Very Tired All the Time/ Possibly Depressed

You need to rule out any health condition in which you could need medication like thyroid as Jennifer has said. You may now need to consider vitamins you could also need certain vitamins like B6, B12, folate I understand your blood can be tested to see if there are certain vitamins you are in need of at this point. I wouldn't rush off and get medication for depression right off that bat. I can say this I found myself needing more sleep after months of a new baby waking up in the night and I had my youngest at 39. I has taken sometime for me to feel as if I get sleep now and he's 4. I'd say 2 years I was always tired. I'm now taking vitamins and I feel as if I have a chance our bodies change as we get older and our bodies change after child birth. I don't feel like I remember I felt before children and after birth of each of my 3 children I really feel different. I feel better now that I have started to take care of myself some and get rest. I know you say your tired all the time so if there's no real up time for you, you need to rule out a few things first. You may also need to change your diet I have found after having children and getting older I need certain foods for my body to feel as if it has energy. You may need a fasting blood test so they can test your sugar levels as well. I can only share my experience as what I've had done but I hope your promise us and yourself you will call your doctor's office and get an appointment all of us mothers have to stick together and provide some support since we take care of some many other people in our lives....I will be thinking of you and please let us know how you are doing and what you have decided to do. Take care

try taking some vitamins it worked wonders for me!

You've had many responses, and probably someone has suggested that you have your thyroid function checked. Please do this. There are alternative treatments available for an underactive thyroid (sounds like yours might be), but the standard treatment is thyroid replacement (synthroid or the like). I've been on this for 3 years. An underactive thyroid is often mistaken for depression. Ask your doctor to run a thyroid panel. If this is it, treatment can make a profound difference on your life.

I understand not wanting to take drugs, but think of synthroid, or if it's the case, antidepressants as a vitamin. They simply replace what your body cannot produce enough of on it's own.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

P.S. If you are depressed or have hypothyroidism, don't give up on treatment because it doesn't seem to make a difference the first week, the first month, or even for several months. My thyroid was so low when I was diagnosed (TSH=18) that once it was "normal" it was still several months before I started feeling better. I was sleeping 16 hours a day and couldn't even unload the dishwasher, much less take care of 2 kids, my husband or myself. Please don't give up until you find an answer. What you're going through can be helped.

Johna, I am so sorry that you feel so lethargic. I have been there and completely understand. Several things that helped me:
1. lots of water, 80+ ounces a day. Yes, you have to go to the bathroom a lot but being dehydrated, even in the winter, can make you sluggish.
2. Sunshine - take a walk outside everyday. Even if it is just 15 mins. Bundle up your baby and force yourself. The sunshine is good for your son too. Find a neighbor who will do it with you. The sunshine, especially in the winter, is amazing!
3. Eat healthy. Stock your house with fruits and veggies. And make them easy to eat so you are more likely to snack on them. Cut the celery. Make your dips in small containers so it is easy to grab a serving size. Go ahead and slice the apples and leave them in the fridge (a little dip in some lemon lime soda will keep them from yellowing). If they are quick and easy to eat you are more likely to chose to snack on something healthy. And healthy eating makes your body feel better which will also help you feel better abour yourself.
4. Exercise. You dont have the motivation right now but sometimes you just have to force yourself to do it. Try to pick an exercise program that you do NOT do alone. (no treadmill in the gym). Join a Stroller Strides class, a pilates mat studio, kick boxing, mommy and me yoga, whatever suits your style! But be sure to do it with other moms so you can share motherhood difficulties together and so you have the positive peer pressure to go! And if money is an issue find some other moms on websites like these and create your own walking group. You just need to force yourself to get out and get moving. It WILL help you feel better.
5. And at the end of the day, sometimes drugs are a good temporary solution. I did everything above and it helped me some. But I still was not healthy emotionally. I fought and fought against taking drugs but I finally gave in. I suffered through it with my first child and made it through without drugs. But when I had my second I knew I could suffer through it with the baby. But my older child needed me and I was not fully there for her. And now I wish I had been more "there" for my first child as an infant too. I missed out on a lot of the joy of early motherhood b/c I was stuck in my own mud pit. I take Lexapro and it has been easy and helpful. And remember if you do need drugs, it is a temporary solution. You do not have to be on them forever and you should feel no stigma about taking them for postpartum (yes, even 15 months old) health issues.

