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PND at 18 months?! Menopause? Or something else?

18 replies

SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 00:49

I feel like I’m losing my mind! But not all the time. Sometimes I feel fine and genuinely happy. Often I do! But I’m up and down like a yo-yo.
I have 3 kids, ranging from 10 to 1.5. I’ve just turned 40. For the past 18 months, I’ve genuinely been in a joy filled baby bubble. She was a dreadful, really unimaginably bad sleeper, but she’s a total joy of a babe, very longed for and gorgeous, we’ve all been on cloud nine with her. So if it’s PND it’s very late and sudden onset.
The last ten days or so I’ve felt like a crazy person. It’s been a very sharp and sudden decline. I also have my period right now, but this is outside all realms of normal hormonal stuff.
Last week I frightened my husband. I came to the conclusion that everyone would be fine if I wasn’t here. Just quite matter of factly, that although they’d be sad for a bit , they’d recover, my husband could meet someone new, it would be fine. That I’m a kind of pointless person who is completely inconsequential. I didn’t plan to DO anything exactly. I just felt like I saw it clearly- they could do better than me.
I’m currently incredibly, overly sensitive to rejection or perceived rejection. I’ve been rejected by my mother’s group, not in a malicious way, they are all much younger and first babies and just have more in common, so they have been meeting up in a splinter group. I’m normally fine with this. It doesnt feel great, and I’m desperately lovely but it’s also understandable and nobody has been mean to me.
But they posted a picture on Facebook on a night out this week (I wasn’t invited) and I just felt sick to my stomach and thought of course they don’t want a boring old frump like me there, who would? They are young and glamorous. And 10 years younger.

I was supposed meet for a walk and coffee with my friend with a baby this morning, she’s had to cancel and also said she is busy next week, and I just burst into tears. But obviously told her it was fine because that’s normal?! But I feel like a total loser who she had to pre-empt being busy next week in case I asked to reschedule.
I actually begged my brother to meet up this week and told him how lonely I was. He doesn’t have the time (but has made time) to spare, I feel so pathetic begging people to see me!

I’ve lost all of my confidence and am feeling that nobody likes me once they get to know me. That my husband and kids could do better than me!
I gave my husband such a hard time last week and posted here about not rescheduling my 40th. The fact there’s been no celebration feels like confirmation that I’m not worth celebrating and who’d want to anyway? Nobody wants to be around me! I’m so lonely.

I know these are depressed thoughts. But they feel so real. And it’s come on so suddenly, like I’ve just seen the truth - I’m not likeable! How did it take so long to see it?

Then yesterday, I was happy all day and had a lovely day. Then today back to bleak and dark. Has this happened to anyone? I can’t trust my own thoughts and opinions. I’m scared of becoming out of touch with reality. There is NOTHING wrong externally I am incredibly fortunate by every single measure!

Is it medical or chemical? Is this what menopause feels like? Do I just genuinely suck and people want to stay away? I don’t know what to do. I do t feel I can go to the Dr and tell them I’ve just realised everyone hates me? I don’t know where to start or what to do.
I’ve been acting fake happy all day in the hope it will follow. But inside I am nauseous and have rising panic and can’t eat. I’ve lost 3kgs in two weeks as nothing appeals to eat.

OP posts:
SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 03:20

I just haven’t heard of depression coming on literally overnight.

OP posts:
Doryhunky · 01/09/2020 03:43

I think PND can come on late ie when the child is around 4.
I became menopausal after my child was born (I was 40)
But there could be another explanation for this depression. These are very very difficult times with a lot of uncertainty.
I think you are doing the right thing by sharing your feelings with those close to you but also please see your gp.

SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 04:35

Did the menopause feel this way?

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Mrscutesmummy · 01/09/2020 04:50

Hey OP didn't want to read and run. I think you sound very self aware and lovely. Sorry you're feeling shite. I think it's pretty natural to feel sad if people aren't including you and didn't celebrate your big milestone birthday. We all want to pretend these things don't matter to us but they are important! It might be you just feel sad because things are sad right now might not be menopause or anything like that. You're still allowed to feel sad when you have a lovely home, husband and kids.

Can I gently suggest deactivating your Facebook/ instagram for a week and see if it helps? I did this and not seeing a highlights reel of everyone's life everyday was a game changer for me and my mental health. If it helps maybe consider getting rid permanently.

