daugher's 1 yr. old--is it normal to still have postpartum issues? - Page 2

[merrysmom]

My story is also like glh's. My dd is 2 1/2. I've just found out that I have autoimmune thyroiditis. Hypothyroid problems, like and unlike mine, are more common after birth. My OB/GYN missed this two years in a row. I know my issues started with dd was about 6 months old, but they came on slowly so I didn't really chalk it up to much until recently.

My symptoms became: hair loss, anger, pms, short cycles, dry and cracking fingers and heels, exhaustion, out and out mental stupidity, depression. I did not gain weight, surprisingly.

I suggest you have a Dr. check you TSH, T4, T3 (especially) and thyroid antibodies. This might take some phinagling on your part. I now take Armour thyroid and feel much better.

Best of luck.

[mamma31337]

Just in case anyone was wondering, thyroid problems are the cause of PPMD only a fraction of the time. Although it is true that the hormone drop associated with birth can cause thyroid problems, usually the loss of estrogen is the biggest hormone problem. You will also find that SSRI's help women emmensly with PPMD. I understand that most people are averse to taking anti-depressents, however there are some that have actually been studied in nursing mothers and infants( I know because I tried to sign up as a test subject, and my business partner and her son were test subjects). What you end up having to weigh is whether or not the damage that you may do to your child through anti-depressants is greater than what you are doing to yourself and your family by continuing to suffer with PPMD, and not getting help. 99% of the time the damage being done to your relationships is far greater than the possible damage of medication. I know that this isn't going to be a popular view point, believe me it was hard for me to swallow too. I have had my thyroid tested multiple times in hope of some transient thyroid condition...however the real problem wasn't that easy to find. I wish you all the best.

[Dr.Worm]

You are NOT alone! As you can see! I, too, seem to have PPD. I have had CFS for years and a lot of stress from things like deaths, break-ups, abuse, etc. It seemed like when I had Julia it brought it all to the surface. So much of what you and the others said sounds like me. I didn't do a lot of things right in the beginning with Julia and I still feel VERY guilty. I was just watching a video that we made when she was a newborn and she was in her bassinet..she obviously wanted to nurse but I was stupidly putting her on schedules. Sometimes I feel like a terrible mother. I lose my temper and think why do I try to be ap? I can't be a mother at all! Julia has been sick and throwing up and teething and I am exhausted. Her stomach is better but her mouth hurts a lot. By the way, she's 22-months. She has been waking up almost every ten minutes. I have my period now and John has the flu.

[petitemama]

post partum depression

This is my first time posting. When I read this thread it made me cry. My ds is now 24 months old and I too have suffered with depression and debilitating anxiety. I know what your going through. I recently started taking zoloft. I am also still breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and full-time mom. It is not an easy job, but like everything else in life I want to be my best at it. Yoga and meditation help me alot, but of course I never seem to have alone time for it. Social support also helps. I have had a hard time because none of my friends agree with my attachment-parenting phylosophy. Everyone would basically be concerned with how to program their child to sleep at 8:00 everynight without waking and this would be the topic for conversation. I felt alone and isolated. Then when I started to get anxiety I thought maybe they were right. Deep down I knew I had to be the mother that I felt good about being. I have learned that good eating, vitamins, social support, yoga, self acceptance, and the realization that you are not losing your mind, will eventually bring you to a good place. Go with the flow, accept that you are changing, and be happy where you are at every minute of every day! You will eventually feel good, and if you need to medication is not as bad as what it seems. Good luck!

[Dr.Worm]

I'm sorry...I didn't mean to end my post in such a weird way. Julia was waking up and needed to nurse. Anyway, the other day I just totally lost it. Julia was miserable and so were John and me. I just went in the bathroom and cried. John thought I might need to go get help but I was ok. My mom thinks I am depressed and need meds. I am afaid of meds..no offense to anyone, just me. I know I need something. Maybe I'll try the dha thing and then drugs? I need something that works with nursing. Please take care of yourself. I know that it's so hard to think of yourself when you are a mommy. You are trying so hard to be a good mom and you feel like you shouldn't be selfish but it's important that you are healthy. Your baby needs you to be not just alive but happy. I think you should read Behind the Smile by Marie Osmond. And Dateline is doing a show on Tues. at 10 eastern on PPD that you might wanna watch.

[merrysmom]

I just wanted to add something about thyroid problems postpartum. The people who are pushing the boundaries in thyroid research are beginning to say that PPD is caused by thyroid disorders much more than previously believed. Part of the problem is that many Drs., including endocrinoligists, adhere to strict, but arbitrary ranges of what is normal for TSH levels. However, some people can even have severe symptoms and still be within "normal" range. Anything over a 2 is now being considered suspect by the more advanced researchers. Previously, warning signs were not heeded unless the TSH went over 4.5 or 5. Each person is different. Also, it appears that stress on the body and mind can affect thyroid function. Think about how you've functioned under times of extreme stress in the past. If you are not responding in your usual way, and are less capable of coping now, you might have a physical problem which is hampering your ability to rally. I believe that most cases of chronic depression are caused by physiological disorders. Some others do not, but it only makes sense. The body is a whole, not independently functioning parts.

