Posted by Sulpicia on February 15, 2001, at 20:16:21
In reply to Brand new to medication, posted by Christine on February 14, 2001, at 19:53:02
>Hi Christine --- one thing at a time please!!!
I've been where you are [3x, once only postpartum] and that's a big list.
Is this your first baby? How long ago did you deliver?
You won't believe me right now, but unless you had a weight problem
pre-partum, the pregnancy weight will come off with little or no effort.
Just spending all those nights awake, the worrying, the sniffles, the laundry,
the schlepping of baby and paraphanalia takes the weight off. Leave that alone
for a bit. Depression is a serious problem -- as you've already guessed, not only
for yourself, but for your baby, and their is also possibly a neglected and sulking
hubby in the picture too?? The most important thing to keep in mind right now is to
take care of your self 1st, bond with and enjoy your baby, and then pay some attention
to your marriage. You cannot get well, be a good mom, loose weight, be sexual, etc.
ALL AT ONCE. Little steps work. Massive undertakings on all fronts generally fail.
Especially after childbirth.Tho I've always taken tricyclics [tofranil] for depression successfully in the past,
this last time I was talked into taking paxil -- newer drug, less side effects, works faster,
whatever. I found that I had moderate sexual dysfunction [desire ok, end result not] for ca.3
months. I was in a tight spot and couldn't risk changing meds so I waited it out. I have heard of
others who never had any problems and others who stopped after 2 weeks. You have to figure out
what is tolerable and isn't, and you have to prioritize-- hopefully with getting rid of your
depression at the head of the list.I gained a little weight on paxil because the muscles in my legs felt weird so I couldn't run. I had sugar
cravings which I wasn't motivated to fight off -- like by eating more protein or a balanced diet.I stopped because I needed to be able to run. My life as a grad student is so stressful that I needed
an AD that would let me run. This is my own weird choice.Paxil works well for many people; the newer ADs work [or don't work] fairly quickly so you can move on
if necessary. Also remember that sex and weight are natural issues after pregnancy -- of course you don't
want to aggravate the situation, but just keep in mind that your body has been doing something amazing
and is going to take some time to settle down.Suggestions: if you are taking birth control pills, using Norplant or Depo Provera, talk to both an OB-GYN
and a pdoc about the possibility of these meds contributing to your depression.
Unless you are in regular contact with other new moms, move heaven and earth to find
a mom and baby play group. Local hospitals, Y's, community centers, and churches/temples are the places
to start. You really need to be around other moms for a reality check. I can't explain it, but just knowing
that somebody else's house was a pit, or their kid never slept, -- well, it helped me realize that this was
simply what motherhood WAS. Doing the best you can.Give the drug a try. If the effects are intolerable, switch.
And remember, progress -- not perfection.Best,
S.
poster:Sulpicia
thread:54024
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54099.html