i am just wondering if anyone has experienced it? i don't mean the normal baby blues i mean all out depression ...

is it possible to treat it without the use of anti-depressants?

i am not so deep into it that i am contemplating suicide or having bad thoughts about my kids... i just cry constantly and cannot get my inside straightened out enough to get my outside straight. does that make sense?? it has been going on for about 3 weeks. dd is 8mos. i had it BAD after my boys were born for about 18mos but never got treated. i kept telling myself i was just being stupid. i promised myself i would get help this time if i started to feel things slipping away again. they are not just slipping they are in an all out avalanche.

I hope this link works: http://64.4.14.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_l...rtumdepression

It is a ppd message board. Though most moms there use anti-depressants, some have experience treating depression with herbal remedies, such as Rescue Remedy and fish oils (I believe) as well as exercise and nutrition.

If the link doesn't work, I got the original link from kellymom.com. I only visited a short time, but found them helpful in the beginning.

Good luck!

B complex vitamins help, as does eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. (Or any other source of omega-3.) I've been using both of these in addition to my Rx.

I don't have any other personal experience with non Rx treatments, sorry.

Bfmum, my dd is 8 mo. and I am battling the worst suckiest blues ever, I have cried all day. The worst part is we have no idea if it is actual ppd or a combo of ppd and thyroid bs.

My thyroid is working (least it was 2 weeks ago) but my pitiutary gland is barely putting out THS. I am not ovulating, I am down right bitchy, my joints, hands and feet hurt. I am not sleeping either. I have been given Ambiem (sp) to help me sleep but my dd have been sick.

I am on Wellbutrin but don't know it is helping. All I can say is haven't killed anything or anybody yet, not even the stupid ones who deserve it.

Here's a working link: http://www.ppdsupportpage.com/

thanks funky for the links!!

ma - that is so weird that you mention your thyroid. i am going to see my doc on wed and insist he test me. i asked after ds2 was born and he blew me off...this time i won't let him. i also am having achy hands/feet/joints...in the mornings i sometimes can barely walk. this is new in the past month.

i saw a homeopath on friday and she gave me some stuff for the anger - i am also trying to cut wheat from my diet. i am the opposite for sleep, i need wake-up pills i think as i could sleep all the time. it is an effort to get out of bed after 12+ hours daily of sleep.

i am taking st john's wort. no help yet but it has only been a few days.

thanks you three for answering my post! :flash

Have you tried Rescue Remedy? I've heard great things sbout it.

Cut out all caffiene! All chocolate! I know that stinks but it helps.
I have been on zoloft off and on for years. It is perfectly safe while nursing and it really helps.
I don't think it sounds like really PPD, it sounds more like clinical depression.
Do NOT self treat this. Depression is a real disease that is potentially fatal.

Donna

that is almost word for word what my doc said today. we are going to test my thyroid and he gave me some *homework* to do. he absolutely thinks it goes beyond ppd. that depresses me!

seriously though i feel better having it out in the open. i am happy that he did not brush me off this time. he is going to research different types of anti-depressants as i am really uncomfortable with synthetic drugs. he was very helpful and since i am having a good week that really made a difference too.

Hey I have been there done that girl! Your thyroid is a major possibility, and I hope that thats all it is Please call me tomorrow.

Zoloft and Paxil are safe to take while bf. St John's Wort is "iffy' but my dr and midwife said it was fine, so I started taking a complex St John's Wort pill that has a LOT of B vitamins in it as well. I seem to have more energy from the pills, but so far the depression is still here. I've been taking them almost a week, it may take longer than that to get a reaction