I was prescribed zoloft this morning for ppd. Any one else taking it or has taken it in the past? I've never taken any anti-depressant before so I feel really nervouz about side effects. I also worry that it won't work.
Besides medication, did anyone try other methods of coping with the depression?
@babycakesday Good for you!! That is awesome that you talked to your doctor and are getting better. I've taken Zoloft in the past for anxiety. It worked great! The only side effect I had from it was nausea for the first 1-2 weeks. Kinda like your first trimester nausea. But it goes away after 1-2 weeks.
Zoloft works for most people, but may not for you. If it doesn't work for you, there are other doses and other meds to try. There is a reason there are so many. Our brains all work slightly different and need different things.
In case your doc didn't tell you, it takes approximately 14 days for the medication to build up in your system at the level you can say if it's working or not. You may start feeling better sooner, but you should never feel worse. If you feel worse or start thinking you want to hurt yourself or someone else, call the doc immediately.
Im a licensed mental health therapist and I know for a fact that there are other things you can use in conjunction with medication and sometimes in place of it. Drinking plenty of water, exercising, sleep, meditation (deep breathing), smiling (even forced or faked), and learning your faulty thought patterns and changing them are just a few of the things you can do. My suggestion is to also go see a licensed therapist who can teach you the skills (and having a dedicated hour that's all about you every week or two will do wonders in itself).
I see see a therapist myself, so I know both ends of how well it works!
@babycakesday I'm not on meds but am seeing a therapist for ppd as well. He's showing me that feelings aren't bad - they just are. You can't help how you feel. But sometimes the thoughts and fears aren't accurate and I need to challenge them. So if I'm afraid of going out alone and leaving DH with the baby, I should practice that until it becomes easier and I prove to myself that it'll be ok. I took celexa in the past for anxiety and it did make me a little nauseous when I took it so I made sure to take it in the morning with food.
@FTM53 Thank you, but my husband was the one who kept pointing it out and pushing me to reach out. Our close friends had a baby about 14 weeks before us and he could tell the difference between her baby blues and me falling deeper into this hole. Thank you for the information. I am considering seeing a therapist because my cs is still very traumatizing to me and maybe figuring out how to cope with that would help everything else fall into place.
@sboston06 That's good advice. I think I need to start focusing more on accepting what is and correcting my negative thoughts on something that isn't true. I'm just still very overwhelmed and feel alone in this, but I know I'm not.
@babycakesday your DH may have noticed it, but you are still doing something about it.
Definitely talk to a therapist. They can teach you how to accept what is and how to challenge what's not.
@sboston06 good for you! I struggle with anxiety too and have to keep practicing/challenging negative thoughts and fears. And you are so right with accepting your feelings. All feelings are acceptable and valid.
@babycakesday I will be seeing a therapist but I also echo @FTM53. Even just getting out of the house helps. And getting some baby-free time, even just 30 minutes.
I agree with PP, @babycakesday! Good for you for accepting the help. Seriously, that's awesome and not easy for a lot of people, even once they recognize they need it. I also second the taking s breather and getting out. I've struggled with that a lot too. I constantly worry about whether or not she's going to "handle" it well. And I don't want her to have a melt down OR anyone to have watch her when she's having one! On the other hand the meltdowns can be so overwhelming and exhausting. We all need breaks and those close to us know that best. Don't feel bad about it!! Taking care of ourselves will only help us help them more!
My best friend had her baby 7 weeks after my daughter was born. She had been obviously struggling and it was not normal baby blues. Her doctor finally diagnosed her with postpartum depression. Whenever I mention things in the future she always says, "If I am even alive." For those who went through it, any advice on how I can help her? What would you want your friends to do for you? I chat with her at night when we feed our babies, I text her throughout the day, and visit when I can (she lives an hour away). I have suggested picking her up and taking her out so she can be a normal person again. She doesn't seem interested in that. I just want to help her! I hate to see her struggling but I am so glad she is finally getting some help.
@shaylalr I am dealing with ppd too and I reached out to one of my friends who has also struggled with it a few years ago. She sent me a bracelet and it meant so much to me because when i look at it I am reminded that there is hope and happiness on the other side. I would just keep reminding her that you're there for her and offer to do specific things if you can. Social interaction is huge for me, so even just scheduling a weekly walk together with your babies.
