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Original poster

To ask if you have taken antidepressants for PND and did they work?

29 replies

Merryoldgoat · 12/11/2018 19:30

I have been suffering with PND for about 8 months now. It’s not really getting any better and I’m miserable.

I had wanted to avoid tablets but the CBT is taking ages to come through so I think I’ll have to go back to the doctor to talk about meds.

Do they work? How quickly? Will they kill my sex drive (not that I have much of one)?

What should I be aware of? I’ve never taken them before and I’m it sure what to expect,

OP posts:
BumsexAtTheBingo · 12/11/2018 19:37

Yes and yes. They don’t work overnight but gradually things become more bearable. Side effects will vary depending on the person and which ad you take but for me they were minimal. I think some can affect sex drive but so does depression.

Sausages18 · 12/11/2018 19:37

Sorry to hear you have been having a hard time. PND is a right bastard.

My experience with antidepressants - not for PND though. The first kind I tried - made me feel weird and worse within a few days.

I told the doctor quickly and they switched. The second type - much much better. Within a week I could feel the difference, and it was a huge relief. My feelings came back, my happiness came back, I felt less anxious. It did decrease my sex drive but it was manageable. I think they saved my life, or at least a big chunk of it that I would have been highly miserable through. And it was then possible to come off them when I didn’t need them any more.

Good luck. They worked for me and I was very grateful.

elliejjtiny · 12/11/2018 19:38

I've been on anti depressants (sertraline) for PND for 12 years. I find they help a lot. I found they start to work straight away but take 3 weeks to work completely. Doesn't affect my sex drive.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 12/11/2018 19:38

Thank you both.

I’m going back to work a bit early which I think will help too.

OP posts:
HopeHopity · 12/11/2018 19:39

Yes and Yes. The sooner the better as well
Good luck OP

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 12/11/2018 19:39

Thank you ellie

12 years is a long time.

OP posts:
Hazza000 · 12/11/2018 19:41

Yes I took fluoxetine (Prozac) 40mg for about 4 months worked beautifully after about three weeks started to feel better every day. Good luck

BertramKibbler · 12/11/2018 19:41

Yes I am and yes they’re helping. I’m not suddenly cured but I can handle life a lot better.

They’ve also improved my sex life as I’m more relaxed, they did numb my ability to orgasm for a month or so but it came back with time.

They took about a month to start working and then a few more weeks to get the best dosage for me.

The side effects can be sucky at first, I am on sertraline and had nausea and lightheadedness but it does wear off if you stick it out.

MissConductUS · 12/11/2018 19:42

Yes, the meds were a godsend. There's no need to suffer with it.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 12/11/2018 19:42

Yes they did work - Citalopram , after a little while. I also had CBT as I went back to work quite early and in hindsight too soon.
Good luck !

Diplomum · 12/11/2018 19:43

Yes, citalopram for PND. Took three weeks to work but I could feel myself getting better. It seriously felt like something was rebalancing in my brain. Have now been on them several years, they help. CBT really helped too, but I definitely needed both.

PunkrockerGirl59 · 12/11/2018 19:44

Yes and yes. Although this was well over 20 years ago and medicines have moved on. They took about 2-3 weeks to work and honestly, the difference they made was unbelievable. Maybe I was lucky but apart from a dry mouth, which is almost a given, I had no side effects at all. If I'm completely honest they probably saved my life.
As pp said, PND is a right bastard, it's not something I'd wish on my worst enemy.

Please see your GP - you won't be on them forever. Sending you Flowers The sooner you seek help the sooner you will start to feel better.

Tinkie25 · 12/11/2018 19:47

Yes took citalopram for PND when ds was 8 months. They made such a huge difference. Felt a little worse for the first week, but after that I started to improve slowly. I was in a very dark place before I started taking them.

Lana1234 · 12/11/2018 19:57

Yes and yes they helped but they are hard to get used to and I had some side effects to begin with (setraline). I felt a bit spaced out to begin with but similar to others after about 3 weeks it felt like a dark cloud had lifted. Definitely worth chatting to your GP. Sending you love and support OP x

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 12/11/2018 20:11

Thank you all - I’ll call tomorrow. Really appreciate all the support.

OP posts:
trevthecat · 12/11/2018 20:19

I'm on citalopram and really help me

bumblenbean · 12/11/2018 20:22

I’m on sertraline which has really helped me and with no real side effects (though I know some people do get them). I do sometimes wonder if there is any element of a ‘placebo’ effect, but I’m pretty sure they have made a big difference.

Good luck Flowers

moita · 12/11/2018 20:25

Sertraline has made me stop randomly crying and has allowed me to function much better.

Hope your GP is supportive OP.

CottonSock · 12/11/2018 20:27

Sertraline transformed me in days. Didn't really care what it did to my sex drive, depression killed it anyway! It gave me my happiness back

Needtomoveon12 · 12/11/2018 20:31

Another yes here, I was suffering so bad I was terrified of taking them, it took me a long time to get help but all I can say is I wish I did it a long time ago!! First few days nausea and super tired but soon wore off and literally felt like I could think clear again!! Can only describe it as a fog lifted out of my head and I enjoyed life again without waking up with stomach ache and dreading ‘another day’ best thing I ever did, good luck OP x

Northernpowerhouse · 12/11/2018 20:34

Yes, over 20 years ago when i developed awful PND after my 3rd DC was born. It just lifted me up enough to be able to start to function properly again. Was on them for a year then weaned off. Haven’t needed them since - but wouldn’t hesitate if i did. Good luck OP.

SharpLily · 12/11/2018 20:37

Yes and yes. I rejected the idea for ages and had sunk really low by the time I started them. I didn't get on with the side effects so I only took them for a few months but they helped me to help myself out of the hole. Am expecting another baby now and am very worried about another episode of PND but won't hesitate to start taking anti-depressants straightaway if necessary this time.

mineofuselessinformation · 12/11/2018 20:43

If you're even considering it, it's time to go and tell your GP how you are feeling.
Medication can really help.

daughterofanarchy · 12/11/2018 22:01

I would say give it a try at least OP, medication has worked for many women on here with PND. I know it may not be for everyone but it’s worth a go.
I take fluoxetine 20mg once a day for PND. I won’t lie and say that I’m Running around feeling all happy as Larry but I seem to be calmer, not losing my rag as much anymore. I can function through daily tasks like the school run and cooking the kids food but I’m still always tired. I WANT to be happy again, I want the exhaustion to stop but that hasn’t happened. Currently debating whether to carry on with it or go back to the GP for further help.

MsVestibule · 12/11/2018 22:18

Yes, I was on and off Prozac for about 3 years. I felt worse for the first couple of days but then started to feel like 'me' again, for the first time in months. Sorry, can't remember if it affected my sex drive, but perhaps having a young baby and a toddler to look after 12 hours a day, that wasn't a massive issue Grin.

TBH, at the beginning, I felt a bit of a failure, having to take ADs. How come everybody else managed to cope apart from me? However, it was so worth it. I hope it works out for you.