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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by laurie on April 25, 2000, at 12:51:14
Hi:
Just discovered Dr. Bob's site and have been surfing
thru the whole thing for the last 2 hours. It's Great!I developed postpartum depression after the birth
of my second daughter and am currently on 150mg of
Zoloft/day. I have been on this for about 5-6
weeks. It has helped the depression, but I am
finding I need to take about 2mg of Lorazepam so that
I can sleep at night. I have tried 4 times,
unsuccessfully, to wean myself off the Lorazepam.
I will be going to see the nurse practitioner tomorrow
(4-26) to talk about either increasing the dosage
or switching to something else. I've been reading
that Serzone is effective for depression without the
side effects of insomnia.I'd appreciate any feedback you all would have about
these meds, side effects and what has worked for you.This is my first bout with depression and I have never
experienced anything so horrible. I am truly
now more empathetic and sympathetic when somebody
says he/she are struggling with this.cheers.
laurie
Posted by Margaret on April 25, 2000, at 14:26:52
In reply to Question: Postpartum Depression and Zoloft, posted by laurie on April 25, 2000, at 12:51:14
I too have postpartum depression after the birth of my third child. I was put on paxil. I definitely started to feel better by the sixth week. At the beginning I was taking ativan with it. Eventually I stopped the ativan altogether and did not have to worry about the anxiety. You may find that a switch may help. Prozac was not beneficial for my anxiety but the paxil was. The only truly difficult part has been some unwanted weight gain but I am very thankful for the relief from the depression. My heart goes out to you. Postpartum depression was painful and I understand how much you just want it to go away so that you can be back to normal. Although it was a difficult time for me I was given some wonderful gifts of insight during the time. I have had to stay on paxil past the required six months due to experiencing re-accurring depression when I stopped it. I have had a history of anxiety and depression. Alot of people can go off it after the six months and feel great. Do not accept just one medication. If the zoloft is not working see your doctor. Everyone is different and different AD's work on different people as this board states. Take care and if you need any support let me know.
> Hi:
>
> Just discovered Dr. Bob's site and have been surfing
> thru the whole thing for the last 2 hours. It's Great!
>
> I developed postpartum depression after the birth
> of my second daughter and am currently on 150mg of
> Zoloft/day. I have been on this for about 5-6
> weeks. It has helped the depression, but I am
> finding I need to take about 2mg of Lorazepam so that
> I can sleep at night. I have tried 4 times,
> unsuccessfully, to wean myself off the Lorazepam.
> I will be going to see the nurse practitioner tomorrow
> (4-26) to talk about either increasing the dosage
> or switching to something else. I've been reading
> that Serzone is effective for depression without the
> side effects of insomnia.
>
> I'd appreciate any feedback you all would have about
> these meds, side effects and what has worked for you.
>
> This is my first bout with depression and I have never
> experienced anything so horrible. I am truly
> now more empathetic and sympathetic when somebody
> says he/she are struggling with this.
>
> cheers.
> laurie
Posted by Cam W. on April 25, 2000, at 16:03:26
In reply to Question: Postpartum Depression and Zoloft, posted by laurie on April 25, 2000, at 12:51:14
Laurie - Having depression sure is a lot different than hearing about it. When you try to describe it someone it is like trying to describe 'wet' to someone who has never seen or felt a liquid.As for the Zoloft, do not give up on it, yet. Always give antidepressants an adequate trial of about 8 weeks. When are you taking the Zoloft? If you are taking it at night, try taking it in the morning. Also, take it with a meal, as food does help it to work better (and it stops some of the stomach upset).
Maybe ask the nurse practitioner about a different sleeping med than a benzodiazepine (Ativan). I find that Ativan can cause a hangover effect, where you are groggy upon waking the next morning. Something like zopiclone or Ambien may be sufficient to help you to sleep until the antidepressant begins to work (they are easier to wean off of as well).
My experiences with Serzone is that it does work in some people, but not in as many people as some of the other antidepressants. It may be worth a try for you, as it has been shown to improve the quality of sleep (sleep architecture) in some people. First, give the Zoloft week or so before giving up on it.
Posted by laurie on April 26, 2000, at 11:52:46
In reply to Re: Question: Postpartum Depression and Zoloft, posted by Cam W. on April 25, 2000, at 16:03:26
>
> Laurie - Having depression sure is a lot different than hearing about it. When you try to describe it someone it is like trying to describe 'wet' to someone who has never seen or felt a liquid.
>
> As for the Zoloft, do not give up on it, yet. Always give antidepressants an adequate trial of about 8 weeks. When are you taking the Zoloft? If you are taking it at night, try taking it in the morning. Also, take it with a meal, as food does help it to work better (and it stops some of the stomach upset).
>
> Maybe ask the nurse practitioner about a different sleeping med than a benzodiazepine (Ativan). I find that Ativan can cause a hangover effect, where you are groggy upon waking the next morning. Something like zopiclone or Ambien may be sufficient to help you to sleep until the antidepressant begins to work (they are easier to wean off of as well).
>
> My experiences with Serzone is that it does work in some people, but not in as many people as some of the other antidepressants. It may be worth a try for you, as it has been shown to improve the quality of sleep (sleep architecture) in some people. First, give the Zoloft week or so before giving up on it.Thanks to Cam and Margaret for the replies. I've been on the 150 mg
of Zoloft for about 5-6 weeks, and it has helped the depression,
just not the insomnia. Cam, I've tried researching zopiclone,
but can't find any info. Do you know of any documentation for it??
I talked to the nurse practitioner, and she suggested going
off the Lorazepam, but at a much slower rate. So, I'll try
again.Peace.
laurie
Posted by Cam W. on April 26, 2000, at 17:32:08
In reply to Re: Question: Postpartum Depression and Zoloft, posted by laurie on April 26, 2000, at 11:52:46
Laurie - Try www.mentalhealth.com. Click on medications and then click on Imovane. This is Canadian website, but it should tell you what you need to know. If not, post again with your questions and ask me.BTW. Taking more Imovane does not really make you more tired (like benzodiazepines), but seem to make you tired for a longer time.
Good luck - Cam W.
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