Tell me your experiences of ADs and breastfeeding please

[hunkermunker]

Thank you

[monkeytrousers]

And don't feel you have to act like all depressed if you're having a good day! I don't

[monkeytrousers]

I started taking AD's when ds was about 8 months old (I think) and was still breastfeeding. Had no problems there and the Ad's worked wonderfully. Still on them - don't be in a mad rush to come off them if they're helping you - If you're in denial and still a bit mortified by the stigma it's easy to rush off them after a few months of feeling normal - but about a year is normal, just to be on the safe side.

[Rhubarb]

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better HM, been thinking about you!

[PiccadillyCircus]

Sleep does help .

[tangerinecath]

Amazing what difference a good night's sleep makes isn't it? Now that dd's a bit older and only wakes in the night if she's ill, I've found life so much easier to manage.

Are you going to take the AD's or just see how you go?

[hunkermunker]

Have had two relatively good nights sleep-wise and feel quite a bit better - but also went to the GP this morning and have a prescription for Sertraline.

We shall see.

GP and HV both want to see me to see how I'm going. Feel well-looked-after this time round which makes a big difference (that and lovely MN support - thanks for the text this am, VVV - will see you soon x x x).

[CHICagoMUM]

Hunker had no idea about any of this. (No idea how I missed it). I had a feeling things weren't all ok when I last saw you, but no idea you were feeling so low. No advice re the PND 9or the meds either) I .m afraid, put just wanted to post so you knew I was thinking of you. Wish I could do more .

[tangerinecath]

Hunker, glad you're feeling better this morning. Hope things continue to improve for you.

[hunkermunker]

Aw, VVV

JW, yes, I have a problem with trying to reason things...

Good news though - DS2 found his thumb yesterday, which I think helped him sleep from 9.30-5am! Then he slept from 5.40 till 8am!

I feel human again. Will see how today goes.

[jabberwocky]

Hunker, you sound so much like me. But as my therapist and dr. both said, You can't reason your way out of this. That's why the meds help jumpstart you feeling better.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

And we are lucky to have you my dear.

Here's hoping for a better night tonight for you

xxxx

[hunkermunker]

I am v lucky to have all my boys.

[BullyingLondonLegalBods]

I always liked your DH, now I think he is wonderful.

[hunkermunker]

I went to bed early last night. DH has rigged the PC so it goes off at 10.15...because I have no willpower...

[BullyingLondonLegalBods]

I know where you live Hunker, make sure you get to bed early tonight. >


Thinking of you my darling, wish I could wave a magic wand for you.

[hunkermunker]

Feel bloody awful this morning. Had a shit night though. DS2 is very sweet, but he is not good at sleeping from about 4.00am.

My life can be summed up in one word. Trudge.

I don't understand it. I'm intelligent, witty, conceited(!), I hate hate hate feeling like this.

[chipmonkey]

aGree with Mears and eating an elephant in small chunks. If you set yourself one small task at a time in the house, the fact that things are improving, however slowly, might just help? My mum lives in a horrible house. Doesn't seem to bother her but it really depresses me every time I visit. If I had to live in it I'd be climbing the walls.

[oops]

HI HM,
I am so sorry this is your thread, but i think that talking about it is sucha good thing.

I think counselling helps because it gets you to rationalise some of the stuff that is going on. ADs help, counselling helps, sleep helps,money helps
as I reckon pnd is a mulitfactorial thing really. Lack of slep really eacerbates it too.

I think i had pnd about 7 months after ds1.
I couldn't sleep and felt sort of GREY if that makes sense. I vividly remember sitting on our bed at 5am shaking all over and trying to decide if i should just run away and never be seen again, or (Sorry) whether it would be easier and less stress to do myslef in..
i was trying to decide the best way, it was truly truly horrid and i never want to go back there.

My GP was a "you're lucky your baby sleeps" type of person so no help there.
I got through it with meditation and anti-histamines (weirdly) and as soon as i was sleeping better the owrld did improve.

I know a big problem is your home and can totoally see how that would get you down. We have a lovely flat but are busting at the seams, we paly muscial beds for a good part of the evening...

I am not sure if or how this may help you- but it is just to say then talking and counselling will help you. I was lucky enough to gtet over some of the stuff on my own anyway- i think the pnd was assoc with weaning for me.

I was really scared it would come back this time, but luckily so far it has been fine.

Anyway, email me ruth at serlin.co.uk if you like, I am jsut hanging around this week - but dh has booked a trailer holiday in gt yarmouth for easter {shock} so will be away then- not sure what to amek of that but will let you know

be kind to yourself and don't feel a failure, we all have glitches

[suedonim]

Hunker, just wanted to send you some sympathy vibes. ~~~~~~~ I was also once in Pnd-land and quite frankly, we can do without it. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[georginarf]

yes Flossam puts it much better

it's difficult for them to tell whether it's purely chemical or if there's other things going on with you - the counselling helps you to sort that out.

[bubble99]

Perfectly put, Floss.

[Squarer]

\link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1841191256/026-5463891-7156422\this?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 helps you recognise triggers and overcome them}

[Flossam]

Basically, Hunker, from my psychology efforts I understand depression to be like this. There are two schools of thought for the causes of depression, that it is caused by external pressures, ie, day to day life getting on top of you, or that it is caused by internal imbalances, ie your seretonin levels. So is it the levels altering which makes you depressed, or the fact that life is hard to cope with which makes the levels decrease?

I have not ever looked into PND, so I am can't clump this in with all other depressions. Basically, after birth your hormones are up sh*t creek without a paddle aren't they? This possibly makes it more likely that it is caused by a chemical imbalance, but I think what Mears is trying to say is it may not be as likely (in your case) as it would be with someone who has less on their plate.

Personally, I would be keen to have counselling and medication if the doctor agreed it was required. Counselling would be my ideal, alone, but I know that you need to get better, quickly. Juse also bear in mind that to give the meds a go, you need to wait at least two weeks. Also, try to keep taking them if you can, as long as side effects aren't too bad, to ensure you gave them a 'proper' go IYSWIM. xxx

[georginarf]

yes, can also help talk through your 'triggers' and ways to deal with those, simlar to CBT. And just practical things on looking after yourself really - obvious things like letting people help, eating properly, getting some rest - things that seem so very obvious but which are so easy to not do.

[georginarf]

ah well
It's a chemical imbalance yes, but counselling helps you to talk through how you're feeling and additional ways in which to deal with those feelings. It'll also help bring out anything else that might be bothering you - and perhaps help you take some practical steps and order your thoughts. It just gives you some 'you' time in which you worry about sorting yourself out rather than other people, and might address your need to 'cope'

On the other hand you might not need it at all, in which case the counsellor will probably report back to your GP and not give you so many sessions - but they like to cover all bases rather than set you free with your pills and risk you really having needed the counsellor.

Hmm, not sure I've explained it very well!