Take care! Best wishes!
M.

Yes, I have been exactly where you are and I wasted alomst 6 years of my life feeling this way before I got help. First get your thyroid checked. I ended up with graves disease after my son was born. After it was finally diagnosed after 4 years of feeling awful and run down I got a little better after they got it under control. I too thought it was just being a mom that made me feel this way so I didn't really say anything to my doc. Then I spent the next 2 years being a witch with a capitol "B". I was finally diagosed w/ depression and anxiety. I was put on Lexapro and have been so much better. The depression could have been caused from feeling like crap for 4 years but regardless, it is under control now. My point is, get help. Talk to your doc. If they won't listen go to another one. Don't waste any more time. I wasted 6 years of my life. If I had know it would be so simple I would have spoken up sooner. Also don't feel ashamed about needing medication. The right one can really help. Sometimes the chemicals in the brain need a little help communicating withone another and the meds help them do that. This is the way my doc explained it to me. When the chemicals are out of balance you can't function properly. It is not your fault, you did nothing to cause this. It just happens. But really, get your thyroid checked too. Thyroid problems are more common than you think. I hope this helps.

Johna, I agree with all the other Moms about seeing a doctor, but if you live close to Smyrna and would like to have a cup of coffe (with the kids), I will try to talk you into coming with me to the gym. Exercising might seem inpossible for you now, but it will help bring your energy back. I'm not an instructor and I don't charge anything. I'm good company, I really know a lot about fitness, and I would love to help. I'm actually sending out a message offering help to anyone interested. Let me know.

Dany

Had your thyroid checked lately?

I don't have babies now. But older boys, 7 and 12. I have felt the same way especially during this winter season. It seems that when my youngest son was a baby, I went through the same thing. I would suggest finding some time for yourself, joining a fitness center, and maybe finding a playgroup for your baby where you can meet some other moms. I'm sure there are a few playgroups in your area. It sounds like you need some activities to get you out of the house. And as far as having no desire for your husband, hopefully that will pass with your baby getting older. I was feeling down this past winter, I just joined a fitness center and feel so much better now and I think I actually found a church to get involved in. We need to get involved in things to strengthen us. I really think this will help you. If your husband could watch the baby while you go out, that would help. I don't know your situation, if you have family around to help out. Good luck!

Is there such thing as "a little post-partum"?! See a doctor... please! It might be something physical.. thyroid... iron? If not, then you can get some help with depression, it that is what it is. I had a best friend and a family member who went through something similar to what you describe. Both went on medication for a while and both are off it now. Both said being on the medication helped them put in place the lifestyle changes that helped them get back on track and stay there after they eventually stopped taking the meds. Things like exercise, eating right, developing a support network... that they just couldn't get motivated to do without some help. Please don't wait. Life is too short... your baby's childhood is too short! Good luck to you.

Hello, I am a Chiropractor and have learned alot about nutrition and physiology over the years. Pregnancy, labor, lack of sleep and everything else you are dealing with stresses the body, especially your adrenal glands.
They become exhausted and depleted from all of the stress you've been under. They are involved in many many processes in the body and when they aren't strong and healthy then other glands in your body will suffer too,like your thyroid gland and your sexual organs. Therefore being tired often, feeling depressed, brain fog, weight gain, constipation, reduced initiative, etc are all symptoms of these glands being depleted of nutrients and energy. I would suggest you see a chiropractor who does nutritional counseling for these type of problems or a naturopathic doctor. If you want to talk to me about this further you can call me at my office at ###-###-####. I am in Georgia. I hope this helps you. Good Luck! Dr. J

I strongly urge you to get yourself to a doctor and get your thyroid checked. Do you feel like you are walking through quicksand? Do your face, feet, and hands feel swollen? Is your skin and hair very dry? If so I would bet money that you are hypothyroid, and it can be treated so that you feel better. I know, it happened to me. You may need antidepressants also, they often go hand in hand - please don't feel like it is a stigma. If there is medicine out there to make you feel like yourself again and enjoy life, then you should utilize it!!

