when I am, Phil and I have definitely decided for me to stay on Zoloft for my next pregnancy. I may wean off the third trimester, but go back on after the baby is born. I am doing anything I can to avoid what I (we, my family went through). I seriously thought I was losing my mind. I felt like I had the world on my shoulders. Then the insomina made it so much worse. I was a walking zombie.
I knew I loved Gavin, I did, I just wanted to runaway from everything.

The crazy thing, is I am so looking forward to being pregnant again and delivering the a baby. I feel more prepare and more knowledgeable and I and hoping I will be able to enjoy the weeks after the baby is born.
Rachel, I am sure you remember me contacting you about my situation. You were a huge help, thank you.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Jess, I didn't go all that often, but seeing a therapist was HUGE for me. It was just great to be able to talk about things without fear of being judged, and to get some advice on all the different areas of my life that had changed sooo drastically with a newborn. I wish I could recommend mine to you but she's way out in Wyckoff and I know that's not convenient....definitely definitely see a therapist. Michelle might be able to refer you to one as well... TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! That's the hardest part when you're a mom...but it must be done!!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

bumping for Laura - how can we help?????

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

bumping for Katie..

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

bumping

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Thank you for bumping. I called my OB and I'm waiting for a call back. Interestingly, I had GD too....

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Hi Ladies
Thanks for your support. I called my OB and she is starting me on Zoloft and recommended a therapist. I'm going in to see her in a few weeks.

My question is I have a lot of baby weight to loose. I know this sounds terrible (and is probably tied into my anxiety) but I am TERRIFIED of gaining weight from the zoloft.

Did you gain weight, lose weight or stay the same when you were on it?

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

bumped for newmommy2

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Bumping for youngmama

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

It has been 10 months since I had DD and 7 months since I was diagnosed with PPD. ( I had GD as well ) I started my dose of 100 mil of Zoloft, I started to decrease my dosage down to a low 50. I was fine for a while. Im started to get those Anxiety feelings back?! How long has it been since you have been diagnosed.. Im just wondering when Im going to feel like my old self again. Also if anyone has a therapist they can recommend please let me know. I really should have done this, but I didn't think it would help.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

BTDT PPD moms, do you think this is PPD?

I'm 4 months PP. I have a history of anxiety and depression wayyy pre-pg. I recovered through that with therapy years ago, but since I had a history of it I knew I would be prone to PPD.

Anyway, I'm not gonna list all the things I dont feel that is typically PPD bc its a lot. I'm not a hypochondriac or anything but since I'm going for my annual ob appt next week I thought I should ask here if I should even bring it up.

Since getting my period, for the 1st time, I was about 2 months PP. I'm PMSing right now, this will be my 3rd period. My PMS is getting worse and worse every month. At first it was weapiness, then last month I had a crazy amount of anger and physical anxiety. I had a really hard time sleeping for a few days, my mind was always racing, I felt like I had a huge weight in my chest, almost panic attack borderline. I took one of DH's cigarettes just to make myself physically be calm. I was throwing dishes in the sink hoping one would break just bc I was so angry. This month, I'm finding myself feeling, acting and behaving the same way. I'm able to catch it now, so thank god, I didnt take a cigarette, I talked myself out of it, took a break, some deep breaths and a little chocolate actually and sat in my room alone for a few mins just to get myself together.

I have to say, DH is a HUGE trigger of my anxiety and anger. I could really get into it if anyone cares ! The feelings have absolutely nothing to do with harming myself or the baby. The baby really has nothing to do with it at all. I feel its definitely just hormones, but could this be PPD? Its USUALLY just my PMS time. The only reason I was able to catch it this month was bc that physical anxiety came to me after being ******/mad/annoyed at DH.

What do you think??

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Does anyone have any reccomendations for therapists in Suffolk County? I'm going to call my doc on Monday/Tues for recs but also wanted to see if anyone on here has some. TIA.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

try postpartumny.org

they have a list of resources and names of therapists.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

would anyone mind sharing the meds that they were on?

i was on pristiq and went off of it (with my doc's help)...thinking i was ready....but that was a huge mistake.

i have a call into the doc, but i do NOT want to go back on Pristiq. the withdrawl was horrible (though i don't know if ALL withdrawl's are bad)...

just looking for ideas/thoughts that i can share when my doc calls me back.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I've been on Lexapro and now Celexa.


ETA: how did you wean off of the Pristique?

Message edited 7/14/2010 2:59:36 PM.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I've been on Zoloft for about 4 years - I SERIOUSLY thank my lucky stars for it - I went off of it when I was PG because I am paranoid but I needed to go back on it after I had Tommy. I need it to calm the anxiety down and remain focused!

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I like Lexapro but know others who do not. We're all different I guess. The Celexa is just a generic for lexapro although I do think there is a really vague difference. Nothing I can feel. Just cheaper for me.

I was on 40 mg of Celexa and I'm not on 20mg. From a lexapro standpoint that would be 20mg to 10mg.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Klonopin -I think that should help though.

I literally keep a bottle of Xanax with me in case I have a panic moment. I only take half a pill though, usually just to take the edge off.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

I don't usually post things like this on here, but I am REALLY depressed. Something is not right. I cry at least once a day, I snap at my husband, I have NO patience, I just feel tired and sad for a good part of the day. Unless I have the entire day planned and organized, I am not happy. Just being home with DD doing nothing stresses me out. I feel like we should always be doing something. I am a teacher and ALL I wanted was to be home with her this summer, and now I feel terrible because I am not enjoying it like I thought I would.

However, I don't think it's PPD? DD was born July 2009 and I've only been feeling this way for the past two months. Can you get PPD a year later? Also, I have NEVER neglected her or anything like that - if anything, she is the one that keeps me going. The only thing is that on some days, I just feel like I have NO patience with her. She is a very active baby and some days I am just done. I think that is more because I just feel so tired and in a cloud. However, I have NEVER felt like I wanted to hurt her or abandon her.

Not all days are bad, but definitely there are more bad days than good. Also, I feel like there is a lot of things going on that might be contributing to my mood, which probably has nothing to do with PPD or just regular depression. A little background: my parents had a terrible fire in their home and I am sick over it. they are living with us right now, and that is stressful for everyone. My parents are very stressed out and I am trying to put on a happy face for them, but it's not working and I feel terrible I am giving my mother something else to worry about. (Ironically enough, my father suffers from his nerves and my sister is bi-polar, so being depressed doesn't surprise me, but it scares me. It's not supposed to me "my" problem.)

I went through a period like this about 8 years ago and went to a counselor for several months... and really didn't find it that helpful. Eventually I got out of my funk. i do think i might need something (i.e. meds of some sort?) because i am starting to notice that i seem to have little control over when i get angry for the stupidest things, or snap at DH, or lose patience with the baby. intellectually i know that I am overreacting, but i do it anyway. does that make sense?


Also, I don't know who to go to about this. Do I call my OB? My general practitioner? Any advice?

TIA....

Message edited 7/30/2010 11:06:22 PM.

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread

Re: PPD (post partum depression) Support Thread