New Here - Intro

[RedDDD]

Not new to this board as I have been a regular participant on my monthly board as well as a handful of others.  I have lurked here for a while basically trying to educate myself prior to my meeting with my Dr.  I do think I have been suffering from depression for a while mostly since my second child was born 18 months ago BUT Im sure a lot of you will understand me when I say this....the Dr.s would ask about my mood/sleep/ anxiety and Im like well I have two babies how the hell do I separate normal frustration, anxiety, sadness, sleeplessness associated with having two kiddos so close together and not normal sadness etc?  So I think I have probably gone on too long without being treated.  Im also someone that is highly sensitive to medication so I am fearful of side affects.  

After a discussion with my PC Dr. today (crying most of the time) I finally agreed to give the medication a try.  Im just very scared of the sexual side affects (my libido has been zero since DD was born) so I really do not want to tank that any further then it already is.  Also I have been on this steady weight increase for weeks probably associated with thyroid which is something Im working on with my Dr. but I can't gain any more weight, its just not an option.  

So Im really hoping the medication takes the edge off and helps me gain back some normalcy and with that hopefully comes increased confidence/libido/and activity.  I pick up my prescription today.  Im feeling relieved, positive and hopeful that this will be a good solution for a least a little while.  Thanks for taking the time to read this ~ 

[Deleted]

Welcome to the board! I am very sensitive with medication as well. It makes me really groggy and shit has to get really bad for me to even consider going back on meds.

I hope the meds make you feel better though! I think you have a pretty positive outlook about it all!

GL to you!

[icequeen]

Hi, you are definitely in good company here. I'm sorry that you are feeling so nervous and unsure about the meds. I know how you feel because I have the same reserves. I tried 4 different anxiety medications and finally just threw the whole concept of medication out the window and everything really went to shit by that point. It must be hard to separate the feelings of normal anxiety of just having two LO's from a legitimate illness and diagnosis, but can I ask you how you were feeling before your first child was born? Did you suffer from PPD/PPA after your first? How about right before your second and after? I'm just trying to get a sense of the progression so you can discuss it more with your PC. Would your PC be willing to consult with a psychiatrist and give you an evaluation? I think that would be worthwhile, too. I sincerely hope the medication works for you and that you start feeling better. Definitely check in with us and share how you're feeling or any questions you have! Good luck!

[RedDDD]

Apr 7, 2015 14:26:01 GMT -5 icequeen said:

Hi, you are definitely in good company here. I'm sorry that you are feeling so nervous and unsure about the meds. I know how you feel because I have the same reserves. I tried 4 different anxiety medications and finally just threw the whole concept of medication out the window and everything really went to shit by that point. It must be hard to separate the feelings of normal anxiety of just having two LO's from a legitimate illness and diagnosis, but can I ask you how you were feeling before your first child was born? Did you suffer from PPD/PPA after your first? How about right before your second and after? I'm just trying to get a sense of the progression so you can discuss it more with your PC. Would your PC be willing to consult with a psychiatrist and give you an evaluation? I think that would be worthwhile, too. I sincerely hope the medication works for you and that you start feeling better. Definitely check in with us and share how you're feeling or any questions you have! Good luck!

 I had a very stressful time prior to my children being born where I went through a year of counseling and was put on Celexa.  I HATED Celexa and didn't like the side effects so went off of it.  Since then I have not had any issues HOWEVER, in the last few years I have been through every major life change you could possibly imagine including getting married, moving 5 times, going trough major home remodel, having two kids, dealing with a serious illness with my mom, getting laid off, going back to school, and starting a new career.  Hard to tell if I suffered from PPD with my first as he was 10 months when I got pregnant with my 2nd.   He was also a very easy baby.  My 2nd still doesn't sleep thru the night at 19months and has generally been a much more challenging child.  I have been researching counseling options but due to my work schedule Im having a very hard time connecting with someone.  Its definitely something I will continue to look into but right now I just simply do not have the time.  My hubby has started counseling on his own but he is self employed so he has a very flexible schedule.  The goal is to hopefully be able to go with him to a few sessions in the future.  Thanks for your questions and I will plan to check in!

[icequeen]

Apr 7, 2015 15:19:29 GMT -5 RedDDD said:

Apr 7, 2015 14:26:01 GMT -5 icequeen said:

Hi, you are definitely in good company here. I'm sorry that you are feeling so nervous and unsure about the meds. I know how you feel because I have the same reserves. I tried 4 different anxiety medications and finally just threw the whole concept of medication out the window and everything really went to shit by that point. It must be hard to separate the feelings of normal anxiety of just having two LO's from a legitimate illness and diagnosis, but can I ask you how you were feeling before your first child was born? Did you suffer from PPD/PPA after your first? How about right before your second and after? I'm just trying to get a sense of the progression so you can discuss it more with your PC. Would your PC be willing to consult with a psychiatrist and give you an evaluation? I think that would be worthwhile, too. I sincerely hope the medication works for you and that you start feeling better. Definitely check in with us and share how you're feeling or any questions you have! Good luck!