Otherwise big hugs, things will get better. It's good you're talking about it here to get your feelings out and to process. You definitely are worth celebrating and spending time with!!

SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 05:44

The social media deactivation is a good idea

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SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 05:44

Thank you for your kind words

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CatteStreet · 01/09/2020 05:55

Are you having regular periods?

Have you recently stopped bf, or started contraception?

That onset does sound a bit sudden, and the sharp mood swings are concerning too. Is anything else going on - physical symptoms, forgetfulness?
I think you should see a GP as soon as you can.

SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 05:59

I feel exhausted and brain foggy. My baby has just had a 3 hour nap and I sat on the sofa, not even able to watch TV. I got a decent for the last 18 months anyway sleep last night.
I’m a bit forgetful but not markedly so. I think I might be having hot flashes. Period depressingly regular and awful (I have endo). PMS has been getting worse and worse for the last probably 5 years (when not pregnant).

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CatteStreet · 01/09/2020 06:05

Hm - I don't think this is menopause, but I am wondering whether it's hormonal. (I also think - due to the suddennesss of the onset - that a doctor may want to rule out extremely rare but nasty things, but the emphasis of that bit is firmly on 'extremely rare').
Was the brain fog there before the alarming feelings started?

MarshaBradyo · 01/09/2020 06:13

I think it’s natural to feel upset at the night out. Will you see them again?

And the friend cancelling when you needed to see someone was another thing on top.

I think it’s harder atm in general. I don’t know about the cause but seeing people get together isn’t great.

Pantheon · 01/09/2020 06:40

Could you try keeping a diary of when you feel OK and when you don't? I recently read on another thread about premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a worse version of pms. I have been looking it up for myself due to recent exhaustion/irritability on first day and before of period. Might be worth you looking it up too. I hope you find some answers and feel better.

Cauterize · 01/09/2020 07:05

You said your baby was a dreadful, unimaginably bad sleeper......that's says a lot to me. Mine was too and it definitely plunged me into the depths of depression.

On the surface I wanted to portray to the world how happy I was and how wonderful my baby was, but in reality I was in absolute despair and very lonely.

I think this has probably been building for a while with you. The exclusion from the mums group is probably the tipping point.

I ended up having about 6 months of therapy and it really helped. Perhaps this is an option for you?

SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 09:01

I might ask to see a counsellor. Unfortunately I live in a smallish town and they will likely be a school
Parent...

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Laiste · 01/09/2020 09:22

I don't have much 'proper' advice - i suffered from horrible depression for about 3 years after having DD4 (who is now 6.5) and just managed without telling anyone and that is not the way to do things! I just didn't have the guts to tell anyone. Like you i didn't know if it was 'medical' or 'emotional' (mid 40s, massive emotional trauma the year before preg. with DD and thought DD coming would solve it all) and I dragged myself through it and SLOWLY out the other side but i so clearly understand how you feel. You describe it perfectly.

I just want to send you a ((hug)) and say ''get help!''. GP?
Flowers

If you want to PM me please do x

SquarePeggyLeggy · 01/09/2020 21:17

Thank you.Flowers

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funkystars123 · 01/09/2020 22:14

Hi

As well as all of the wonderful advice you have had already, i would suggest checking out your iron levels, i have had terrible symptoms like yours for years and recently found out i an very deficient...

853ax · 01/09/2020 22:30

Sounds familiar to me, not that I have figured it out so not much help to you. Impressed with how you have been able to document/express.
I'm similar age children bit older then yours.
My third was a good sleeper but I found the hormonal imbalance crazy especially when cutting out feeding. Had hard time when second young mostly due to bad sleeper but it stresses in life too.
I have taken Steraline for about year cut it out past few months have not seen GP recently due covid.
It did help made me realise how anxious & stressed I was when second small would have benifited with it then.
Also felt the pill helped with PMS hormones but again cut that out recently so see how I would be.
Pleased currently not to be on either as at times when feeling weird I used to think was due to medication.
Often wonder if menopause related.
I try focus on self care, step back deep breaths and find the current environment of not making plans and going places easier for me when not with others don't get as much of that feeling that they don't like me.
Thanks for poster re Iron I'm always low when checked but don't keep up taking supplements

SquarePeggyLeggy · 02/09/2020 21:24

I’m
Going to ask
The gp for a full blood count. Thank you

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