Post-partum hormone /medication issues

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jen on December 12, 2009 at 10:32pm

That's a very good point, Gina. I definitely feel a little under-nourished these days, and I really have to make a concerted effort to even eat at all lately. I stay so busy that I forget to eat - NOT GOOD.

I ordered your book from Amazon yesterday, so I'm looking forward to reading it. I actually used the new link you put up on your blog, and I'll continue to do so when I order from them.

Thanks for all you do. I've already gotten a lot of good info from the sites you referred me to. I'm still trying to get my meds worked out, and I'm trying to be patient - not something I'm great at! :-) The journey continues..............

Jen

Gina Pera said:

Jen,

One more thought: You've probably already discussed this with your physician. But, as I'm sure you know, babies can take many nutrients from the mother's body, leaving her depleted unless careful steps are taken to replenish -- especially with two babies.

Nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, iodine, B vitamins, Vitamin D, and all the rest can make a huge difference in the quantity and quality of neurotransmitters -- and how medications work in the brain.

Of course, there's the hormonal post-delivery shifts, too. But I think sometimes that's seen as the sole cause and often the nutritional aspects are overlooked.

good luck!
g

Jen said:

Thanks Maureen,
It's always helpful to hear from someone who has been through a similar situation. I was blown away by how differently my body seemed to handle the same medication after pregnancy. Trying to get on a medication regimen is such trial and error.
I think I'm moving in the right direction now. I'm taking Strattera, and I definitely feel better, so with a little more tweaking, I'm hopeful that I'll be funtioning much better very soon.

Thanks again!
Jen

Maureen said:

Dear Jen,
I had the same problem with getting back on meds after having my daughter. (She is 10 now -- there is hope!). I was on Zoloft and Wellbutrin before pregnancy, and also stopped meds during the pregnancy. When I tried to get back on the meds the side effects completely knocked me out. I couldn't even tolerate 5 mg. of Prozac.

Thankfully, I was seeing a psychiatrist who specialized in post-partum depression, so he understood and believed me when I told him of my side effects. He had me take liquid Prozac in a dropper -- starting with 1 mg. and working up to 5 mg. It worked wonders.

I was diagnosed with ADHD when my daughter was 6 months old, and I also didn't do well with the Adderall. But I found that I tolerated Dexedrine better.

I am on a totally different regimen now, but for a few years after having my daughter I was VERY med sensitive, and very small doses were effective for me.

I hope this helps -- my best to you!

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Permalink Reply by Gina Pera on December 13, 2009 at 12:52am

I hope you find it helpful, Jen. I would suggest skipping over Parts I and II and going directly to the therapy and medication chapters in Part III. (You can always come back to the other chapters when life is a little calmer.)

This is a big transition you've undergone, you know -- from no children just a few years ago to two! And if your husband has ADHD, too, you're both juggling a lot!

Yes, it's hard to be patient while you're trying to get the right help to help you increase patience. :-)

Please go easy on yourself and don't expect perfection. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Nicole Vielleux on December 26, 2009 at 2:20pm

I can relate. I feel like ever since I had my daughter 2.5 years ago my system is a lot more sensitive to meds. I was on Zoloft and lorazipam when I got pregnant and went off of them, because I didn't want to be on meds while I pregnant, and was fine being off of them while I was pregnant. But my depression and anxiety slowly came back, and a year ago things got bad enough that I started therepy, and then I decided to try meds again, because the therepy by itself wasn't working. The problem I'm having is that the SSRIs and SNRIs just don't work as well as they used to, and the side affects seem to be worse, and they don't go away like they did before I was pregnant. So, now I'm only on Adderall XR for my ADD, and am having really awful anxiety, which is making my ADD symptoms worse. I start school next month and am really worried I'm not going to have this under control and it's going to affect school.

One thing my regular doc and I are trying is birth control, to see if evening out my hormones might help with my irritability, and my increased depression and anxiety during my cycle. I've only been on it a couple of weeks, so I don't if it's working or not. Thankfully I see my psychiatrist next week so hopefully we'll be able to figure something out.

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Permalink Reply by Gina Pera on December 26, 2009 at 4:17pm

Well, Nicole, I'm no MD, but it seems dangerous to me to supplement hormones before addressing other issues "up stream."