@babycakesday I was on Zoloft for the first month of my pregnancy. Unfortunately since I have irregular periods and didn't get morning sickness I didn't know I was pregnant. I stopped it immediately even though they said since I was on the lowest dose it wouldn't harm him. I just didn't want to risk anything. Even though I only took it for a month I saw a huge improvement. I was mainly taking it for anxiety, but I scored high on the depression side, too. I didn't even know I was depressed! I'm glad your hubby is looking out for you. Don't feel weak because you're taking a pill. Therapy doesn't always work for people, but I wouldn't discourage you to try it. I didn't try it and wish I did! I honestly don't have time now. Thankfully I haven't had any ppd, but I'm staying vigilant. Hugs to you!
@TiffRox81 That's exactly how I feel about leaving her with a friend or my in laws. I hate the idea that someone else is stuck dealing with her meltdowns. I need to just learn to accept it without worrying.
@setosh Thank you. I'm three days in and feeling some side effects, but it's the first 24 hours I haven't cried in weeks. So small progress.
@shaylalr I know it helps me to just talk to someone. It makes me feel better to just go for a walk with her and the kids. Getting out ofbthe house helps a lot.
@shaylalr I don't have ppd but have had friends who have struggled with serious depression and have some experience walking with them through it. Certainly the suggestions of PPs of being there for her are great. Me being there for my friends was always appreciated and helpful. My opinion though is that if she's saying things like "if I'm alive", please don't put too much pressure on yourself or feel like a failure if your best efforts do not make her feel better. When someone is going through that level of depression, people like you and i who do not have training in helping people with depression simply don't have all the tools and qualifications to make them feel better ourselves. I feel like the best thing I've been able to do for my friends was just to continue being their friend... but not be disappointed if i couldn't be their savior. I kept putting pressure on myself that i needed to be the one to help make things right. But i realized I need to just keep being a friend as much as they'll let me and encouraging them to get the help they need from folks who are qualified in working through depression. I'm glad she is on that track, sounds like you are doing great being a friend.
Well done to the ladies getting help for PPD, it can sometimes be a hard thing to admit that you need help. Reaching out to someone to talk or speaking to your doctor is a huge step. We'll all be feeling a bit fragile the next while, whether from our emotions running high, trauma from the birth or just a general depressed feeling. It might take a while but we'll all get through it. Things that I'm going to try is to talk to people more, get out of the house a lot more than I have been, I'm going to try organise a date night with Nigel for a few hours. Something, anything to keep me from going stir crazy! Things can be super hard but it's worth it to have our little one's here
@babycakesday - MH takes Zoloft for his anxiety and it's made a huge difference. He tried to wean himself off of it (and hadn't told me) and I could totally tell that he was way more anxious and asked him about it.
Agree with PP about therapy. There have been several studies showing that the effects of therapy can be just as helpful as medication, and together they're additive. I went to therapy for a while a few years after my dad died and while it didn't feel all that helpful during each individual session, I totally saw a difference after a few visits.
Ive been dealing with depression all my life and it turned alot harder after I found out about my second pregnancy , I maneged with out medications so far and feel embarresd to talk about it with anyone in my family , Ive been breastfeeding baby sens day 1 and was planning on it until she turned 6 months but things have been really getting at me lately and on one side I just feel like if I stop now that shes 3 months it would really help take pressure of my shoulders , but on the other side I feel like a horrible mother for taking such an important part of my babys nutrition away. Its just so overwhelming.
@JYesi0812 Your mental health is important too, and formula is designed to give babies what they need too! Sure, breastmilk is naturally nutritious and is a wonderful thing, but you don't need to feel guilty if switching to formula helps you manage everything better! People have very strong opinions about feeding babies, but really the important thing is that they are fed and loved. Breastfeeding can be super tough and you gave it a good go, there are lots of moms on here doing formula and there's nothing to feel guilty about if you go that route.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@winnie1122 Defenitely super tough I really wanted to continue with it but I feel like its draining me up , Im looking into formulas now , my baby is really gassy so I dont think she'll do to well with the regular ones . But income is also a concern so ill be talking about it with her pediatrician. I think sometimes people can be really judgmental and make it seem like a big deal with only formula feeding , but im happy with the decision I made and know shell be just fine .
