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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christine on February 14, 2001, at 19:53:02
My doctor has just put me on Paxil and of coarse the first thing I did was check it out on the web and to my horror I found out that Paxil can cause weight gain and some sexual disfunction!! I am suffering from severe postpartum depression and anxiety attacks and I really feel the need for help beyond counseling but I'm afraid to take this stuff! I can't live with gaining any more weight since I still have not lost the 'baby weight' and the thought of not being able to reach orgasm terrifies me. Does anyone have any advice???
Posted by Melanie Elaine on February 14, 2001, at 23:43:42
In reply to Brand new to medication, posted by Christine on February 14, 2001, at 19:53:02
I understand where you are coming from. I researched Paxil before I went on it and heard about all the horror stories, those side effects arn't fro everyone it depends on your body. And you can't be sure that the side effects are goign to go away or the drug is goign to work unitl up to 6 weeks. Paxil is the 1st Ad my doctor put me on. Paxil worked worked for me. I had more energy, not tired and sleepy all the time, not crying, etc. I was worried about gaining weight too becasue of all the horror storeis I heard too, but if anythign I lost wait from it becasue it decreased my appetite, but everyone is different. I also had sexual dysfuction. I switched to another drug Welbutrin. I was worse then I was depressed I felt terrible. Yes I had a sex drive. I could get orgasms, but I was so sad I didnt' even want to have sex. SO I tried Serzone the same thing I was sad, but I didnt' even have a sex drive at all. After all that horror I went back on Paxil. I want to concentrate on getting better. I still have the sexual dysfuction not being able to ahve orgasms, but I'm happy. IF you have depression the biggest worry you should have is your depression becaseu that's what I am tryign to do and trust me I hate not being able to ahve orgasms, but if I means the only drug that will work for me prevents me from orgasms the faster I get better the sooner I can have orgasms again. And I still do it's jsut harder to reach them that's all.
I hoep this kind of helps you out.Melanie Elanie
Posted by sadie on February 15, 2001, at 12:27:51
In reply to Brand new to medication, posted by Christine on February 14, 2001, at 19:53:02
>Hello! Just wanted to give you my experience, maybe it will help. I was on Paxil a few years back and did not like the sexual disfunction that I experienced with it. I have been on Prozac and Zoloft, both of which lowered my sex drive and function as well. I went off my meds while I was pregnant with our son, who is now 9 months. After having him, I experienced post partum depression and my doc (and a friend ) recommended that I give EffexorXR a try. I was also concerned because I was and still am breastfeeding our son and wanted to be sure that it would not affect the baby. He gave me the okay and I seem to have found success with EffexorXR. It does not affect my sex drive or function. I have read that it can cause weight gain, but I have not had this happen to me. My advice would be to talk with your doc. There are many antidepressants out there, and some may not work for you and others might. The key for me was finding one that worked for me with the least (or at least tolerable) side effects. I hope this helps, if you need support or just want to chat, I am here to listen. Best of luck!
Posted by Noa on February 15, 2001, at 18:29:20
In reply to Re: Brand new to medication, posted by sadie on February 15, 2001, at 12:27:51
I don't know if I have asked you this already, but have you been checked for postpartum thyroiditis? I wrote something about it not long ago. Was that you? Sorry I don't remember. If it wasn't you, you might want to go back to the last few archives and look, and also look in the thyroid and depression folder at psycho-babble-tips (link toward top of main PsychoBabble page). Good luck.
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.
Posted by Alli on February 15, 2001, at 22:41:41
In reply to Re: Brand new to medication » Christine, posted by Sulpicia on February 15, 2001, at 20:16:21
Amen to what Sulpicia wrote! This is a woman who speaks from experience and knowledge! Do what is best for you right now! Yes, I have gained weight with Effexor, but your mental health is what's important right now... and the chances of you not being able to even sit down all day may aleviate this side-effect! Did you ever hear the saying, "If Momma Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy?" So take care of yourself and enjoy that precious baby of yours!