Your life is different now than before you had the baby (of course!), so it makes sense that what worked before might not work now. No doubt sleep patterns have changed, too.

Adderall can exacerbate serotonin issues.

You might want to read through Dr. Charles Parker's blog on these issues. http://www.corepsychblog.com

good luck!
g

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Permalink Reply by Jen on December 26, 2009 at 9:39pm

Nicole - Did you have any luck w/ oral contracepives and mood related symptoms before having children? I'm curious because I was off and on bc pills for ten years and never had anything but more frustration. I didn't really make the connetion at the time, but in hindsight I realized that I am EXTREMELY sensitive to artificial hormones. I had horrible moodswings on bc pills, and right before I got pregnant w/ my first son, my ObGyn talked me into trying that NuvoRing - HUGE MISTAKE. I was such an emotional disaster, and in the middle of a very strange and for no apparent reason crying spell, I remembered that a friend told me that the NuvaRing turned her into "a psychotic lunatic." So, I took it out mid-cycle and IMMEDIATELY noticed a difference. Afterward, I started looking around on the internet and found a message board full of unbelievable stories from women who had similar experiences w/ the NuvaRing. Forgive the digression! :-) Keep us posted on your experience. I'm kind of w/ Gina - I'd be careful w/ adding hormones to the situation before addressing the other issues. I'm certainly no MD, but I feel like most doctors I've seen always want to put me on BC, and I have to convince them (based on my past experiences) that it' really not right for me. This last time, after testing my hormone levels for post-pregnancy related shifts (everything appeared normal), my doctor suggested that I try oral contraceptives. I declined because of how negatively they've affected me in the past. I just don't think I'll ever go that roue again - plus my normal periods become so erratic on oral contraceptives that I'm constantly wondering whether or not I'm pregnant -sort of defeats the purpose altogether.

Currently, I'm taking 40mg Strattera. I've been on it for almost 2 months now. I'm better, but I'm still havng some problems - particularly with pms related symptoms. My mood is really good EXCEPT for about 7 - 10 days before I start my period. This last time was particularly rough. I just feel extremely aggitated, and unfortunately that aggitation is usually directed towards my husband (he also has ADHD). I think I use up all my patience on the kids and then rage on him - NOT good. I don't feel a huge increase in my concentration on Strattera, either. I definitely think I need to add a stimulant for that. I'm just sort of perplexed w/ this exaggerated pms thing - it just seems worse since having my second child. The blog that Gina referenced has great info. I haven't had much time to spend on it, but I plan to do some more indepth research before my next doc appt.

Gina: i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your book!! In complete ADHD fashion, I read it completely out of order. I also hyperfocused and pretty much spent the entire weekend before Christmas reading it. There are several sections that I skimmed and need to re-read more thoroughly - particularly the part about medication. More than anything, I think it might save my marriage. I have been strugglig so much recently with my husband's refusal to deal w/ his ADHD. Since reading your book, my approach is starting to change. I already notice myself dealing w/ various situations differently, and even better ---- he's responding to me in a more positive way. My therapist is the one who suggested that he should be tested for ADHD. Now he has a diagnosis but still doesn't believe he has a problem - even though we both see HUGE improvements since he started medication. He just won't take it and go to his drs appts regularly. Normally, when we discuss this, I get SO angry and we usually wind up in a fight. BUT...since reading your book, I have a better understanding of how his brain works - or doesn't work. I'm trying to be more understanding wth him all together. I have just gotten so annoyed with him pathologizing me over the years. I feel like that by working to manage my ADHD symptoms, I've only given him ammunition. He is very quick to point out how "ADD" I am yet insists that his problems are either my fault or other environmental factors. In one breath he says he's open to different treatment options, and in the next breath he's denying that there's even a problem.

Anyway, I have a lot more to say, but I've already written a book in this post, so I'll stop. But, I do feel more hopeful after reading your book. We've been married almost ten years, and I love him and know that he loves me, but I've often questioned whether or not we can live together in anything that remotely resembles harmony. In the past I have always thought that I was trying and he was not. After reading your book, I realize that I have been trying, but now I understand ways to try differently. Thank you again!