@JYesi0812 I gave up breastfeeding because she had a food allergy and it wasn't getting better even when I cut things out. It was making me feel worse the longer I breastfed her. For both of us, we switched her to Neocate. In our state, insurance is required to cover it so it worked out. If it helps you feel better, do it. Three months is a long time, we only made it 5 weeks. Don't feel guilty and don't let any one make you feel bad.
I feel like I need support from all angles and there are so many threads I could write in. I'm a working mom finishing my 2nd week back to work. I struggle to produce BM, barely get enough for 1-4oz bottle each day and now that amount is going down since I've started back to work. Last night I spilled a vial of 1.5oz and cried for 20 minutes. When I'm at home snuggling LO after work I'm stressed & feel bad I'm not doing chores or house-related things. When I'm doing chores I'm stressed & feel bad that LO is at daycare all day and I have her in a swing or bouncy chair instead of spending quality time with her. I've always had a low self-image but now I'm even more self-conscious about my size. When you're pregnant you're automatically cute but now I feel like everyone is judging how soon you go back to your original size. All I want to do is eat while I'm at work, and then I feel bad about eating. None of it is really healthy stuff either. I'm struggling to find the working mom balance and feel like it's only going to get harder. I want to work out and take care of myself but there just isn't enough hours in the day with it getting dark earlier and picking LO up from daycare to be able to work out and we don't have any machines at home. I have Jillian Michaels workout videos but feel awkward/bad doing them in the living room after dinner if DH wants to watch tv. Daycare is expensive and DH is on this new kick of we need to watch our spending and things we do and we need to see if there is stuff around the house that we can sell. We've never lived paycheck to paycheck (luckily) but he's acting like we will absolutely have no money and it's just now hitting him that babies are expensive. I feel trapped. Not that I'm a big spender anyway but I felt guilty buying food the other day. Sorry for this long post, I just don't know who i can lean on and felt that I should get it all off my chest somehow. I cried most of the night last night and DH doesn't understand why and I just can't seem to explain it to him. He just keeps saying that everything is fine but I don't feel like it is and don't feel like he understands why I'm upset.
Awww sounds like there's a lot on your plate!!!! I certainly don't have everything figured out but remember you are only one person and you can only do so much!!!! I pick spending time with Elijah over housecleaning any day!!! Then I stress about the house not being clean... What helped me this week was leaving him at the sitters for one day (5 hours). I got so much done!!! Maybe you could do that or have your husband watch the baby for a few hours when he's off- that will give them some bonding time too. In general, dont be too hard on yourself! I'm sure your baby thinks you are doing a great job.
@babycakesday Yeah I tried so hard but its just not working for either one of us , today shes turing 3 months so im pumping the milk I have left and bottle feeding her , just so she gets used to it , I feel alot better already , Im happy with the decision I made and DH is always supportive too. Glad to here Im not the only one.
@HoneyBear40 Hey dont be to hard on yourself , in a couple of months everything will pass and things well get better , alot of us are going through similar situations , try some daily planners they work really well for me to get everything done . Me and DH have been going through the same issue sens I quit my job , he feels like hes responsible for everything , even tho we have pretty good savings . I guess they just all go through there own process and get pretty cranky here and there . Best of luck ❤
@HoneyBear40 I struggle a lot with chores vs spending time with her. I know it's hard to find the right balance, but I know eventually it'll all come together. We went from having two incomes to one and we do just fine, but DH has moments where he freaks out because we don't have the same amount as before. I always try to just reassure him and not let it get to me. I know as a guy and provider he feels like he needs to do better and make sure we're okay. We're all here if you need to vent. I know letting it all out can really help.
Update on PPD: I've been on zoloft for 2 weeks now. I feel so much better. I feel a lot more connected to LO and my husband. I don't find myself crying all the time anymore. I've actually left the house for walks and to go to baby time at the library. I don't feel so overwhelmed and I can actually see myself having another kid in the future. It's amazing how different I feel. I questioned whether what I was feeling was normal blues or more. I even had doubts that the zoloft would work and almost convinced myself to stop taking it, but my husband kept pushing me to just wait and see. I have random bad moments, but I can usually work through them.