Get with your family doctor and have blood tests run to check your thyroid production. I suffered with this problem for over a year...turned out I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Took awhile to get meds adjusted however, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel over time.

I've been there, and I know just getting through the day is difficult when you're feeling this way. I was depressed after my daughter was born (I was 35) but it kicked in even harder after she turned a year old. Having dealt with depression before, I realized that I couldn't handle it by myself. I found a therapist and began taking anti-depressants for awhile, until I knew I no longer needed them. I know you said you don't want to do this, but maybe you could look at it as a short-term solution to help you get through the day-to-day so that you can then tackle the bigger issues of exercise, taking care of yourself, etc (which will also help bring you out of the fog of depression). There's nothing wrong with taking anti-depressants if you are truly depressed! Aside from that, a good therapist can really do wonders. Please don't feel like going this route reflects badly on your ability to be a good mother, wife or person.

have you had your iron checked? blood sugar is also a contributor to being tired. Do you have friends outside the family? You should definitely get a check up and try to find time with girls outside the home. i have a girls group of about six. once a month we get together at new and interesting restaurants for dinner, it really does help to have time to yourself.

I know how you feel.

Talk to your doctor - even if it is postpartum meds are not always the first thing they give you.

While you wait for you appointment with Dr to arrive try:
drinking 8-10 glasses water a day, eating a balanced diet (mostly fruits and veggies), doing 30 min of some physical activity (dance to a fast paced song you like while holding son, sweep floors, vaccumm, anything that gets your heart pumping a little), get sunlight (even if it's standing/sitting in front of a window for a few minutes a day), get outside for a few minutes a day (no matter the weather go outside and breathe in fresh air - if it's raining stand on the porch or in the doorway), get out of the house regularly (storytime at library, park to play, indoor play place, find a support group for moms that do regular activities that interest you, window shopping adventures, a drive around town even - just change your scenery a little).

My biggest cause was that with my first I did everything for our child. I had to learn/ask my spouse to take over parenting duties when he got home and give me a break b/c I was wearing/burning myself out.

Good luck!

~A.

websites for support groups for moms(I'm sure there are more but these are the one I know about):
atlantawestmoms.com
momsclub.org
cafemom.com

I went thru the same thing and it was my thryoid. You need to go get that checked. I felt like I was so old and just no energy. My thryoid had quit completely.
R.

Johna,

This sounds exactly like post-partum depression. I deal already with clinical depression, so when I became a second-time mommy a little over nine months ago, it really started becoming a problem. But half the battle for you and for all mommies out there is recognizing that this is going on, and DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Please, please, please, do not let your boy grow up seeing you suffer but not addressing it. This is a horrid thing for him to witness.

That having been said, I am a proponent of the right antidepressant. For me, talk therapy doesn't help enough. Are you worried about side effects? There are some, but they tend to even out when your body adjusts. And for me, Johna, the positive results of taking a drug far outweigh the negatives of taking one. Is there a fear you have where if you take a drug, you must really be a wreck, or that you should just be able to will yourself out of these feelings? That's not uncommmon. But please understand that post-partum depression is a physical malady, and not something that you can just hope yourself out of.

Please see at least a therapist. I don't know where you live, but there is a woman, Licia Freeman, who practices out of Buckhead, who specializes in post-partum issues.

I wish you all the best.

E.

I have to agree with the others. Please seek help from your Dr. I have twins, and thought it was the end of the road for me. Tired, depressed, isolated etc etc etc. I am not one who typically gets depressed, and hated seeking help, because I had the attitude of that I could do it all, & the "not me"....I'm super Mommy syndrome...but seriously what you're feeling is serious, and needs to be discussed & addressed with your Dr. Let your guard down for a moment to get the help you need. You will enjoy yourself, and your loved one's on a much higher level. Oh..the extra weight...I'm still carrying around about 40lbs & my twins are 2years old. Don't feel bad, I think we are all in the same boat to some extent. Good luck, and God speed

Hi,
I know what you mean. . .I had my first child at 38 and my third daughter at 44. But I wanted to tell you - it does get better! Take your vitamins and get sleep when you can.