Jen

Nicole Vielleux said:

I can relate. I feel like ever since I had my daughter 2.5 years ago my system is a lot more sensitive to meds. I was on Zoloft and lorazipam when I got pregnant and went off of them, because I didn't want to be on meds while I pregnant, and was fine being off of them while I was pregnant. But my depression and anxiety slowly came back, and a year ago things got bad enough that I started therepy, and then I decided to try meds again, because the therepy by itself wasn't working. The problem I'm having is that the SSRIs and SNRIs just don't work as well as they used to, and the side affects seem to be worse, and they don't go away like they did before I was pregnant. So, now I'm only on Adderall XR for my ADD, and am having really awful anxiety, which is making my ADD symptoms worse. I start school next month and am really worried I'm not going to have this under control and it's going to affect school.

One thing my regular doc and I are trying is birth control, to see if evening out my hormones might help with my irritability, and my increased depression and anxiety during my cycle. I've only been on it a couple of weeks, so I don't if it's working or not. Thankfully I see my psychiatrist next week so hopefully we'll be able to figure something out.

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Permalink Reply by Gina Pera on December 26, 2009 at 10:37pm

Jen said:

Gina: i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your book!! In complete ADHD fashion, I read it completely out of order. I also hyperfocused and pretty much spent the entire weekend before Christmas reading it. There are several sections that I skimmed and need to re-read more thoroughly - particularly the part about medication. More than anything, I think it might save my marriage. I have been strugglig so much recently with my husband's refusal to deal w/ his ADHD. Since reading your book, my approach is starting to change. I already notice myself dealing w/ various situations differently, and even better ---- he's responding to me in a more positive way. My therapist is the one who suggested that he should be tested for ADHD. Now he has a diagnosis but still doesn't believe he has a problem - even though we both see HUGE improvements since he started medication. He just won't take it and go to his drs appts regularly. Normally, when we discuss this, I get SO angry and we usually wind up in a fight. BUT...since reading your book, I have a better understanding of how his brain works - or doesn't work. I'm trying to be more understanding wth him all together. I have just gotten so annoyed with him pathologizing me over the years. I feel like that by working to manage my ADHD symptoms, I've only given him ammunition. He is very quick to point out how "ADD" I am yet insists that his problems are either my fault or other environmental factors. In one breath he says he's open to different treatment options, and in the next breath he's denying that there's even a problem.

Anyway, I have a lot more to say, but I've already written a book in this post, so I'll stop. But, I do feel more hopeful after reading your book. We've been married almost ten years, and I love him and know that he loves me, but I've often questioned whether or not we can live together in anything that remotely resembles harmony. In the past I have always thought that I was trying and he was not. After reading your book, I realize that I have been trying, but now I understand ways to try differently. Thank you again!

Jen

Hi Jen,

Thanks so much for letting me know! That's the best Christmas gift I could ask for.

A few weeks ago, someone wrote a rather unfavorable review on Amazon of the book. She said that she had ADHD and she would not DARE let her husband read it, because it would only give him "ammunition" (yes, you both used the same word! lol!).

Honestly, it was pretty frustrating to read that because she also went on to say that she thinks her husband also has ADHD but refuses to consider it. The sad irony is she didn't realize that I wrote the book for people in her situation, too (as another reader commented on the review)!

What she apparently didn't understand (maybe because she missed reading some parts?) is that this "No, it's YOU who ADHD" phenomenon happens to many partners of adults with undiagnosed ADHD -- whether they have ADHD or not! It's rather the nature of "denial."

I'm glad my book helps you be more understanding of your husband, Jen, but I would hate for it to stop there. Sometimes "understanding" goes only so far. ;-)

If your husband says he's open to other treatment options, maybe that's code for "I would like to be doing better but I don't know where to begin." I think that is true for so many people, but maybe especially men with ADHD. They think they should be able to solve the problems on their own. Or they're skeptical that their clinician is that competent. And who can blame them given the state of general care for ADHD, with all the careless prescribing, failure to help the patient accept and understand the diagnosis as well as how the medication should help, etc.? In other words, they can start feeling even less secure or hopeful that there is a better option for them. In turn, that can lead to fear and then anger or shutting down. Especially if their partner who also has ADHD starts doing better and they don't.

Just some random thoughts....(you'd think I would have said all I had to say in 384 pages, but apparently not! lol!)

g

g

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