Posted by Noa on February 17, 2001, at 12:09:30
In reply to Re: Brand new to medication, posted by Alli on February 15, 2001, at 22:41:41
I just saw a book in the store about women's moods, and it had a whole section (several chapters) about postpartum issues. I think the book is called "Women's Moods".
Posted by Sulpicia on February 18, 2001, at 19:02:58
In reply to Brand new to medication, posted by Christine on February 14, 2001, at 19:53:02
Christine ---
SOOOO, tell us what's up??? Did you start the paxil or ask for something else or have you been buried by a mound of filthy baby clothes? Shall we send help???
Ya can't just leave us hanging like this!!!!!S. :):)
Posted by Christine on February 19, 2001, at 16:05:59
In reply to Re: Brand new to medication » Christine, posted by Sulpicia on February 18, 2001, at 19:02:58
I'm not sure if I'm doing this reponse thing right so I'm just gonna give it a try. I'm on the Paxil for a week now and I am having some side effects but so far nothing I can't live with. Mostly I feel a little sick to my stomach, aggitated and a little fuzy headed, but it is lessening with each day. The worst is the fact that I actually feel drugged, this will go away won't it? My husband is being very supportive though I know my moods a begining to tax him. My baby seems to know how much stress I'm under and he's being a sweetie. I wanted to say thank you for your letter, it was probably the most helpful letter I received.
Thanx a million,
Christine> Christine ---
>
> SOOOO, tell us what's up??? Did you start the paxil or ask for something else or have you been buried by a mound of filthy baby clothes? Shall we send help???
> Ya can't just leave us hanging like this!!!!!
>
> S. :):)
Posted by Sulpicia on February 20, 2001, at 9:27:48
In reply to Re: Brand new to medication Re to Sulpicia, posted by Christine on February 19, 2001, at 16:05:59
>Yep, you got it right.
The tummy, drugged feeling, and agitation, *should* diminish within a week or 2.
Try to eat something before you take the pill. If you are not used to taking meds
this might account for the drugged feeling -- it will pass.I'm glad your baby is in tune with you. It sounds like you have a good strong bond,
depression or not. Congratulate yourself for that. I'm also really glad to hear that hubby
is supportive but please remember your priorities right now -- YOU!
Can you find some social supports for yourself too?? The med will help with most of the
problem but adjusting to motherhood is difficult and disorienting to say the least.I think my question at this point, aside from "why is the baby crying AGAIN", was "where
the he$$ am I in all this?"That's where the other moms were so helpful, since they were struggling too -- even tho
some had to prompted to admit it.Let us know how it's going please?
Best,
Liz
Posted by Christine on February 21, 2001, at 17:48:47
In reply to Re: Brand new to medication Re to Sulpicia » Christine, posted by Sulpicia on February 20, 2001, at 9:27:48
> Well I am starting to feel alot better! The drugged feeling is gone along with the sickness and fuzzy head. I've got myself a new mother support group and a good counselor so I'm feeling really good about my chances at being 'normal' again soon. But I have been feeling a little sexually defunct though I think that's mostly stress and lack of sleep and not the medication. So, I think I'm gonna be alright. I'm not jumping for joy yet but I'm hoping I'm on my way.
Thanks a lot for your letters and for your honesty and support. And I hope that your doing as well as I hope to be.
Christine>Yep, you got it right.
>
> The tummy, drugged feeling, and agitation, *should* diminish within a week or 2.
> Try to eat something before you take the pill. If you are not used to taking meds
> this might account for the drugged feeling -- it will pass.
>
> I'm glad your baby is in tune with you. It sounds like you have a good strong bond,
> depression or not. Congratulate yourself for that. I'm also really glad to hear that hubby > is supportive but please remember your priorities right now -- YOU!
> Can you find some social supports for yourself too?? The med will help with most of the
> problem but adjusting to motherhood is difficult and disorienting to say the least.
>
> I think my question at this point, aside from "why is the baby crying AGAIN", was "where
> the he$$ am I in all this?"
>
> That's where the other moms were so helpful, since they were struggling too -- even tho
> some had to prompted to admit it.
>
> Let us know how it's going please?
>
> Best,
> Liz
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