I haven't found the best way to let my best friend and my mom know that I am dealing with this. I know fhey will be supportive, but I feel like admitting it makes me weak. I know it happens and it doesn't mean I am, but I haven't been able to get that through my head. Thank you ladies for the support. It feels good to be honest and open here.
@HoneyBear40 I struggle too. I've gotten the vast majority of chores down to 4 hours a week and half of them I can do with LO in a baby carrier strapped to my chest. The bathrooms I do on Sat or Sun when he's napping so he's not exposed to the chemicals.
One if ny friends also stopped BF because of numerous issues. She pumps one time a day and gives her babies that bottle. Afterwards, it's all formula. She says that it is manageable and she is at least giving them one bottle which helps share the nutrients and immunity. You could try that.
@babycakesday I'm so glad the Zoloft is working!! Try not to stress too much about who you tell when and how. The time and words will come naturally, especially now that you're feeling better.
Anybody else just now feeling like maybe they are starting to struggle with PPD? Being 3 1/2 months PP I thought I was in the clear, but I've been feeling like something is just off with me for the past week & I've been getting super emotional when it comes to anything that has to do with my LO. Good ol Dr. Google told me that PPD can actually occur at any point during the 1st year PP and I read a bunch of stories from mom's who had it hit them right around the 3-4 month mark. I've got a lot of other stress in my life right now, so I'm not really sure if the way I've been feeling is a result of all that or if there's more to it. For now I'm just keeping an eye out and seeing if this feeling lingers or if I start feeling back to normal...
I just wanted to say that none of us are weak and we are all beautiful mommas because we need to be reminded of that daily. I feel like I'm not appreciated enough and that's upsetting. When I get home from work I do chores around the house and make sure Phillip is fed before leaving for work. Then I am the only one watching Jaxon at night every other week. That means if he doesn't sleep I don't either. Then I have to get up early and feed him (usually 5 am) and we both get a few more hours in until the day starts back over.
@jjtruffles I'm sorry you are dealing with the struggles of PPD and while it feels like there is no way out, talking about it helps immensely! Depression and anxiety are my demons and the struggles are all too real! Just know you have all of us to help when the going gets tough! xo
@jjtruffles I agree that talking helps a lot, it's hit me the last week or two. I found I was struggling with the simple things, my bf noticed I wasn't myself and we had a good talk. I'm not 100% but I felt better knowing that he had noticed that something was wrong. Take some time to talk to your husband or if not your doctor if you can. You might not feel better straight away but it'll be a small weight off your shoulders!
I've had a few nights where L has gotten up every 1.5-2 hours. Mind you this was long after her first 4 weeks of life. It might have been more exhausting than her new newborn days. I admit, by the time the early morning hours came around I told my husband, I need your help. I cannot get up again. I'm exhausted!!! I hear ya, momma. Trying nights for us for sure.
Yep. Elise had her sleep regression last month. She was up every hour. The only thing that worked was CIO. there was a night where I left my husband at home and went on a walk.
AJ has his sleep regression last week and has bronciolitis this week. Been up every hour myself. Last night it was every 30min. I ended up sleeping in the glider holding him and waking up to soothe him when he fussed.
Finally got myself in to see a counselor that specializes in PPD/A next Monday. I am currently on a low dose of Prozac, but it's not cutting it. I'm hoping that a message adjustment and some professional help makes it a little easier for me. After a traumatic pregnancy, birth, and the stress of having twins, mama needs some relief! Do you ladies have any stress relief ideas that work for you?