To learn more, I've found that the following sites have helpful thyroid info:

http://thyroid.about.com
http://www.mercola.com

Also, Mary Shomon's book, "Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," changed my life. Among other things, it caused me to ask my Dr. for the additional test that showed I had autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease). If I had just taken his advice based on the usual tests, I would believe that my thyroid was working fine, and still be plagued with symptoms. I've since found an alternative medicine M.D. that treats thyroid problems. I also see a classical homeopath which works in conjunction with my M.D. I feel so much better even though it's only been three weeks on thyroid hormone! My hair has stopped falling out, I'm warm, my anger and depression have miraculously lifted, and my brain fog has gone away. I can think clearly and quickly again, thank God! I'm me again and I like it.

I'm not saying you definitely have a thyroid disorder, however, your comment about confusion and not having your mind work very well sets of bells for me regarding thyroid. I hope this added info helps. My previous post was short as my dd needed some love and attention.

[petitemama]

Wow! I never realized how a thyroid problem could cause so much havoc. I recently had a thyroid test done and am now more concerned with the results. I have all those symptoms. My hair is falling out. I blamed it on stress and breastfeeding. I am always cold! Thank You! Now I know the correct questions to ask my doctor. It is funny because this is not normal reaction to stress for me. I have always been a survivor and stress caused me to be stronger. I now have less stress in my life than I have had in the past and can't deal. My mind feels foggy too, like you said.

[beanma]

dr sears is a big dha (omega 3 fatty acids) advocate

it couldn't hurt to try the dha supplements. dr sears has a lot of info about them on his site, www.askdrsears.com, and also on www.dhadoc.com. he recommends neuromins brand which are available online and in health food stores. while i haven't been suffering from ppd, i take them 'cause they're supposed to be good for developing little baby brains and get to 'em through your breastmilk. i think it's supposed to be like a lot of other things and baby takes what baby needs and if mom is left with not enough, well a few of her teeth fall out or a few brain cells shrink. i don't know that a lack of omega 3s will cause PPD or that dha supplements will cure PPD, but they might help. the neuromins brand is supposed to be a particularly pure supplement that is derived from algae and so doesn't raise some of the concerns about mercury and other contaminents that might occur in supplements derived from fish oils that aren't stringently monitored. i'm sure there are good fish oil supplements out there, too. i just went with the neuromins 'cause i'm neurotic and it made me feel better. it's also the same stuff they're supposed to be adding to formula this year so it's more like breastmilk. they say chances are if you don't eat much fish you're probably running a little low.

i also have had hypo (low) thyroidism for years. it definitely can make you feel fuzzy in the brain.

hope some of all these great suggestions from everybody will help you out. i read you said you tried a moms-n-babes exercise deal. have you tried hooking up with any other Mothering moms in your area? check out the finding your tribe forum.

don't know where you're located, but can you take your little one outside? my kiddo loves to go for rides in the big jogging stroller even when there's snow on the ground. we just bundle up and get out and get a little fresh air and exercise. she's happy and i can just wrestle with the dogs and try to chill out.

best o' luck to you.

[karenhillary]

Thank you everyone--again!

thanks you guys! I saw my doctor yesterday--pulled blood for a thyroid test. Getting outside , I know, is a great idea. I know I should go on walks, get fresh air outside, etc--but I have a hard time leaving the house! Inertia, or whatever. That's just an excuse, I know, I have to make a commitment to get outside a little bit everyday. I just want to thank all you guys fro your support---It's a releif to know I'm not alone in feeling like one of the walking undead. ---karen

[karenhillary]

It's the thyroid--again

So I messed up and posted a new thread instead of this intended reply--after blood tests my doctor told me I have hyperthyroidism--I'm freaking out becaseu he wants me to wean Rachel and take drugs--one for my heart, and one a synthetic thyroid hormone--.karen

[tpcat]

karenhillary- I am so sorry about this. I had the exact same problem. It has been about 6 weeks since they made me stop nursing Matthew and put me on those drugs. It still breaks my heart. The thing you need to keep in mind though is that it is best for you and your baby. The higher your hormone levels get, the worse you will feel and that will affect your ability to be the best mom you can be (my levels were very high, and I had no patience, was crying all the time, very cranky, moody, too tired to effectively take care of my son, etc- not how I want my son to see me). Also, your thyroid hormones are going through your breastmilk into your baby. My son stopped gaining weight from 9 months through 13 months, the dr was very concerned about his inability to gain weight. We later realized it was because my thyroid hormone was being passed to him and it was affecting his metabolism (along with the rest of his system, sleep, appetite, crankiness, etc.) While it is important to breastfeed if you can, it is more important that we not affect our childrens health negatively by passing this hormone or the drugs we NEED to take and by fixing our health, we will benefit our children by being the terrific moms we are. I hope this helps you, I do know exactly what you are feeling, because I was (and still am) there. Please don't feel guilty about not nursing, we need to know that is what is best for our babies.