Depression

I'm gong to bring this up with my doctor at my appt. in a few weeks, but with the wealth of knowledge on this board, I was hoping that someone might offer some insight into this...

I got PPD after the girls were born, crying all the time, feeling hopeless and desperate. Dr put me on Lexapro which worked really well, I felt better really fast, pretty much back to normal. After 3 months I tried to wean off of it, and did it very slowly so the transition wouldn't be too traumatic to my system. After being off of it for 2 weeks I noticed that I was mad a lot and very easily irritated. I never took it out on the babies, but my poor DH got it. Everything he did or said pissed me off, which is not normal at all for us. I also started crying again--one day I cried for an hour because I had to make a pot roast and go to the grocery store and I couldn't spend as much time with the girls. Every little thing started to irritate me which would cause me to start gripeing and blowing things out of porportion, to the point that I wished I would shut up, but didn't seem to be able to. The "pot roast incident" made me realize that I felt a lot better on meds, and I got back on them asap.

Now I'm wanting to try to get of Lexapro again but I am afraid. Depression runs in my family, I've had a touch of it from time to time, but have never before this been on meds. Does this sound like normal first-time-mom-with-twins frustration? Or could it be hormones still not in balance? Any advice would be helpful, PM or otherwise.

Mods-could we link this to 1-5?

 

I have dealt with depression for most of my life(since about 10 years old), and what you are describing is the exact symptoms I have when I am depressed. Extremely irritable, angry, easily frustrated, and sad. I am also on Lexapro, and have been off and on for the past 3 years or so. I feel more "level" when I am taking an antidepressant. I don't get the huge highs and lows like I do when I am off. Lexapro is a tough one to go off, so make sure you go slow if you decide to. PM me anytime, I would be happy to answer any questions you have. :hug99:

We can no longer link with this new software, sorry!

 

Is there a particular reason you want to go off of it? I'd stay on it until you talk with your doctor. I just switched to Lexapro after being on Wellbutrin and I can tell a big difference. I'm 9 months out as well and not ready to come off yet. PPD can last awhile.

Shannon

 

Like Becky I've had depression for a long time...been on Zoloft, then Paxil, now Wellbutrin. My shrink said the whole 1st year after birth you're considered 'postpartum' and hormones are still getting back to normal. Check with your OB and/or psychiatrist...depression is a serious medical condition whether PPD or general...don't try to manage it on your own. Good luck. You're definitely not alone. :hug99:

 

QUOTE
Check with your OB and/or psychiatrist...depression is a serious medical condition whether PPD or general...don't try to manage it on your own


Completely agree Meighan. I also wanted to add, that depression is just like any other illness, the chemicals in our brain are not functioning properly, and the meds help to make it so they do. I am sure you know that, but I do have to remind myself of that sometimes!

 

QUOTE
Check with your OB and/or psychiatrist...depression is a serious medical condition whether PPD or general...don't try to manage it on your own


Completely agree Meighan. I also wanted to add, that depression is just like any other illness, the chemicals in our brain are not functioning properly, and the meds help to make it so they do. I am sure you know that, but I do have to remind myself of that sometimes!

 

QUOTE
Check with your OB and/or psychiatrist...depression is a serious medical condition whether PPD or general...don't try to manage it on your own


Completely agree Meighan. I also wanted to add, that depression is just like any other illness, the chemicals in our brain are not functioning properly, and the meds help to make it so they do. I am sure you know that, but I do have to remind myself of that sometimes!

 

Thanks ladies, your replies helped. I do plan to stay on the Lexapro, and talk with my doctor.