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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 2 to 26 of 26. Go back in thread:
Posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 0:05:39
In reply to Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by AAH on June 30, 2003, at 0:36:03
i could really use some input.
Posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 5:27:29
In reply to Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by AAH on June 30, 2003, at 0:36:03
I don't think you are being ignored. Maybe the persons with the requsite experience you are asking about have not seen your post yet.
Postpartum. Are you breast feeding? Seems like that would complicate things. I really don't know. My whole response to you here is a big non-answer, but I wanted you to know your post is being read. Just keep re-posting on the postpartum/effexor issue, you will get some answers.
Actually as I re-read your post, I'm thinking maybe the Paxil didn't stop working in a sense. What happens to me sometimes is that the intensity of the disease rises up and overwhelms the medication. That is, it might have been much worse without the Paxil. Postpartum is nasty and common enough maybe as it wanes Paxil will be your best drug. Do you have a history with any other ADs? There are hundreds of them. Get aggressive with you depression meds. Maybe more would be better or some augmentation or cocktail. Effexor didn't make me feel to hot. I can't imagine what other factors are in the mix with postpartum.
Keep posting. It can take a while for the right person to log in at the right time and see your post.
Posted by rod on July 2, 2003, at 5:35:04
In reply to Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by AAH on June 30, 2003, at 0:36:03
Hi AHH,
I cant be supportive on the matter of postpartum depression, I am a man, but can tell you that some people get worse on meds, whyever. Effexor XR worked quite well for me for some time, but then got worse. I would not say, although I am no doctor, that Effexor is known to worsen PPD. How long are you taking it? Many people experience a little worsening, especially anxiety, in the beginning but do well after 2 month or so. Effexor is in general a very effective drug, and many people who failed to respond to a SSRI, like Celexa, do well on Effexor. If its unbearable, talk to your doctor and tell him about it. He might switch you to a different drug.
Take care
Roland
> I was on Paxil before and during my pregnancy for depression and anxiety, after my baby was born it stopped helping. The doctor said it was postpartum depression and switched me to celexa and that didn't do anything. Now I'm taking 150 mg of effexor xr a day. it seems like it's making everything worse instead of better. does anyone know anything about ppd or what might help? anyone had effexor make their depression worse?
Posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 11:50:41
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 5:27:29
Thanx atleast I konw you guys are reading it. No, im not breastfeeding I took zoloft before makes me sick. elavil for while, ran out and didn't have a script, the only thing that makes me feel better is vicodin, and you can only get so much. if they put what ever is in vic's in an AD i would be fine. how am i suppose to be aggressive? should i just tell my doc that i want something new? he usually will just say it hasn't been long enough, give it more time, or up the dose. and right now i don't have any insurance so im bummin on going to the doc, or getting my scripts but I want my life back.
anyway, thanx for listenin
Posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 11:53:40
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice???? » AAH, posted by rod on July 2, 2003, at 5:35:04
thanx i've been on it for just alittle over a month.
thanx for the opinion
anything on how tired it makes me, will that go away to
Posted by noa on July 2, 2003, at 12:20:32
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice???? » rod, posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 11:53:40
Have you had a good thyroid workup? Apparently a lot of ppd is due to postpartum thyroiditis. See link:
Hope this info helps.
Posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 13:42:37
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by noa on July 2, 2003, at 12:20:32
actually yeah, my doctor checked when he put me on effexor, he never gave me the results buti assumed it was okay. i'll call and ask him
Thanx
Posted by rod on July 2, 2003, at 15:52:42
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice???? » rod, posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 11:53:40
> thanx i've been on it for just alittle over a month.
> thanx for the opinion
> anything on how tired it makes me, will that go away toI can't guarantee, but I guess it will go away.
don't give up and good luckRoland
Posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 16:27:59
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice???? » AAH, posted by rod on July 2, 2003, at 15:52:42
Thanx for the support
Posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 16:35:59
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 5:27:29
I've been considering my initial post above. This may be a flawed train of thought but- The Paxil may have been working, that is, helping just not enough when your depression increased, so you went off it entirely to go on something else. The Paxil starts leaving your system as the new drug starts working less well, leaving you with the impression that Effexor is making you worse, which, if it is not working better than the Paxil, is just about the same thing.
