Breast feeding and depression

Ok this is going to be a post and run

I'm severely depressed, it's getting so bad that I can't think rationally and I am scared that I'm going to hurt myself. I'm also breastfeeding. I'm diagnosed with bi polar and the psychiatrist I was seeing (I haven't seen her in a while) wasn't comfortable prescribing me anything while I was still breast feeding. I tried to wean DD but I can't do it... She is 7 months, and when I'm in this mind set, her hysterical crying from not being able to nurse just makes me feel like the worst mother in the world. So it's kind of been a viscous cycle.

So now we (SO is now intervening) are at the point where I have to get help, and my only thought it maybe I could find a new psychiatrist who would perscribe me Zoloft for the interim, so I'm able to get stable enough that I'm capable of weaning DD and then getting back on my normal mood stabilizers and anti anxiety meds.

Anyways, I'm looking for stories from women who have experience something similar. Whether its you had PPD and breastfed while on anti depressants or you were able to wean your child while battling your own demons

TIA

After I had my daughter I had severe PPD. I spoke to my doctor about it and we weighed the pros and cons and decided it was worth the risk to put me on an antidepressant while I was breastfeedig. I was put on Paxil and it helped tremendously. I never weaned her from the breast and actually once I had the meds to help stabilize me Breastfeeding became a wonderful way for me to relax and refocus.
I came off of the Paxil after about a year of using it without too much trouble and my daughter is now two years and 1 month and still Breastfeeding, never had formula in her life.
I would say find another doctor who will work wih you and the fact that you want to keep nursing. There are meds you can take (at least antidepressants and anti anxiety meds) while you are Breastfeeding.

I was on Effexor XR for a little while while breastfeeding. Completely zapped my anxiety.

Zoloft and Paxil have been named the safest antidepressant to take while breastfeeding and can often be the key to helping develope a better breastdfeeding experience for baby and mother. If your dr isnt educated enough in the area of breastfeeding than mabe your OBGYN would prescribe the meds for you while you are nursing.

If I knew you could take medication while nursing I would have. Dd is due in march and I will do this! I have horrible depression amount other problems but I could never not breastfeeding, it's my favorite part of motherhood!