I'm struggling today, ladies. LO has been up every 30-60 minutes unless he's in my arms for the last 14 days straight. I have not been in my bed for more than 2 hours each night. DH travels and either hasn't been home or has said he can't help me because LO only calms down/wants me. He's been arguing with me over everything and has basically blamed me for everything and continues to point out everything I either don't do or have done wrong. Work has been overwhelming with dealing with fires and pressure from above. And I and LO have been sick for 4-5 of the past 6 weeks (colds that lingered and turned into bronchitis/bronchiolitis). I am emotionally at my breaking point and have either been crying or a numb/"bitchy" since last night. I have ppl coming for the holidays and am hosting a bunch of things over the next few weeks. Oh, and my mom comes in tomorrow evening to stay with us for an unknown amount of time because she was just diagnosed with cancer and needs surgery, at the very least. I'm empty. I seriously have no more to give and am being pulled in every direction. I don't know what to do.
@Ftm53 my thoughts and prayers and with you and LO and that you feel better soon! My heart also goes out to your mother! All of this at once is so overwhelmingly crazy to say the least. Maybe this holiday will bring much needed help to you! Babies sense tension and maybe your DH had given that vibe to LO. Having others around maybe chaotic with coming and leaving but will bring much needed time if you arent afraid to speak up! Take advantage of any help people offer! Have a wonderful Thanksgivng and God Bless!
@FTM53 That is entirely too much for any one person to be expected to deal with! Raising infants is no joke, and I think this is a seriously tough stage with their sleep habits transitioning. It's so stressful!! I'm sorry your husband is having a hard time, too. I swear....men...I know they mean well, but I think critiquing is their way of dealing with problems, because it's easy for them...they're more removed. We're the breastfeeders, typically the ones constantly getting up with them, etc. It is what it is! I am SUPER sorry to hear about your mother too. What tough timing with the holidays around the corner. Are you able to take any additional time off work?
We've had a virtually nap-less day, matched with a non negotiable full schedule and I kinda want to pull my hair out right now so I can only imagine how you feel finishing a second week like that.
@FTM53 Oh girl, I am so sorry, that sounds like you have way too much on your shoulders and I wish I could just come give you a break so you could take a nap! Lots of creepy internet hugs. If anyone is willing to take LO out of the house for a few hours so you can take a nap, I hope you feel like you can take the help! Hang in there momma, you are awesome.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
Re: Postpartum mental health check in and PPD/PPA support
Besides medication, did anyone try other methods of coping with the depression?
Zoloft works for most people, but may not for you. If it doesn't work for you, there are other doses and other meds to try. There is a reason there are so many. Our brains all work slightly different and need different things.
In case your doc didn't tell you, it takes approximately 14 days for the medication to build up in your system at the level you can say if it's working or not. You may start feeling better sooner, but you should never feel worse. If you feel worse or start thinking you want to hurt yourself or someone else, call the doc immediately.
Im a licensed mental health therapist and I know for a fact that there are other things you can use in conjunction with medication and sometimes in place of it. Drinking plenty of water, exercising, sleep, meditation (deep breathing), smiling (even forced or faked), and learning your faulty thought patterns and changing them are just a few of the things you can do. My suggestion is to also go see a licensed therapist who can teach you the skills (and having a dedicated hour that's all about you every week or two will do wonders in itself).
I see see a therapist myself, so I know both ends of how well it works!
Again, you go, momma! So proud to see this!
@sboston06 That's good advice. I think I need to start focusing more on accepting what is and correcting my negative thoughts on something that isn't true. I'm just still very overwhelmed and feel alone in this, but I know I'm not.
Definitely talk to a therapist. They can teach you how to accept what is and how to challenge what's not.
@sboston06 good for you! I struggle with anxiety too and have to keep practicing/challenging negative thoughts and fears. And you are so right with accepting your feelings. All feelings are acceptable and valid.
@setosh Thank you. I'm three days in and feeling some side effects, but it's the first 24 hours I haven't cried in weeks. So small progress.
@shaylalr I know it helps me to just talk to someone. It makes me feel better to just go for a walk with her and the kids. Getting out ofbthe house helps a lot.
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DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
Agree with PP about therapy. There have been several studies showing that the effects of therapy can be just as helpful as medication, and together they're additive. I went to therapy for a while a few years after my dad died and while it didn't feel all that helpful during each individual session, I totally saw a difference after a few visits.
Good for you and keep us updated!