I found Effexor to be the most sexually impacting AD I have taken. Postpardum seems like a hormone thing, maybe Effexor just stirs that whole pot even more. Have you ever tried Lamictal? It has worked wonders for me. No sexual side effects, no weight gain. There is a frustrating lag period while you wait to build up to a high enough dose. But it has been the most effective with the least side efects (pretty much none) of anything I've ever tried. We are all so different in our responses to these meds, it's very difficult. Keep posting. If you don't give up trudging toward the solution, you'll find one.
Posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 19:06:28
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 16:35:59
hey,no i have never tried that but i will ask about it.
i have always listened to the doctor - zoloft, paxil, effexor, or my ob said celexa
i knew there had to be better more effective treatments.
Thanx
Posted by noa on July 2, 2003, at 20:17:28
In reply to Noa Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 13:42:37
AAH, ask for the actual test values. Some doctors rely too much on the statistical "normal".
Posted by maryhelen on July 3, 2003, at 12:01:54
In reply to Re: Noa Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by noa on July 2, 2003, at 20:17:28
I cannot speak to effexor and postpartum depression, but I can tell you that 30 years ago, after having my one and only child, I went into a very deep, dark depression. 'Back' then, my Mom, Aunts, Mom's friends, etc. would say it is just part of childbirth. I believe now, to this day, that started me on my long road with depression. There was no such acknowlegement or treatment then.
Postpartum depression is a real and treatable illness.
When I approached my doctor with the information about treating my depression, and with the knowledge I received here about meds, along with the manufacturers info, and figured out what might work for me, he flipped out on me. However, with the psychiatrist he was and is very receptive. He says that they look at all of the clinical research, whereas coming here gives me the 'human factor' of those with first hand experiences. My doctor eventually changed his mind. Many meds certainly have not worked for me, but I will continue with this approach.
I would research and get informed and talk to your doctor about the opinions you have formed, which may or may not work for you, but we have to keep trying. After all, this is your life, not his or hers.
maryhelen
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 3, 2003, at 16:29:57
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice???? » rod, posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 11:53:40
> thanx i've been on it for just alittle over a month.
> thanx for the opinion
> anything on how tired it makes me, will that go away too?Hey there, I haven't had a baby since 1989 and luckily didn't experience PPD. Or maybe my ex-husband was such a jerk that all depression was attributed to him. Anyways... So you've been on it for about a month? So have I, and I get proof every day that it's working. So much that I'm not sure about switching to Lexapro, even though the Effexor is raising my blood pressure, from 90/60 to 125/96. Meds don't take away the realities of life. I still worry about alot of things, but I don't worry excessively. I'm sad when my feelings get hurt. I cry when I'm blamed
for making a mistake in a situation that i was never trained to handle. I get ticked when my husband gets whiplash from checking out blondes. (and this all happened today! lol) No meds will take away the unpleasant factors in life. I would [1] try Effexor alittle longer, 1 month isn't a long time. [2] Start researching other AD's. [3] Take a look around you in your daily life. Focus on the good. Make time for yourself. As to the lack of energy... It doesn't seem to go away. I've been working 12-hour days through this, so it is possible. I reward myself for getting up early, hot chocolate mixed with my coffee. The hardest part is getting going, the rest is easy by comparison.Best of luck sweetie! A baby is such a huge adjustment, a MAJOR lifestyle change. Read everyone's posts and decide what feels best for you.
Kim
Posted by AAH on July 3, 2003, at 23:10:52
In reply to Re: Noa Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by maryhelen on July 3, 2003, at 12:01:54
thanx
i need the support, it is a deep dark place and all i want is my life back
Posted by AAH on July 3, 2003, at 23:13:07
In reply to Postpartum depression and effexor, advice? » AAH, posted by KimberlyDi on July 3, 2003, at 16:29:57
Thanx soooo much for the support
Posted by Saxlover59 on July 4, 2003, at 11:37:06
In reply to Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by AAH on June 30, 2003, at 0:36:03
I was placed on Effexor 150mg. and about the same reaction was happening to me. I went back to my shrink and to my suprise she increased my dose to 300 mgs. It helped alot. I'm not saying it will work for you. I'm just telling you about my experience with it.
