Anyone on Anti-depressants?

I was having really bad anxiety and over-whelming feelings for the past 4-5 months. I went for my yearly exam and told my OBGYN and come to find out it was my birth control pills. I hadn't been on birth control for about 5 years but when I started it back, the pill I was on made my hormones go bonkers. After being on a new pill for 3 weeks it's made my life normal again. It's amazing what hormones can do to a woman's body.

Not sure if this could apply to you but if so, tell your OBGYN or any doctor.

Good luck!

L.

I reccomend the FEM Centre there is many locations. Its all about females and hormones. They test your blood and find out where you are unbalanced. And give you specific stuff for the areas you are not balanced in. They are awsome!!!

I would skip the family doctor. They only know so much. Also, they are quick to prescriber things like Paxil or Effexor, which, may be good... but have far reaching and damaging effects in the long run. Do your research before you fill a prescription. I was on Paxil and my Dr. (family doc) didn't educate me on it's usage. I missed a couple of doses and wow... I can'r even go there. The same with my friends and Effexor, except their symptoms are far worse. Many times meds may help these feelings. But perhaps just talking with a counselor can help too.

Being in a new area and also being a stay at home mom (I am!) can sometimes be difficult and that can play on your emotions. Try a different structured day, eating more fruits/vegs., drink plenty of water, excersize and a hobby can help. Go to the library on Wednesday afternoons and on a morning walk every Tues and Thurs or something. Mybe every Monday mornig a trip to Little Gym. Have a craft time at 3:00 on Fridays with the kids. (just some ideas I'm trying to work on!!!) Heck, I'm still trying to get a dinner cooked at least once a week!!

I know I go insane sometimes being locked at home all day!!! But I tried these and they helped. I have a long history of depression and have been on meds and these are the things that helped me best.

My son is almost the same age as your little one, such a great time!

Hi A.. Hang in there. Sounds like you are not alone on this one. I too have been on anti-depressants. I took Zoloft. I would suggest going to a Psychiatrist for the medication though because my General Practitioner gave me the meds and when I went off of them cold turkey the side effects were horrible. I think a Psychiatrist would be able to give you on-going support. Good luck.

P.S. I would love to come to your next play group. I have a 17 month old son and we are new to the area.

Your doctor can prescribe, but I'd go to a psychiatrist if you have the insurance and let them evaluate/prescribe. Then if you need it long term maybe your regular doc can refill. I've taken anti-depressants with no problems, but some people do have side-effects or issues, so a psych might be more knowledgeable.

Also, exercise, sleep and all those other things that help us feel better, like eating right and having a plan, wouldn't hurt either. And if you join an exercise class you might find some new pals.

Take care and hope you feel better soon.

I recently had a daughter in late October and experienced PPD pretty bad and my doctor put me on zoloft and my life has been great ever since. I'm not on a heavy dose and it seems to have taken the edge off and balanced my hormones. I'd call your obgyn and see what he/she says. Good luck and please write if you need to talk anymore.

Hi A.,

Yes, we are new to the area also. Its hard getting settled in. Some have mentioned the problems with anti-depressants. That is why I don't take them. I can tell you what has helped me. I take St. John's Wort. Plus, drinking alot of water and eating raw fruits and veggies helps. Counseling has helped as well.

And since you're new to the area, I would like to recommend my church. Getting plugged in to our church has helped me so much. It seems like whatever I'm going through that week, the pastor preaches on it the following Sunday. He's been preaching on overcoming depression and other emotional problems. Its been very uplifting. If you want to know more, let me know. I go to Wellspring Church in North Richland Hills. Its wonderful.

Hope this helps.
A. S.

It is time for an annual anyway, why not combine that with a clear discussion with your OB-GYN as to how you are feeling, when it started and what makes it better or worse. Sometimes a borderline postpartum depression is exacerbated by moves and life changes that just tip it over the top and we need help until our hormones balance back out again.
I hope this helps
K.

I was pregnant with my second and with my husband in the military I was extremely stressed and a nervous wreck. I am also a full time student at UTA and so that added so much more stress. I would suggest talking to your OBGYN or just getting a referral for a psych. They prescribed my Effexor and I have been doing so much better!

I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety after the birth of my first son, only to realize I had it my whole life. Go to a psychatrist. They are very specialized and can help much more quickly than a famlily doctor. You will feel so much better...so much time is wasted feeling depressed...espeically when we have our wonderful children! :)

Go see your OB-GYN. I was SO anti medication (not as bad as Tom Cruise but pretty close) until I was having much of the same feelings you've had..... he prescribed Lexapro... I FINALLY Feel normal again. It's NOT something to be ashamed of... and they really can help! Get an appt. today!!! :)

A., since you are still w/in the first year of your last pregnancy I am sure your OB/GYN would have no problem discussing your feelings of anxiety and possible depression. You don't have to go to a Psychiatrist. Your GP can also help you out of you are comfortable with that. It is possible that you are still post pardem...I know I feel that way a lot these days (I am a new mom of a 6 month old). The anxiety is really hard to control and I feel your pain, believe me! I will tell you that I took effexor for 3 years for anxiety (not for depression) and had to get off of it while I was pregnant. I took nothing during my pregnancy and was fine. Now, I do not feel "fine" so I went back to the dr. Effexor no longer works for me and I will tel you that when I am not on it...I feel depressed as well as anxious so the side effects can be bad...just do your research. I have recently started Well Butrin (I am tying to quit smoking also) but have not been on it long enough to say whether it is working or not. I think it is different for everyone but don't feel bad about going the medication route...it can really help some people. That was my biggest hurdle...admitting that I might need some help. I think you should do whatever you need to do to be happy and feel like your self again...as logn as you are safe and well informed. Good Luck, i hope you feel better.

Moving can cause a lot of stress in your life, as well as having 2 small children. By the way my birthday is on 2/11 (won't tell you the year though ha ha) Anyway I have been on Paxil for years now and wouldn't be able to function without it. I know exactly what you are going through and you should see someone, but see a psychiatrist. Dr. Cai is very good. His number is ###-###-####. Good Luck. Don't waste any more time not feeling good. Life is too short.