I need a good, old fashioned MN pep talk

[Peasoupgreen]

Have name changed.

I realise this is pathetic and that people deal with way worse every day. But please don't flame me. For context, I have PND. Been on waiting list for therapy for three months with no end in sight. It's been the worst experience of my life. DH works FT, I'm on Mat leave.

For the past couple of days I've been feeling poorly with a heavy cold and a sore throat and to top it all off last night I came down with food poisoning. I was up all night being violently ill, my stomach is still upset now and I still can't face food. I have IBS so it always takes me longer than average to get over anything gastro related unfortunately.

This morning I realised that the baby (almost 5 months) has caught my cold and also has conjunctivitis. He's miserable, clingy and has thrown up a couple of his bottles due to coughing. I know I'm in for another sleepless night tonight as I'll be so worried about him being sick in his crib and choking. At bedtime this evening DD (5) was very sniffly and kept saying that her eyes "feel like they have sand in them" (classic conjunctivitis). She's in bed now and I can hear her coughing and sniffling, poor thing, so unlikely she'll be at school tomorrow.

DH will be out of the house from 7am until 7pm at all earliest tomorrow and all this week, as is normal for him. He can't take time off, he's delivering a week long training course that people have come from abroad for. My parents are away, PIL aren't interested, all my friends will be working. I was already feeling overwhelmed, stressed out and completely exhausted before all this illness struck but now the prospect of a long day alone with a poorly baby and poorly 5yo when I'm not well myself just seems terrifying. I've lost all confidence in my ability to cope. A lot of my PND related worries revolve around the health of the DC so it's hard to be rational.

I know I need to put on my big girl pants and get on with it. Would just be really grateful for any words of encouragement, a hand holding, a pep talk, advice on getting through the next few days until we're hopefully an illness free household again.. anything really.

Thanks. Sorry if was long

You need to speak to a health care professional and get some help and support. PND will not go away without you seeking help.

Thank you. I have spoken to my Health Visitor and my GP. I have also had an assessment with a Doctor from the Perinatal Mental Health Team, they told me I would need therapy but unfortunately there is a long waiting list. I've been on the waiting list for 3 months and have been told it will be at least a couple of months more before I'm at the top of the list. Not sure what else I can do really.

I hope you manage some sleep tonight. If it becomes apparent during the night that your eldest won’t be going to school because they’re poorly, email the school there and then stating that they won’t be in school due to illness. Countless times I’ve been awake with DC during the night and we’ve all just been falling back to sleep at 8am when I’ve realised I need to contact school/nursery. Also the sooner you make the decision they’re not going, you can switch off alarm and everyone can wake naturally after a sleepless night.
As others have said PJ/duvet day, but do all bath/shower at some point as it’s amazing how much better you feel when you’re clean(!) and if possible a bit of fresh air at some point in the day even if it’s just in the back garden for 5 minutes.
Good luck, you’re doing a great job, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

Hope your day is going ok so far! xx

Thank you all again for being so lovely. It really did help to read your responses when I was letting my thoughts run away with me last night.

5yo woke up a bit snotty but happy this morning and although she said her eyes are still a bit sore, there was no sign of any infection so decided to send her to school. Baby is still a pretty miserable and clingy, we didn't get much sleep last night but I think the walk to school this morning did us all good. He seems a bit happier since we got home.

I'm still feeling a bit rough but I think that's mostly due to lack of sleep. Have managed to eat a bit of toast this morning so fingers crossed the worst is over!

Hope that's you on the mend - glad some fresh air helped xx