Not sure what I want to do...

lcourter24

So what I thought was the baby blues is turning out to be possibly PPD/PPA.  I've always thought I would be a great mommy but since my LO has come along I feel so overwhelmed, stressed, and extremely anxious all the time!  I'm feeling a major disconnect from my baby which breaks my heart!  My husband keeps telling me I'm fine and this is all normal but the way it just comes over me all the sudden makes me think otherwise.  I will be fine for a couple hours then BAM, I'm in a full blown sobbing fit!  I can't even begin to talk to anyone about my feelings bc I'm so ashamed of my thoughts.  Why am I not head over heels in love with my baby?  I can't sleep/eat.  I'm really thinking I need to call my dr. but I hate the thought of being medicated.  Those of you that have felt this way, do the meds really make you feel better?  If so I think I have to try it for the sake of my sanity and for my baby.  Also I'm BF now, can I continue to do that if I take meds?  TIA!

swimiz500

First off, I am so sorry you are feeling this way.  It is so hard, I understand.  Please try not to feel ashamed, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.  It is not your fault at all.

I think calling your doctor is definitely the best step.  He or she will have a better idea if you need meds, or someone to talk to, or basically just what the best course of treatment would be to fit your situation.  

That being said, I do think that meds make a difference.  When I was pg, I was taken off meds and nearly lost my mind. Getting back on them saved me, no exaggeration.  I know it sounds so daunting to "have" to take them, but I would rather feel like my normal self on them, kwim?

Now, I FF, so I don't know about the BFing.  I never got breastmilk so it didnt matter, but I knew the meds I took would not be okay with BFing so I had already chosen to FF.  I think there are meds that are okay to take, but I am not 100% sure on that, so your doc will be able to help with that.   

You are not alone, and you are doing such a great thing for yourself and your LO by reaching out and talking about this.  So definitely call your doc, and hang in there. Good luck, I'm sending good thoughts your way!  

JCM

I went on Lexapro when DD was 5 months old.  It was prescribed by my OB & yes it worked & it was safe for me to continue BFing.

It's not your fault & I would call your OB ASAP to get a course of treatment started.  If you are prescribed medication it takes a while to take effect. GL! 

hansa11

I encourage you to call your doctor. It's a hard call to make, but think of it as the first step down the road to becoming healthier and happier again.  I was in similar shoes and by the time I called my doctor and I was asked what I needed to schedule an appointment for, all I could say was, "I'm miserable."  I got an appointment that day and was so relieved I was being taken seriously.  I was prescribed Zoloft, and I was very reluctant to take it, because I truly didn't believe it would work.  But it did.  I'm actually still in disbelief by how much happier I feel.  She also encouraged me to see a therapist or join a PPD support group, which I do think can only continue to help, but that was hard to fit in my schedule. I'm breastfeeding, too, which my OB knew about when she prescribed me the medication.