Well..

I humbled myself to go to the dr for some anti-depressants. I'm not so much sure about it being post pardem - it's not so much depression as it is anger or being disorganized.
I thought depression was just saddness.. but there is much more to it then that. I think this should help with my weight issues too. I have had less then zero motivation. There are days when I will eat just a handful of crackers and fried bacon. How messed up is that?
I am a stay at home Mom.. You would think I would be organized.

I hope and pray this drug works.

Any one here want to share a story of anti depressants and weight loss success? (or you can always private message me)

Let me know how they work. You just described me to a T. I have just been hestitate to take anything.

Dana, you are very courageous for talking to your doctor about your feelings. Thank you for sharing with us.

I will pray for you, too. :

I hope they will help you. I was actually just about to go and get me some just before I got pregnant. Hopefully after this one is born I won't need them but I know what to look for and won't hesistate to get a prescription if I start feeling overwhelmed.

I lost about 30 inches and 20-ish pounds when I went on Antidepressants years ago, part of it was also I was told to get at LEAST 30 minutes of sun a day. And I would pump some music on my CD player and go out for a little walk every night.. I had issues with what they were prescribing me, so I was also drinking 15+ coffee's a day to stay awake. Goodluck! And get out in that sun!

-Aimee

Hiya, Dana,

Not sure if I'm a success story, but I was PPD after my second and went on anti-depressants for a year or so (Wellbutrin -- per LaLeche, it doesn't pass along to your child in breastmilk, it's supposed to give you an energy lift as well, and not have the libido side effects). Mr. Cruise's opinions aside, it helped. A lot. I had a three year old adapting to not being the only child who I love dearly, a new beautiful baby who I had prayed for and I really, really wished I could just go to sleep and not have to wake up again.

So my baby is five now, my eldest is eight, I'm about a hundred pounds down, I work out five times a week, go swimming twice, and walk three or so miles every day. It takes time, it takes work, but there's your life and theirs on the other end of the dark. I still have my moments -- I imagine everyone does -- but I'm counting on the exercise endorphins and taking care of myself and my girls to keep me up and going. I'm somewhere in the middle of getting to where I want to be in life, not as close as I'd like to be, but I'm still moving, still learning to enjoy the part of the journey I'm in while keeping the vision of where I'd like to be close.

Give me a note if you'd like to talk.

Good for you, Dana, for getting some help. Being unable to get things done and organized is one of the signs of depression.

Personally, I'd like to slap Mr. Tom Cruise and his buddies who have no idea what they're talking about, IMHO. He'll never be able to walk a mile in a post partum woman's shoes so he should just stifle himself.

Don't feel bad about admitting you need help Dana,

I'm sure these pills will give you the kick start you need - and if they don't then try some different ones. I'm on my third lot of anti depressants now and have finally found some that are really helping me. As for weight loss - the negative is that the pills can make it a little harder to shift weight, but the good news is that you'll be more motivated and enthusiastic about diet and exercise. Depression, whether post natal or not can get you caught up in a viscious cycle of lethargy and apathy - the pills should hopefully get that brain firing again so you can tackle the things that are bothering you.

I'd also highly recommend exercise Dana - I can still get very low moods on a high dose anti depressant, but regular intensive exercise helps my mood stay stable, gives me more energy and makes me feel good inside!

I've finally got a decent diet and exercise plan going, after a number of false starts - and have now lost 37lb - not bad for a girl who a year ago could never get past the 8lb mark before putting it all back on and more!

All the best sweetie!

Love Amanda x

Sheila - Tom Cruise annoys me when he talks about that stuff.. I kinda feel like slapping him! He sounds so set in his ways, yet how could he have an idea what it's like to be in a woman's body with all these crazy hormons?!?! I'd pay to see him get PMS like I do.. nevermind push out a baby.. I'm ranting.. grr though!

-Aimee

Well let's add another drug. I got my blood tests back.. I also have
hypothyroidism. Now wonder I've been feeling like crap and can't loose weight!

here is what I found on the net...
If your doctor ran a test called Total T4 or Total Thyroxine, normal range is approximately 4.5 to 12.5. If you had a low reading, and a high TSH, your doctor might consider that indicative of hypothyroidism.


This is the test my dr ran... my test results said I was at 45!!

Hi Dana, I'm sorry you're having a rough time with this. I really hope the medication will make a noticeable difference, and soon! I went through about a week or two of the "baby blues" after my daughter was born, but that was nothing compared to PPD, which my SIL suffered with after each of her pregnancies. The first one was really bad because she wasn't prepared for the possibility at all and put off getting medication way too long. With the second one she recognized the signs right away and didn't have to suffer nearly as long. By the time she shot the third one out (in March) she was ready for the inevitable and started her first dose before she even left the hospital. All I can say is thank goodness we have the technology and medications to handle these issues, and it saddens me that society seems to put some sort of stigma on the use of anti-depressants. I say; if you need it, take it. What's the point of suffering in silence with something that can very easily be corrected? Thank you for sharing Dana. Just hang in there sweetie, you're gonna be just fine.

Beverly

Wow, Dana! That's a sluggish thyroid, alright! I hope the meds even things out for you!

(((HUGS))) I've been there - twice in fact. I"m a PPD magnet. It's just horrible - just HORRIBLE. I've never struggled with depression before and PPD really threw me for a loop, I was a mess the first time. Thankfully, the second time around, I knew what to look out for so I could see the changes in myself and I got anti-depressants earlier before it got too bad. I know how hard it is to ask for help though and I know that I just felt like such a horrible person and mother!

Anyhow, I'm still on Lexapro. My babe is 14 months, I just feel like I'm not ready to give it up. I still feel really overwhelmed sometimes - though it's 1,000% better with medication. With my daughter, I was on Celexa and I gained 30 pounds! I was very wary to try that again, so my doctor gave me Lexapro which has less side effects and (except for battling fatigue here and there) - I haven't had any side effects and have lost 16 pounds so far at a good rate.

Good Luck! If you ever need a shoulder to lean on, let me know - I've SO BTDT! Hugs again!

Dana, I can totally relate. When my son was about 18 months I finally gave up and went in to the doctor complaining of depression, weight gain, and just being tired all day long. She ran a full thyroid screen and my TSH was a whopping 186.4! They also checked for thyroid antibodies (make sure you tell them to run this test), and discovered I had Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism. After about 4 years of playing around with medications, lots of trial and error, and my horrible tendency to forget to take my meds, everything is finally straightened out (for the most part). The depression was caused by my hypothyroidism, so when that was treated properly, the depression went away. It might work for you as well. Good luck, you will be in my prayers!

Amanda