post-natal anxiety?

[divastrop]

my baby will be 3 weeks old tomorrow.i suffered pretty badly with AND in the pregnancy,and was put on prozac from 12 weeks.at the time i felt hopeless,useless and suicidal,and like there was no point in anything.the prozac helped and i started to feel better from about 20 weeks,not loads better but just at a level where i could cope most days.

dd3 is my 5th child,and i suffered PND after the first 2 .after ahving ds2,however,i suffered really badly from anxiety for about a year after,i hardly slept and became obsessed with cleaning etc,and had panic attacks if i stayed int he house for too long.

since having dd3 i dont feel depressed,but i can feel the anxiety creeping back.i feel agitated and am getting really paranoid,thinking dp is having an online affair and lying to me(there is no logical reason to think this),that nobody likes me etc,and im having obsessive thoughts about horrible things from the past and stuff ive read in newspapers etc.i also keep having really horrible dreams ranging from upsetting to downright sick.

could the prozac be making things worse now ?i plan to see my gp about stopping it but im afraid she will suggest something else and i dont want to take anti-anxiety drugs cos i dont want to be doped up when i have small children to look after.

if anybody can help or advise id be most greatful as im scared of getting out of control.

[Mossie]

Diva, I've no experience with A/PND I'm afraid, but I do know a little about ADs from when my dh was on them.

He was on Seroxat and I must admit neither of us were ever completely convinced of its efficency. However, we went to the Doctor, who prescribed a different kind of AD (a Tricyclic, can't remember the brand name) and things went from bad to worse and ended up with dh becoming suicidal. Since then I have heard a lot about Seroxat and how coming off it can make you much worse.

Prozac is in the same catagory of AD (SSRIs) as Seroxat so I would suggest you take medical advice - and a second opinion (as it was dh's doctor who took him off it) - before coming off it completely. You could ask your doctor about Lustral perhaps? This is another SSRI so you'd be in the same catagory, but I know quite a few people (including mil) who take this one and find it really does the job.

I do hope this is of some help.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[crispyduck]

hugs to you..I am on prozac, have been for about 12 months..have you thought of counselling..

[talcyone]

Hi divastrop,
IMO you should visit your gp, you coulds always seek a second opinion also.
I had PND with both my dd's, tried various AD'S, ended up on prozac.
Perhaps it doesn't suit now all your hormones are changing? just a thought.I really hope that it's a temporary state of anxiety and goes away with the right support.
Do you have friends and family to offer you support?
I do hope you can get it sorted, sending you my best wishes and hoping you feel better soon...

[muppethasakitten]

Hey Diva... have had depression myself in the distant past so hugs to you... anxiety often goes hand in hand with depression and commonly follows an episode so for starters don't think you're alone in that.

You have access to the internet so go online and look up the linden method - he was a chap who had anxiety, depression, ocd, hallucinations, unwanted thoughts, you name it - he cured himself and has helped thousands... i wouldn't necessarily say buy his books/cds etc - although i did a few years ago - and i wouldnt say it was a miracle cure for me - but rather he speaks a lot of sense and his experiences sound akin to yours... if you want i could probably summarise the literature and maybe try to email you the various recorded meditations etc

[Rosylily]

Diva, has anyone checked your thyroid? A good friend of mine was feeling like you and that is what it was with her. It also messes up your weight, could be worth checking just to rule it out even???

[divastrop]

thank you all for your advice etc.i will go and see my gp as prozac has only ever helped me when ive been pregnant.i have tried loads of different ad's and the tri-cyclics just made me want to sleep all the time and other ssri's have made my anxiety much worse.tbh i just want the doc to check my hormone levels etc then if there's no underlying cause then i'd rather try and find out if there are any alternative remedies or dietry supplements i can take to help me cos i dont want to be on medication long-term.

i was seeing a councellor for ages before i had the baby and she has told me to get in touch with her when i feel i want to re-start our sessions.

putting how i feel into words has helped alot though,as now i can see that its not reality,its just a temporary thing iyswim.