My Experience with Using Alternative Medicine for Post-Partum Depression
written by Shelley Wallace
I've had ppd twice. The first time I went with
"traditional" medicine. Shrink, meds, therapy, hospital, the whole
nine yards. To say the least, it was not the best experience of my life.
Second time I knew a little more of what I was in for, and when I finally
broke down and admitted I was on the rollercoaster again, I went to a herbalist
that turned me onto Dong Quai (regulates hormones, and is called the "female
ginsing") for my hormonal imbalances (I had terrible hot flashes, a key
indicator that my hormones were off kilter) , Valerian root for insomnia
and anxiety, ginko for concentration problems, melatonin for insomnia,
and meditation. I also did Bach's rescue remedy (flower essences).
The herbs kept the depression under control until I got a bad batch of
Dong Quai from Walmart (don't shop cheap when it's something you've got
to have work!!! my fault, I got an off brand. The herbalist was out
of the area for a while, and I needed a "fix" *LOL*) I crashed and
but good. The hub mentioned to me it was like I wasnt on the Dong
Quai, and I switched back to the old brand (Nature's herbs brand)
It helped, but before the big crash, it had just controlled it. When
I "spun out" it couldnt get me back to where I was. I contacted a
therapist looking for help getting through the suicidal stage, and he turned
me onto accupuncture. I can honestly say the accupuncture saved my
life. Within 48 hours, the suicidal thoughts were controllable for
me, and I no longer packed my clothes with the thought of "if I cant do
it, I'll go into lockup". Since the accupuncture (I've been back once or
twice, but didnt do it regular because of money problems) I've gotten
better on an almost daily basis. Last fall I had a bit of a set back
because I was pressuring myself too much, but now I can say its pretty
much over. I'm off the Dong Quai (for about two weeks now, and so
far so good) and still do valerian once in a blue moon, and am feeling
much better.
I highly recomend alternative medicine, especially if you've tried traditional
medicine and it did'nt work for you. If meds are working for you,
don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I wish they'd worked for me,
and I didnt have to go through what I did, but they didnt work, and I had
to keep searching. Oh, I did St. Johns for about three weeks back
in June, but the way it made me feel was too close to what the meds did
to me, and I could'nt hack it. I wigged at the thought of the fog
coming back.
Anyway, that's what I did. Still meditate, and still recommend
accupuncture, herbs, and being open-minded. I laughed the first time
herbs and accupuncture were mentioned to me, but then I used to think I
comprehended what depression was. *LOL* (the key there is I think
I tried to think!!! *LOL*)
Regardless of what you do to get through your depression, remember,
its just for a little while. Life won't always be like this, and
some day you'll look back and say "remember when".
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