How long does it take to feel better.....

[poppypops]

Need to hear positive stories please. Can anyone tell me how long after starting anti depressants for pnd did they start to see an improvement or dare I say feel back to their old self? Thanks

[LucyFarinelli]

Hi There. I definatly don't feel back to my old self, but I'm getting there. I started to see an improvement after about 3-4 months, but after nearly 2 years of being on AD's i'm definatly on my way back to how i was. Med's have been put up and brought down again. So once you find what works for you you'll start to see results. But I will say, take any and all counselling/CBT/Bonding sessions that are offered to you. AD's will only really work if you learn how to reprogramme your brain. Good Luck

[poppypops]

Thank you. Pleased to hear you are getting there. There really is no fast and easy fix! Was hoping to hear that after initial settling period of 10-14 days I would start feeling better.....wishful thinking!

[LucyFarinelli]

In all fairness I was suicidal, so took quite a heavy hit to turn me around. I think sometimes it helps to know that you've got something that WILL make you feel better. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk about anything. Keep you chin up girl, you'll get there

[ReallyTired]

Depends a lot on the anti depressant that you have been prescribed, but I would expect to see an improvement within two weeks of starting medication.

I agree with LucyFarinelli that once you get the lift in your mood then you have to do something to improve your thinking style. CBT is excellent and the online
ceb website //www.livinglifetothefull.com may help you if you are on the waiting list for CBT.

I am sorry to hear you are ill. Depression is treatable and you are unlikely to be on medication forever (even if it feels it). I had severe depression ten years ago and I am relatively symptom free now. I took anti depressants for 18 months.

[LittlePoot]

Hi poppy-how are you getting on. I found it was 4 or 5 weeks on citalopram (20 then 40mg) before I felt noticeably better, although other people noticed a small improvement after 2 or 3 weeks. After 8 weeks or so I was so so so much better. Even better than pre pnd! Happy as could be, finally starting to get a little bit of sleep, hardly anxious at all-a complete turnaround. Six months after starting them, I very gradually weaned off them and haven't looked back. Hang on in there and celebrate every little success you have. There's always ups and downs but the overall direction should be up. If it really isn't then maybe a higher dose or a different med might be needed. But you will get there.

[ItWasThePenguins]

I had bad pnd with DS1 and went to docs at 3months. I've always been 'depressive', but got really really bad. It took me about 2-3 months on AD to feel a bit better, I stopped them after 8 months because they gave me sleep issues. But by then I was definately on the way to being alot better. After about a year I was completely sane again. Now, DS 20mo, just decided last month to ttc#2. I feel level-headed and competant enough to cope now, and hope it doesn't happen again.

[poppypops]

Afternoon, day 11 of tablets. Going well thanks. Good days and bad. Tablets made me feel more anxious initially but that is subsiding now, although, main problem for me is anxiety so could just be me. Feeling positive that I will get back to my old self. Thanks for asking after me x