I'm a working mom finishing my 2nd week back to work. I struggle to produce BM, barely get enough for 1-4oz bottle each day and now that amount is going down since I've started back to work. Last night I spilled a vial of 1.5oz and cried for 20 minutes. When I'm at home snuggling LO after work I'm stressed & feel bad I'm not doing chores or house-related things. When I'm doing chores I'm stressed & feel bad that LO is at daycare all day and I have her in a swing or bouncy chair instead of spending quality time with her. I've always had a low self-image but now I'm even more self-conscious about my size. When you're pregnant you're automatically cute but now I feel like everyone is judging how soon you go back to your original size. All I want to do is eat while I'm at work, and then I feel bad about eating. None of it is really healthy stuff either. I'm struggling to find the working mom balance and feel like it's only going to get harder. I want to work out and take care of myself but there just isn't enough hours in the day with it getting dark earlier and picking LO up from daycare to be able to work out and we don't have any machines at home. I have Jillian Michaels workout videos but feel awkward/bad doing them in the living room after dinner if DH wants to watch tv.
Daycare is expensive and DH is on this new kick of we need to watch our spending and things we do and we need to see if there is stuff around the house that we can sell. We've never lived paycheck to paycheck (luckily) but he's acting like we will absolutely have no money and it's just now hitting him that babies are expensive. I feel trapped. Not that I'm a big spender anyway but I felt guilty buying food the other day.
Sorry for this long post, I just don't know who i can lean on and felt that I should get it all off my chest somehow. I cried most of the night last night and DH doesn't understand why and I just can't seem to explain it to him. He just keeps saying that everything is fine but I don't feel like it is and don't feel like he understands why I'm upset.
@HoneyBear40 Hey dont be to hard on yourself , in a couple of months everything will pass and things well get better , alot of us are going through similar situations , try some daily planners they work really well for me to get everything done . Me and DH have been going through the same issue sens I quit my job , he feels like hes responsible for everything , even tho we have pretty good savings . I guess they just all go through there own process and get pretty cranky here and there . Best of luck ❤
Update on PPD:
I've been on zoloft for 2 weeks now. I feel so much better. I feel a lot more connected to LO and my husband. I don't find myself crying all the time anymore. I've actually left the house for walks and to go to baby time at the library. I don't feel so overwhelmed and I can actually see myself having another kid in the future. It's amazing how different I feel. I questioned whether what I was feeling was normal blues or more. I even had doubts that the zoloft would work and almost convinced myself to stop taking it, but my husband kept pushing me to just wait and see. I have random bad moments, but I can usually work through them.
I haven't found the best way to let my best friend and my mom know that I am dealing with this. I know fhey will be supportive, but I feel like admitting it makes me weak. I know it happens and it doesn't mean I am, but I haven't been able to get that through my head. Thank you ladies for the support. It feels good to be honest and open here.
One if ny friends also stopped BF because of numerous issues. She pumps one time a day and gives her babies that bottle. Afterwards, it's all formula. She says that it is manageable and she is at least giving them one bottle which helps share the nutrients and immunity. You could try that.
@babycakesday I'm so glad the Zoloft is working!!
Try not to stress too much about who you tell when and how. The time and words will come naturally, especially now that you're feeling better.
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DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
Not fun.
I'm struggling today, ladies. LO has been up every 30-60 minutes unless he's in my arms for the last 14 days straight. I have not been in my bed for more than 2 hours each night. DH travels and either hasn't been home or has said he can't help me because LO only calms down/wants me. He's been arguing with me over everything and has basically blamed me for everything and continues to point out everything I either don't do or have done wrong. Work has been overwhelming with dealing with fires and pressure from above. And I and LO have been sick for 4-5 of the past 6 weeks (colds that lingered and turned into bronchitis/bronchiolitis). I am emotionally at my breaking point and have either been crying or a numb/"bitchy" since last night. I have ppl coming for the holidays and am hosting a bunch of things over the next few weeks. Oh, and my mom comes in tomorrow evening to stay with us for an unknown amount of time because she was just diagnosed with cancer and needs surgery, at the very least. I'm empty. I seriously have no more to give and am being pulled in every direction. I don't know what to do.
We've had a virtually nap-less day, matched with a non negotiable full schedule and I kinda want to pull my hair out right now so I can only imagine how you feel finishing a second week like that.