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Posted 8/29/2014 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm 29 and a mother of 2. I live with my fiancé and children. My oldest is 8 and my youngest is 16 weeks. I have a history of depression, anxiety, self harm, suicide attempt, all originally from childhood sexual abuse.

I've suffered with post natal depression once and I'm pretty sure it's back again. Since the last time I've 'cleaned up my act'. Stopped drinking any alcohol, eaten to try combat my issues, taken regular exercise and used only talk therapy. So today it killed me to go to the docs and have to ask for meds as I have no other idea how to turn all this around.

Trouble is, I've been given the ones I was on last time (about 6 years ago) which I used to ** so this is all hard

I always have horrific side effects too.

Started 75mg venlafaxine a day and I'm scared :(

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 8/29/2014 1:43:07 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/29/2014 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
I took it but it was the brand name Effexor. I went on pristiq when Effexor went generic. But I was on Effexor for about 12 years or so. It worked well for me.

It may work for you good this time. But there is only one way to find out and that is to try it. I hope you don't have side effects. I didn't except maybe weight gain at a high dose, but my age contributes to that also. I am 55 now. So I was probably in my 40's when I was on it.

Now I take pristiq, abilify and Xanax. Which all work well together.

I am sorry you are depressed. I hope that the medication works soon for you. Though it can take up to six to eight weeks to reach it's full potential. Just hang in there and continue the talk therapy. It helps so much to have somebody you can trust to talk to.

Use coping skills too. Practice breathing, mindfulness and meditation when you can. All three are something that we can go for ourselves.

Keep posting because it really does help. I hope it doesn't bother you to take this medication. Did you tell the doc about this? I think it is really important that they know.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/30/2014 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Postpartum depression is rough, I had it with my daughter really bad(had no clue what it was at the time, never had been diagnosed with depression, I just thought I was a sad person)

I didn't have it with my son at all.

Karens suggestions are wonderful and just remember to talk to someone if you need to.
Posted 8/30/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
many healing thoughts i send.
Posted 8/30/2014 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
I had moved from one doctors to another when moving house last year and they still don't have all my notes so I'd explained to him quite matter of fact my past in a nutshell, what I'd taken and tried and where it had gotten me. I was so focused on helping him understand I didn't realise how worried I was about it all until I was walking home from the pharmacy.

Last night was awful. In my teenage years I was lost with the wrong people and took drugs. I liken venlafaxine to MDMA/ecstasy. If forgotten how high it made you but unlike and upper, it drains your body of energy at the same time. Everything from pupil dilation, no appetite, tense jaw, the lot

I sleep apart from my partner ATM in my babies room. I had no sleep with the meds but suppose it made the night feeds easier to get up for. Still very very uneasy and shaky today and I know when I get up I'll have to take another
Posted 8/31/2014 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
If the side effects continue call the doctor to tell them!

There are plenty of medications you can try I am sure.

hang in there, things will get better. learn some coping skills to help you.
Check out our Depression Resource thread. Lots of links and items to help you.

Peace
Trina
Posted 8/31/2014 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
The start up side effects of most medications wear off after a couple of weeks. If they're tolerable, just stick it out. It won't be a high, rather, you'll feel regulated and "normal." Post partum depression is so common albeit yuck. It's not going to last forever and you are not alone. Brooke Shields the actress, had it really bad with her first child. So did Deborah Norville who hosts Inside Edition or a similar program on tv. Both wrote books about it. My great grandmother had it in the 1920's- before medication or talk therapy- I can't imagine!!!!

Hang in there momma. You're going to be ok. I am scared of starting new meds too but when it starts working you'll find relief. In the meantime, try & get as much rest as you can, eat healthy, lots of water and try hard to get some regular exercise , even if just 15 minutes/day.

We are here to listen and support you.

Lisa
Posted 8/31/2014 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your kind words. They mean a lot, it's nice to see people having positive stories about their medication.

I still feel very beat up. Yesterday I managed some dry noodles, today I managed some chocolate covered raisens.

I have no appetite and the thought of food or liquid makes me feel very nauseous. My eldest came back home today after a weeks holiday with her dad. She's 8 and knows I have depression and what medication and therapy is etc. I haven't told her I'm back on meds, I don't want her to worry. So tonight has been hard trying to be as upbeat as she'd expect whilst settling down a very cranky baby for the night.

I'm so busy ATM, all I want to do is sleep off these side effects till they pass. No such luck
Posted 8/31/2014 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Keep hanging in there...

Hugs, Karen...
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