Postpartum Depression? Help Me!

Tosia · 10-28-2006, 06:56 PM

About two months ago, I have dropped from 15mg to 10mg of paxil. I rough moments but came out of them but continue to slip deeper and deeper in to depression. I had a baby 6.5 months ago and wonder if I am suffering from postpartum.....I feel like I am losing my mind and continuley feel guilty but can not come out of it, no motivation but worry that I am not gettin anything done and the list goes on. I do not want to increase my dose but I have no ideas what to do. I do not want to hurt my daughter, husband or family and friends. So do I up my dose?.....do I hash it out and sink evermore into a sea of ...unknown.....or do I seek out a speacialist.....alternative meds....what?......this sucks and I feel like i will never come off this stuff.
Please help I do not know where to go from here...........I can't come out of it!

Michelle M · 10-28-2006, 07:06 PM

Tosia,

Could be postpartum depression. Having a baby is great but it i also totally hard. It really changes your life. Often, once you have a baby the first thing that goes is time for yourself. I think you need to make sure you are getting some time just for you. I think it might help to find a naturopathic doctor in your area that might be able to recommend some natural remedies. Accupuncture might also help. You may need to go back up to the 15mg and stabalize there and then think about tapering down again. I think a naturopathic doctor could help you with that.

Charlie · 10-28-2006, 07:11 PM

Did you drop directly from 15 to 10? Was this your first child? I think there are 2 things going on. The paxil turmoil and a hormonal issue that may need to be addressed.

Delynbetter · 10-28-2006, 07:18 PM

Paxil makes us sleepy. Recovering from Paxil makes us sleepier. Rest is so important, but I know it's not always an option. Get someone to help you for a bit each day. Lowering the dose or having a new baby can get the best of anyone. The combination is probably fatiguing your brain and body beyond what it can truly handle.

scotty · 10-28-2006, 09:17 PM

How did you feel on 15mg?

mapleleafgirl25 · 10-28-2006, 10:21 PM

I had PPD..but what started it was Ativan..i had to go back on Paxil just to help with the Ativan withdrawal..i seriously thought i was going to have to go to the psych ward one night..it was terrible..i have stayed on paxil now for one year..and have tapered down this entire year from 20mgs now to 7.5 mgs..i have done it super super super slow..so maybe that is what you need to do..it will be easier on you!

michele

Katesmom · 10-28-2006, 11:10 PM

Stick on your dose while you're not feeling yourself. Get your thyroid checked. Try fish oil and magnesium and see if they help you. Talk to people you trust, esp. your partner about how you feel. Get counseling. PPD is real and hard. It is possible that after you have tried the above, you may end up upping your dose for a short time. But, then again, that might not be necessary. The important thing is that you DO something.

Tosia · 10-28-2006, 11:34 PM

My husband is having a hard time understanding it but he is very supportive. If that makes sense!
So one takes magnesium.... flax seed oil.....what else?

Katesmom · 10-28-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tosia

My husband is having a hard time understanding it but he is very supportive. If that makes sense!
So one takes magnesium.... flax seed oil.....what else?

Try the magnesium first. Avoid the citrate, it is poorly absorbed. Start low on the dose and work your way up. It can give you diarrhea if you take too much. If that works okay for you, then you can add the fish/flaxseed oil. Only one. No need to take tons of pills everyday. It's just finding what works for you.

Kristin · 10-29-2006, 12:54 AM

First off, babies make you tired. Secondly, it's hard to get much done while taking care of a baby, at least it was for me. I had PPD, difficult with my first child and debilitating with the second. I came across a book at the library recently called 'Depression-free for Life." It goes through all the physiological reasons for depression focusing on the raw materials your body needs to make serotonin, etc. In other words it tells you what shortages present as depression, anxiety, etc. One description stated that if you have PPD that is worse with each subsequent birth there is a specific supplement your body may need. Because my mind is so foggy right now I can't remember what it was but will be glad to look it up for you in the next few days if you want me to.

I think other things contributed to my PPD. Society often doesn't value caretaking of children. Society in general values making money and you don't get a paycheck to raise your kids. I didn't take good care of myself and I found myself isolated at home with a baby.

I second the mag and flax oil. Are you getting any exercise and/sunlight? That helps too. I know it's hard, believe me. We'll be here to help any way we can.

10-28-2006, 06:56 PM	#1
Tosia Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 23	Postpartum Depression? Help Me! About two months ago, I have dropped from 15mg to 10mg of paxil. I rough moments but came out of them but continue to slip deeper and deeper in to depression. I had a baby 6.5 months ago and wonder if I am suffering from postpartum.....I feel like I am losing my mind and continuley feel guilty but can not come out of it, no motivation but worry that I am not gettin anything done and the list goes on. I do not want to increase my dose but I have no ideas what to do. I do not want to hurt my daughter, husband or family and friends. So do I up my dose?.....do I hash it out and sink evermore into a sea of ...unknown.....or do I seek out a speacialist.....alternative meds....what?......this sucks and I feel like i will never come off this stuff. Please help I do not know where to go from here...........I can't come out of it! __________________ Tosia Paxil for 3.5 years Started 20 mg tapered to 15mg 10mg durning pregnancy back up to 15mg through postpartum currently on 10mg Began supplementing with.... Calcium/Magnesium Omega 3/6/9 Vitamin B Complex

