Moderate PND just been diagnosed, LO 9 months tomorrow

[Pipsicle]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone is in a similar situation or have any words of encouragement.

Went to GPs this morning and she diagnosed me with moderate PND and had prescribed Citalopram. To be honest am glad to have been diagnosed but also somewhat shocked as thought I was doing so well!!

I have no support (despite my parents being alive but having disowned me 4 years ago) except hubbie who is truly wonderful and really thought I had been going strong. Was hit with a tummy bug a few weeks ago and have not been able to pick myself up from there although hubbie thinks that I have not been myself since Jan, slowly losing my get up and go.

Current symotoms include total loss of appetite and even if hungry unable to eat, distrupted sleep which is killing me, some days my limbs feel so heavy any minor task is a nightmare, total inability to get up in the mornings etc etc!! All really become evident in last 2/3 weeks.

Also have an impending house move in few weeks to area where I know no one!

Anyone out there similar to me?

[mcnoodle]

Hi Pipsicle

Have you talked to your health visitor about how you are feeling?

It's not that I think you DON'T have PND, but I wonder how your GP diagnosed. Your symptoms could simply be the after effects of your bug.

What is your instinct? You sound surprised about your diagnosis.

When I was diagnosed (2 years ago - am back to old self now) I was hugely relieved and KNEW that I was a very very long way from my old self.

Having said that, close family are often far more able to notice changes than we are. I know my family were concerned about me for a while before I was diagnosed, so your DH's thoughts are really worth listening to.

[Pipsicle]

Hi McNoodle

I know I am not right - put it this way, for the last few weeks I have been back to bed with my Lo for her morning nap which is sooo not like me. I also loved spending days at home with LO but have recently found them so long and unbearable.

I love my food and cant stomach it and have been trying to tell myself it was just my bug. Then I recognised I was worrying and its just gone from there...

I am shocked because I thought it might just be anxiety but was really tearful with docs this morning which is also not like me.

Usually I can get through things like this but just dont have the strength to fight this on my own.

[mcnoodle]

Ok - well I reckon you have to trust your instinct. The anxiety really rings bells for me, as does the frustration of being at home.

As far as the AD's go - I'm sure your GP talked about side-effects/length of time before they take effect etc. In my experience it took about 2 weeks before they kicked in, and I noticed an immediate reduction in anxiety and a general improvement in my mood. I just felt better able to cope. However, what suits one may not suit another, so if the Citalopram doesn't work for you, go back to the GP and ask for a different sort. Also, find out if there are any PND groups/counselling that you can be referred to. I did a CBT group, and it helped.

Most importantly though, you need to take care of yourself. If staying at home is becoming unbearable you need to have a think about nice gentle 'things to do'. Do you have friends you could hang out with? Just getting out of the house for an hour a day will help. I was advised to tell my friends, and I think this was a good thing for me to do.

Try and get a bit of time to yourself - yoga, gentle exercise, massage, haircut - anything that you did before becoming a mum that is 'you'.

And finally - it gets better. It's been a real journey for me. I think I'm stronger now I'm out the other side.

Am not of the hugging persuasion but I reckon you probably need one so

[Pipsicle]

Hey thanks for that McNoodle - Ihave told everyone already!

Am moving house in 3 weeks or so hopefully so starting groups here is probably not going to be great here but poss in new place.

Hubbie wants me to visit a girlfriend this weekend but am bit worried about side effects and being away from home - any pointers here?

[mcnoodle]

Sorry pipsicle - nursery run

Well for me the side effects were pretty mild. A kind of butterflies in stomach anxiousness - a bit like the after effects of some recreational drugs

I would go and see friend. Will do you good to go and have some fun!

Will keep checking thread