How to overcome postpartum depression

Question

hello i am 22 and have 2 beautiful boys and ever since i had them i have suffered from postpartum depression severe they are 3 and 2 and i am having a hard time overcoming it i have taken lexapro and fluxetine and now wellbutrin xl 150mg but it is way to expensive to stay on i was wondering what has worked for some people i have weeks where i feel great and enjoy everything then theres times where i feel suicidal and crazy dont get me wrong i love my family and they are great and i would never hurt myself but i dont want to feel this way i just want to go back to my old self especially for my kids i am not a dryer or anything just sleep alot and not wwanting to do much but i always go out as much as i can or spend time with my family and that usually helps please let me know if anyone knows anything thanks

Answer 1

I have an 8 month old and have serious postpartum anxiety.  I tried to take lexapro and ephexor but had very bad reactions to both of them.  All i can take is xanax and that is beginning not to help.  I'm taking 1.0 mg 3 or 4 times a day and that usually helps. My panic attacks are so bad that i really believe I'm going to loose my mind and disappear into another world.  They are getting a little better but i also have a light choking feeling in my throat from it all.   I stay in a fog all day and will be going back to my doctor to see what else i can do.  Like you i have no interest in hurting myself but I'm sick of feeling bad and do not have the money to take a lot of medication. There are free support groups that you can join through your local hospital and they sometimes have a nurse that you can call 24 hours when you are feeling your worst to give you the best answers,  I hope you feel better and good luck.  

Answer 2

Postpartum depression is addressed on page Z.4 in section 2 of my website, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris View page R; female depression next, then page V, and the rest.

"i have weeks where i feel great and enjoy everything then theres times where i feel suicidal and crazy" indicates to me the possibility of a form of bipolar disorder, such as cyclothymia, but this requires EXPERT DIAGNOSIS.

See bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, in section 10, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don't diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise.

          Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I'd take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve.

         If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren't good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as  Lamictal,  or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out "lithium"  at http://www.drugs.com/, and http://crazymeds.us/ and always research medications first, (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. (Personally, if I wasn't bipolar type 1, and didn't experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I'd first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John's wort, and also antidepressants, may cause mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. I'd aso eat in accordance with my "nutritional type". Enter that term in the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/  

         If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening.  If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ . Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states).

         Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at:  http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris  Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John's wort, which may cause mania, or hypomania).  As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them. Don't use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime.

Answer 3

Buproprion is generic Wellbutrin.  It should be cheaper.  If it is working, perhaps you should continue for a while to benefit your kids if not yourself.

Answer 4

I  just talked to a friend of mine who works in mental health.  I told her almost the exact same thing you just wrote.  I don't ever feel suicidal, but the other day I started to go for a walk and just wanted to walk until I was lost (like into a new town) and then start a new life...

I am starting to except that I have either postpartum or some other depression.  My friend told me -postpartum depression can hit years after your last child is born.

She told me to go see a physical doctor and get a physical to make sure it isn't a physical problem first. (I know doctors are expensive, but I think I will have to save up so I can go)  Then from there tell the doctor everything you have been feeling.  She/He will be able to let you know if you need further help. --it sounds like if you are taking medication you have gotten help....keep getting it, and if one doctor doesn't seem to be helping you...go see another one.

I know people say exercize and stuff, but if you are like me, you just want to sit and do nothing more than type at a computer, or read a book.  It takes a ton of energy just to do dinner or clean the kitchen. I am sure that a schedule, exercize, and some type of spiritual focus everyday will help me alot....along with eatting better and sleeping better --such as not going to be past 2 and walking up after 10.....

I suggest talking to your husband.  Since I told my husband what has been happening he has really stepped up and helped and that has given me more time to think.  

Today while out and about I tried to find things that really stress me out.  I paid special attention to when I got sad, or anxious and will work on them....even to the point where I will ask a friend to role play with me (I get really nervous and sad when I go to a checkout line at the grocery store....but know why....i just do).

There are lots of websites and books, but again, if you are like me they don't seem to be "talking" to you.  I suggest finding one for specifically postpartum depression with toddlers.

I starred you questions and hope I can also learn from others answers