It may be a nutritional problem. Often times during pregnancy women may experience iron deficiency and other nutritional problems that can last weeks even months after the baby is born. Go speak to your doctor and describe the symptoms to him/her. Every woman is different so you may need to either exercise, even if this means walking for 10-15 minutes per day (you don't have to do this to lose any weight), or eating iron-rich or other nutrient rich foods, adding vitamins to your diet, or seeking mental health advice (post-partum depression is real and it should be taken seriously). I am not an expert by any means but I dealt with this problem and my issue was my diet (I am vegetarian and I had to do more after my pregnancy to get back at normal levels of nutrition, since I didn't have prenatal pills to depend on. Also if you are having a nutritional problem, prenatal vitamins were suggested by my doctor post-partum for me, but that's me. I must again emphasize that you either see your doctor, a therapist, or a nutritionist. I hope the advice helps.

I did the same thing when I had my son. Do you fall any or forget easy? It took me having a child to really bring out the MS. the only way they can find out is by spinal fluid. Come to find out I had been fighting MS since I was 14. I pray this is not the case but I'm telling everyone because I don't want anyone to wait to late like the Doc's in Ga and Fla did. If you need to chat you are more than welcome to call me and ask me as many questions and I will try to help you. My name is D. Russell ###-###-#### if you don't have to pay for your long distance just call and let your number show up and I will call you back, No problem at all.
Look forward to helping you get back to yourself.
D.

I would say to visit your doctor, even though you may not want to. I had twins, and had a lot of your same symptoms. I was reluctant to go to the doctor because I was breastfeeding and I was afraid they would put me on "pills". I waited until I finished BF, but looking back, I know I should have gone sooner. Please don't be embarrassed. You deserve to feel better!

Johna. I have been there. You are being oppressed for some reason. Someone in your life is holding you back. I hope you beleive in God. I do. So that is a good place to start. I have a Spiritual Success Coach that I listen to and she is phenominal. I am a different person and weaning from Anti-Depressant drugs now. Go to www.DaniJohnson.com and watch the video and then tell me what you think. I would love to hear you pick yourself back up and smile. It really does feel good.
Sincerely,
K. S

sounds like you may be a little defficient in vitamin B. you need to change your diet around. it happens because we are so busy we dont have time to prepare meals that have good nutrients anymore. we get in the habit of "fast foods" not just from restaurants- but easy to cook, already flavored foods. these foods have been overprocessed and have hardly any nutritional value. I would suggest eating some fruit in the mornings to up your vitamin intake. I know it sounds silly that fruit may cure it, but that is what is wrong with a lot of people that are on medications for depression. lack of vitamins make you tired and sad, no energy, circles under the eyes, muscle pain (esp. in the back) etc. just try it please before you let anyone talk you into taking a pill to fix you.
a simple bananna in the morning, an orange at lunch etc. will help. also, try to use fresh veggies too- the ones in cans have sooooo much salt and chemicals that they arent that good for you either.
I changed my entire family to a diet of fresh veggies and more fruit and nuts, red meat only once a week, more fish, and it was amazing. my husband no longer has any heartburn (he used to eat antiacids all day) I no longer get headaches or cramps (pms). And, as a bonus side effect, we all lost a couple of pounds. I dont even need coffee anymore to function. I still drink it though (I love coffee) but I could live without it.
good luck, and remember, every morning, think a happy thought as soon as you wake up. I like to think about my son laughing in his sleep. I try to think about all the good things in my life, and they always outweigh the bad.
life is wonderful. dont waste your time on sadness, you have the power to be happy.