Lisa
Posted by AAH on July 4, 2003, at 11:45:20
In reply to Re: Postpartum depression and effexor, advice????, posted by Saxlover59 on July 4, 2003, at 11:37:06
thanx for the info
Posted by nmk on July 7, 2003, at 11:17:34
In reply to IS ANYONE GONNA SAY ANYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 0:05:39
I am a two-time veteran of PPD and felt compelled to respond to your post. My first bout was 8 years ago after weaning twins at 4 months. It was absolutely horrific...depression, panic, agitation, insomnia, you name it. I thought I was losing my mind and came very close to admitting myself to a hospital. The zoloft and Klonopin that was prescribed kept me functioning (most of the time)for the next seven years. I made the choice to get pregnant again while remaining on the zoloft. I felt great while pregnant and after giving birth fell into the deepest depression after weaning. This time, I was not so lucky with my recovery. My baby is 1 1/2 years old now and I am still stuggling with finding the right meds. Like you, the ssri's were not doing anything for me and the effexor made me absolutely crazy...dizziness, spaceyness, crying, etc.. Then the dreaded effexor withdrawal.....what a nightmare. Suicide was always on my mind but I knew that was not an option because of my children.
I am so sorry you are going through this...it is something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. A few words of advice: Have a complete thyroid and hormone profile workup to rule out hypothyroidism; work with a pdoc instead of a general practitioner and see about finding one who specializes in PPD; call your local hospital and see if they offer PPD support groups; try to grab a family member, neighbor, whomever, to watch your baby while you get away for a few hours. The day to day grind just makes matters worse and you need the reprive.
Also, I have found two books to be very helpful in my slow road to recovery:
Women's Moods by Dr. Deboral Sichel
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0380728524/drbobsvirte00-20and
Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better by Michael Barto's, MD
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0595122094/drbobsvirte00-20
Check them out, you might find them helpful.
Please take it day by day and feel free to contact me anytime.
Nicole:)
Posted by nmk on July 7, 2003, at 12:08:13
In reply to IS ANYONE GONNA SAY ANYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by AAH on July 2, 2003, at 0:05:39
AAH,
I forgot to mention a few websites that may be of help to you:
http://www.postpartumstress.com/
http://www.womensmoods.com/links.htmhttp://www.psycheducation.org/index.html
Nicole
Posted by AAH on July 7, 2003, at 22:35:37
In reply to Re: IS ANYONE GONNA SAY ANYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » AAH, posted by nmk on July 7, 2003, at 11:17:34
hey,
thanks alot for the support. if you have instnt messaging my screenname is angelmommy320 i'd like to talk to you some more or get you my email address.
AAH
Posted by nmk on July 8, 2003, at 10:45:02
In reply to Re: IS ANYONE GONNA SAY ANYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » nmk, posted by AAH on July 7, 2003, at 22:35:37
> hey,
> thanks alot for the support. if you have instnt messaging my screenname is angelmommy320 i'd like to talk to you some more or get you my email address.
> AAHAAH,
I don't have instant messaging but if you forward me your email address, I would be happy to chat.
Nicole
Posted by AAH on July 8, 2003, at 23:27:04
In reply to Re: IS ANYONE GONNA SAY ANYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » AAH, posted by nmk on July 8, 2003, at 10:45:02
hey,
how do i do i forward you my email address?
sorry i'm kinda computer dumb
AH
Posted by nmk on July 9, 2003, at 10:35:29
In reply to Re: IS ANYONE GONNA SAY ANYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » nmk, posted by AAH on July 8, 2003, at 23:27:04
> hey,
> how do i do i forward you my email address?
> sorry i'm kinda computer dumb
> AHOther than posting it so the whole world can see, I am not sure. Dr. Bob, can you help us on this one? Can you forward me AAH's email address to my address? I assume you have a listing of all email addresses since we had to register. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted by AAH on July 9, 2003, at 23:21:47
In reply to Re: Email address-Dr. Bob » AAH, posted by nmk on July 9, 2003, at 10:35:29
hey, same as the IM one
AAH
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
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Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
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