Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

How do you get through the day? Do you suffer from panic attacks or are you just depressed all the time?

Im not depressed all the time I just have panic attacks from time to time but when I do its VERY hard to get through the day because Ill have multiple ones in a day.

Any advice from anyone going through it?

Any advice from anyone whose gone through it and is now healed? Any words of wisdom will help.

Having a bad day =(

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

in addition to the support you will get on LIF, please see your doctor ASAP for professional help!

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

I had it four years ago with my first DS.

I am sorry you are going through this

About 3 weeks after I gave birth, I did get anxiety attacks every day. I would sweat and feel utterly terrified, out of nowhere. Other times, I just felt sad and down, no energy, no appetite. I went through the motions of taking care of my baby, but I wasn't happy at all.

I know people who had relief taking anti-depressant medication. Unfortunately, I tried it and it didn't help me.

What did help was talking to a great therapist, and writing my feelings in a journal. At first, I was afraid to be alone and taking care of the baby by myself. But I did it, and gradually I got better and better.

Definitely get help, there are many options out there. There is a thread you can search for on her- PPD Support- that helps and has great suggestions.

Also- two years later I had my second DS and didn't get any PPD- thank goodness!!! But it is very common and many women get it in some form.

GL and FM if you need any support!!

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

It is so common and you are not alone! Definitely speak to your Doctor. You can talk to your OB and I really recommend seeing a therapist. After I had DD I had horrible anxiety. My OB prescribed me fluoxetine. I then saw a psychiatrist who said that she didn't think it was PPD, but PTSD, but either way, she would have prescribed the same thing. It helped a lot. It took a couple of weeks to kick in, and she gave me xanax to take as needed until the fluoxetine kicked in. Please don't be afraid or ashamed to ask for help in real life - its great that you asked here, but definitely call your OB in the am. Good luck and feel free to fm e with any questions.

Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

Thank you! I am seeing a therapist and he wants to put me on meds but have to wait until Im done breast feeding. I was aiming to breast feed for another month but Im thinking I may need medication before then. I have these attacks every few days and sometimes thats exactly it, it feels like Im going through the motions of taking care of my DD but Im not happy at all.
And I feel so guilty for even feeling this way because I know how blessed I am to have a beautiful healthy babygirl.

Thank you so much ladies I appreciate the support.

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

Im so sorry you are going through this!!! Definitely speak to your ob!! I suffered through it for months. I cried what felt like all day every day once my girls came home from the nicu. About 6w PP.
You will get through this!!!!!

Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

it's so hard. I had ppd from the day I got home from the hospital and it was THE scariest period of my life. I didn't feel like *me*. I felt very far away from myself...in another state of mind.

It lasted about 5 weeks. Which felt like forever. I called my midwife, I called a ppd helpline. I went to the ER at the hospital because I couldn't stop crying. Every night I had anxiety because DD clusterfed and I would cry from 4-7pm nonstop.

Reach out to AS MANY moms as you can. Reach out to your dr. I know doing these things is just another chore right now but you need to speak to someone. That's what helped me. Speaking with someone and (not sure if you're bfing) but adding bottlefeeding so I could get some sleep REALLY helped me. Also, if you have anyone that can come and watch the baby overnight a few hours....DO IT! I had my mom come and do feedings from midnight-4am so I could get 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

The sleep deprivation is the worst. It makes you not yourself. The ppd makes you not yourself. Don't be afraid. YOU ARE STILL IN THERE. YOU. The person you were before this baby. Your life will come back. It will be different, but it will come back. Sleep will come back. Normalcy will return.

You are so strong already. PPD is no joke. Please don't beat yourself up, you are so strong and being a great mother already. Every MINUTE you take care of your child is a victory. Every day is a victory.

Dh and I had a saying those first few months: "Another day in the books" and that's what it was. another day closer to when she would STTN....another day you got through! Try not to be too hard on yourself. I know it's tough, but you're doing everything you can to be a good mom. Take help as you can. You don't have to do it all alone.

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

start tracking you moods, panic attacks and feelings.
i spoke with someone and they said to get a regular physical from you doc first to make sure you are not deficient in anything.
then work with a counselor

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

Posted by spa118

Posted by BlessedMomma

Thank you! I am seeing a therapist and he wants to put me on meds but have to wait until Im done breast feeding. I was aiming to breast feed for another month but Im thinking I may need medication before then. I have these attacks every few days and sometimes thats exactly it, it feels like Im going through the motions of taking care of my DD but Im not happy at all.
And I feel so guilty for even feeling this way because I know how blessed I am to have a beautiful healthy babygirl.

Thank you so much ladies I appreciate the support.

I know this is a very personal decision, but some meds are considered OK while breastfeeding. If you aren't comfortable with that, don't feel like a failure or like you are doing anything wrong if you chose to take the meds and stop breastfeeding. What is best for you is best for your daughter. And don't feel guilty - its hormones and chemical imbalances that is not your fault. When I told my therapist that I felt similarly back then, she compared it to a diabetic feeling guilty for taking insulin. Hang in there, it will be OK.

Re: Anyone Suffering with Postpartum?

Posted by missliss

Posted by spa118

Posted by BlessedMomma

Thank you! I am seeing a therapist and he wants to put me on meds but have to wait until Im done breast feeding. I was aiming to breast feed for another month but Im thinking I may need medication before then. I have these attacks every few days and sometimes thats exactly it, it feels like Im going through the motions of taking care of my DD but Im not happy at all.
And I feel so guilty for even feeling this way because I know how blessed I am to have a beautiful healthy babygirl.

Thank you so much ladies I appreciate the support.

I know this is a very personal decision, but some meds are considered OK while breastfeeding. If you aren't comfortable with that, don't feel like a failure or like you are doing anything wrong if you chose to take the meds and stop breastfeeding. What is best for you is best for your daughter. And don't feel guilty - its hormones and chemical imbalances that is not your fault. When I told my therapist that I felt similarly back then, she compared it to a diabetic feeling guilty for taking insulin. Hang in there, it will be OK.

I'm so glad to see that you are speaking to someone. I had ppd after both of my babies, I didn't take any meds with the first. With the 2nd, at the urging of my OB & the pediatrician, I went on Zoloft very early on, I breastfed until he was a year. It is a very personal decision, but just know that there are medications that are safe while breastfeeding.