Ooooh - you don't sound so good - glad you wrote about it. Now call a good friend and get out of the house! Even though it's cold out. One of the best things I've discovered is walking on this great trail near my house. It's paved, so I take the baby in the stroller. I realized it only takes 45 min to get in my car and drive down and walk 2 miles. Sometimes I take a friend; sometimes it's just me, but every time, I feel so much more energized and better about myself! See if your husband can walk with you some time, too. If you can afford it, get a baby sitter on a regular basis to go on dates (once every 2 weeks, even). Good luck - you will get better if you keep talking about it!

I feel like I could have written this very statement 8 months, ago. I found myself sleeping my life away with extra weight gain and no desire to change. My problem was my BC pills. My doc had put me on Ortho trycyclin low to help regulate my cycle but after two months I realized my outlook on life had changed. I had a wake up call and researched the correlation between estrogen (even a low amount) and depression. Once I stopped taking the pills, I was back to my old self again within 10 days.

Have you been to the doctor to get any blood work done. It could be an underactive thyroid. Best wishes and health to you.

When was the last time you had blood work done. It sounds like you may be anemia or you could have a low vitamin B-12 level. These could cause you to feel tired all the time and make you feel like you need more sleep.

Make sure that you are getting in the sun and getting your vitamin D. I had low energy, went to the MD and my was very low. Taking supplements has helped a ton!

My OB put me on a low dose of anti depressents. I saw a difference in myself and i actually started enjoying being a parent again. When I'm depressed all i want to do is sleep. Some people have a hard time sleeping but not me. I would be the opposit. I would contact your OB and let them know that you are feeling depressed. They will give you a test to determin if you need some help. I didnt stay on it for long...just enough to get me back on my feet. I had my youngest baby a few months ago and I had to do the same. Especially since my husband works a lot. Don't feel bad about taking something to help you. It really helped me.

I went through this problem also after the birth of my 4th child. The doctor thought it was just because I had four children and just needed more rest. But when he took some test he found that I had no iron in my system. So after LOTS and LOTS of iron pills I did feel a whole lot better. So I would say to check with your doctor first. Whether its a vitamin problem or post-partum your doctor should be able to let you know and help.

T.

I'm sorry you are feeling this way. I do think it is totally normal to feel tired (no, EXHAUSTED) when you have a baby... regardless of their age, they require a great deal of time and energy to care for.

That being said, it is also possible that you have some lingering post-partum depression. Or, did you breastfeed and wean recently? Sometimes when you stop nursing, especially abruptly, you can trigger a post-partum like depression.

Regardless of the cause, I think you have two solutions. The first is to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and to see what he or she suggests.

The second is to exercise, even if you don't want to. Start off small....just a walk around the block with the baby in the stroller. Gradullay build up to longer walks. Exercise has been proven to boost your mood and your energy--both things it saounds like you need to boost!~ If you need to, rope a friend or your husband into walking with you. That way you are less likely to make up excuses not to do it.

I really am sorry you are feeling this way...being a mom isn't as easy as June Cleaver made it seem.

I would suggest seeing your regular physician or OB/GYN for a complete physical with bloodwork...obviously to rule out anything medical immediately. If it's nothing medical, it could very well be a mild form of post partum depression. I experienced this with my first child and thought it was odd that she was almost a year old before I felt this way. (I was 30 when she was born.) I had no other symptoms but the fatigue. I was put on a very low dose of Zoloft (25mg) and it made a tremendous difference and I didn't feel like I was on anything...which I was afraid of. I only took it for a couple of months and was fine coming off of it. I didn't want to ask for help...from anyone, including a doctor. I was also like you and didn't want to resort to drugs, but I had to do something as it was interfering with my life as a mom, wife and working professional and none of these could stand any more suffering. I'm very glad I did! Good luck to you and I wish you well!

You need to get your Thyroid checked. One of the symptoms of a dysfunctional thyroid is always being tired and no matter what you do you can't get your energy built back up. I had my last child in 1986. In 1987 I found that my thyroid was not functioning correctly. I felt the same way you do. This can be done by your local doctor but would be better if you see an endocrinologist-they specialize in thyroid problems.