 I had a very stressful time prior to my children being born where I went through a year of counseling and was put on Celexa.  I HATED Celexa and didn't like the side effects so went off of it.  Since then I have not had any issues HOWEVER, in the last few years I have been through every major life change you could possibly imagine including getting married, moving 5 times, going trough major home remodel, having two kids, dealing with a serious illness with my mom, getting laid off, going back to school, and starting a new career.  Hard to tell if I suffered from PPD with my first as he was 10 months when I got pregnant with my 2nd.   He was also a very easy baby.  My 2nd still doesn't sleep thru the night at 19months and has generally been a much more challenging child.  I have been researching counseling options but due to my work schedule Im having a very hard time connecting with someone.  Its definitely something I will continue to look into but right now I just simply do not have the time.  My hubby has started counseling on his own but he is self employed so he has a very flexible schedule.  The goal is to hopefully be able to go with him to a few sessions in the future.  Thanks for your questions and I will plan to check in!

Oh my goodness, yeah, you have your hands more than full. It seems like you always have. I understand not having the time. Maybe you can try to find a counselor that has weekend or evening hours, and you can have a close friend or family member watch your LO for an hour or so? It's so important to take care of you, too.

[runnergirl812]

RedDDD, I've been there. I AM there now. I have hypothyroidism and generalized anxiety disorder. I'm being treated for both. The thyroid will make you gain weight, tired like crazy, hair fall out, basically all the symptoms of depression. They are linked. Just like anxiety and depression are linked. I really really really hope meds work for you this time. Try to get your thyroid regulated if that is a concern. That may help tons. It also may account for the lack of libido. As for meds, I'm sensitive too, but I'm doing well on mine. I'm on month #2 and wooo boy what a difference!

Give it at least a month if they put you on any SSRI. I really didn't feel the effects of the SSRI until 4-5 weeks in. Even now I'm wondering at my next visit if I need to increase in dosage. The anxiety is still there. I'm handling it with therapy and techniques. But I have my moments.

Best wishes in your treatment and finding the right meds/provider. And welcome!

[RedDDD]

Apr 8, 2015 19:09:57 GMT -5 runnergirl812 said:

RedDDD, I've been there. I AM there now. I have hypothyroidism and generalized anxiety disorder. I'm being treated for both. The thyroid will make you gain weight, tired like crazy, hair fall out, basically all the symptoms of depression. They are linked. Just like anxiety and depression are linked. I really really really hope meds work for you this time. Try to get your thyroid regulated if that is a concern. That may help tons. It also may account for the lack of libido. As for meds, I'm sensitive too, but I'm doing well on mine. I'm on month #2 and wooo boy what a difference!

Give it at least a month if they put you on any SSRI. I really didn't feel the effects of the SSRI until 4-5 weeks in. Even now I'm wondering at my next visit if I need to increase in dosage. The anxiety is still there. I'm handling it with therapy and techniques. But I have my moments.

Best wishes in your treatment and finding the right meds/provider. And welcome!

Thanks for you note!  My OB thinks i may have had a postpartum thyroiditis.  This is because my symptoms were worse during the first year after DD was born but seemed to taper off after one year.  My tests were all right on the border of normal so I retested again Tuesday so waiting to see the results of those.  Also right when I was tested for the thyroid issues I was tested for Vitamin D and I was in the EXTREMELY low category.  I was prescribed a special Vit D supplement to boost my levels and then when I retested I was back to the low end of normal so I do take a larger daily dose of Vit D.  So with all of that we will see how the meds help.  Im feeling confident about it.

[Deleted]

Welcome! I hope the meds help you and you can get some good treatment for your thyroid. I bet you will start to feel better and if you can find some time for yourself, like yoga or going for walks, you'll feel even better and it will start to snowball. Keep trying even if the first thing doesn't work - you are worth it and your family wants you to be happy. Good luck!!

[URMySunshine77]

Welcome.I have seen you around. I just want to say that I hope that you start feeling better soon. It is so stressful taking care of others when your body and soul need nourishment.

[spencer1337]

I could have written this word for word. I actually have a app. with my GP to talk about possible thyroid/hormone issues bc of all the changes i've been going through. I'm a person who usually uses medication as a last resort, so i feel you on not knowing if its right, but i have come to the conclusion that something has to change. If it takes medicine to do that then so be it. The worst that will happen is that it dosent help and you start from square one. But if it does, it could do a world of good! I hope you find time to talk to someone, even if its not on a regular schedule. I cant tell you how much it has helped just to talk to someone who knows what im going through. Plus, were here if you ever need to talk.