Post Partum Depression Support Group
Postpartum depression (also postnatal depression) is a form of major depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. It is widely considered to be treatable. Studies report prevalence rates from 5% to 25%, but methodological differences among the studies make the actual prevalence rate unclear.
When my son was about 8 months is when I first started noticing that something wasn't right. I was so tired all the time. Didn't matter how much sleep I got. My son was colicky and was a very high maintenance baby. His sleeping was terrible. We had broken sleep every night for months on end. When I went into the doctor finally about the fatigue she stated my TSH was a little low and that I was slightly anemic and to take iron supplements. After awhile I guess I didn't notice my symptoms as much or I was just getting used to being tired all the time and have crappy sleep every night. Then this past April my fatigue came back worse than it ever had been along with many other symptoms. I literally couldn't sleep anymore yet I was so tired throughout the day I could barely function. I have struggled to be able to eat for months. Food almost made me feel nauseous. I lost over 50 pounds in a matter of like 4 months when I wasn't doing anything to try and lose weight. I felt mentally like I was in a fog. Disconnected from everything. I felt like I was struggling with cognitive things. My memory has become terrible. I have headaches all of the time. Physically I am wasting away. You can see collarbone and my ribs and my arms and legs have nothing left to them. I have days where I cry for hours sometimes with no reason. I get beyond frustrated with my kids. I don't enjoy anything anymore. I'm always mopey as my husband tells me. I am so irritable and have moments of uncontrolled rage. I scream at my husband and have hit him. That's not me. I have had burning pain on the right side of my neck that comes and goes. My hands tremor all the time. To make a long story short they repeated my thyroid labs and originally thought I had a thyroid issue but my labs went back to normal since. I have seen multiple doctors and I'm so tired of hearing I don't know and you must be fine, nothings wrong with you. Meanwhile. . I know there is something wrong. One doctor mentioned maybe I have had post partum depression from having my son but that was as far as that went. No doctor has looked at any possible problems that could be going on with me. No doctor has talked to me. No doctor has made any diagnosis. I was put on an antidepressant, sleep aid, and adderall to treat my symptoms. I've been on my antidepressant for about a month and a half and I don't feel any different. But the more research I do I am wondering if it may have been PPD all along and that after dealing with all of this for so long it had caused so many other problems. It's been a year since the first time I saw a doctor for fatigue and not feeling right. Even my OB doctor at my routine appt just said I feel crappy bc of everything I have going on. While dealing with this I have my son and my daughter who is 3. My husband has depression and not until recently got help for it. I was in paramedic school this past year which in itself is beyond stressful. I spent the entire past year defending myself bc my husband would accuse me of cheating or that I was going to have an affair bc of articles he found on the internet about spouses having their husband or wife who's a paramedic cheat on them. I can not even begin to describe the emotional and mental stress of this past year. I didn't have support from my husband and I feel like my parents didn't take me seriously. By this point when I talk to doctors or other people about how I feel they look at me like I'm crazy. Could I have been struggling with PPD all along and had no idea?? I'm still struggling so much and I just want help! I know somethings wrong!
And, you reached out here and again no-one replied. You were failed again. :-(
Idk if you are still checking in on this DB or not, but I will reply in hopes that you are.
First, you are not alone and I am sorry for being one of those that have failed you by my failure to routinely check in here. No-one responded when I first came here desperate, needing to not feel alone and to connect with someone. I told myself that I didn't want anyone else to go unanswered so I checked in every day for awhile and there weren't any posts. But, I kept checking in until my life became overwhelming and I lost touch.
I am sorry that the medical professionals you have been working with have been failing you. Keep reaching out trying to find someone that specializes in PPD. Perhaps call other OBs or even the local hospitals and ask if they know of any PPD groups in the area and can give you the contact information for them. Use Google if need be to search for counselors in your area and call them. If they don't specialize in PPD ask them to recommend a colleague that does or see if they know of a PPD group. You can also go through your insurance company. Call and ask them to help you find a counselor that specializes in PPD.
Your antidepressant may not be the right one for you, the dose may be too low or you could simply need to combine it with counseling. The combination of antidepressants and counseling is the most successful way to combat depression.
The other three things that you can, and should, do are (1) get regular, healthy sleep (2) eat a regular, healthy diet (3) exercise.
I'm struggling to see the foundation for the Adderall prescription. Were you diagnosed with ADHD? If not, I believe it's going to work as a stimulant for you.
So, you're taking something to help you sleep and something to stimulate your body. Hmm. I hope you're taking the Adderall in the morning and not late in the day.
Lack of sleep can be contributing to many of your symptoms. Another avenue you might try is seeing a sleep doctor and hopefully doing a sleep study. If you can start sleeping regularly, some of your symptoms should subside at least partially.
I know you said food makes you nauseous, but it is important for you to at least try to take in calories. You might try some of the over-the-counter dietary supplements such as boost or ensure. Try the various brands and flavors until you find one you like, or can tolerate. Another alternative is a simple milkshake. Just something to get you started eating again. And, if anything at all sounds yummy, go for it.
Plain and simple walking is great exercise. A 20-30 minute walk a day makes a difference. If you live in an area where the weather is turning cold and going outside is undesirable, perhaps a WII Fit or similar program would be beneficial to you.
I wish you the best. I hope you find a healthcare professional that can help you.
I just joined this grp and read your question. I know it's been a long time since you posted this, but I hope that you are doing well.
After I had my daughter, I had the same symptoms. Going to numerous doctors and being told that I was fine. Being told, "it's situational, you just have a lot of stuff going on in your life." It has been over three years and I still battle it everyday.
By the time someone realized I was suffering severe anxiety and depression, no one wanted to call it postpartum depression/anxiety because it was over a year after my daughter was born.
I feel that postpartum depression isn't well understood and treated seriously sometimes. We, ourselves, know something is wrong, but everyone keeps telling us, "your labs and tests look fine." It's so scary to feel out of control and not yourself.
I hope you are doing well and if you ever need to chat, let me know. Take care!