Hi -- you may want to have your iron levels checked. I was so darn tired for awhile it was miserable...I would fall asleep at my desk. Are your nails really brittle or anything like that? That's a big sign I had. I took some prescription medicine for a month and feel much better. I'm not 100% and need to take vitamins more often, but I feel a million times better.

D.

Here's an idea besides trying drugs...I found this great nutritional drink called Monavie that is made with the acai berry & 18 other specifically picked fruits. It gives you natural energy! I became a distributor just because I love it.
It is kind of expensive...but a lady I know had the same problem you do & she read up on it on the internet and decided to try it.
She drank it for 2 wks, then went a week or two without and said it definitely made a difference. I'm not a big distributor (I mainly signed up for myself) but if you'd like to try it, I could order some for you. By all means, check it out for yourself on the internet.

About me: I'm a 38 yr. old mother of a 4 yr. old boy. I live in Marietta, GA. Happily married for 10 years.

Hope that helps.
K.

Have you had the doctors do a test to see if you are anemic? It can make you really tired all the time. Also, if you are not getting enought vitamin b, you can get really run down. I went through that about 2 years ago and had to have B-12 shots. They really did the trick for me. Hope this helps.

I agree with Ann, please go seek medical assistance immediately. It could be as simple as low iron, as Danielle stated, or it could be more serious, like depression. Your lack of desire is what concerns me the most. It's usually a sign of depression. I've been on anti-depressants before and they did help lift me out of the funk. If you weren't depressed before the baby, most likely you'll only need to be on them for a short while until your hormones balance out. There's no shame in asking for help.

Hi there,

I went through this after the birth of my second child. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I also had problems with my cycle, facial hair growth, mood swings, cravings for sweets, and the list goes on and on. If this sounds familiar, you may want to talk to your OB/GYN about checking you for this. It may a world of difference to me. I am now taking natural herbs to rectify this imbalance and incorporated regular exercise (I know it's hard to start, but once you do, the adrenaline will keep you going) and have lost 50+ lbs. in the process. I still have a way to go, but now that I have more energy and those symptoms are greatly reduced, I have the strength to keep it up...Hope that helps!

Hi Johna!

I am a mother of five(ages 11,8,6,4,2) and 39 years old. I understand tired as well. My youngest is only 2. I am only about 9 months ahead of you since delivery. There are several things you can do to help yourself. Firstly, have some simple blood tests done. I was found to have low protein in my blood after childbirth due to my eating habits. Secondly, begin to understand what a body needs to maintain optimal health. This is something your doctor cannot do for you and in many cases won't know how to instruct you on. Doctors are not extensive with nutrition. Pharmaceuticals have taken over.

I promote health alternatively. Please make drugs a last resort. Your hormones are already raging and rearranging since childbirth. I should know. I breatsfed as well.

A body can be very toxic and out of balance causing lethargy and leading into more serious health issues. Don't be overwhelmed by this. There are options for you. For example: a liver (the main filter in our bodies) can be toxic and mimic thyroid problems......... How is your diet? Processed foods are not O.K.!!! MSG's (monosodium glutamate ) are excitotoxins to the brain, confusing your chemical make up. This is extremely important. What goes in is what comes out, or does'nt come out. Consider a colon cleanse for starters. A crusty colon won't allow absorption of vitamins and minerals( a must for optimal health, along with exercise ). Just a few ideas.

Bearing children takes a lot our bodies as women, along with the fact that today's food supply does not even contain the vitamin and mineral content we need, and thats even if we eat properly. Supplements are a must for optimal health. You can help yourself. Checkout my business listing on Mamasource called, " I WANT HEALTH, NATURALLY ". Register and then do a FREE "Nutra-physical". Be honest with your answers. It is confidential. Pay close attention to the "ISOTONIX" line of supplements. Superior in "Absorption and Potency", they are very important when choosing a supplement. Understand that you won't get that in just a pill form. ie: calcium, which is the most needed mineral in a body. Johna, you can come to a healthy state of being. Get educated......

Goto: www.marketamerica.com/laurahawkins
If you want to talk one on one call: ###-###-####

Passionately,

L.