10-28-2006, 07:06 PM	#2
Michelle M Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 169	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! Tosia, Could be postpartum depression. Having a baby is great but it i also totally hard. It really changes your life. Often, once you have a baby the first thing that goes is time for yourself. I think you need to make sure you are getting some time just for you. I think it might help to find a naturopathic doctor in your area that might be able to recommend some natural remedies. Accupuncture might also help. You may need to go back up to the 15mg and stabalize there and then think about tapering down again. I think a naturopathic doctor could help you with that. __________________ Switched from Effexor to Paxil - December 2005 Taper from 30mg to 20 mg - August 2006 After 10 days on 20 mg went to 15 mg Have been on 15 mg for 3 weeks - September 2006 Back on 30 mg - October 2006 30mg to 25mg - 12/9/06 25mg to 20mg - 1/7/07 20mg to 17.5mg - 2/7/07 17.5mg to 15mg - 3/7/07 Magnesium 400-600mg, Fish oils 1000-2000mg, Vitamin C 1000-2000mg.

10-28-2006, 07:11 PM	#3
Charlie Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,561	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! Did you drop directly from 15 to 10? Was this your first child? I think there are 2 things going on. The paxil turmoil and a hormonal issue that may need to be addressed. __________________ The truth is the truth even if no one believes it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." Knowledge speaks ....... Wisdom listens Charlie www.ThePaxilProtest.com

10-28-2006, 07:18 PM	#4
Delynbetter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10,518	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! Paxil makes us sleepy. Recovering from Paxil makes us sleepier. Rest is so important, but I know it's not always an option. Get someone to help you for a bit each day. Lowering the dose or having a new baby can get the best of anyone. The combination is probably fatiguing your brain and body beyond what it can truly handle. __________________ Diagnosed anxiety/panic disorder without agoraphobia 1989. Talk/music therapy. Major anxiety and mild depression in 2004 from situational stressors. Began Paxil CR 25mg, 10/04. Quit cold-turkey 5/5/05 as demanded by doctor. Found paxilprogress 5/17/05. Began Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/17/05. Weaned 4 1/2 months. During taper - anx/panic/depression, manic episodes, agoraphobia, suicidal ideation, many other physical symptoms. Paxil-free 10/2/05.

10-28-2006, 09:17 PM	#5
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! How did you feel on 15mg? __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

10-28-2006, 10:21 PM	#6
mapleleafgirl25 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,132	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! I had PPD..but what started it was Ativan..i had to go back on Paxil just to help with the Ativan withdrawal..i seriously thought i was going to have to go to the psych ward one night..it was terrible..i have stayed on paxil now for one year..and have tapered down this entire year from 20mgs now to 7.5 mgs..i have done it super super super slow..so maybe that is what you need to do..it will be easier on you! michele __________________ aka MICHELE My history with paxil is too long to write here..lol..but you can look at my old posts to see!

10-28-2006, 11:10 PM	#7
Katesmom Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 13,706	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! Stick on your dose while you're not feeling yourself. Get your thyroid checked. Try fish oil and magnesium and see if they help you. Talk to people you trust, esp. your partner about how you feel. Get counseling. PPD is real and hard. It is possible that after you have tried the above, you may end up upping your dose for a short time. But, then again, that might not be necessary. The important thing is that you DO something. __________________ Katesmom aka Kim started Paxil Oct. 2003 for PIH Paxil free since 19 Jul 2005 ". . .the cruelest lies are often told without a word. . .the kindest truths are often spoken, never heard." -- Ben Folds

10-28-2006, 11:34 PM	#8
Tosia Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 23	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! My husband is having a hard time understanding it but he is very supportive. If that makes sense! So one takes magnesium.... flax seed oil.....what else? __________________ Tosia Paxil for 3.5 years Started 20 mg tapered to 15mg 10mg durning pregnancy back up to 15mg through postpartum currently on 10mg Began supplementing with.... Calcium/Magnesium Omega 3/6/9 Vitamin B Complex

10-29-2006, 12:54 AM	#10
Kristin Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,424	Re: Postpartum Depression? Help Me! First off, babies make you tired. Secondly, it's hard to get much done while taking care of a baby, at least it was for me. I had PPD, difficult with my first child and debilitating with the second. I came across a book at the library recently called 'Depression-free for Life." It goes through all the physiological reasons for depression focusing on the raw materials your body needs to make serotonin, etc. In other words it tells you what shortages present as depression, anxiety, etc. One description stated that if you have PPD that is worse with each subsequent birth there is a specific supplement your body may need. Because my mind is so foggy right now I can't remember what it was but will be glad to look it up for you in the next few days if you want me to. I think other things contributed to my PPD. Society often doesn't value caretaking of children. Society in general values making money and you don't get a paycheck to raise your kids. I didn't take good care of myself and I found myself isolated at home with a baby. I second the mag and flax oil. Are you getting any exercise and/sunlight? That helps too. I know it's hard, believe me. We'll be here to help any way we can. __________________ 6/03-9/05 Lex, Well, Zoloft 50 mg 8 wk taper failed 12/05 25 Zoloft resumed 2/7/06-11/23/06 tapered successfully to ZERO "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." Thomas A. Edison

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