Hey! I was the same (except without the baby) and the dr. said I have low thyroid level. Get the dr to check your level. Mine is low and when I dont take the meds I sure can tell it. They say you have to take it the rest of your life. I guess so, I have went a couple of years without it and had to start again.

your blood could be low. Do you take iron you may want to take some SSS TONIC it will give you lots of energy.You can also take some ginseng.Go to GNC and purchase a vitamin call mega woman that is very very good. I take it and it gives me energy out of the world.

Johna,
Don't give up! My heart goes out to you. I hope that you get a lot of encouragement from other moms on this site. Here are my thoughts: Make sure that you leave a little time for yourself. You might go out with a friend for a little girl time. I'm no doctor, but it sounds like you need to get out and expand your line of vision past the four walls of your house. Do you have a church home? Being involved with church friends and activities is a great way to get your mind off your own situation. S. C.

Several friends of mine, and myself included, went through this same challenge. Please ask your doctor to check your thyroid ~ we did, and we're back to our usual energetic selves! Good luck!

Hey Johna,

You may be low in B vitamins. A lot of us women could use the B vitamins. These vitamins are good for depression and anxiety. After having a baby I can tell you it will drain you. Your hormones are trying to get back to normal. If you are taking Antidepressants, estrogen and oral contraceptives they may increase the need for vitamin B6 in the body. I suggest taking a good B complex vitamin. If you use a good food source vitamin you can take a multi-vitamin and B-complex together it is like eating multiple of food with these vitamins in them. Taking a synethic multi-vitamin and extra vitamins can be harmful. So make sure you take a good food source one. Eat a good balance diet fruit and yogurt with granola for breakfast and good organic green leafy salad and steamed veggie. Only use red wine vinager or Balsamic Vinager and a little oil 1tsp to 1tblp. It is really to your taste. You body is needing some energy. Give it the fuel you need to get it going. For Meat eat fish it is great for women. Eat nuts and avocados they are a good source of fat that your body needs. Try to get off caffine too! it will drain you of the mineral too! Drink lot of Water and herbal teas. Fresh juicing is a plus as well. If you need a good vitamin my website is www.shaklee.net/bee_healthy (that is bee underscore healthy) They have wonderful all natural products for women. Their vitamins are a food source and great for the whole family. You may be able to find another one at a health food store that is just as good. Just do some research before you buy. Make sure they are a food source vitamin and has no synthetics in them and are cold process not heated. I hope this helps.

God Bless!
S.

Hi Johna!
It sounds like you could be hypothyroid. Does that run in your family. I would get your thyroid checked either way. After I had my daughter I was diagnosed with hypothyroid. I didn't have any symptoms but a little weight gain and my throat would swell up sometimes and then go back down I finally went to the doctor and that's what it was. The main symptoms are weight gain and being really tired all the time. And there are others too. I have to take a pill everyday for the rest of my life. Good Luck

You should see your health care provider immediatley.
This could be a Thyroid condition that they can rule out by a simple blood test and a prescription medication.

You have to remember your body has had a tremendous shift in hormones these last few months. It can take many months for mom's to really get back to "NormaL" And it is not the "normal" you knew before baby. You have alot going on. Are you involved with any other mom's? Are you a working mom? Staying at home for the first time? Seek out the company of others and definitely see your healthcare provider and know that you are not alone.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR! You could have post partum, thyroid problems any number of things. You should have a full checkup to rule out and medical problems, then maybe look at your weight or simply doing some things for yourself. don't let this go for it could get worse. Good luck to you and i hope you feel better soon.

L.

get your thyroid level checked. had same problem and now take thyroid med. seems to be helping w/ energy level. very common for thyroid to get out of whack after pregnancy.

Johna - please make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. I fought the anti-depressants for a while myself, but finally agreed to a very low dose of a medication and it really helped me. There are other alternatives though - you don't necessarily have to take medication. But you do need some professional guidance. You need to take care of yourself so that you can be the best Mom to your beautiful child. You don't want to look back on this time and regret not being the best Mom you could be. Please please please call your doctor and start the process of taking care of yourself, which will have a ripple effect of everyone and everything around you.